Climate

• This region experiences a Cool Temperate Oceanic Climate however it is drier than the North and Western region  due to the rainshadow effect of the western mountains.
• Annual precipitation is 750 mm which is less than half of the North and West’s average. \
• This region is also protected from rain by the presence of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.
• These conditions suit the growing of crops such as wheat and market gardening of crops such as potatoes.
• 15% of Ireland’s wheat is grown in this region and sold mainly to local bakeries for the Dublin market.
• 20% of the national potato crop is grown here as the lower rainfall levels reduce the risk of potato blight.
•  Some of the potato crop is sold to Largo foods who manufacture Tayto crisps in this region.
• This region is also sunnier, which means a  longer growing season.
• The growing season here is on average 280 days per year which is about 20 days longer than the North and West.
• This region receives 4 hours of sunshine per day.
• Temperatures average 16 degrees in Summer and 5 degrees in Winter.
• Frost is rare which favours crop growth and reduces the risk of damage to salad, flower and root crops.
• These conditions allow cereal growth e.g. malting barley for the brewing industry and protein rich barley for animal feeds.