So you're thinking about visiting Ireland, but you're not sure whether you want to spend your two week vacation battling the elements. You've heard about the wind, the grey skies and the drizzle. But is it really that bad?
Ireland's reputation for terrible weather is only partly deserved. Yes, it does rain frequently, but the island is kept surprisingly temperate by the Gulf Stream, which brings coastal currents up from the south Atlantic waters. The warmth provided by the Gulf Stream also explains the palm trees you'll see in Ireland.
The weather is extremely fickle; frequently, there will be showers that don't last very long (although the same is true of the sunshine-savor the sun while you see it!)
If sunshine is really important to you, head for Wexford and Waterford. The "Sunny Southeast" promises better weather than anywhere else in Ireland, with rain falling less than 200 days a year. The west coast, on the other hand, pays for its spectacular green scenery by enduring an average of 250 days of rain. The wind in the west can also be fierce, as gale force winds batter the coast for 30 days of the year.
Temperatures are fairly mild in all seasons. Summer heat waves are rare (the average summer temperature is around 60F (15C)), and the thermometer drops to freezing only about 50 days a year. Snow is rare, but icy wintry conditions do sometimes make driving hazardous.
All of this capricious weather has one great benefit: the volatile skies can be gorgeous, with changing cloud formations and the occasional rainbow adding another scenic dimension to the Irish landscape.
If you'd like to plan your trip according to the weather, consider June, when the sun won't set until 10 or 11 o'clock, and the days are likely to be fairly warm. No matter when you visit, be sure to bring some warm clothes and your raingear--you'll definitely need a pair of shoes that can withstand the mud puddles if you're going to spend any time at all in the countryside.