The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council member said that it was very difficult to keep his children cool and regulate their temperatures, so leaving early was best for them
Conor Dowling of the Green Party
A Dublin Councillor abandoned a holiday abroad due to the extreme heat.
Conor Dowling of the Green Party and his family booked a holiday in Brittany, France earlier this year, but when the time came for them to enjoy their time away, the weather was unbearably warm. Things started off with some chilly conditions, and as the days went on, things changed dramatically with temperatures spiking into the 40 degrees.
The temperatures rose over a 48 hour period. The family had chosen a stone cottage for their stay, equip with a pool and play area for children. However, using these facilities became ill-advised as the heat grew.
Cllr Dowling, who represents Blackrock, Booterstown, Deansgrange and Monkstown on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, told Newstalk that when the family arrived, they had their jackets on, but two days later there was far from a need to wear a coat.
“My wife [had] her jacket on [when we arrived],” he recalled. “Then two days later, 40; the next day, 41. This hit within 48 hours. Everything changed.”
The pool at their accommodation turned green , with locals advising them not to swim there.
“We were told probably best not to go swimming anymore and that was the only reprieve we were really getting,” he said. “So, after that, it was just get the kids in the bath, try and keep cool. It was pretty terrifying.”
Local shops sold out of the small number of fans they had in stock, and the family decided that the safest course of action was to return to Dublin earlier than they had planned.
“We really were getting quite scared,” Cllr Dowling said. “The baby, he was our main priority and he was going quite red in the face.
“Couldn’t cool him down; would put him in the bath – but as soon as you take him out, he’s almost back to square one again.”
He added that it was very tough to leave a holiday early, but it was the right move for his family.
“The dry nappies was the most scary thing,” he said. “At that stage, you’re like, ‘Yeah, I don’t care, just get us out of here.’”
Western Europe this year experienced its hottest June on record as a heatwave swept across a continent. Currently, Ireland is under a week-long hot weather advisory, with warnings about heat stress and water safety emphasised.
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