| I think it is fair to say that Irish weather is pretty | | | | every day. By the end of the month the entire |
| notorious. It is known for being both weepingly | | | | population of Ireland was on the brink of |
| wet and laughingly unpredictable. A devilish | | | | psychological breakdown. Thankfully, the first two |
| combination if ever there was one. But does it | | | | weeks of June were fantastic, but the following |
| deserve this infamous reputation? Probably not, | | | | two were nondescript; overcast, but dry for the |
| but the Irish do such a good job complaining about | | | | most part. July was been up and down, days of |
| it, that everyone is convinced it does. Including, | | | | rain followed by days of intense heat and |
| the Irish themselves. | | | | sunshine. August started well, but took a turn for |
| Average annual rainfall in Ireland runs to 30 inches. | | | | the worse this week. What will it be like next |
| Quite a lot you may think. But Seattle, | | | | week? No one knows. |
| Washington gets 36in, New York, 45in (ok, 28in of | | | | So what is a sane person to do? The Irish |
| that is snow) and Miami gets a whopping 60in of | | | | answer is to talk about it. I am not sure if we |
| rainfall! No snow there. So Ireland is not that wet | | | | actually love talking about the weather, but it |
| after all. In fact, the average Earthly rainfall is | | | | certainly makes for an easy conversation opener. |
| 34in, so we are begrudgingly below average. So | | | | Friends who have known each other 50 years will |
| why does everyone think Ireland is so wet when | | | | comment on the day's weather before moving to |
| it is in fact below average? The reason is that | | | | more important topics. But it works just as well |
| most normal climates get all or most of their rain | | | | for strangers on a train. It is the common burden |
| out the way in one season, leaving the remainder | | | | or joy we all share, depending on the day. You will |
| of the year mostly dry. Not in Ireland. We like to | | | | never offend anyone by commenting on the |
| spread it throughout the whole year. We have | | | | weather since no one cam claim credit and no |
| the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream to thank for that. | | | | one can be blamed. |
| It keeps our winters mild, our summers cool and | | | | But what can you do as a visitor to Ireland to |
| makes both equally likely to produce a shower of | | | | prepare for Irish weather? Well, I was sitting |
| rain at any time. | | | | under the awning outside a coffee shop one |
| Which brings me to the unpredictable nature of | | | | afternoon last week. It had started raining an hour |
| Irish weather. OK, here I must raise my hands in | | | | previously. Prior to that it had been sunny and |
| surrender, or at least Irish Weather would if it had | | | | warm for almost four days. It had seemed like |
| a conscience. Everything you have heard is true, | | | | sunshine was our right. I noticed, as I sipped my |
| no point denying it. Beautiful and sunny in the | | | | latte, that all the locals were dashing about in |
| morning, grey and torrential by the afternoon. It | | | | tee-shirts, sun dresses and sleeveless blouses |
| would be great if you could set your watch by it, | | | | getting rather drenched. On the other hand, every |
| but you most certainly can not. The reverse could | | | | tourist I saw was strolling around sporting |
| just as easily be the case. But, most likely the | | | | rainproof jackets, quite unperturbed by the |
| reverse in various guises numerous times over | | | | sudden change in the weather. The moral of this |
| before noon will be true. Hence, the favorite | | | | story? The answer to this question? Forget the |
| phrase of those brave men and women at the | | | | Irish, be like the tourists. Be prepared. |
| Irish Meteorological Office when forecasting the | | | | Top Tips for beating Irish Weather: |
| weather: sunny spells and scattered showers. | | | | 1. Bring a rainproof jacket and shoes (and |
| Spring and autumn are particularly schizophrenic, | | | | trousers if you intend golfing, hiking or cycling) |
| when hail and thunder may be experienced in the | | | | 2. Bring layers of clothes that you can put on or |
| same day as the aforementioned sunny spells. | | | | take off as the weather dictates. |
| Many people ask us: what is the weather like in | | | | 3. Watch the weather forecast so you know |
| Ireland in May, or September? The short, honest | | | | what to expect the next day. It is on after every |
| answer is we have not got a clue. Every year is | | | | news bulletin on tv and is often the funniest thing |
| different. Sure, we have seasons, but our | | | | you will see all day. The forecasts are normally |
| seasons are generalizations at best. They are a | | | | very accurate. Our weathermen and women are |
| reasonable indication of temperature and whether | | | | probably the best in the world. |
| schools will be open, but little more. I cannot | | | | 4. If in doubt, ask a farmer |
| speak for my colleagues, but I usually base my | | | | 5. Do not let bad weather get you down. Get out |
| answer to the above question on my memory of | | | | there and do exactly what you planned to do. |
| that month's weather the previous year, while | | | | Irish weather changes fast. Thankfully, half the |
| couching my response in language supplied by our | | | | time it changes for the better. |
| weather lawyer. Take this summer so far. May | | | | 6. Never, ever complain about the heat, dryness, |
| this year was depressingly wet. It rained almost | | | | humidity or sunshine. |