One Of The Best Countries In The World For Spotting Glorious Rainbows

We can't guarantee you'll find a pot of gold at the end, but if you're visiting Ireland, there's a pretty good chance you'll see a rainbow or two. That's because the Emerald Isle is one of the best places in the world for rainbow-spotting. But there's a catch. One of the primary reasons rainbows are so prevalent in Ireland is because the country gets a lot of rain, and water droplets are a necessary component of rainbow formation. Despite its rainy climate, Ireland's average annual rainfall ranks 83 on a list of 179 countries worldwide. By comparison, the US ranks 110.

While the island as a whole experiences a bounty of rainbows, the west coast — especially along Wild Atlantic Way (a popular road trip route known for its incredible scenery) — boasts especially favorable conditions. That's because low-pressure weather systems tend to move quickly along Ireland's west coast, bringing bursts of rain followed by periods of sunshine. The pattern is especially prevalent in the spring and fall when the sun's position — low on the horizon — is ideal for rainbow formation.

Hang onto your hats. Despite the myriad mythical and magical associations with rainbows, the sky-high prisms that bring joy to those earthbound beings among us lucky enough to catch one on the fly are the result of a specific convergence of meteorological events. If you know the formula, you're more likely to know when and where to look to spot a rainbow. Here's what it takes. Both sun and rain have to be present at the same time. Then the sunlight has to enter individual water droplets, bounce around inside, and refract back to our eyes. Ideally the sun should be behind you, and at a 42-degree angle in the sky.

If conditions align, you'll want to be sure you're looking in the right direction. Rainbow-spotting in the morning? Look to the west. In the evening, look to the east. Rainbows only appear directly opposite the position of the sun. If you're driving along Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland, morning rainbows will likely appear over the rolling landscape. Evening is the best time to catch a rainbow arching over the ocean. And if you're planning a multi-day drive along Wild Atlantic Way, you could even make rainbow-spotting part of the journey.

The 1,600-mile-long route winds along the coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north to the fishing village of Kinsale — a charming riverside town with colorful buildings and cobblestone lanes — in the south.  Along the way, the route passes through counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry, and Cork, and is divided into 14 sections to make exploring easier. Drive time end to end averages 32 hours, so if you plan to spend four hours a day on the road, the trip will take about eight days.

While keeping an eye out for rainbows, be sure to take in sights along the way. Traveling north to south, Aughris Head in County Sligo is as good a place as any to start. Located on the southern shore of Sligo Bay, the peninsula offers panoramic views of the bay to the north and Knocknarea Mountain to the east. Rainbow lore enthusiasts — especially those fascinated by the legend of a leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of a rainbow  — may want to take a mini-detour to the foot of Knocknarea and Fairy Glen, a lush valley that feels like a home to fairies and leprechauns. 

Speaking of leprechauns and rainbows, have you ever wondered how the legend of the pot of gold originated? It goes back to 17th-century Ireland when locals, who recognized the futility of searching for the end of a rainbow, coined the phrase, "You're as likely to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow," to describe endeavors they deemed unattainable. Over time, the meaning of the saying morphed from a description of pursuing something in vain to a fairy tale about finding a leprechaun's pot of gold. For the record, it really is impossible to find the end of a rainbow. That's because humans view rainbows from the perspective of their location. When the viewer moves, their view of the rainbow adjusts accordingly. It's kind of like trying to chase your own shadow when the sun is low on the horizon.

Mystical legends involving rainbows extend far beyond the shores of Ireland. In Greek mythology, a rainbow represents the earthly presence of the goddess Iris, a messenger for the gods. The arc of the rainbow symbolizes her journey between Heaven and Earth. In Chinese culture, rainbows are connected with dragons. In fact, the Chinese word "hong" (or jiang) means rainbow in English. It's also the name of a mythical two-headed dragon with an arched back, like a rainbow, that appears in the sky after a storm.

With so many diverse cultures incorporating rainbows into their mythology, it begs the question: Where else can you see an abundance? Other prime rainbow-viewing destinations around the world include the islands of Hawaii, especially Kauai, home to a secret beach that's a secluded paradise. Want more? Set your sights on Australia's Rainbow Coast, and you'll find more earthbound rainbows at New York's Niagara Falls and in Argentina and Brazil at Iguazu Falls.