A tornado estimated to be 300 feet in height came ashore over north County Dublin.
Myles and Joanna Nolan a couple on holiday from the USA recorded footage of the tornado from Dollymount Strand in Dublin.
A tall column of twisting wind high in the sky.
The sky initially appeared clear but then evidence emerged that things had gotten out of control and a jeep overturned on Dollymount Strand. The jeep was eventually towed away after sustaining some damage.
While some windsurfers continued to enjoy the high winds, Gardaí reported that there was no serious damage.
Gerald Fleming of Met Éireann believes that the weather events have all the hallmarks of being a tornado although quite small. While the tornado reached ground level causing a small amount of damage, it retreated back up into the sky again quite quickly.
There are have been more reports of tornados in recent years. However, it is still unclear as to whether there are more of them or just a greater number of reports.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 August 2001. The reporter is Paul Cunningham.
