On This Day (21 May) in Irish Weather History

A chronological record of weather events and extremes that occurred in Ireland on 21 May throughout history.

1872: Persistent cold and wet weather for the month leads to concerns for potato crops across Ireland. Potato sowing remains incomplete in many regions.

1906: The rescue takes place of three crew members of an Arklow-based fishing boat that was demasted in poor weather in the Irish Sea and left to drift for three days.

1916: Clocks and watches go forward one hour as the Daylight Saving Act (Summertime) is introduced in Ireland.

1932: Amelia Earhart lands near Derry, having braved poor weather on her 3,000-mile journey to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

1945: Battery-operated weather indicators with British Admiralty markings are washed up on Ireland’s west coast. The devices had been used to provide regular weather reports by wireless.

1957: 130 transport workers in Dublin take industrial action over the failure of their employer, Hammond Lane Metal Company, to fully cover the cost of rainwear.

1975: There is a stark contrast in temperatures from north to south. Valentia in Kerry records 22°C while Malin Head in Donegal reaches a daily maximum of just 10°C.

1986: An Atlantic depression brings winds in excess of 90 km/h to western, southern, and northern counties, with Roches Point in Cork recording a maximum gust of 96.5 km/h.

2001: Temperatures reach the low 20s in many spots, with Shannon recording 22.3°C.

2016: Lightning is reported widely across Leinster.

2022: Cork enjoys the first day in a relatively rare 18-day dry spell for the county.