Electricity has been restored to Dursey Island which has been without power since Storm Eunice struck the southwest coast of the country six days ago.
The island's one permanent all-year-round resident, as well as 15 other households including a number of farms, were without power until today after gusts of up to 130km/h badly damaged a pole on the island.
An ESB crew visited Dursey on the Beara Peninsula yesterday to assess the damage and a decision was taken to use a helicopter to help replace the damaged pole as it would be impossible to bring digging equipment via the cable car or a boat, due to the swell.
Today the crew excavated the hole by hand, and the helicopter flew the replacement pole out to the island dropping it vertically into the hole from the air.
Linesmen then strung line and reconnected power this afternoon to the island's 16 households.
ESB spokesman Paul Hand apologised for the inconvenience to customers saying last weekend was a very busy time for their repair crews which was further compounded by the arrival of Storm Franklin on Sunday.
Cork landmark cross to be removed due to storm damage
Elsewhere, one of Co Cork's best-known landmarks - the cross on the roof of the Church of the Ascension in Gurranabraher - is to be taken down and replaced.
The move comes after damage to its casing during Storm Franklin last weekend caused it to tilt.
The 15 foot-high cross, which is illuminated nightly, can be seen across the city.
Parish Priest Fr Tomás Walsh said that while the 60-year-old cross was not damaged, it is badly rusted and it was felt that as the casing has to be repaired, this would be a good time to replace it.
Scaffolding is due to be erected tomorrow and the cross taken down over the coming days.
Access to the church for parishioners was temporarily suspended on Sunday pending a structural safety survey being carried out.
"People have been very supportive. This is a wonderful parish, but even people from around the city have been ringing offering support. It is just phenomenal.
"People want the cross up and lighting over the city. It is like a beacon of hope," he said.
A fundraiser has been launched to help with the unexpected costs involved.
