Clocks Go Forward Tonight: A Brief History and What to Expect
Don’t forget! Clocks go forward tonight at 1am, marking the start of Daylight Saving Time. Enjoy those longer evenings!
Tonight, as the clock strikes 1am on Saturday, March 30th, Ireland will officially "spring forward," marking the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST). The clocks will be set one hour ahead, shifting us into a new season of longer evenings and shorter nights. But why do we still change the clocks twice a year? Here’s a brief history and some key facts about this practice.
The History of Daylight Saving Time
The idea of moving the clocks forward in the spring dates back to 1907 when British builder William Willett proposed the idea to make better use of daylight during the summer months. However, it wasn’t until World War I, in 1916, that Germany became the first country to adopt DST in an effort to conserve fuel by reducing the need for artificial lighting. The UK and other European countries quickly followed suit, and Ireland also embraced this change.
After the war, some countries abandoned DST, but it was later revived during World War II for similar reasons of resource conservation. Over the decades, many nations, including Ireland, have continued to observe Daylight Saving Time, although it has remained a subject of debate. Critics argue that the time change disrupts sleep patterns, while others advocate for its benefits in saving energy and providing more daylight hours for outdoor activities during the summer months.
What to Expect This Weeken
This weekend, Ireland will join other countries in the European Union in observing the time change, shifting clocks forward by one hour at 1am on Sunday, March 31st. This means the time will officially jump to 2am. While the switch is often seen as a signal of spring, it’s important to remember that not everyone agrees on the practice's benefits. The European Union even debated abolishing the clock changes altogether, but the practice remains in place for now.
With longer evenings, this time change is perfect for getting out and enjoying the extra daylight hours in Ireland. Whether you’re heading to a park, a café, or just enjoying the sunshine from your window, the clocks going forward signal the arrival of spring and summer, even if it takes a little while for the weather to catch up.
To help you stay on track with the time change, see the Live Time below.
