IRELAND is gearing up for one of the hottest days on record tomorrow as temperatures look set to hit a sizzling 32C.
As the heatwave continued over the weekend with the hottest day of the year in Dublin's Phoenix Park where the mercury soared to 29.3C, over 80,000 GAA basked in the sunshine in Croke Park today to see Limerick beat Kilkenny to win their third All-Ireland title in a row.
It was an exhilarating final by the two best teams in the country in the glorious weather at the Drumcondra venue.
And the hordes of fans who made their way to the match were treated to a memorable final as John Kiely’s team claimed a narrow two-point victory as the game finished 1-31 to 2-26.
Crowds also enjoyed the fabulous weather at the Curragh Racecourse for the Juddmonte Irish Oaks festival, where Magical Lagoon won the big race of the day for trainer Jessica Harrington.
Co Mayo dog groomer, Danielle Gingell, was chosen as the winner of the Barberstown Most Stylish competition as she definitely caught the eye wearing a Self Portrait outfit as well as her mother’s necklace and earrings.
CEO of The Curragh Racecourse Brian Kavanagh said: “We had an amazing weekend with a fantastic Irish winners with great style and families having lots of fun. We were blessed with a stunning sunshine both days and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves.”
With the weekend seeing record heat, thousands went in search of the biggest ice creams they could find to combat the soaring temperatures.
GAA club volunteers believe they have whipped the title of both the biggest and best value cone in Ireland.
The volunteers at the Ratoath GAA Coffee Dock at the Sean Eiffe Park in Co. Meath say they aren’t flaking the fact of the monstrous ten inch cone with two flakes for the amazing price of just €3 - which all goes to club funds.
The club has proved competitive off the field as well as on after the volunteers decided they could rival the ‘Big Boy’ cone at Curran’s Service Station, outside Dunshaughlin which has been ice-creaming media headlines all week.
“It’s all a bit of craic and all for the club,” explained Tina Power who helps to run the recently opened Coffee Dock.
“The girls and I just decided for the fun that we could do a better and bigger cone and so after a few failed attempts, we finally whipped it into shape and we had a great craic trying,” she laughed.
“Our cones are €2 anyway but if anyone wants a Big Defender, they can have one for just a euro extra.
“We had a summer camp here all week with over a hundred children so we did it for a bit craic for them too and they loved it.
“We opened the Coffee Dock a few months ago. We repurposed a 20ft container and the mothers all painted and decorated it and club members donated their time and supplies to kit it out.
“All proceeds from the Coffee Dock goes straight back into this club and it’s manned purely by volunteers.
Tina is mum to former Meath football player Brian Power who has already been sent pictures of the “Big Defender” to his home in New York.
“It’s getting a big reaction in New York, alright. Sure they love everything extra big over there!
“As I said it’s a bit of fun for everyone and we won’t need Hawk Eye to spot this cone!”
But in the hot weather, water lovers were warned to take extra care following three tragic drownings in the past week.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan warned people to “be careful” as he offered his condolences to the heartbroken families.
He said: “It happens every time, it’s so predictable, but so tragic for every family.
“Let’s not make it a fourth family, destroyed, ruined, in this good weather.
“Be careful, don’t go into waters that you don’t know how safe they are, stay close to the shore, look after each other, we don’t want another tragic loss.”
Earlier this summer, agencies involved in trying to prevent drownings in Irish waters appealed to the public to heed safety advice.
In total, more than 1,100 people have drowned in Ireland over the course of the last decade, a “tragic, unnecessary loss of life and a significant public health issue,” acting CEO at Water Safety Ireland Roger Sweeney said.
Dún Laoghaire Senator Barry Ward also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and be mindful of advice from Water Safety Ireland.
While our beaches, rivers, lakes and coves are excellent resources for a variety of recreational activities, the water can be dangerous, he said.
Senator Ward added: “As a heatwave continues across Ireland, there is an increased demand for rescue services; the Coast Guard, the Lifeboat and other emergency services face additional pressures.
“Met Éireann have issued a high temperature advisory warning for the entire country with temperatures set to reach 30°C. Beaches and lakes around Ireland will likely be busier than ever.
“Swimming, paddle-boarding, sailing, wind-surfing and using our marine amenities for leisure is part and parcel of good weather but we must always remember that it is easy to get into trouble in the water.
“We know we must protect our skin from the sun, but we must also protect ourselves and our loved ones from the dangers that can be present in and around the water.
“We want to prevent accidents as much as possible, so that if someone gets into trouble in the water, they can quickly be given the help they need.
“We don’t want to see a situation where emergency services are too busy to come to the aid of swimmers, divers or boaters, so help our emergency services by making sure you don’t need their help.”
As Ireland experiences some unusually high temperatures, a Status Yellow weather warning is in place.
Met Eireann extended its high temperature warning as “very warm weather” will continue in Leinster on Tuesday.
A yellow heat alert kicked in for Ireland on Sunday - with mercury set to rocket to 32C on Monday.
The warning reads: “On Sunday and Monday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30C generally and possibly up to 32C in places on Monday.
“Night time temperatures will range from 15 to 20C.”
Met Eireann say the risks of the hot weather include heat stress for vulnerable members of the public, a high solar UV index and a risk of water related incidents.
There is also a possibility of sea fog along Atlantic coasts today.
They added: “It will be dry with long spells of sunshine, however some sea fog may persist along some Atlantic coasts.
“Breezes will be light or moderate southerly in direction.”
Forecasters reckon temperatures will hit a sizzling 28C in Leinster on Tuesday.
The warning adds: “On Tuesday the very warm weather will continue to occur over Leinster with daytime temperatures of 25 to 28C.”
But the warm weather is set to end on Wednesday - with temperatures dropping back to 20C.
They added: “Wednesday will see an end to the very warm conditions as temperatures return to more normal values of 16 to 20C.
“There will be a fair amount of cloud and some scattered showers.
“A few sunny breaks too and light to moderate northwest breezes.
“Thursday and Friday will be mainly dry with bright or sunny spells and a few showers.
“Temperatures will range from about 16 to 21C with light breezes.”
Sun lovers have also been warned to look after their skin in the sizzling heat.
According to the Irish Skin Foundation, there are common misconceptions around where and how skin damage or sun burn can occur.
Skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure can lead to skin cancer - the most common type of cancer in Ireland.
Dr Rupert Barry, a Consultant Dermatologist with the Irish Skin Foundation, said: “Skin cancer rates in Ireland are ever increasing.
“It is predicted that melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer rates will double if not triple by 2050. Skin cancer, although being by far and away the most common type of cancer, is also one of the easiest to prevent”.
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