The St Swithin's day superstition seems to be playing out according to legend this year. It rained in many parts of Ireland on the 15th of July and since then the weather has fallen in line with the old rhyme – "St Swithin's Day if thou dost rain, for forty days it will remain; St Swithin's Day if thou be fair, for forty days 'twill rain nae mair."
Those not of a superstitious nature may be surprised to learn that the general weather around St Swithin's day may not be too bad a guide for what to expect for the remainder of the summer.
Meteorologists have confirmed the tendency, obviously noted by our ancestors, that the weather in these parts often settles down around the middle of July into a pattern which may persist for the remainder of the summer season – either cool, rather wet and changeable, or else mostly warm and sunny.
It would seem that our ancestors noted the pattern and identified it with the saint whose feast day fell nearest in the early Christian calendar. They then invented the story and rhyme to fit their rule of thumb.
As modern day, 21st century, non-superstitious souls (one hopes), the lesson for us to glean from the oul legend is to not expect the prognosis to work for each and every year, nor should we attach too much significance to the date of July 15th. Consulting the Meteorologists long range forecast is the better bet.
