Spring is here (and there)

The weather is always a good topic of conversation!
April 16 was interesting - in New York the US office of Murphy of Ireland reported a really heavy rainstorm, which affected the NE of the USA with floods and wreaked havoc with traffic and power supplies. Meanwhile in Ballybofey it was a mild day with little rainfall at all.
In fact the last 6 weeks in Ireland have been unusually dry and mild - at times it has felt like summer.
Its interesting that Ireland and the UK are quite a bit further north than you would imagine, but get a much milder climate than countries on the same latitude. Ballybofey (latitude 54.8 degrees north) in Donegal is further north than anywhere in the USA, further north than Mongolia, and in the southern hemisphere sea ice can extend to 55 degress south! Despite being 15 degrees further north the Ballybofey office never gets the extremes of weather that Murphy of Ireland office gets in New York.
Its all down to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, which keeps western Europe warm and wet.

This poses big problems for transatalantic travellers. What clothing could you pack that would be just right for two such different climates. The answer is an Aran Sweater! Its warm, when you need it, but breathes when your body warms up, and most importantly the lanoline in the wool will help to keep you dry.

Check them out in our store! Aran Sweaters

Sporting theme continues!

The chance to give a shout for Ireland continues, but not where you'd expect it! Ireland has never (and I mean never) been renowned as a great cricketing nation, but the team's recent success in the Cricket World Cup is the biggest news since they beat the West Indies in 1969.
If you interested you can see footage of that historic match here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lpxft-zWts

At the moment Ireland have reached the final 8 (the super 8), knocking out Pakistan on the way. Pakistan would have been expected to easily reach the final stages. In the super 8 Ireland have lost their first match (to England), but it was by no means a walk over.

At Murphy of Ireland, we will soon be stocking a range of Ireland themed sportswear in the Irish Gift section. Watch out here and we'll let you know when we have them in stock.