Over two and a half inches of rain fell in parts of Cork and Kerry on Tuesday, with rivers bursting their banks and flooding land.

In Millstreet, Co Cork, some 59.8mm of rain had fallen through Tuesday while in Ballincollig 65mm of rain poured down. In Killarney, Co Kerry, 41.6mm of rain fell, while in Bunclody, Co Wexford 44.6mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours.

A status orange warning was placed on counties Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford for almost 24 hours on Monday evening into Tuesday, with Met Éireann warning of rainfall totals of up to 80mm in parts.

Valentia in Co Kerry received 121.6mm in the last week

The rest of the country was placed on a status yellow rainfall warning, with up to 50mm forecast.

The rain has put paid to many farmers’ plans, with any grazing opportunities during the day and fertiliser spreading plans now on the back burner until conditions improve again.

In the week up to 23 February, the majority of Met Éireann weather stations have well above average rainfall for this time of year. Valentia in Co Kerry received 121.6mm in the last week and Cork Airport received 113.6mm, while almost 65.5mm of rain fell in Oak Park, Co Carlow.

Aside from the visibly flooded land, Met Éireann has said that poorly drained soils are already waterlogged and that well and moderately drained soils are saturated.

“Only a slight improvement in field conditions is expected by the end of the period,” it said.

Current indications from Met Éireann are that it will be much more settled into the weekend.