The summer of 2018 was one of the hottest, driest and sunniest on record, according to new data from Met Éireann.

The data shows that some parts of the country recorded their highest temperatures in decades.

Heatwave and drought conditions affected many parts of the country, with temperatures above and rainfall amounts below normal.

Absolute drought conditions were recorded at 21 monitoring stations at various times between the May 22nd and the July 14th, while partial drought conditions were recorded at 10 stations between May 28th and July 25th.

Over the three months, Cork Airport recorded its driest summer since 1962 - while the Phoenix Park in Dublin only saw 38% of the average rainfall for the season.

Heatwaves, meanwhile, were recorded in many parts during June and July with northern counties cooler.

Shannon Airport recorded the summer's highest temperature at 32 degrees - the highest temperature ever recorded at a synoptic weather station in Ireland.

Other stations such as Oak Park in Carlow and Markree in Sligo also saw their highest numbers in years.

Met Éireann observed: "The summer of 2018 will be remembered for heatwave and drought conditions that affected many parts of the country. Intense thunderstorms were also a feature at the start of the meteorological season.

"Temperatures were above normal and rainfall amounts were below normal at most stations".