July 2026 was one of the hottest, driest and sunniest months on record for Ireland, according to new data from Met Éireann.

The latest Met Éireann Climate Statement shows that July 2026 was dominated by high pressure and had a mean temperature of 17.25°C.

This resulted in the month being the second hottest July since 1900 and the third hottest month overall.

The hottest July record in Ireland remains July 2013 when the temperature reached 17.34°, while the hottest ever month was August 1995 with a mean temperature of 17.75°.

The national mean temperature for July 2026 is 2.4° above the 1961-1990 long-term average (LTA) and 1.87° above the 1991-2020 LTA.

Heatwaves

July 2026 saw heatwaves recorded at seven weather stations, lasting between five and 13 days.

Moore Park, Co. Cork experienced the second longest heatwave on record with 13 days, behind 14 days set in Birr, Co. Offaly and Ballybrittas, Co. Laois in August 1976.

Met Éireann noted that the average temperature in Birr, Co. Offaly during its 14-day heatwave in 1976 was 17.9°, while the average temperature in Moore Park during its 13-day heatwave in 2026 was 20.4°, a difference of 2.5°.

Eight stations in the south and east had their warmest July on record.

Of those stations, Cork Airport (18.5° mean temp), Moore Park (18.8°), Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin (18.2°) and Casement, Co. Dublin (18°) had their warmest month on record.

The report noted that these records had previously stood for between 62 and 127 years.

The highest maximum was reported on July 12 at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry with a temperature of 30.0°.

This was the station's highest July and all-month daily maximum air temperature in 127 years.

Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin reported 36 consecutive days with maximum daily temperatures above 20° between June 30 and August 4, which is still ongoing.

"This surpasses the previous record at a synoptic station of 34 days at Shannon Airport set in July/August 1995 and surpasses its own record of 27 days set in July 1989," the report said.

Met Éireann said that during July 2026 the south and east experienced long dry periods of high temperatures and sunshine.

While the north and west experienced some rain and cloud, particularly early and late in the month.

In the last week of the month, the high pressure moved away to the southwest, bringing cloud, with some rain and showers.

Met Éireann

Provisional gridded rainfall for Ireland shows July 2026 was the driest July on record with 16mm or 17% of the 1991-2020 LTA.

All monthly rainfall totals across the country were below their 1991-2020 LTA.

17 stations had their driest July on record. Of those, Cork Airport, Moore Park, Oak Park, Co. Carlow and Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, had their driest month on record.

Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 1.1mm at both Cork Airport and Moore Park, Co. Cork to 75.2mm at Newport, Co. Mayo (67% of its LTA).

All 25 stations saw dry spells between July 1 and August 2 lasting between 19 and 33 days.

Of those, 20 stations mostly in the midlands, south and east also saw absolute droughts between July 1 and July 28, lasting between 15 and 27 days.

The report also shows that all available sunshine totals for the month were above their LTA.

Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford recorded the highest July and all-month sunshine duration on record for Ireland. The previous record was 308.2 hours at Valentia, Co. Kerry in July 1955.

Cork Airport had its sunniest month on record and surpassed the previous all-month sunshine duration record with 315.1 hours.