Before I traveled to Ireland I heard stories from people who had traveled to Ireland about the strong winds near the coasts.  Today, I experienced these incredible winds, and it was certainly very memorable!  

The group traveled to Glenveagh National Park. While I could describe the breathtaking views, the storybook castle, and the mountain paths, what I will remember most about this day is the weather. At one point while I was at the park I felt the need to literally hold onto a branch to stay stable on my feet. This is not something I have experienced before.

As we are exploring businesses in complex environments, I would say that the weather, in this case the strong winds, is definitely something that a business needs to consider in their business plan. Extreme weather significantly shapes how businesses operate in many parts of Ireland, particularly in the coastal regions where conditions can be especially harsh. In this part of the country, the combination of high rainfall, strong winds, frequent storms, and occasional flooding can have direct and indirect impacts on daily operations, infrastructure, and long-term business strategies. 

The impact of weather on businesses can be seen in many sectors such as agriculture, tourism, construction, and transportation. Looking specifically at agriculture, the western area in Ireland is heavily reliant on this business, particularly cattle and sheep farming. Extreme weather, like prolonged rain or storms, can delay planting or harvesting cycles for crops.  It can also deter tourists from traveling to the area and can even damage infrastructure in the towns themselves.  

We saw weather being a huge factor first hand this morning when we were unable to tour Kiwi Farms because of the strong weather that rolled into Donegal last night.  Thinking about the weather and the lack of control people have on weather conditions is humbling. However, understanding the impact of weather is vital to local businesses. I have come to understand that the winds, and the weather in Ireland in general, has become a source of identity and unity for people in the area.