Good weather could last several weeks

If you want to stay cool in this heatwave, you'll need to travel to Malin Head or the Arctic Circle.

If you want to stay cool in this heatwave, you'll need to travel to Malin Head or the Arctic Circle.

As European meteorologists predicted that the hot weather of the past few days could last into next month, two of the coolest spots in Europe yesterday were the Co Donegal headland which recorded 16 degrees and a Norwegian weather station near the Arctic Circle, which registered a temperature of 13.5° degrees.

Most of Ireland basked in Mediterranean temperatures, with Kilkenny, the State's hottest spot at 29 degrees, according to Met Éireann.

Italy's CNR research centre predicted an extended heat wave, as the weather-related death toll across Europe rose to at least 35. The heat has fanned wildfires in southern and central Europe.

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At home, the weather has prompted a surge in the sales of barbecues and sun creams.

Woodie's hardware stores reported that disposable barbecues in particular were "walking out the door".

Some people are not taking sufficient precautions in the heat. "Young people, especially lads, are buying ridiculously low factor sun creams," said Ms Sinéad Crowley, a locum pharmacist at Hickey's in Tallaght, Co Dublin.

"We're trying to convince them that there's no protection in factor 4 cream," she said, reporting that at least one low factor purchaser returned with bad blistering.

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals got six calls reporting distressed animals left in cars by their owners. DSPCA inspector, Mr Robert Kenny, appealed to people not to bring dogs in the car unless it was an emergency. "It only takes 25 minutes before a dog goes into heatstroke and literally dies."

People leaving dogs in their back garden should leave enough water. See also pages 3 and 11