We're crossing our fingers and toes that the snow days are behind us, Heather! Sounds like you had quite an exciting few visits -- we're always so pleased to hear that friends have had the chance to visit and enjoyed their time here. Wishing you a sensational spring from a rare sunny Dublin this morning!
Weather in Ireland
Written by Ciaran Vipond on Mar 21, 2024 | 14 Comments
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
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Ciaran Vipond
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
Comments
So, Idaho is wanting me to feel like I'm back in Ireland????? Idaho weather this year has been quite chaotic and we jokingly call it our Bugs Bunny Weather cause it changes every few minutes. Now that I know this how the weather goes in Ireland during the month of March, I will embrace it with a smile. Thank you!
It certainly sounds like you've had more than your share of "Irish Days" in Idaho, Yvonne! Here's to sunnier spells soon. Thanks for taking the time to read and share your story with us!
Love the stories. Would love a pronunciation guide for the short Irish/Gaelic sentences such as fógraíonn fainleoga ísle doineann.
Veronica
Thank you, Veronica! We're going to take a look at adding some guides for pronunciation. So glad that you are enjoying our posts. Warm wishes from Dublin!
Love all that you share with us here in the states... The weather of March sounds exactly like where I grew up, in West Virginia and where I live now in Washington state on the Olympic peninsula... Sláinte
What a lovely note, thank you Micheál for reading and sharing with us! Hopefully you are enjoying a lovely spring weekend soon! Cheers from Dublin, Liz.
Thoroughly enjoyed the weather tales as well as Jane’s biography. North Carolina has March weather much the same as Ireland. You never know what to expect!
Thank you for reading and sharing, Melissa! Hope you have a spell of beautiful days in North Carolina like we're having in Dublin at the moment -- I'm looking at a double rainbow out the window right now as I write!
I really enjoyed this article!
Thank you, Barbara for sharing your feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed. All the best from Dublin!
Just wanted to comment on the most interesting
story about the Irish weather. So well written .
I throughly enjoyed it . Thank you so much for posting.
Thanks very much, Mary! We appreciate you having a read and writing in to share your thoughts. Keep well! Cheers from Dublin.
My husband and I love Ireland and have visited 3 times. On the 1st day of Spring it snowed but that didn't slow us down. We're from the Pacific Northwest and we have similar weather. Not as beautiful as Ireland, tho.