It's National Umbrella Day and if there's anything Irish people know, it's how to love a bit of rain!
Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, says that one out of five hourly observations will report measurable rainfall but that can be variation between sites - for example, stations on higher ground (that is, highest in counties Kerry and Wicklow), rainfall is recorded every one in 3.5 to 4 hours.
According to Met Éireann, the record for the highest annual total of rainfall goes to Ballaghbeama Gap in Co Kerry which recorded 3964.9mm in 1960.
The record for the highest hourly total goes to Clonroche, Co Wexford, which recorded 52.2mm on June 27, 1986.
Of course, Ireland has a lot to thank its mild temperate maritime climate for - Its lush green fields, the countryside’s famous 40 shades of green, and, of course, its wonderful crops, meat, and dairy!
Here are some of the top reasons to love Irish rain:
40 shades of green
Rain: Responsible for forty shades of green.
How do you think Ireland got so green?
Cozy nights in
Rain: Responsible for cozy nights in.
What can be nicer than snuggled up at a fire with the rain falling and wind howling outside?
Year-round rain
Rain: Year-round rain... a constant.
Ireland doesn't exactly have a 'rainy season,' instead, it gets a steady diet of showers all year round.
Great climate to grow crops
Rain: Great climate to grow crops... and cows for that matter.
Lots of rain means lots of growth and Ireland has some of the healthiest food in Europe.
The jokes
Rain: The jokes... sure if you didn't laugh you'd cry.
“I went to Ireland for a week and it rained twice, once for three days and once for four days.” Har, har!
The chat
Rain: The chat... "Tis a grand soft day".
With the jokes comes great chat. In Ireland, mentions of a "nice soft day" or "rain lashing out of the heavens" are great convo starters.
Irish mist
Rain: Irish mist.
That gorgeous light rain that cleanses the landscape and is fabled in song and story – they even named one of Ireland’s most famous drinks after it!
Uisce Beatha literally the “water of life” is Irish for whiskey
Rain: Irish whiskey... literally the water of life.
Irish whiskey is made from the greatest water in the world.
Thank you, rain!
* Originally published in October 2014, updated Feb 2024.
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