On This Day (31 July 2006): Tornado Strikes Tipperary

In the early hours of July 31, 2006, a rare tornado tore through parts of rural County Tipperary, striking the villages of Ballysloe and Glengoole and leaving a trail of destruction.

The violent storm hit around 2 a.m. and lasted just seconds, yet caused extensive damage to homes, cars, and trees. Remarkably, no injuries were reported.

In Ballysloe, near the Kilkenny border, the tornado — estimated to be of T2 strength (weak by international standards but unusual for Ireland) — formed along a line of towering cumulonimbus clouds and touched down near the village. Several trees were uprooted and houses damaged.

Approximately 8km away in the Mellison area of Glengoole, similar scenes unfolded. Roof tiles were ripped off, chimneys toppled, and windows blown in. Two houses sustained structural damage and at least two cars were destroyed by falling debris. Gardaí in Thurles confirmed damage to several properties but no injuries. Met Éireann said the tornado was likely triggered by unstable atmospheric conditions following a prolonged spell of heavy thundery showers.

The event occurred during what was officially Ireland’s warmest July in 17 years. Earlier that month, on July 19, Casement Aerodrome in Dublin recorded a sweltering 31°C — the highest temperature ever observed at the station since records began.