Saturday, 15 July, was St Swithin’s Day – a date long associated with the weather.

According to tradition, should it rain on 15 July – it is believed that it will rain for the next 40 days and nights.

If it’s a fair day, legend has it that it will not rain for the next 40 days and nights.

Swithin was declared a saint after his death for his charitable deeds and work with the church and became known for his connotations with the weather.

The saying goes:

St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain

Full forty days, it will remain

St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair

For forty days, t’will rain no more

This tradition dates back to the year 971 when Swithin’s remains were moved and apparently 40 days and nights of blustery, bitter rain commenced marking his disapproval of his remains being moved.

According to Met Éireann, there was mixed weather reports from all around the country on 15 July, with sunny spells in the south and east and rain from the west and north.

What was like in your area?