Met Éireann has said there will be a heatwave for parts of the country in the coming week as high pressure builds up from the Azores over Ireland.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme, forecaster Deirdre Lowe said: “It will be a heatwave for parts of the country certainly in the coming week.
“Moorepark in Cork, if it gets over 25C today, will be a heatwave already. And as we go through the weekend and next week, many parts of the country will be in heatwave conditions.”
Temperatures are due to hit highs of 28C today.
Ms Lowe said the good weather will stay for the weekend and for much of next week as well.
“All of the country will bask in sunshine this weekend,” she said, “while temperatures will rise next week and it’ll be more humid”.
“At the moment it’s going to continue for much of next week, up until next Thursday at least. In fact, getting hotter and more humid next week with temperatures widely in the high 20s,” she said.
Ms Lowe explained that an area of high pressure has been building up from the Azores over Ireland, resulting in the good weather.
“While it is unusual for good weather to last so long, once the Azores high builds up over Ireland it can be slow to shift away,” she said.
“However we can’t rule out the risk of thunderstorms moving up from Biscay,” Ms Lowe added.
She said prolonged warm spells are unusual in Ireland and everyone should make the most of it. However, she cautioned, people must take proper precautions and remember the UV index is high and will remain high for the week ahead.
“We should make the most of it. The wall to wall sunshine developing next week… lots of vitamin D… but of course to stay hydrated and be careful around water and use sunscreen and you know – enjoy the good weather sensibly,” added Ms Lowe.
#UV Index for Thursday 9th July📊
➡️High under clear skies☀️
➡️Moderate to high under cloudy skies☁️
Ensure to be #SunSmart by protecting your skin & eyes from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.😎🧴
🔗 https://t.co/f7ZgRWWlY5 pic.twitter.com/fcm8ifoGjm
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) July 8, 2026
Public urged to be safe around water
Meanwhile, Water Safety Ireland has reminded people to follow the guidance around swimming in the sea during the warm weather and to be “responsible for themselves”.
Water Safety Ireland CEO Joanne Walsh said inevitably large numbers will be on the beaches during the hot spell.
“Only swim at a time when lifeguards are on duty, swim in areas known to be safe and swim with someone,” she said.
She said it is “lifeguard season” so lifeguards will be on duty every day across certain beaches.
However, lifeguards are only present on certain beaches during specific times, and it varies across counties.
Ms Walsh also warned of the basic knowledge around flags and if someone sees a red flag, to heed the warning of danger and “don’t get in the water”.
High temperatures lead to irritability, substance abuse
While most people get a boost from the warm weather, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly, warned there is a downside for some people, particularly those suffering from mental illnesses, in particular substance abuse.
“For every one-degree Celsius rise in temperature, the rate of significant alcohol and drug misuse goes up by about 5%. So, a one degree Celsius rise in temperature producing a noticeable increase in drug and alcohol misuse.”
Also speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Prof Kelly said rates of presentation for anxiety and depression also tend to rise by around 10% during a heat wave.
High temperatures lead to general irritability, poor sleep and increased alcohol misuse, he added.
Prof Kelly urged people to check in with vulnerable adults, including older people and people suffering from mental illnesses, who may not understand the impact of heat on their health.
However, Prof Kelly said the number one piece of advice is to try and enjoy the warm weather while we can.
A group of women from Bray Beach Bathers during the warm weather
‘Forget Saint-Tropez, this is Saint Tro-Bray’
Many people are adapting their daily routine because of the current warm weather. The daily swimmers and morning walkers in Bray in Co Wicklow described how there is a noticeable increase in the number of people on the seafront by 7am in recent days.
“People are choosing to get out earlier to walk their dogs and exercise in order to avoid the uncomfortable heat in the daytime, ” said one dog walker.
Patrick O’Brien going for his sea swim at around 7.30am
You only need to look at the carpark, and it’s almost full, said Patrick O’Brien, who was going for his sea swim at around 7.30am. “This week a lot more people are swimming and making the most of it,” he said.
Susan Mullane, who was walking her dog ahead of a sea swim, said more than 200 people were on the beach early yesterday morning. “I’ve never seen that before,” she said.
Brendan and his dog Winston were also out walking early, with the dog owner adding, “We don’t manage that every morning.” “If it gets any later, it gets too hot for his paws.”
For others, regular cooling down is the priority, and some are returning to Bray beach two or three times a day for a “refreshing dip”.
Rachel Kallinin, Susan Mullane, John Mullane and their dog
One woman who swam before sunrise said it is a novelty to have this type of extreme heat. “I would be cautious, we are just not used to it,” she said.
Another heatwave is expected over the next week, which will be the third heatwave of the summer.
With more crowds likely to head to the beaches during the higher temperatures, people are being reminded to follow the guidance around swimming in the sea.
A group of women from Bray Beach Bathers described how everyone looks out for each other.
One woman said while the beach is lifeguarded from 10am, “a bit earlier” would be beneficial as there is a large crowd swimming already by 8am.
Another heatwave is expected over the next week, which will be the third heatwave of the summer
The positive impact of the sunshine is also a talking point among these swimmers.
“The sunshine keeps you happy, even though the sun is draining and zaps your energy away,” said Mary McCabe.
When asked how Bray compares to other coastal destinations during this warm weather , her friend was quick to respond. “Forget Saint-Tropez, this is Saint Tro-Bray. “