Live: Solar eclipse 2026 underway in Ireland

Michael Bolton

The solar eclipse is taking place across western Europe, with the eclipse will be visible just after 6pm in Irish skies, with maximum coverage of the sun occurring shortly after 7pm.

It is described as likely to be the deepest eclipse seen from the region since the total eclipse of August 1999 and the last time that such an eclipse will be seen here until 2090.

The west and south of Ireland are to see 98% coverage of the sun, while this is expected to be around 94% in the east and north of the island.

Some areas of the world are expected to see a total eclipse, including parts of Spain, Greenland and Iceland.

The public have been warned of the “permanent damage” that can be caused by looking directly at the sun.

Hundreds of people were at the line outside the Designist shop in George’s Street snaked for hundreds of yards.

Some of those in the queue said they had been waiting for up to two hours to get the glasses, on sale for €10, to enable them to view the rare astronomical event.