Met Eireann confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that there has been more rainfall this month in Kilkenny than anywhere else in the country ever.
Kilkenny has seen 14.4 cms of rain so far this month compared with just 2.7cm for the same month last year and easily beating the previous high of 11.8cm in June of 1998.
And unfortunately it looks as if the rain is set to continue. Met Eireann forecaster Aidan Nulty predicts no sunshine on the horizon.
"It is certainly much wetter than normal. Already our weather
station in Kilkenny has had its wettest June ever, and it looks like a number of others will be breaking their own records before the month is over," he said.
History
Records like this will soon be history because the weather station on the Duningstown Road will move to Oakpark in Carlow in the next six months with both staff members being retained by Met Eireann. The reason for the move is due to development close to the Kilkenny station. "The site in Kilkenny is totally unsuitable because of the development in the area in recent years. There are no buildings adjacent to the site in Carlow so it is a much
better option," a Met Eireann spokesman said.
No sun, no fun
The rain has forced the cancellation of traditional end-of-term sports days in many schools.
In Clara, heavy rainfall forced the postponement on Sunday of the Clara Field Day, one of Kilkenny's most popular family-centred events.
It has now been deferred until August 26 – the weekend before children in the parish return to school.
Parents Association chairwoman Catherine Lennon said a huge amount of effort had been put into the event.
"It is a huge disappointment for all involved," she said. "We could not run the event next weekend because of the Leinster Final and the scouts, who play an integral
part in the event, would be away on their annual
holiday the following weekend."