We have been very fortunate with our weather, but we fear that is about to run out.
Ireland has been suffering from storms, the likes of which they have never seen. The average rainfall is approximately 49 inches a year and of course, there is more in the mountainous regions. They have had 120 inches of rainfall this year. (that is what I have been told, I have been unable to verify those exact numbers).
Two weeks ago they had a storm that affected the entire country with hurricane force winds. There are trees down everywhere, not just a few, we are talking hundreds and hundreds, and the standing water is not just puddles but lakes of water everywhere.
*
The damage done has been horrendous. No lives lost, which shocks me when you see how what was obviously flying debris is embedded in the ground.
That is slate from the slate roof embedded in the grass.
Ironically, the abundance of rain is affecting their cattle industry. While we are selling and butchering our cattle because there is not enough feed, they are doing the same thing, but because they can’t get the cows out to pasture the cost of feed is killing the farmers
It is calving season, and the calves are being delivered inside. The slurry is building up in the barns, and they can’t spread it on the fields because they are flooded. We may be lacking water, they have too much, but the devastating effects on the farming industry are the same.
We are in Killarney, the emerald of the Emerald Isle, and yet it has been raining so badly today we have not been able to see much. A glimpse here and there, reveals a gorgeous countryside, wish I could share with you, but pictures are not to be had through my camera today.
Looking out at Muckross Lake from Muckross House.
Here are some views off the internet:
