I do love a bit of rain. But when I say ‘a bit’ I mean just that. Our thousands of Facebook fans on IrishCentral were asked which they would prefer, the steamy hot summers of New York or the cool damp summers in Ireland.
Their answers were almost unanimous and will surprise you
Personally I admit this New York weather does terrible things to me. It burns my pasty skin; the humidity makes my hair stand on end but regardless, give me this heat any day. Give me a sidewalk so hot you could fry a tasty egg and a sun so intense you pop in the Dunkin Donuts just to cool down.
As you can tell I’m out of touch --Here is just a few of the responses we got on our Facebook page:
Kevin Reynolds: Ireland any day, I hate the heat. I'd move to Ireland in a heartbeat if I had the chance.
Alicia Colle: Give me Ireland's wet summer any day. I can't stand extreme heat, and it's easier to dry off then it is to cool off.
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Read more:
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Linda Cacciatore Bolton: I'll gladly take Ireland's wet, green summer thank you very much! Easy choice, since I just experienced the heat wave first hand, and I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Ireland! At least it's green! Rainy days are perfect for curling up with a good book and a pot of tea.
Nancy Kelly Lucas: Ireland's wet summer anytime. I live in Phoenix, AZ and a typical summer temp is 110 and above with very little rain in the summer.
Katherine Stephens: I'll take Ireland's wet summer, and I am wishing it were cooler and wetter here!
Fionnuisce Saoirse: Ireland's Wet Summer all the way. Unless you've experienced heat and humidity and enjoy it, you know what I mean. A wee bit of Irish mist never hurt a soul.
Kate Eileen Shannon: Ireland's wet summer any day!!! I MISS MISS MISS it and I hate this heat and I really hate A/C. Besides, the rain was so good for my skin!
Debra Press-Costello: Ireland's wet summer hands down! As a lifelong resident of Southern New Jersey I've lived with heat and humidity that would cripple a New Orleans native, getting cool is not as easy as it may seem, and the wet summer in Ireland helps things to GROW!
Angela Joanne Luckey: In Ireland it is called a "soft day" and besides I would love to be in Ireland. Heat and humidity is considered HELL so no choice IF you ask me.
Cindy Marie: Ireland's wet summer rain any day!:). Its one of the most beautiful places on this earth and would spend my summer there for sure! What a wonderful place.
Patty Robertson: Ireland’s wet summer, because rain is romantic and what better place to be romantic than the home of my ancestors!!!
Katherine Hachey: I'd take the rain ....you can always put on rain gear or a warm sweater if needed....but you can only take off so many items in the heat and you would still be hot even if you took them all off
Pat Donohue: Ireland’s wet summer is better than a heat wave
Kathleen Clarke Berrios: Ireland's wet summer. It smells so beautiful!
Last month Shannon Airport reported its wettest June since 1998, according to Met Eireann.
“Unsettled weather in June led to almost all stations recording above average rainfall amounts for the time of year,” they noted in their monthly report.
One of my favorite things about living in the U.S. is how pronounced the seasons are. Snow in the depths of winter and extreme heat during summer months. I can make the necessary provisions. But in Ireland, the rain is never far away.
Extreme weather conditions in any location do present serious difficulties. But I’d much rather contend with soaring temperatures than face a rainy summer at home.
What do you think?
16 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.billie061 | Sep 07, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT
3rd day in a row looking at downpour, think we have had about 2 weeks worth of good weather last 3 months, you are taking major risk in having outdoor parties etc, took my grandsons to beach for 4 days only saw sun for 7 hours rained rest of time. No brainer send me at least 1 week of your weather.
luckysusan | Jul 28, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT
There is nothing like "a fine soft day" with a bit of rain or even a bit more - for walking. I love Summer in the Midwest US, but really come to life in the misty, damp, cool, freshness of Ireland!
Mavaureen | Jul 27, 2011, 08:21 PM EDT
I love Ireland, I love rain Only thing I got from sun...was pain!
maloney | Jul 27, 2011, 07:58 PM EDT
And the third option is? If I must choose, Ireland, it's to ****** hot.
JBRAFTREE | Jul 27, 2011, 05:27 PM EDT
Ireland..Was there in May. last, it rained 3 or 4 times the week I was there. I loved it. I'm from Chgo.
BrendaG | Jul 27, 2011, 05:21 PM EDT
Ireland - its a no brainer. Live in deep south and would love the feel of the "Soft Days" year round. This is miserable. Spent a month there last year and loved every drop of rain we had. If it got a little chilly then a nice peat fire was great-look forward to returning for longer time next year- hope it rains every day!!!
peterson | Jul 27, 2011, 03:44 PM EDT
Ireland of course ! Obama isn't here !
poloughlin | Jul 27, 2011, 02:31 PM EDT
I live in California and it does not rain in Southern California - I'd take the Irish rain anyday versus any kind of heat!!
Yardleypa | Jul 27, 2011, 01:42 PM EDT
It only rains twice a week in Ireland once for 3 days then for 4.
phinsman | Jul 27, 2011, 01:27 PM EDT
Rainy summer, please... I live in Eugene, Oregon, which reminds me so much of Ireland. We get lots of rain here for 3/4 of each year and everything is so very green. Eugene is at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, which we also call the Emerald Valley. The Oregon coast looks very similar to the west coast of Ireland. And luckily, those of us with Irish heritage get together every week and play traditional Irish music together at a session.
Trealach | Jul 27, 2011, 12:13 PM EDT
We haven't had a wet summer this year. It's been cloudy, light mist at times, sunny, warm and an occasional day of rain. Just the right mix for a perfect harvest.
ellenred | Jul 27, 2011, 11:37 AM EDT
As a native New Yorker now living in Florida, I'll take the cool and rain in Ireland's west coast any day. I was there last month, and only saw one bad rainy day. A light mist is no problem-- the cool air feels so great!
Mellis5910 | Jul 27, 2011, 11:30 AM EDT
I grew up in central Florida--I'll take that cool, green, refreshing Irish summer anytime!
ciaran1433 | Jul 27, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT
The average annual precipitation in Dublin city centre is 27 inches (695 mm). The average annual precipitation in New York City is 49.7 inches (1,260 mm). In other words New York City almost gets twice as much precipitation as Ireland!!! I'd much rather a beautiful summer's day in Ireland where it doesn't get dark until almost 11pm and is getting bright again by 4am . Even during those night time hours its not really dark in Ireland its more like twilight. Compare this to a sweaty, muggy day in New York City where its dark by 8pm and the air quality is so poor with high rates of asthma that are so prevalent. Its Ireland in the summer for me any day of the week even if there is an occasional short lived rain shower.
STEPcoach | Jul 27, 2011, 09:43 AM EDT
New York is just a tiny speck on the map of the USA, and a coastal one at that. I am living in Arkansas, right in the very middle of the map, and we're in three straight weeks of 100 degree weather (38 C) This is just what we do. Yesterday we were talking about how much cooler it was - at 101 - because of the nice breeze! Every plant is roasted, the cats refuse to go outside, and we put off doing anything outside until late September! Both sides of my whole family came from Ireland ancestrally! I'd walk to Ireland if not for my family responsibilities and business here! God has blessed Ireland with grand weather and climate. Please enjoy it for me, cousins!
feliciamaisey | Jul 27, 2011, 08:58 AM EDT
Ireland and the rain any day!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!