An Irish heatwave is a little bit of heaven
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Thursday, June 17, 2010, 6:38 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 9:41 PM
An Irish heatwave is like a Polar suntan. What is rare is wonderful as the Gaelic proverb says.
And it is occurring right now as I look at my window here at the Adare Manor hotel, a few miles from Limerick.
Adare's sweeping landscapes have never looked better. The flowers are in early summer bloom, a little stream dappled in the sunshine meanders through the property on its quiet way to the sea.
Today is perfection, It is 82 degrees, hot enough to trigger the rarely used air conditioning which the manager assures me is in fine fettle but hasn't been used for ages.
Last night we sat in a wonderful old country house and restaurant called the Mustard Seed, nestled in the Golden Vale, as this part of
Ireland is known.
It was still bright at 10.p.m and the moon rose over an open sky and rolling hills. Not a cloud to be seen.
The talk over dinner is about the Icelandic volcano. The Irish tourism industry was making a nice comeback until the ash spewed into the air and flights from everywhere were canceled.
Now the mountain in
Iceland is quiet and fingers are crossed that the gods will finally smile on this beleaguered country that has faced tough times this past two years.
Ireland like this is the most wonderful country in the world. My dinner companions tell me I brought the weather with me from
America but truth be told this heat wave has gripped Ireland for the past three days or so.
It won't last of course.
The weatherman tonight is also predicting an early morning frost as the temperatures cool dramatically by the weekend.
But in the meantime it is nice to bask in this Shangri La and imagine what this little island would be like if weather like this prevailed year round.
A little bit of heaven I'd say
16 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.cgmommy | May 30, 2010, 09:17 AM EDT
We traveled to Ireland 3 summers ago and enjoyed such beautiful weather-it was warm and breezy. Wish we were there now to enjoy it!
JoeAnnie | May 28, 2010, 07:35 PM EDT
THis is wonderful for the Irish. I have been there when we had 2 full weeks of 80's The Ladies Beach at Ballybunion was packed.
jacersisityourself | May 28, 2010, 03:54 PM EDT
Bkm asks what Ireland would be like if we had this kind of weather more often. The answer is that the countryside wouldn’t be so green. When we do have prolonged sunshine and little rain (as last in summer of 1995) the grass is yellow everywhere. Not a shade of the forty shades of green to be seen!
bkmfmlongi | May 28, 2010, 01:18 PM EDT
agrre totally, i often wonder what ireland would be like with this type of weather more frequently, both great places to be adare manor and i have been to the mustard seed, fantastic place.
ladyjane | May 28, 2010, 09:13 AM EDT
Wish I was there!
galway2001 | May 26, 2010, 09:39 PM EDT
ireland and america are the best in the world
Maosurfer | May 26, 2010, 07:59 PM EDT
Ireland is Heaven!
peterson | May 26, 2010, 07:46 PM EDT
God Blessed Ireland and I hope his blessings continue !!
bonitapowers | May 26, 2010, 02:33 PM EDT
Ireland is always beautiful.
annhowell | May 26, 2010, 02:00 PM EDT
Two weeks today ago I was standing on the ould sod...spent the first two weeks of May all over the island. My first trip, and I hope not my last, but loved the cooler weather, which was more like our NC springtime. And those skies...lovely, lovely Ireland. Oh, to be standing there today!
Searlit | May 26, 2010, 12:47 PM EDT
Yes, it's due to global warming carrickcourt, but ya might as well be in the moment and enjoy the day!
carrickcourt | May 26, 2010, 09:10 AM EDT
A bit of an Irish heat wave Niall is enjoying. Frankly I think a bit of the global warming I would think. It will be 95 in Connecticut today a lovely global warming day.
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jacersisityourself | May 25, 2010, 02:20 PM EDT
Yep, it’s brilliant, cloudless, sun-filled days at moment. I tell my US friends that one of the best times to visit Ireland is around the end of May because weather like this is more likely than not (the other good time is early Sep – it’s our Indian summer then). I booked a day off work yesterday (Mon) to work on a w/end home project but I decided this weather was inclement for the work - my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
pat52rk | May 25, 2010, 01:28 PM EDT
if weather like this prevailed all year round we would have a completely different country, your view from adare manor would be quite different..
MalcomAC | May 25, 2010, 08:59 AM EDT
And probably nice, cool temperatures in the 40s or 50s at night. Yes, Heaven.