Donal Hickey: Glorious weather — but will we be hit by the Scairbhín?

The anglicised version of the phenomenon is 'scaraveen' and it has been known to strike between the last two weeks of April and the first two weeks of May

A spring day at Toe Head in West Cork. Picture: Andrew Harris.

If the weather is reasonably fair during Easter, many people will be out walking, enjoying verdant spring growth and birdsong. But, if you feel a chill in the bracing air, don’t be surprised.

We’re all accustomed to ever more unpredictable weather patterns: just look at the contrast between March just past and March of last year. People into old weather lore, however, are not surprised if the elements are cold and wet around now.