Brighter evenings are on the horizon
Clocks (stock)(Image: Getty)
The days are getting noticeably longer as we enter the spring months – and there will be even more light very soon when the clocks go forward.
The clocks are set to go forward one hour on Sunday, March 29, and they’ll go back one hour on Sunday, October 25. All EU member states go back at this time, and our last clocks change happened on October 26, 2025 when the clocks went back one hour.
Here’s everything you need to know about the clocks springing forward one hour next month.
When will the clocks go forward?
The clocks will spring forward by one hour on Sunday, March 29 at 1am. It means our clocks will instead jump ahead to 2am, giving us less time in bed but more time to enjoy daylight in the evenings.
Does this happen just in Ireland?
Clocks go back by one hour in all EU member states on the last Sunday in October and forward on the last Sunday in March. In North America, Daylight Savings Times (DST) starts on the second Sunday in March while clocks go back on the first Sunday in November.
Meanwhile, in Australia the clocks will go back on the first Sunday in April.
Why do we do it?
The clocks change so we can make the best use of natural light. The countries that are further from the equator, like Ireland, get more hours of darkness from the clock changing.
The change was made law 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.
What do I need to do?
Thanks to the advancements of modern technology, most Irish households no longer need to take much action when the clocks change. The the majority of smartphones and other digital items will make the time switch automatically tonight, but traditional clocks and watches the time will have to be changed manually.
I thought the EU were ending the practice?
In 2019, the Parliament voted to stop DST from 2021 onwards. This was based on an EU-wide survey that showed 70% of respondents wanted the practice to stop. 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-19 pandemic.
EU institutions have not made progress since on implementing the decision, and the European Commission has said that it does not plan to submit a new proposal on the matter to the Parliament. This means that no changes are expected to summer and winter time in the coming years.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.