July was driest on record and second hottest since 1900

July was the 2nd hottest July since 1900 and the driest July on record, according to Met Éireann.

In its latest climate statement, the national meteorological service said July was also one of the sunniest months on record for Ireland.

It recorded heatwaves at seven of its stations, lasting between five and 13 days.

"Moore Park experienced the second-longest heatwave on record with 13 days," it said. Cork Airport had its driest, warmest, and sunniest month on record in July 2026.

"The South and the 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."

According to Met Éireann, the national mean July temperature was 17.25 degrees, making it the second-hottest July since 1900, behind July 2013, when the mean temperature reached 17.34 degrees. It was also the third hottest month overall. The hottest month is still August 1995, when the mean was 17.75 degrees.

Five of the 10 warmest Julys have occurred since 2001, while none of the ten coolest Julys occurred recently.

Provisional gridded rainfall for Ireland shows July 2026 was the driest July on record, with 16 mm.