Immigrate to Ireland and experience life in Ireland: Ireland is located in the northwest of the European continent, surrounded by the ocean and inland seas. Influenced by the North Atlantic Drift and westerly winds, it has a temperate maritime climate, with mild and humid winters. The average annual temperature in Ireland is around 15 degrees Celsius. Even in winter, temperatures generally remain above zero degrees Celsius, reaching over ten degrees during the day. For example, in London, winter temperatures fluctuate around 6 degrees Celsius, and there are rarely freezing conditions throughout the winter. Therefore, the Irish winter is not considered freezing. However, what bothers people in Ireland is the damp and cold nature of the winter; as Xu Zhimo described, the persistent rain, fog, and gloomy dampness are the hallmarks of an Irish winter. This damp and cold air can cause people to catch a cold 2-3 times during the winter.
So, how do you cope with the long, damp, and cold Irish winter? There is no official heating season in Ireland; usually, people turn on the radiators as soon as they feel cold, which means that in most parts of Ireland, independent heating is used. However, in some more modern residential areas and student dormitories in London, central heating is still used, with natural gas as the primary energy source. According to relevant media reports, research results released this year show that the electricity and natural gas costs that Irish people have to pay have increased significantly. Nowadays, most Irish people use "traditional" heating methods at home in winter rather than using central heating systems or electric heaters.
In addition, as the winter chill sets in, the Irish are generally keen on warm winter drinks to drive away the damp cold. Whether it is hot coffee or mulled wine, there is always a favorite winter drink to make you feel the goodness of the season. In the kitchens of Irish people during winter, you will always find a drink called "Mulled Wine," which means "red wine heated with spices." After taking a sip of the hot wine, a wave of warmth rushes from the throat straight to the stomach, then spreads to the face and limbs, driving away all the cold from the body.
The heat flow from the North Atlantic has a significant impact on Ireland's climate characteristics, resulting in mild and humid winters where the weather is not overly cold. At the same time, there are radiators for indoor heating. Combined with the lifestyle habits of the Irish, men often wear single-layer shirts and trousers in winter, while women wear skirts and long-sleeved clothing. This is very rare in China and difficult to understand, as the climate and lifestyle habits are different. However, the pursuit of both countries remains the same: to enjoy a warm and comfortable winter life.