Met Éireann marks anniversary of hottest temperature in Irish history recorded in Kilkenny

Kilkenny has marked another year of retaining its all-time record high national temperature, as on this day 137 years ago, the county hit a scorching 33.3° Celsius.

In 1886 the first official weather observations were made in Kilkenny – within the grounds of Kilkenny Castle. Records continued to be made there up to the start of the 20th century.

Only one year after the recording began, on the 26th June 1887, a record temperature of 33.3°C was recorded.

#OnThisDay, June 26th 1887, the highest shaded air temperature for the month of June, 33.3°C, was recorded at Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny️

More here⬇️https://t.co/Jid5u5QU6m pic.twitter.com/RIw2IMLozT

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 26, 2024

This is regarded as the highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland. The record temperature remains unbeaten 137 years later.

The closest recorded temperature since the sizzling day in 1880's Kilkenny was only two years in the Phoenix Park, where a reading of 33.1 degrees was reported.