The spring season was the coldest for almost a decade as the usual showers fell as sleet and snow, Met Éireann confirmed today.
The meteorological agency said despite temperatures soaring in mid May, March was colder than normal, with April also having cold spells.
The weather summary for spring revealed more than 50 days with ground frost were recorded around the country - over twice the normal number for spring.
Air temperatures plummeted to below -5 degrees in early March in many parts, with ground temperatures down to below -10 degrees.
"These were the lowest spring values since 2001 in several places," said Met Éireann.
Rainfall levels were also well below normal, with only around three quarters of the seasonal average in many places. The heaviest falls were recorded during late March and early April when we had sleet and snow.
In contrast, temperatures soared to around 25 degrees in most places over May 22nd and 23rd, with Dublin having its hottest May in 50 years.
Sunshine totals for the season were above normal everywhere, especially in the sunny south west.
It was the sunniest spring on record at Shannon airport and at Valentia Observatory, where more than a century of sunshine records exist.
PA