The sun making an appearance in Ireland is a rare occurrence. Okay, so even that is being a bit generous. It pretty much never happens. But on those very special rare days when it does, there are a few things that are guaranteed to follow...

                                               

1. People take off their clothes

Even if the sun only comes out for a microsecond, Irish people automatically take off their clothes like it’s 35 degrees and they're in Marbella. Now we’re not saying that it doesn’t make sense to take off a layer or two when it’s milder outside, but it’s never THAT hot. Not here.

2. Parks and beaches are inundated with people

It’s the one time when you actually enjoy the outdoors and can go to the beach without wearing a ski jacket and a woolly hat. As for other hotspots for tanning (we mean drinking) in the good weather, every county has their own. Special mention for the Sparch in Galway, the site of much sun-fuelled madness. 

 

3. The shops are raided

From ice cubes to booze to meat (for the barbeque that you’ve always wanted to have in your postage stamp-sized garden), the shop shelves are stripped from all things summer-related, except of course sun cream which leads us nicely on to our next point...

4. Sunburn

Let’s be honest, the lobster doesn’t look good on anybody and it’s bloody painful. Put on some factor 15 people!

5. There are complaints about the heat

We spend all year begging for the sun to come out but then when it does we’re all of a sudden “too warm” and “can’t find anything to wear” because all we have are boots, black jeans and long-sleeved tops.

6. Everyone is tired because nobody can sleep in the heat

It doesn’t matter how many windows we open or how little we wear in bed, sleeping in warm weather just doesn’t happen, which means we’re doubly annoyed that we’re really tired as well as incredibly sweaty.

7. Everyone gets an ice cream

Everybody has their favourite (Magnums all round please) and there is always the debate of where does the best 99 ice creams. Really it doesn’t matter, ice cream is ice cream.

 

8. People in convertibles are smug

We can’t really take their moment away from them considering it could be the one occasion during the entire year that they get to drive their fancy car with the top down. Still, that doesn’t stop you from wanting to throw your ice cream at them.

9. The fire is still lit

There will always be one household that continues to light the fire and boil the kettle every hour on the hour for a hot cuppa.

10. Everyone talks about the weather

If it’s actually possible, we talk even more about the weather than usual when it’s sunny. The difference is we swap our “it’s desperate for this time of year” for “it’s supposed to last until the end of the week.”