The monsoon season - Summer washout

THOUGH anyone waiting for a dry day to cut a field of barley could have told you, now it’s official.

Met Éireann have confirmed that many parts of the country experienced their wettest July for more than 50 years. The worst of the summer monsoon hit Leinster and Munster, with some areas suffering three times the usual rainfall for the month. The rest of the country fared little better, as twice the usual levels of rain were recorded. This has obvious implications on a whole range of businesses not just farming. It also has a profound impact on the jollity of the nation.

In a few short weeks schools will reopen and our barbecue sets will be returned to the back of the shed, many of them unused in this year of deluge.