Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Is rain on St Swithin's Day a sign of more to come?

Folklore in Ireland and England says that wet weather on Saint Swithin's Day, 15th July, means that it will rain for the next forty days.

Swithin's Irish counterpart, Saint MacDara, whose feast day is celebrated on 16 July, has a similar weather related legend.

A wet summer’s day in Dublin, but people have ventured out prepared.

It’s brolly, mac and anorak time.

Meteorologist Fred Dixon says that at this time of year, rain and thunderstorms are common, especially if the preceding weeks have been fine and dry.

There is a tendency for something to happen about the middle of July.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 15 July 1975.
The reporter is Derek Davis.