Page 57 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

IRELAND THROUGH THE Y EAR  55

Average Monthly Temperature Temperature Chart
This chart gives the
°C °F average minimum
25 80 and maximum tem p­
eratures for the city
20 70
of Dublin. Winter is
mild throughout
15 60
Ireland, except in the
10 50 high mountain
ranges, while the
5 40 warmest summer
temperatures are in
0 30
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec the Southeast.
Winter
Although a quiet time for
festivals, there’s a range of
entertainment including
musical and theatrical events.
Christmas is the busiest social
period and there are plenty of
informal celebrations. There is
also a wide choice of National
Hunt race meetings (see p32).
December
Twelve Days of Christmas
(Dec). Dublin. A Christmas Young boys dressed up as Wren boys on St Stephen’s Day
market with a vibrant
festival atmosphere. January young people have taken
Leopardstown Races (26 Dec, Salmon and Sea Trout Season part in music (and speech
see p135). The biggest meeting (17 Jan–end Sep, see pp342–3). and drama) competitions.
held on this traditional day for Season begins for one of Ire land’s Six Nations Rugby
racing. There are other fixtures most popular pastimes. Tourna ment, Aviva Stadium,
at Limerick and Down Royal. Dublin (varying Saturdays and
St Stephen’s Day (26 Dec). February Sundays Feb–Apr, see p32).
Catholic boys traditionally dress Jameson Dublin International
up as Wren boys (chimney Film Festival (end Feb–early Public Holidays
sweeps with blackened faces) Mar). Films at various venues.
and sing hymns to raise money Belfast Musical Festival (end New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
for charitable causes. Feb–mid-Mar). For over 100 years, St Patrick’s Day (17 Mar)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
May Day (first Mon in May)
Spring Bank Holiday (Northern
Ireland: last Mon in May)
June Bank Holiday (Rep ublic:
first Mon in Jun)
Twelfth of July (Northern
Ireland: 12 Jul)
August Bank Holiday (Rep ublic:
first Mon in Aug).
Summer Bank Holiday
(Northern Ireland: last Mon in Aug)
October Bank Holiday
(Republic: last Mon in Oct)
Christmas Day (25 Dec)
St Stephen’s Day (Republic:
26 Dec)
Boxing Day (Northern Ireland:
26 Dec)

Glendalough (see pp144–5) in the snow

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