On This Day (31 May) in Irish Weather History

A chronological record of weather events and extremes that occurred in Ireland on 31 May throughout history.

1911: Titanic’s hull is launched into the mouth of the River Lagan in Belfast Lough on 31 May 1911 by Harland & Wolff, then the largest shipyard in the world. The world’s largest ocean liner is sunk 11 months later when it strikes an iceberg in the North Atlantic.

1941: Twenty-eight people are killed in the North Strand in Dublin in a bombing attack by the German Luftwaffe. One theory that circulates is that the bombing was a retaliatory action by the Germans against the Irish government for informally cooperating with the Allies through the regular provision of weather reports.

1959: The Howth Tram makes its last journey; it is not only the highest, but also the last of the open-top trams operating in the world.

1968: Ireland enjoys clear skies and warm temperatures due to persistent high pressure.

1997: A temperature of 28.4°C, the highest ever recorded in Ireland in May, is registered in Ardfert, Liscahane, County Kerry.

2016: The month’s highest daily sunshine total (15.6 hours) is reported at Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall), Co. Donegal.

2022: The lowest air temperature of the month (1.4°C) is recorded at Mount Dillon, Co. Roscommon.

Video credits: British Pathé, BBC, Titanic Museum