In a letter from Karl to the Truro news, he reported: “I arrived in Limerick not a moment too soon, as a heavy fall of rain set in. I heard before landing in Ireland that it was a great place for rain, so I asked an Irishman about it. I said: “Mr. Flynn, I hear you have nine days of wet weather out of every ten, is that a fact?” He said, “It is! Indeed, it’s a fact and a true fact. Sure it often rains twelve days out of every ten”. 

Ireland's infamously wet climate is a result of the Atlantic Ocean's influence, causing unpredictable weather patterns that can rapidly shift from rain to sunshine to clouds and back to rain. With a minimum of 151 days a year experiencing at least 1 mm of rain, and some years reaching up to 225 days, it is likely that a two-week vacation will include at least four days of rain.

Thankfully, during my own trip to Ireland, I managed to stay relatively dry, allowing me to spend more time outdoors and even visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, a deviation from Karl's route. I believe that a visit to the Cliffs of Moher is a must for any first trip to Ireland, with their rugged cliffs providing views across the Atlantic Ocean to the Aran Islands. The shale and sandstone cliffs are an impressive sight, rising up to 200 meters (700 feet) at their highest point and stretching for 8 km along the ocean. The cliffs have been weathered over time by the waves, creating unique formations and sea caves.

Despite the fact that the Cliffs of Moher attract around one million visitors annually, this isn't a new phenomenon. In 1835, Cornelius O'Brien, a local politician, built a tower as an observation post that attracted hundreds of tourists to visit the cliffs. I am surprised that Karl didn't visit the cliffs during his bike ride through the county, as they were becoming more popular. Perhaps he was deterred by a downpour? Nonetheless, given Karl's love for landscapes and scenery, I believe he would have appreciated the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher.