Cork and the rest of the country has been placed on a status yellow wind and rain warning which will remain in place until 9PM tonight.
Met Éireann has warned of possible damaging gusts with the potential for "localised wave overtopping along Atlantic coasts".
Heavy rain is also forecast, which could lead to flooding in some areas.
Alan O'Reilly of Carlow weather is warning that that some of the gusts could be damaging.
"The gusts are really picking up early this morning and will continue to move across the country with some strong and possibly damaging gusts moving right across the country.
"The worst areas hit will be the west coast and also the south coast with some very strong gusts around coastlines, and coastlines really should be avoided for the duration of today."
