Parts of Ireland were hit with their wettest, windiest and dullest May in many years last month, Met Éireann has revealed.
Forecasters blamed Atlantic weather systems for last month’s unsettled conditions, which also saw record-breaking gusts.
After a warm and dry start, the mercury plunged across the country with top temperatures in areas like Mullingar dropping to their lowest since 1972 for the time of year.
Rainfall was also well above normal levels in the west while it remained relatively dry along the east and south east.
Valentia, Co Kerry suffered its wettest May in five years while Shannon airport’s top daily sunshine levels were the worst in 46 years.
While sun was average in parts, the south and south west of the country experienced a duller than usual lead in to the summer.
But Dublin, on the east coast, still had its dullest May since 2003 while Valentia had its least sunny May since 1981, according to Met Éireann.
Several weather stations around the country recorded their windiest May for at least a quarter of a century. There was a record-breaking 144km/h in Belmullet on the 23rd of the month.
PA