Ireland, is famed for its luscious green terrain split up by rocky mountains and rolling hills. The saying goes in Ireland that you can tell the difference between summer and winter by measuring the temperature of the rain - so by this you can easily gauge that rain is a dominant feature and there isn’t a lot of temperature variation across the country.

The weather is mild but changeable and rain can be expected at any time of the year. Parts of the country are oceanic, and as you move further away from the coast the conditions become slightly more temperature- however the prevailing factor across the whole country is that few temperature extremes are experienced.

Ireland is affected by the North Atlantic Drift, so this has a moderating affect on the climate and keeps winter in Ireland warmer than places of similar latitudes. Its northerly location, however, means that summers never get particular hot either. The climate is generally fairly typical of an insular climate and is moderated by the moist winds that blow across the island, these winds prevail from the south west, off the Atlantic, and can reach particular high speeds at times of the year.

On the whole the west coast is much wetter than the east coast, so this should dispel common belief that Dublin is the wettest city in Ireland. Lying on the east coast, Dublin sees almost half as much rainfall as parts of the west coast.

Inland Ireland gets warmer in the summer months than the coastal region, though on the flipside it also gets much colder in the winter. These temperature differences are not that great, with central Ireland only being a few degrees cooler than the coast. In the centre of the country across the year will record about 40 days below freezing, however on the coast the mercury will only fall below 0 degrees on average 10 days per year.

The country is made up of a ring of coastal mountains, with low lying central plains in the centre. Due to Ireland's mild climate and significant rainfall this has lead to luscious green terrain and plentiful vegetation which makes for very scenic and pleasant landscapes, which has lead to the island being called the ‘Emerald Isle.’ Home to rolling hills, mountainous rocky areas and dramatic green vistas, Ireland is a picturesque place to visit any time of the year.

DUBLIN-Dublin is the capital of Ireland and sits upon the east coast where it is sheltered from the heavy storms that the Atlantic coast is subject to. The climate in Dublin is a maritime, temperate climate that (like the rest of the country) lacks major temperature extremes and has cool summers and mild winters. Although popular belief leads many tourists to believe that Dublin is a very rainy city, it in fact sees fewer days of rain, on average, than London.

The average maximum temperature in January, the midst of winter, is about 8 degrees while July sees average maximums of about 20 degrees. From May to June will see Dublin basking in the most hours of uninterrupted sunlight as this is when the sky will be the clearest and before the more overcast weather sits in. Because of its northerly latitude, in the height of summer the days will have about 19 hours of daylight before the sun sets. On the flipside the winters days are short and in the peak up winter there are only 9 hours of daylight.

December and August in Dublin are generally the wettest months and record 74mm of precipitation on average for the month. April is, on average, the driest month of the year recording 45 mm of precipitation for the whole month.

Occasionally Dublin is hit by strong winds that blow from the Atlantic, though the storms are much less severe here than they are in other parts of the country. If Dublin is to be hit my strong winds it is most likely to occur in the height of winter. In 1997 on December 24, a region just out of Dublin was hit by winds that gathered speeds of 151 km/h!

There are plenty of things to keep you busy if visiting Dublin and find your self in the midst of a rainy windy day, take in the city streets or take a visit to the original Guinness Brewery- don't worry it'll be here for awhile as it as a 9,000 year lease on it's property.

Dublin is affected by the urban heat phenomenon which means the inner city is a few degrees warmer than more regional areas. The heat is stored up in the city centre and will keep it warmer throughout the days.

 Any variations in rain or temperature are due mainly to varying altitude and proximity to the Atlantic. The east coast sees about 750mm of precipitation, on average, across the year while the west coast sees 1500mm. In the mountains at higher altitude about 2000mm of precipitation will be recorded, before falling to 800-1200mm in lower lying areas.

Though it has been stated that Ireland does lack temperature extremes, it is hit by the occasional heat wave. Historically the highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3°C at Kilkenny Castle June 26 1887. During the 20th century, the record high is 32.5°C at Boora, Co. Offaly which was recorded on 29th June 1976.

Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com

If you are traveling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or  www.bilemo.com/unlock  

RIDERS MUST WEAR A PROPERLY SECURED HARD HAT WHEN MOUNTED.

Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo:
You will stay at the hotel for 6 nights. It is a nice 4-star hotel on the river. Towering dramatically over the banks of the Garavogue river, The Glasshouse is the first design hotel of its kind in Ireland - a glittering beacon of quirkiness and color, in the center of one of Ireland's emerging vibrant and scenic cities. Through cutting-edge design and architecture, The Glasshouse has set a completely new standard of luxury accommodation.
Around every corner is a new surprise - An exciting journey that blends groovy with chic: through swirls of dazzling colors, retro-patterns and bright canvasses, across psychedelic carpets and shimmering windows.
Standing within meters of Sligo's main O' Connell Street, The Glasshouse is an ideal location for your week.
The Glasshouse Breakfast Buffet is served in 'The Kitchen' each morning, and consists of fruit salads, juices, muesli, and a wide selection of breads and pastries. A full Irish Breakfast with fresh coffee or tea is also available.
Dinner is available each evening, until nine thirty. Guests can choose from a unique, carefully prepared a-la-carte menu, offering a broad selection of creatively matched foods served in an unpretentious manner.  There are also many good restaurants at all price levels within walking distance from the hotel.

Markree Castle:
The castle is situated a few miles from historical Sligo town and Yeats country - within easy visiting distance of Sligo's beautiful beaches and golf courses. Markee Castle is in the center of a large estate, with lovely gardens leading down to the river Unsin, and views over a countryside almost unchanged for 100 years.
The original house has been re-built many times over the years. In 1802 a major external transformation was completed by Francis Johnston, the well known architect. This facade remains today and the interior was just recently completely renovated by the current owner. Inside the Markree you will find fine Edwardian and Victorian mahogany furniture. A large blazing fireplace always greets guests. As you stroll down the hall, you will notice the beautiful oak panels. In the first-floor dining room there is ornate Louis XIV plasterwork.
ALL THE BEDROOMS AT MARKREE are individual in style and character, the furniture is old, in keeping with the style of the Castle, yet meet all the requirements of the modern day. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, direct dial telephone, hairdryer, television, individually controlled heating and beverage making facilities to make a hustle of the modern world outside. The majority of rooms have fantastic views of the gardens and surrounding countryside.
Knockmuldowney Restaurant, with its award winning food, is a well-known restaurant within the region. Enjoy the peace and quiet and exceptional ambience at Markree.

Dinners are not included (except one night at Markree Castle), there are many restaurants and pubs in Sligo to suit all budgets. Main dish from 10-25 €. Lunches should be about €5.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.