The deluge of rain that has plagued farmers for the last week shows no sign of letting up, with Met Éireann forecasting further downpours.

The highest volume of rain was recorded at Claremorris in Co Mayo, where 70mm fell in the past week, over twice the average. Even the driest station, Roche’s Point Co Cork, recorded nearly 40mm of rain.

Back-to-back storms Ciara and Dennis have pushed rainfall totals around the country to between two and a half and three times the average, with south Leinster one of the worst affected areas.

Saturated soils and heavy rainfall, combined with elevated river levels, have resulted in widespread flooding

The wet weather has resulted in major disruption. Tillage farmers have been unable to begin spring ploughing, while dairy farmers have struggled to turn cows out to grass. All fields, even those considered free-draining, are saturated.

Saturated soils and heavy rainfall, combined with elevated river levels, have resulted in widespread flooding.

The week ahead looks set to continue in a similar vein, as Met Éireann forecast a very wet week.

The northwest will be the worst affected, with four times the average rainfall, 100mm, expected. About two and a half times the average is expected in the midlands.

The south will be drier in places where between 10mm and 30mm is expected.