Deirdre O Meara 
The brighter mornings of spring are just around the corner, and with them comes the yearly tradition of the clocks changing. This year, the clocks will go forward one hour on Sunday, March 26 in Ireland, marking the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST) for 2023.
The process of adjusting the clocks is a coordinated effort across all EU member states, with clocks going back on the last Sunday in October and forward on the last Sunday in March. While most smartphones will automatically update to reflect the new time, clocks will need to be manually changed.
The upcoming change will see our clocks jump ahead from 1am to 2am, giving us one less hour in bed but longer evenings with more daylight. This year’s clock change follows the last clocks change on October 30, 2022, when the clocks went back one hour.
But why do we do it?
The tradition of DST dates back to World War I when it was introduced as a way to conserve energy.
By adjusting the clocks, we can make better use of natural light, particularly in countries further from the equator, like Ireland, where the change in daylight hours can be more drastic. In winter, the clocks go back to give us an extra hour’s sleep, while in summer, they go forward to allow for longer evenings.
However, there have been discussions in recent years about permanently scrapping DST. In 2019, the EU voted on a proposal to eliminate DST permanently after 2021, following an EU-wide survey that showed a majority of people would prefer not to have DST. The proposal was set to take place in spring 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was delayed.
While the possibility of DST being scrapped is still on the table, for now, the tradition of adjusting the clocks twice a year remains in place. It is a reminder of the changing seasons and a chance to make the most of the longer days that come with spring and summer.
In Ireland, the upcoming clocks change will mark the start of a season of longer days and brighter mornings. So remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 26, and enjoy the extra daylight.
