Crowds watched the astronomical event in Dublin and Belfast.

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.

A queue outside a shop in George’s Street snaked for hundreds of yards.

Families have gathered to watch the astronomical event.

On Wednesday, at approximately 6pm, the moon will block the sun for around 2 hours.

An Irish Air Corps aircraft will carry scientists and a new solar telescope into the path of next week's total solar eclipse in a bid to unlock the mysteries of the Sun's superheated outer atmosphere.

Sky gazers will have the chance to see part of a solar eclipse on Monday evening