Last month warmest May on record in many areas in Ireland

Dublin- Met Eireann says last month was the warmest May on record in many parts of the country.

Temperatures were close to normal in March and April, but May was exceptionally warm, particularly in the west, where temperatures were three degrees higher than normal. The highest temperature during the month was 25 degrees recorded in Birr on May 12. Met Eireann says last month was also one of the driest since 1991, with less than half the normal rainfall recorded in most areas.