Johnstown Castle Basks in Record-Breaking Sunshine as Wexford Rewrites Irish Weather History

Johnstown Castle in County Wexford has officially become the sunniest place in Irish weather history after recording the highest monthly sunshine total ever measured in the country.

New figures released by Met Éireann show the weather station recorded 332.4 hours of sunshine during July 2026, surpassing the previous national record of 308.2 hours, which was set at Valentia Observatory in County Kerry in July 1955.

The figures come as Met Éireann described July as one of the hottest, driest and sunniest months ever experienced in Ireland, with persistent high pressure dominating weather conditions throughout the month.

Johnstown Castle also recorded its driest July on record, with just 1.5 millimetres of rainfall during the month and only one rain day. The exceptionally dry conditions formed part of a prolonged spell of settled weather across the south and east of the country, with many areas experiencing drought conditions.

Met Éireann says the prolonged period of high pressure brought abundant sunshine, well above-average temperatures and very little rainfall, particularly across the south-east.

The record means Johnstown Castle now holds the title for the highest monthly sunshine duration ever recorded in Ireland, making July 2026 a landmark month in the country's weather records.