Weather in Ireland

Any visitor to Ireland will have noticed that the locals are obsessed with the weather. We can’t go five minutes without talking about it, complaining about it, or making or asking for predictions.

Perhaps it is the notoriously changeable nature of Irish weather that feeds this obsession. Irish weather is a little like playing the lottery – you never know if you’ll get a day of sunshine or a downpour, but at least it’s always exciting!

Read on to find out more about Irish weather, and how witches and cows may have influenced the particularly changeable conditions throughout Ireland in Spring.

How to deal with Irish Weather?

First things first, how does one deal with Irish weather? A piece of advice often relayed to visitors of our shores is to be prepared for four seasons in one day. There is even an old Irish phrase that goes further and predicts "a day with seven changes” -

‘Lá na seacht síon – gaoth mhór, báisteach, sioc agus sneachta, tintreach, tóirneach agus lonrú gréine’

On the day of seven weathers, there is high wind, rain, frost and snow, thunder, lightning and sunshine.

You have been warned!

March Madness

If Irish weather is changeable, Irish weather in March and into April takes it to a whole new level; some might say madness. "March of Many Weathers" will see a warm and sunny morning with a hint of spring, or even - whisper it! - summer in the air, followed by wintery gales and sleet in the afternoon, capped with a crisp autumn evening. The only thing you can reliably predict about March’s weather is that it won't be the same tomorrow.

Looking back through weather records, heavy snowfall, summer temperatures, golf ball-sized hailstones, and famously even a tornado in 1995, have all been recorded in Ireland in Spring over the years.

Weather in Irish Foklore

This got us thinking about how our ancestors managed in the days before satellites and weather apps. It turns out they were well aware of this "March Madness" and had several cautionary tales to respect the Irish weather, observing nature, plants and animals for predictions.

The Cailleach and Spring

One such story is about the Cailleach, a witch-like figure in Irish mythology who holds domain over winter and harsh weather. With the arrival of March, the Cailleach is said to be weakened after a winter of work, allowing the warmth of spring to creep in. But she doesn't go easy, and the unpredictable weather of March is her last stand against the emerging spring. This story may have ancient roots, with a stone age cairn bearing her name built in alignment with the March equinox.

Borrowed Days and the Brindle Cow

The story of the "borrowed days" and the brindle cow, the "Bó Riabhach," is another old piece of Irish folklore. Legend has it that a brindle cow, a breed native to Ireland and known for its distinctive, stripy coat, is responsible for the chaotic weather that we often see towards the end of March and the start of April.

The story goes that there was an old cow who was complaining about the cold and wet weather. She was worried she wouldn't last the month. March had pity for her and went easy on her with calmer, milder days.

When the last days of March finally drew in, the cow became cocky and boastful, saying she had bested March and that it didn't have much power at all. This angered March, who then "borrowed" some days from April and let rip with snow, gales, and rain. Within three days the brindle cow was dead and Irish Spring weather has been changeable, often with a sting in the tail, ever since.

As with all cautionary tales, this story has a lesson to teach: be patient with nature, especially the weather. There is little to be gained by complaining about things far outside our control, or forgetting to hope for the best but plan for the worst, lest you end up like the old brindle cow!

Other Irish Weather Foklore

• "Red sky at night, shepherds delight": A red sky at night means a period of high pressure is coming bringing good weather with it.
• Fógraíonn fainleoga ísle doineann: low flying swallows predict bad weather
• Má bhíonn an spideog faoi thor ar maidin beidh sé ína lá fliuch: if a robin hides beneath a bush in the morning, rain is on the way
• Dea-shíon an spideog ar bharr na gcrann: good weather when the robin is high on the branches
  

We are not sure about all that, but we love that Ireland’s weather, especially in March, has inspired such captivating myths and folklore. From the epic battle between the Cailleach and the forces of spring, or the poor boastful brindled cow, these stories offer a glimpse into our rich Irish culture and its deep-rooted connection to the natural world.

So, the next time you find yourself caught in a sudden March downpour, or basking in an unexpected burst of sunshine, remember the enchanting stories about Ireland’s unpredictable weather.

Tell us your story

We haven't even scratched the surface of Irish weather folklore here. If you know a tale that we missed let us know. Or do you have a crazy Irish weather story to share? We would love to hear it. Pop it in the comments below