IT'S 9th FEBRUARY AND ROSES ARE BLOOMING. WHAT???

While the rest of Europe, including the UK, is in the grip of ice and snow, the western half (at least) of Ireland is mild and damp. I did a bit of a double take this morning when I looked out at the garden and saw the rose bush below beginning to bloom. Is this Climate Change or am I a Dutchman?

Perhaps my brother Donal, a keen gardener, would care to comment? Or anyone else for that matter.