Except for this year, I must admit it's not pleasant. 

I write this as strong winds and flooding have hit the west coast on the first week of August, the sun never making an appearance for days in a row and so it might make sense to stay indoors - hit a museum or pub perhaps. Mind you, a few parts of Ireland saw wettest on record or close to record rainfall in August 2014.

Official statistics for 2015 show that there was more rain than usual - twice as much in Co. Cork compared to the Long Term Average, it was cloudier with only 2.6 hours of sunshine on average in Co. Mayo and it was also colder than usual with nearly everywhere reporting 1 to 2 degrees Celsius below average for July.

This black and white image was taken on the south coast, in County Waterford where during a recent trip the sun broke the clouds only a few times and for moments only. During my travels the driven rain sprayed the camera, filters and ruined many an image. A quick exposure here was required to capture anything at all but sums up the moody late-autumn like weather conditions we have been getting.

The rumours usually go that we had a wet start to the summer and so the end of summer will be roasting hot, but there is no certainty in statements like these.

What I'm trying to say is, take some waterproof clothing and enjoy yourself because between the rain showers Ireland has scenery worth viewing.

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