They lie to us on a daily basis ("where's our f***ing heatwave???") but we still love them.
Next to the Angelus, it's our favourite thing to watch on Irish television.
The weather. Our national obsession. The first thing you talk to any taxi driver about. The reason for so, so many angry tweets just like this...
https://twitter.com/CarolineForan/status/729955603439878144
With all of that in mind, we're power ranking the country's favourite weather presenters from decades past to the present day.
10. Dr. Aidan Nulty
Your granny used to say he had "a good face." Not a handsome face, mind, but "a good face." If Ireland were to be wiped out by a storm of biblical proportions approaching from the west, Dr. Aidan Nulty would still flash that showband grin, wink to the camera and tell the nation about a good day for the fishermen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsGxsL29h-k
9. Joan Blackburn
Does anyone else believe that Bridget (of Bridget & Eamon fame) was modeled on Joan Blackburn? Look at this glorious perm.
Just look at it.
In fairness to Joan, EVERYONE'S mam looked just like this in the late 1980s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDx9c4it5Rw
8. Deric Hartigan
Suspenders. A half opened shirt. Bedhead.
Deric Hartigan is the Sid Vicious of the meteorological services.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ymzjpp3ZAg
7. Nuala Carey
The first rule of presenting the weather: Wait until the red light goes off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZZiooBKCEo
6. Helen Curran
The second rule of presenting the weather: WAIT UNTIL THE RED LIGHT GOES OFF.
"Thanks Michael."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBMUBoLtY_4
5. Gerald Fleming
A man who exists somewhere between Daithí Ó'Sé and Daniel O'Donnell in terms of the Irish housewives' favourite, Gerald has been making us feel an awful lot better about cold fronts (and possible, but never probable, squally showers coming up from the south-west) for years now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUdU56qaGUU
4. Evelyn Cusack
The last of the vintage breed of RTÉ weather presenters.
"There'll be chung ones with the baps and hoops out, so do be careful while driving."
She's a legend in our lifetime, is Evelyn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oShznmQE-I
3. Teresa Mannion
How could we not? HOW? She's on this list on merit. She earned this.
You earned this, Teresa, don't let anyone take it away from you on a technicality.
"Their actions are... IDIOTIC!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0MMAFKVw-g
2. Martin King
Try and imagine Martin King in a bad mood. Go on. Try it. Try to imagine him being rude to a waitress, or sending back a pint for being 'a bit off.'
You can't, can you? No.
Martin King has never shouted at anyone or anything in his life. He is always on time and the first man to get his round in. He will do his best to fix your shower before telling you in sad and sombre tones that you may have to 'get a man.'
He will make you an impressive cheesecake and would never, ever cheat at Trivial Pursuit.
How can you not love this man?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ4OjFTxddE
1. Jean Byrne
Jean Byrne doesn't wear clothes. The clothes have the privilege of wearing Jean Byrne.
She could tell us several hurricanes are set to meet over Mullingar and we wouldn't break a sweat, so lost would we be in Jean's siren song.
Jean Byrne. Warrior princess, leather-clad weathertrix, the queen of ice and hazy sunshine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBXZTnbyKTE
