Almost a week on since Storm Éowyn, around 86,000 people across the country remain without electricity due to the severe damage caused by the devastating storm.
North West Correspondent Shane Ó Curraighín visits towns in Sligo and Roscommon where the local communities are rallying around each other at a time when many have been left without water and electricity.
Approximately 17,000 premises remain without electricity in the northwest as some rural communities navigate a sixth-day without power and connectivity.
Uisce Éireann public water supplies have been restored in most areas of the region.
The Coach House Hotel in Ballymote, Co Sligo, has opened its doors to those who remain affected in the wider community.
Owner of the Coach House Hotel, Patrick Ward, told RTÉ News they are offering showering facilities and warm refreshments as well as a space for those who work remotely to continue their work.
Fionnuala O’Connell is employed as a senior programme manager at PayPal. She works remotely and is availing of the hotel’s broadband and space.
"We’ve no wi-fi since the storm which has made it impossible to work. Thanks to Patrick and the team for opening the hotel. I’ve seen lot of kids come in after school to do their homework," Fionnuala said.
Some 9km south of Ballymote, the village of Culfadda remains without power, however the community remains resilient.
Patricia Casey said: "it doesn’t matter where you turn, there’s no gas. It’s horrible. It’s crippling and the longer it goes on; the more crippling it gets".
Jane Levingston, Patricia's next-door neighbour, said she is happy she has "a gas camping stove and battery operated lamps".
"I've been keeping Patricia supplied with batteries and I’ve been popping in and out," she added.
The weekly cattle sale resumed at Ballymote Mart this morning.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Stephen Hannon, a general manager at Aurivo Marts said: "It has been a tough week for farmers.
"A lot of farmers had to draw water to cattle, feed cattle and deal with calving and lambing without light."
Joe Lenihan who is a beef and suckler farmer in north Mayo told RTÉ News that his father, who is his 90s, and his mother, who is in her mid-80s, remain without power and water.
"We have set up generators to keep the heat going for them and we’ve to carry buckets of water into the water tank in their attic. They live in a two-story house," he said.
Parts of Ballaghaderreen in Co Roscommon also remain without power and water.
Read more: State pays out over €220k in humanitarian aid after storm
John Towey who attended today’s mart in Ballymote said: "It’s been unbearable.
"My wife and I are pensioners. Both of us had coats and blankets around us trying to keep warm yesterday evening.
"We have a heater that’s absolutely no good. We’ve a gas hob, but that’s all. We’ve nothing to charge our phones or no connection.
"I’ve never seen it as bad in my lifetime. I remember the storm in 1961 that caused a lot of destruction. This is a lot worse."
