Temperatures Reach 28.4C on Joint Warmest May Day Across Ireland

Temperatures across the island of Ireland reached 28.4C on Monday, tying the previous May record set in County Kerry in 1997. The reading was recorded at Oak Park in County Carlow. Irish weather service Met Éireann said similar temperatures are expected Tuesday, with a chance that a new record could be set.

Northern Ireland, temperatures reached 25C in parts of counties Armagh, Tyrone, Down, and Fermanagh. The figure is the warmest day of the year so far and about 10C above the seasonal average.

Many residents spent the day at Helen's Bay in County Down.

One family said the warmth came as a surprise and prompted an unplanned beach visit. Two friends brought a picnic to the shore and said they try to visit regularly. One planned to swim despite cooler water temperatures, noting the sea feels refreshing afterward. A grandmother watching her grandchildren said the conditions were unusual for the region and expressed hope for continued warm weather.