6 20 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



following conclusions based on this analysis for 46 stations are of importance 

 in the present case : — 



(a) " The sea-coast receives more sunshine than the inland parts of the 



country. This is natural, as the sea-coasts are low, as a rule, 

 and clouds form inland where the ground rises to hills." 



(b) " In the summer and early autumn the north-west of Ireland and of 



Scotland, together with the Orkneys, receive very little sunshine." 



(c) " In the late autumn Ireland generally receives more sunshine than 



most of England." 



(d) " In January the number of hours of bright sunshine, taken as a 



percentage of the total possible number of hours is given as 22 for 

 Valencia, which comes third after Jersey (25) and Aberdeen (24)." 



(e) May is the sunniest month, except at a few of the southern stations. 



Thus for May, Falinouth (46), and St. Anne's Head (45) are less 

 than for June, when they both record 47 per cent. Valencia 

 has 44 for May and only 40 for June. 

 (/) In July the least sunny stations are Markree and Glasgow (26 per- 

 cent., and, speaking generally, the north-western and extreme 

 northern stations are below 30. 

 (g) August is particularly sunless on the north-west of Ireland. 

 (h) In September Markree is one of the worst stations, and records only 



25 per cent, 

 (i) In the months November and December the north-west of Ireland 

 improves relatively, and becomes about as sunny as Southampton 

 and Oxford. 

 The above unfavourable conclusions about the north-west of Ireland are 

 based solely on the records of Markree Castle. These conclusions must not, 

 however, be made to apply generally to the Clare Island district in view of 

 the first conclusion given in section (a), and owing to some other considera- 

 tions. The excessive prevalency of westerly winds, which bring air more or 

 less saturated with vapour from the sea, results in almost continuous con- 

 densation over the Connemara and Achill mountains. This condensation 

 can be seen taking place frequently from Clare Island on clear sunny days. 

 This local condensation often results in rain, and in most cases must give rise 

 to cloudiness over a considerable area to the east and north-east. The high 

 sunshine returns for Valencia, Falmouth, and St. Anne's Head give much 

 support to the view that Clare Island district is much sunnier than Markree, 

 and more comparable with Valencia than with Sligo. 



