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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
David Kent

When do the clocks change and in what direction as nights get longer and colder

The leaves are changing colour, there's Halloween decorations in pretty much every shop you go in to and the big jackets have been broken out.

It can only mean it's October and the country is once again preparing for a bitterly cold, wet and windy few months.

It also means that we're set to hear the age old question be asked on a daily basis.

READ MORE: What time and TV channel is Liverpool v Rangers on today in the Champions League?

When do the clocks go back or go forward?

1916 was a key year in history for Ireland for obvious reasons, but it's also when we introduced Daylight Savings Time (DST) after our near neighbours in the UK did too.

It's been that way ever since, but things may be about to change as we'll explain shortly.

For now, we're here to answer all your questions about the clocks switching later this month

When do the clocks change?

October 30 at 2am

Every year, the clocks change on the last weekend in March and October.

What way to the clocks go?

It's simple - you spring forward, you fall back.

Even though we prefer the term 'autumn', the handy American mnemonic device is the best way to remember that in October, the clocks go back by one hour.

Does that mean we've an extra hour in bed?

Yes

Woman reaches over to turn off alarm clock (gettyimages.ie)

Does that mean that pubs and nightclubs stay open an hour longer on October 30?

No.

Why do the clocks go back?

It's related to ye olden days and allows for an extra hour of sunlight in the morning.

The opposite happens in March, with the welcoming of spring and what is affectionately known as the grand old stretch in the evenings.

Wait, wasn't there a vote to end daylight savings?

In 2019, the European Parliament voted to remove daylight saving time permanently, but these plans were shelved after Covid struck.

Around this time last year, it was revealed the decision was not high up on the list of priorities of the EU Parliament - though that doesn't mean that it will never change.

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