The incident had caused a transformer in the Temple Bar area to disconnect (Brian Lawless/PA)

More than 4,000 homes and businesses in some of the busiest parts of Dublin have been hit by a power outage.

The blackout was caused after 11am on Monday when construction workers in the Grafton Street/Dawson Street area hit underground power cables.

POWER CUT: The Civic Offices, Fishamble Street and the Rates Office, Castle Street will remain closed to the public for the rest of today (19/02/2018).Area offices will remain open. We are monitoring updates from @ESBNetworks. Apologies for any inconvenience. — Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) February 19, 2018

The ESB apologised for the disruption and said the incident had caused a transformer in the Temple Bar area to disconnect, affecting a large area of the city centre.

Dublin City Council offices on Wood Quay, businesses and homes along Aston Quay and over to Dame Street and Christchurch, and on the northside over to Henry Street were all hit by the outage.

Traffic lights across the area were also put out.

Power is expected to be restored in the coming hours, the ESB said.

PA Media