Exact date clocks change in Ireland with extra hour in bed just around the corner
A clock change is on the way for Ireland next month. People are set to get an extra hour in bed, as well as brighter mornings.
Ireland's recent spell of gloomy weather is a clear signal that summer has come to an end, and winter is just around the corner. With the days getting shorter and darker evenings starting to creep in, a clock change is on the way.
People in Ireland can look forward to an extra hour of sleep next month. On the last Sunday of October, the clocks will go back one hour, marking the official end of the extended daylight period of the year.
The clocks went forward on the last Sunday of March (March 31, 2024) at 1am, and will now go back by one hour at 2am on the last Sunday of October, which is on October 27 this year. This change means we will be gaining an extra hour in bed.
For anyone that uses a smartphone, it will automatically update with the correct time, however clocks will need to be manually updated.
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This tradition of changing the clocks, which is known as 'falling back', was introduced to make better use of natural daylight. The shift means that mornings will be brighter, allowing for an extra hour of daylight, however, it also means that evening darkness will arrive earlier.
Do the clocks change elsewhere?
All EU member states go back at this time, and go forward again on the last Sunday of March in 2025. Iceland is the only exception to the rule as it observes the Western European time zone all year round.
In America and Canada, daylight saving time (DST) starts at 2am on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November, while in Australia, the clocks go forward on the first Sunday in April and go back on the first Sunday in October.
However, countries like China, Japan, and India do not follow DST.
Why do the clocks change?
Since the 18th century, DST has been used to save energy and the change was made law in order to make the best of natural light as the earth travels around the sun. As it is naturally darker during the winter, the time goes back, giving people an extra hour's sleep in bed and in summer, the clock goes forward to allow for longer evenings.
DST was first introduced in Germany in April in 1916 - with the Ireland adopting DST shortly after in May 1916.
The impact of the change varies, with countries further from the equator who experience more hours of darkness benefitting most from the system.
In 2019, the European Parliament voted to scrap Daylight Saving Time permanently. It came after a poll of 4.6 million EU citizens showed strong support for getting rid of it.
The last clock change was due to take place in spring 2021, but the proposal was put on the back burner while the world coped with the Covid pandemic.
The European Commission and the European Parliament continue dialogue on the issue, however talks have stalled since the UK left the EU. Agreement would have to be reached with the UK to move in unison.
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