It is said that the Irish speak three languages; English, Gaelic and The Weather, and most conversations usually start and end with the weather in Ireland. No other country in the world can possibly have as many local phrases about the weather as the Irish. Generally you won’t have a bird’s notion what these colourful phases mean so we’re here to help you with the translation of certain phrases for the weather in Ireland that you are likely to encounter while playing the best golf courses in Ireland.
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‘Splitting the stones’
= Very hot and sunny; aka mid 70’s at least. Golf gear advice; time to break out the shorts on the links. Locals may also use ~ “Glorious”, “the heat ‘d kill you”, “tis quare warm out’.
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‘Tis a grand day for it’
= a nice day for whatever “it” is and “it” can be anything you want; how about Ballybunion Golf anyone! Golf gear advice; pack a good jumper (‘sweater) in the golf bag and away you go.
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‘There’s great drying out today’
= sunny and breezy. Likely to be uttered by the Irish Mammy as she admires the washing on the line. Golf gear advice: a near perfect day for Links Golf.
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‘There’s a grand stretch in the evenings’
= Mandatory that every Irishman of a certain age utter this on the first fine evening in April. Weather improving (aka at least 50!). Golf advice: tee off about 4PM and get the full 18 holes before sunset; will get chillier later.
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The Weather in Ireland is ‘Changeable’
= a euphemism that anything can and likely will happen. Can be construed as good because clearly it’s not all bad. Golf gear advice: leave all the weather gear in the bag and plan on as many costume changes as Tina Turner. Locals may also use ~ “Four seasons in the one day”, “sunny spells and scattered showers’.
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‘Soft Day’
= cloudy and misty. Most often heard in The Wesht. Golf gear advice: a nice light rain-resistant top will see you right.
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‘Jaysus it’s baltic’
= very cold but hints at being dry. Start the day with a full Irish breakfast, head to the links, don the woolly hat and away you go. A hot whiskey on the 19th. Locals may also use ‘fierce chilly altogether.
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‘Cat Malojan’
= bad, very bad (can be used about more than the weather). Golf advice: abandon all plans for the Irish Links and head to the local Irish Pub for a ‘few scoops’ of Guinness. Locals may also use ~ “raining cats and dogs”, ‘”you wouldn’t put a dog out in it”, “pissing”, “lashing”.
That’s it, you’re sorted and ready to converse on an equal footing about the weather in Ireland with the locals!
