{"id":360276,"date":"2026-03-23T03:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T03:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/360276\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T03:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T03:07:09","slug":"when-do-clocks-go-forward-ireland-2026-date-and-time-for-spring-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/360276\/","title":{"rendered":"When do clocks go forward Ireland 2026? Date and time for spring forward"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The clocks go forward by one hour on Sunday, March 29 at 1am &#8211; here&#8217;s everything you need to know about the spring clock change<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An aerial view captures the majestic scene of the sun setting over a serene body of water, with golden rays reflecting off the surface and creating a shimmering path towards the horizon. The tranquil sky is adorned with soft, wispy clouds, while the distant landmass forms a gentle silhouette against the fading light.\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Sunrise.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Sunrise \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Sunrise <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A clock change is just around the corner, with people set to lose an hour&#8217;s sleep this month, though the trade-off is longer,<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dublinlive.ie\/news\/dublin-news\/clocks-change-ireland-2026-nearly-33548459\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> brighter evenings ahead.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The extended daylight hours in the evenings have been a welcome sight over recent weeks \u2014 and there is even more light on the horizon as the<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dublinlive.ie\/news\/dublin-news\/clocks-go-forward-ireland-2026-33469975\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> clocks spring forward<\/a> next weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Within just a few days, the full benefit of the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dublinlive.ie\/all-about\/summer\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">summer<\/a> clock will be felt as the time shifts forward by one hour \u2014 a process commonly referred to as Daylight Saving Time (DST). The upshot is that daylight stretches further into the evening and mornings brighten earlier, making it good news all round.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Each winter, the clocks roll back one hour, before jumping forward again each spring. A handy trick for remembering which direction the clocks move is the old phrase \u2014 &#8220;spring forward, fall back&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here&#8217;s everything you need to know about the clocks going forward one hour later this month, reports <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/news\/irish-news\/clock-change-ireland-exact-date-36893979\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the Irish Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An image features a small blue alarm clock next to a yellow sticky note with the words &quot;Spring Forward&quot; written on it. The alarm clock shows the time as 11:50.\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Vintage-Blue-Alarm-Clock-Daylight-saving-time-symbol.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Spring Forward\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Spring Forward(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>When does it happen?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Clocks go forward by one hour at 1am on the last Sunday of March. This year, the clocks will go forward 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Smartphone owners needn&#8217;t worry, as their devices will automatically update to the correct time, however those with decorative wall clocks will need to adjust them manually.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the immediate aftermath of the clock change, parts of Ireland will be treated to sunsets after 8pm, as the much-loved grand auld stretch in the evenings makes its welcome return. Is this just an Irish thing?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Throughout all EU member states, clocks go back on the final Sunday in October and spring forward on the final Sunday in March. The sole exception is Iceland, which maintains Western European time throughout the entire year.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A close-up image displays a notepad with the words &quot;SPRING FORWARD&quot; prominently displayed on top, accompanied by a pencil and a small clock, suggesting an organizational or motivational theme.\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774235229_669_0_GettyImages-1363684712.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Across the pond in North America, Daylight Savings Time (DST) kicks off on the second Sunday in March, whilst clocks retreat on the first Sunday in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Down under in Australia, meanwhile, the clocks wind back on the first Sunday in April.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s the reason behind it?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The clock changes allow us to maximise natural daylight. Nations positioned further from the equator, such as Ireland, experience more hours of darkness as a result of the time shift.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The practice became law to optimise natural light as our planet orbits the sun. Given that winter brings naturally darker conditions, the time shifts backwards, granting people an additional hour in bed, whilst in summer, the clock advances to provide longer evenings.<\/p>\n<p>When exactly do clocks go back?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Clocks retreat by one hour at 2am on the final Sunday in October. This year, the clock will &#8216;fall back&#8217; on 25 October 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This means that at 2am on 25 October, the time displayed will revert to 1am.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Back in 2019, the European Parliament backed a motion to end these biannual time changes. However, EU institutions haven&#8217;t advanced on putting this decision into practice, and the European Commission has indicated it won&#8217;t be putting forward a fresh proposal on this matter to Parliament. This indicates that no alterations to summer and winter time are anticipated in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? <a aria-label=\"Making us your preferred source on GoogleLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=dublinlive.ie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Making us your preferred source on Google<\/a> means you\u2019ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply <a aria-label=\"click hereLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=dublinlive.ie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The clocks go forward by one hour on Sunday, March 29 at 1am &#8211; here&#8217;s everything you need&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":360277,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[61,60,43,10797],"class_list":{"0":"post-360276","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-ie","9":"tag-ireland","10":"tag-news","11":"tag-summer"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=360276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360276\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=360276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=360276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=360276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}