Cork enjoys driest January in half a century

A dry spell lasting 23 days was reported in Dublin

Sherkin Island, West Cork, had its driest January on record (49 years) with 45.2mm of rain. Cork Airport had its driest January since 1964, and Moore Park, Co Cork, had its driest January since 1992. Picture: David Creedon

All weather stations reported above-average temperatures for the fifth month in a row, with Cork seeing the driest January in 50 years of records, Met Éireann has said.

Monthly rainfall totals across the country were below their long-term average (LTA), meaning a "very dry" January, according to the national forecaster, while temperatures were above their LTA.