Melting Monday as record-breaking temperatures exceed 30 degrees

The week has gotten off to a sweltering start, with Ireland recording the hottest temperature in more than 120 years.

Met Éireann said an air temperature of 33 degrees Celsius was recorded at Phoenix Park in Dublin, which was the highest temperature here in either the 20th or 21st centuries, and the hottest temperature ever recorded in July in Ireland.

The Midlands was among the hottest regions in the country, with temperatures hitting a whopping 31 degrees at the Mount Dillon weather station in Roscommon this afternoon.

At the Gurteen weather station in North Tipperary it was 30 degrees at 5pm today, according to the national forecaster.

In Athlone, a long-established music equipment shop, The Sound Factory, pulled down the shutters and posted a note outside saying it was simply "too hot".

A yellow-level weather warning for high temperatures remains in effect for Connacht, Munster and Ulster counties until midnight tonight, while the high-temperature warning for Leinster will be in effect until 7pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3 degrees at Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887.