Heavy rains and strong winds have been causing havoc on farms in Co Kilkenny, where the Irish Farmers Journal witnessed flooding in most fields in the Thomastown area on Wednesday.

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Met Éireann recorded 31mm of rainfall on the day in Oak Park in neighbouring Co Carlow, but local farmers had much higher readings after heavy rain remained constant all Wednesday.

Some land was entirely covered in water, while other fields were overflowing onto the roads through hedges and gates and some rivers burst their banks into neighbouring fields.

Flooded fields after heavy rain in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. \ Thomas Hubert

Flooded fields after heavy rain in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. \ Thomas Hubert

Thomastown IFA branch chair Seán Treacy said saturated land was still draining this Thursday, even though the rain had stopped.

"The water is still seeping and running. Once the springs are open, the water keep running down the lanes. I haven't seen as much rain in 10 years."

Flooded fields after heavy rain in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. \ Thomas Hubert

Seán and another farmer in neighbouring Graiguenamanagh said land would be inaccessible for the coming days. With cold weather forecast from this weekend, "it will be a late spring," they said.

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