Irish weather is ever changing. That is the most consistent thing to be said about he Irish weather. I’ve made my fair share of trips to Ireland during the winter months and the funny thing is I enjoyed the grey semi cold days of January. Everything is perspective. One year I left 3 feet of snow and 15 degrees F, to arrive at Dublin airport to 45 degrees F and overcast grey skies. I’m sure people thought I was crazy as I strolled down the Dublin streets in a golf shirt and light pants, but compared to Boston that winter, Dublin was the tropics, heck, the daffodils were already up, a sure sign of spring. The sun occasionally threatened an appearance, but grey was the color of the season. I arrive at my cousin’s inlaws and remark at the beautiful weather, how nice and warm it is, almost 50 F, and am met with faces filled with dis belief, summed up best by my cousins wife.

Irish weather in Dublin

Wife –”Geez Brian are you daft”

Me– “No, it was 15 F and I’ve run out of places to pile up the snow.”

Wife– “Cold is it?”

Me– “Yes”   (thinking my point is made)

Wife– ” I’D TAKE A MONTH OF COLD DAYS, IF I COULD ONLY SEE THE SUN. ”

And of course she’s right, but for a weeks stay it’s not that noticeable, and if you are coming from the Northern States, Canada, etc. it is warmer.

Irish weather Powerscourt waterfall

One of the nice things about the spring,winter and fall, Irish weather is when it is nice, it is spectacular. We spent an afternoon at the Powers court waterfall to a glorious blue sky and eighty degree days, We went swimming off Malin head in Donegal, a magnificent stretch of beach surprisingly wide open. We Had a great game of wiffle ball and had the beach almost to ourselves. At , I think it was the second Tullamore Fleadh, it had rained every day for a month. They have a farm competition that had to be cancelled because the ground was saturated. My daughter and I arrive at the B&B to woeful stories about the weather. I’m chatting with the Mrs. of the house and tell her that for the next 5 days it will be sunny, and warm, that the weather is always nice when we make the trip over.(which unbelievably it is). She gives me the don’t feed me that bull–it look, and shows us to our room. The next five days are beautiful, each day warmer and brighter than the next. When our stay was over that landlady was begging us to stay.

The Irish weather can change on a dime so be prepared, the temperature can drop 40 degrees in the same day, so make sure you have jackets and such in your car.

Pack a fleece jacket.

Pack a rain jacket.

Pack a portable rain poncho.

Good pair of walking shoes.

A sweater or two wouldn’t hurt.

Or you could be like this daft American and stroll down the cold grey Dublin streets in a polo shirt, It’s all perspective,

Cheers,

Oh and remember if it rains outside ‘ there’s a nice peat fire in the Pub.