THE biggest wave ever measured in Ireland, higher than five double decker buses, was recorded off the coast of Donegal last Sunday.
The M4 weather buoy moored 52 miles northwest of Rossan Point, Glencolmcille, registered the wave rising to a record 77ft (23.5 metres) on January 26, Met Eireann said.
This exceeded by 10ft the previous Irish record, measured at the same location during a December 2011 storm.
Gerald Fleming, head of forecasting at Met Eireann, said the wave was generated by high winds.
“Waves are effectively generated by wind blowing over water, but for a wave to be as high as it was last Sunday, the wind must be strong enough to generate for 24 hours over a large fetch of water,” Mr Fleming said.
The M4 buoy is part of a network of five that collect data around the Irish coast.
News of the giant wave will further boost the northwest coast’s worldwide reputation as a surfer’s paradise.
Monster waves rose off the west coast this weekend again, however, Donegal did not feel the wrath of the forecasted storm.
On Friday, Donegal County Council urged members of the public to take extra care due to the extreme weather conditions forecasted.
There were fears over the potential for high coastal flood risks due to very high spring tides, high waves, low pressure and onshore winds.
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