Melting Monday as record-breaking temperatures exceed 30 degrees
The week has gotten off to a sweltering start, with Ireland recording the hottest temperature in more than 120 years.
Met Éireann said an air temperature of 33 degrees Celsius was recorded at Phoenix Park in Dublin, which was the highest temperature recorded here in either the 20th or 21st centuries, and the hottest temperature ever in July in Ireland.
The Midlands was among the hottest regions in the country, with temperatures hitting a whopping 31 degrees at the Mount Dillon weather station in Roscommon at 5pm today. In Westmeath, it was 30 degrees at the Mullingar weather station at 5pm, according to the national forecaster.
In Athlone, long-established music equipment shop The Sound Factory had the shutters down and a note posted saying it was simply "too hot".
Also in the centre of Athlone this afternoon, an electronic sign outside a pharmacy was displaying a temperature reading of 40 degrees, though we can't vouch for the accuracy of its thermometer!
A yellow-level weather warning for high temperatures remains in effect for Connacht, Munster and Ulster counties until midnight tonight, while the high-temperature warning for Leinster will be in effect until 7pm tomorrow (Tuesday).
The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3 degrees at Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887.