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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Why are there lots of rainbows in Ireland?

    Why are there lots of rainbows in Ireland?

    April 16, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Leprechauns are a much loved aspect of Irish folklore and have become a symbol of Ireland. They are usually portrayed as happy little old men dressed in green, but historically they were the trickster shoemakers of the fairy world, thought to live in hollowed out tree trunks or caves.

    Popular culture often shows a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow with a pot of gold. This is because Leprechauns are said to hide their gold at the end of a rainbow, which of course can never be found!

    Cartoon image of a pot of gold and leprechaun at the end of a rainbow

    Leprechauns, green and rainbows are all associated with Ireland and St Patricks Day!

    This activity explains why there are lots of rainbows in Ireland, how rainbows form and how you can make a rainbow even on a cloudy day!

    Make a Rainbow

    Rainbow with a hosepipe

    The easiest way to make a rainbow on a sunny day is to stand with the sun behind you and spray water from a hosepipe.


    Rainbow in bubbles

    If you have some bubble mix you can look for rainbows in bubbles. If you don’t have a mix try making your own bubble mix.

    Another idea is to do some washing up and look for rainbows in the bubbles!

    Rainbow with a prism

    If you have a prism, you can make a rainbow either on a sunny day outside or with a torch inside.

    Follow my instructions for making a rainbow with a prism.

    Rainbow made with a prism

    What is a rainbow?

    A rainbow is a multicoloured arc made when light from the sun passes through drops of rain or mist. For a person to see a rainbow they must be stood between the sun and the rain with the sun behind them.

    The colours of the rainbow ordered from longest to shortest wavelength are:

    Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet

    How do rainbows form?

    Rainbows happen when sunlight is refracted and dispersed in drops of rain or mist.

    Sunlight slows down as it moves from the air into a raindrop ( as water is more dense than air ). The light reflects off the inside of the water droplet and is split up into it’s component colours because of their different wavelengths.

    How to split white light with a prism

    Why does Ireland get so many rainbows?

    Irish weather is great for rainbows! Ireland basically gets a lot of rain and sun, both of which are needed to make a rainbow!

    Can you ever reach the end of a rainbow?

    Sadly no one will ever get to the mythical pot of gold at the end of a rainbow as a rainbow is an optical phenomenon. To see it you need to be a distance from the rain or mist with the sun behind your back. As you move, the rainbow will move with you!

    This post is part of my Around the World in 50 Experiments series.

    If geology is more your thing Giants Causeway is a great rock formation to study. The columns are thought to have formed from flows of lava cooling as they reached the sea.

    Last Updated on August 9, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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