Juan G. Says:
People say it rains a lot in Ireland. Is the weather really that bad?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Juan,
While it’s not constantly raining in Ireland, every Irish person will agree that no matter what time of the year, you should always prepare for the possibility of rain.
Rainfall varies depending on where you are in Ireland, and the time of year.
The west of the country gets the most, between 39 and 49 inches a year, while the east averages around 25 inches a year.
According to Ireland’s meteorological office, Met Eireann, the western town of Athenry in Galway is Ireland’s wettest spot, experiencing 120% of the regular annual rainfall. Sherkin Island, off the coast of county Cork, has the lowest levels of annual rainfall.
December and January are the wettest months. However, snowfall in winter tends to be light and typically lasts no more than a couple days.
So, look on the bright side, make the move to Ireland and you’ll never have to water your lawn or shovel snow again!
Overall, the climate in Ireland is mild, with no extremes of heat or cold. In winter, temperatures vary from 39 to 45 F. In summer, averages range from 54 to 60 F and peak in the 70s F.
From mid-May through to October, bright, clear days with warm sunshine aren’t as rare as you might think. When winter rolls around, it’s never severe, though days are short and dark with sunset around 4 p.m. in midwinter.
For the best weather in Ireland, head for Ireland’s Sunny Southeast, comprising the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford. The region is so-called thanks to the higher than average hours of sunshine each day—between five to seven hours in the summer months.
Of course, the best way to avoid bad weather in Ireland is to stay in the pub! With that in mind, check out this guide to Dublin’s pubs in your November issue.
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