For the first time, the average temperature was discovered to be higher than 11 degrees in the study. The previous record for Ireland's warmest year, established in 2022, was surpassed. March and July were the wettest months on record, with June being the hottest.

The national forecaster said there has never been a year where we smashed records for the two wettest months ever.

Met Éireann meteorologist Keith Lambkin declared 2023 to be a "remarkable year in climate terms" when appearing on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

“Never before have we had a year where we have broken records for two months having the wettest months ever.”

El Niño, according to Mr. Lambkin, is significantly affecting Ireland's temperatures.

El Niño, which means “the Christ Child” in Spanish, describes above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific water, which cause the water to warm. Worldwide temperature increases are linked to the climatic pattern.

Mr. Lambkin continued: “That El Niño effect is expected to stay with us till the early part of this year likely until mid-next year, so that extra heater effect is going to add to global warming again next year.”

At the Lullymore Nature Centre in County Kildare, on January 17, the lowest temperature of the year was recorded at -7.2 degrees Celsius.

“Ireland has seen a remarkable year with rainfall and warming at times at unprecedented levels,” Mr. Lambkin continued. There are repercussions for a large portion of society from these unprecedented extremes. We can better prepare and adjust to our changing environment by being aware that past weather occurrences are no longer a good predictor of future weather events.