Sir, – Over the last few weeks, Met Éireann and the media in general have frequently cited 33.3 Celsius at Kilkenny Castle on July 16th, 1887, as the highest temperature previously recorded in Ireland. However, the reliability of this record has recently been challenged by a group (Icarus) at NUI Maynooth. According to Icarus, temperatures in the 19th century were measured in a less standardised way than they are now; there is no supporting evidence of such high temperatures from other weather stations nearby; and the physical record no longer exists.
The continuing citing of this possibly erroneous record is therefore unfortunate as it gives the impression that the high temperatures that have been recorded recently are merely freak values that can show up every 150 years or so, and that they are not necessarily associated with climate change.– Yours, etc,
SWITHUN GOODBODY,
Cappaghglass,
Co Cork.