An earthquake measuring 2.6 in magnitude was recorded off the coast of Cork this morning.

The Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) has confirmed the quake happened in the Celtic Sea around 18 kilometres south of Ballymacshoneen on the Seven Heads Peninsula in west Cork just before 8am.

The INSN, which monitors seismic activity in the region, said the earthquake is the first known seismic event of its kind to be recorded in the region since Irish records began in 1978.

It was recorded by stations in Valentia, Dublin and Wexford and British Geological Survey stations throughout Wales.

INSN Director Tom Blake said "This is a noteworthy event considering its magnitude and the fact that it occurred in a region that has not previously shown any seismic activity since we started recording activity 35 years ago".

"We have received felt reports from Courtmacsherry and Timoleague, which are located 25 and 27 kilometres respectively away from the epicentre".

The INSN has also asked anyone else who felt the tremor to submit reports online at www.dias.ie.

The strongest earthquake recorded in Ireland in recent times took place on June 6th in 2012, when a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded 60 kilometres west of Aughleam in Co. Mayo.