Ireland heatwave triggers county water restrictions

Ireland is facing a hot, dry spell that is putting pressure on local water supplies, with Met Éireann forecasting temperatures up to 30C in parts of the country and Uisce Éireann imposing nighttime water restrictions in five counties.

Heatwave forecast

Met Éireann said the heatwave began on July 8, 2026, with the highest temperatures expected in parts of the midlands, south and east. Some areas could reach 30C, while cooler counties including Donegal, Sligo and Mayo were initially forecast to see highs as low as 18C.

The weather service also issued a weather advisory for all 32 counties as the dry spell set in. It said a heatwave is officially confirmed if one weather station records temperatures above 25C for five consecutive days.

Water restrictions

Uisce Éireann has put nighttime water restrictions in place in Kilkenny, Tipperary, Donegal, Cork and Meath. The utility said the limits are being used where needed to protect local supplies and reduce the risk of more serious disruption later.

Households in affected areas have been advised to cut demand by using watering cans instead of hoses or sprinklers and by showering rather than bathing.

What happens next

The key question is how long the hot, dry weather lasts. A later update on July 8 said the spell could continue well into next week, raising the risk that restrictions could stay in place or widen if demand remains high.

For now, the story is a public-service warning as much as a weather update: the heat is already affecting water planning, and further notices from Met Éireann or Uisce Éireann could follow quickly if conditions worsen.