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Nothing beats a 99 on a summer’s day in Ireland. Yes, come rain or shine, the balance of gloriously cold, sugary ice-cream; crumbly, chocolatey Cadbury’s Flake, and fresh, crispy cone is positively second-to-none.

But world-class frozen confectionery isn’t the only perk of staying on home-soil during June, July and August.

In fact, we’d take blissful, weeks on end of beer-gardens, of road-trips, of festivals, of long hikes and even longer evenings over the sweltering heat and uncomfortable air of warmer climes.

Yes, you can have your year-round sunshine Florida; take your balmy beaches, Costa del Sol – there's an awful lot to be said for even the most dreary and overcast of summer days on the Emerald Isle.

In short: craic doesn’t need to be tropical… it only needs the right attitude.

So without further ado, SHEmazing! looks at the top six reasons why our humble Irish summers are the absolute best… 

 

1) Festivals

The festival scene in this country has positively exploded over the last few years. And it’s no longer just about music and comedy. From food and farming, to yoga and music and pets, there truly is something for everyone.

Even less-than glamorous campsites are an, ahem, experience not to be missed. Tent mishaps, toilet misdemeanours and just a load of near-misses – the tales live on long after the weekends have ended.

2) The beach

After a promising outlook from the good folk at Met Eireann, temperatures hit a tropical 18C – meaning only one thing: a mass exodus to the nearest stretch of sand.

The tailbacks will be horrific (sunny-day traffic going to Rosslare builds up around Bray) but the waiting packets of warm Tayto, sand in your pants and random encounters with half of your year from school make it all worth it.

3) Summer fashion

We won’t let a little rain stop us from donning our finest summer attire. No siree. And if in doubt, just ‘accessorise’ with a giant tote bag.

After all, at his time of year it’s the only thing in which we can carry around our requisite jumper, jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, umbrella, makeup, flats or flip-flops, chewing gum, nail varnish, a packet of popcorn, and a pair of dangly earrings. #Sorted.

4) Road-trips

You gather up your four always-up-for-it mates, and bungle yourselves into a car: you’re hitting the open road.

No trip is ever complete without Westlife's greatest hits or the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, but you'll all end up belting out Ten Green Bottles anyway.

Granted someone will always be "bursting" for the loo, and all of your phones WILL die at once (why did no one bring a USB charger?) – still, so long as you have a family-sized bag of sucky sweets, you're seriously sorted.

5) The forecast-defying BBQ

"We’ll just go for it": a definitive, game-changing phrase heard around the country from the months of May to September. But it wouldn’t be an Irish summer without a confident throw of the barbecue dice.

Some poor soul (probably one of the guys) is inevitably left in the rain turning a half dozen sad-looking sausages (while you and the rest of the girls retire to the conservatory for a natter) but that gorgeous smell of charcoal and singed meat is matchless. 

6) The spontaneous 'why not?' soiree

A true Irish summer wouldn’t be complete without a spontaneous party thrown for no reason at all. It's late afternoon, there's mischief in the air, and you get the word out: you're kicking off a bit of a session. 

In fact, so long as you’ve got your squad, a playlist, plenty of food and the right tipple by your side, it won't even matter if it rains. 

 

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Music, film, theatre and poetry. Oh yeah, and there’s literature, exhibitions, symposiums and interventions. Not to mention walks, talks, workshops and dance. Or does a spectacular torch-lit parade tickle your fancy?

All of the above – and more – are taking place from today until Sunday week at the celebrated Skibbereen Arts Festival; meaning there are ten full days of fun to indulge in if you’re in the Cork area.

The Mad Pride Family Day, for example, takes place this Sunday, July 26. It will bring together local families with the aim of breaking down stigma surrounding mental illness – and involves a load of fun and entertainment: musicians, puppeteers, circus performers, face painters, arts and crafts facilitators, and artisan food producers will all be there, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.

And movie buffs will be happy to hear that Song Of The Sea will showcase on Monday. An Oscar-nominated Irish animation film directed by Tom Moore, the story is inspired by the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore. It also features the voices Brendan Gleeson, Pat Short, Lisa Hannigan, Fionnula Flanagan, and David Rawle.

Meanwhile, following on from the phenomenal success of last year’s inaugural staging, 4 Plays In A Day returns to Skibbereen – with the town itself becoming a stage for the day with four excellent plays by four different companies taking place in four different venues.

Tomorrow week, there will be an exploration of the life and times of Alan Lomax, one of the world’s greatest song collectors. He is most famous for his work around the Mississippi Delta, but he also travelled to the Caribbean, various parts of Europe, and North Africa.

Saturday, August 1 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, so the Skibbereen Arts Festival along with host Donal Dineen will celebrate his legacy – in the company of well-known singers and musicians including David Kitt, Cian Nugent, and Liz Clarke.  

For more information, see skibbereenartsfestival.com, or visit the festival Facebook page. 

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We love making summer plans, love them. We envision road trips up and down the coast, camping, festivals, back garden BBQs that make hipsters weep. There’s just one issue. The weather.

It can be a tricky thing to try and get the rain and wind to co-ordinate with your summer time plans. However, you don’t need to throw yourself down on the couch to wallow just yet. There’s a couple of things you can do to revive some hope and still make the most of your summer plans.

Take the BBQ/picnic inside

Make use of that lovely blanket you adore so much and bring the party inside. Also a great excuse to make a fort because even grownups can see the fun in that, can’t they?

Baking

Cupcakes generally make everyone happier. Beat the bad weather blues with some fabulous baked goods. Go on, we even found you a cheat sheet. 

Go swimming

Sure you were going to get soaked anyway!

Relax

Embrace your inner chill and spend some time at your local spa, or just invite some friends over for a cheaper alternative at home.

Read that book you said you were going to start last year

 

There’s sure to be plenty of options for you to lose yourself in over the summer. If you don't know where to start, here's a handy guide for you. 

Online shopping

Treat yourself to something nice without the hassle of long queues and getting soaked running to try and get the last bus. 

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If we were the organised, dedicated ladies we wish we were, we'd have a bikini wax booked as standard every four weeks, ensuring less pain and just the right amount of hair growth between appointments.

Of course, life (and our budget) sometimes gets in the way, and when we realise we've left it a week or two later than planned, more often than not we end up waiting even longer out of sheer dread for the pain that awaits us. That's why we were delighted to find out that there are a few things that can be done to keep pain at a minimum when it comes to waxing.

Here are some of the tips we've tried and tested…

1. Prepare your skin beforehand
In order to unclog pores and follicles, it's important to exfoliate well around a week or two before your wax. This loosens the hairs and means they can be pulled out much more smoothly. Keeping your skin soft and moisturised also increases elasticity, so your skin won't get as irritated during waxing.

2. Do not shave. We repeat, DO NOT SHAVE.
For a wax to be as pain and stress free as possible for both you and the waxer, it's key to have at least three (usually four) weeks of uninterrupted hair growth. That means that shaving between waxes is a total no-no. When you shave, your hair grows back bluntly and in different directions, making it far more painful for it to be waxed off.

3. Take a painkiller
It might seem obvious, but taking an Aspirin or Ibuprofen about 45 minutes before your appointment reduces pain and also reduces inflammation. Sorted. Don't go over the recommended dosage, obviously.

4. Choose Lycon wax
Look for a salon that offers Lycon wax, which is far gentler than regular strip waxing as it can be peeled off the skin. A lot of salons using Lycon also apply a layer of oil underneath, further protecting the skin as the wax only sticks to the hairs, not the skin underneath.

5. Time it right
Unless absolutely necessary, avoid scheduling a wax in the few days leading up to your period. Your skin is hyper-sensitive around this time. Also, our pain threshold is supposedly at an all time high between 3pm and 5pm, and is far lower early in the morning. An afternoon wax it is, so.

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In the last few years Ireland has become one of the best little hub’s for festivals in Europe.

We have music festivals, arts festivals, comedy festivals, food festivals, to name but a few. But now, there is a new festival taking over our fair Emerald Isle.

The first ever Heart of Ireland (Hi) Festival is taking place this weekend, 10th – 12th July in Mullingar.

And their objective? To make goodness cool!

The HI Festival aims to promote goodness as it is the cornerstone to success and happiness in life and they believe that it is a trait that is largely undervalued in our society.

In a display like no other, the streets of Mullingar will transform into a live 100 year timeline, starting with the 1920’s and displaying all the best traits from the past century. There is also a fancy dress competition for the best dressed so don’t be afraid to don the clothes from your favourite era.

There are a huge number of live acts as well, beginning with the Irish Chamber Orchestra on Friday 10th at 8pm in the Mullingar Arts Centre, followed by Rebecca Storm and special guest Emmet Cahill on the Saturday night.

In keeping with the festival’s unique theme, there is also pig-racing, the Flea Circus, the Armagh Rhymers, Lords of Strut, tug of war, chocolate meditation classes and loads more activities.

You can download the full festival programme here. And now, here is Father Murt to give you HIS opinion on this brand new festival. 

 

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The sun is finally here and we are all soaking up as much as we can possibly get.

With temperatures nearing the-mid 20’s it’s safe to say that we are feeling the heat and noticing the colour difference in our skin when we step back inside.

Another little perk to the sunshine is the natural highlights that run through our hair after a day in the rays… Or is it?

While the new little blondie bits make our hair look healthy and glowing, they are in fact a result of hair damage.

When you think about it, we always put on sun cream to protect our skin so why would we not do the same for our hair?

To prevent our hair from becoming split and damaged in the sun, here are five tips to help you keep your hair healthy this summer.

Condition

As the sun breaks down the protein in your hair, it is important that you keep it well moisturised throughout the day so as to avoid any permanent damage. So, when you get up in the morning, put conditioner in your hair and leave it in throughout the day – no rinsing allowed! Well, until you’re out of the sun anyway.

A fedora perhaps?

Hats are the best way to keep your hair protected when you are out in the sun. It’s a great summer for fedoras and floppy hats because wide-brimmed styles are the best for providing full protection.

Sun cream… for your hair?

Yep, the same way that UV protection works for your skin, it works for your hair. A great way to apply this is by mixing 3 tsps of sun cream (preferably a high factor) with a cup and a half of water together in a spray can. Then, just simply spray onto your like any normal hair spray.

Put down that lemon

As much as well all do love the blonde boost that our hair gets in the sun, adding blonde intensifiers such as lemon will greatly damage our hair. Lemon or lemon based products, peroxide and alcohol based products should never be used when in the sun.

Tie it up

Putting your hair up in a bun or any kind of wrapped-up style is a great way to protect your hair’s ends from the sun. The end of the hair strand is the weakest part so it will be more easily damaged than the top of the hair. 

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It’s warm! No really – it’s proper warm out.

In fact, it’s a day to venture outside without so much as a hint of a geansai. And it’s time to wear your sandals with pride too. Yes, leave your sunnies on… there are no clouds in the sky (seriously – we just checked).

For many of us, it will be only right and proper to mark the occasion with a cool cocktail of sorts. It’s officially a school night, admittedly, but we have no idea when the weather will take a turn for the worse – so it’s probably best just to take action now.

Here, we’ve compiled three of our favourites…

 

Vodka-lemon slush:

  • 500mls lemonade
  • 500mls of orange juice
  • Three dessert spoons of sugar
  • 7UP or Sprite to top up with
  • 750mls vodka

Makes enough for an evening soiree

  1. Leaving the 7UP aside, in a large plastic container (eg a big lunchbox) combine all ingredients and mix well.
  2. Cover and freeze overnight.
  3. To serve, scrape a spoon across the top of the frozen mixture and then half fill a glass with the slush.
  4. Top it up with 7UP and enjoy.

Crushed berry gin:

  • 10/12 frozen mixed berries
  • One teaspoon of sugar
  • Ice
  • A squeeze of lime and lemon juice
  • Two fresh strawberries to serve (if you're feeling fancy)
  • 50mls gin

Makes one crushed berry gin

  1. You can make these for individuals or in smaller batches – ideal if you don’t plan on consuming an entire bottle of spirits (hardly advisable at the best of times).
  2. In a blender, combine the ice, sugar and frozen berries.
  3. Squeeze a dash of lime and lemon over the mixture, add your rum, and then top up with 7Up to taste.
  4. Blend again until smooth..
  5. Pour into a glass and serve – garnishing with sliced strawberry.

Classic mojito:

  • 8 mint leaves
  • Half a lime, chopped
  • Crushed ice
  • 15g of brown sugar
  • Soda water
  • 80mls white rum

Makes two classic mojitos

  1. Mash up mint, lime, and sugar in a cocktail shaker – or just stick in a sandwich bag and hammer with a rolling pin.
  2. If you’re using a shaker, next add a generous scoop of ice and then the rum. If you’ve gone down the sandwich bag route, transfer into a large bowl before adding the same.
  3. Shake/stir until well-mixed and then strain equally into two chilled glasses.
  4. Top up with soda water to taste.
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Just as you’re feeling totally prepared for our oncoming heatwave, you remember that while cooling down with your favourite frozen treat sounds delightful; you’re trying to ditch the sugar.

It’s a tough challenge, especially when the weather is beautiful and everyone is sitting outside digging into some long awaited ice-cream cones.

Don’t worry though, there’s a number of just as delicious frozen alternatives that will satisfy your cravings and help you stick to some healthy habits too.

Ben & Jerry’s

No seriously. Not only did these guys save the day for those of us who need a little dairy-free treat, their Greek yoghurt line takes some of the guilt out of your favourite ice cream brand. The range of flavours is also delicious and they come in single serve tubs. Bliss.

Coconut milk ice cream

Ok, so we hadn’t heard much about this one either, but after a little digging we discovered this vegan-friendly option is perfect for those hot days when you just need to treat yourself. It can be a little harder to find in supermarkets but if you’ve got some free time, we found an excellent tutorial for those feeling adventurous.

Nice Cream

Are you even on Instagram though? If you are, and you follow any food blogs at all, you will have seen this bad boy floating around. Foodie hipsters have been championing the “banana plus anything equals bae” line for a while now, but this is actually delicious. We found you an easy guide if you haven’t tried it yet.

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You better grab the sun cream and your finest swimwear because word on the street is that this week is set to be a scorcher.

A ‘mini-heatwave’ is going to be gracing us all with its presence according to Met Éireann. The forecaster is predicting temperatures reaching into the mid-twenties.

Wednesday is going to have temperatures hit a high of 25 degrees in some parts of the country. And while it’s going to be fiercely warm for us so unaccustomed, we are being warned to expect humidity as well.

According to forecaster Klara Finkele, temperatures will be in the high teens over the weekend and into early next week. Then the warmer weather is set to rise up from the Bay of Biscay on Wednesday and Thursday.

Monday is set to be a hazy day with Wednesday being when the really warm weather is set to arrive. We’re getting the BBQs out already.

While we’re sure there’s going to be a rush on the beaches and the local shops will be swimming in 99 cones, we’re hoping the weather will stay hot long enough for us to get our wardrobes sorted.

Who else has some stylish summer wear they just can’t wait to rip the tags off? Fingers crossed we all remember the sun cream though, nobody wants to have to deal with sunburnt skin on the beach.

Bikini season is finally upon us, hurray!

How many Facebook posts of outdoor cocktails and brunch in the park do you think we’re going to see this week?

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Apparently we’re finally going to be receiving some long overdue heat next week. Met Éireann are saying there could possibly be temperatures of up to 20 and 24 degrees.

We don’t want to jinx it, we really don’t want to do that but- YAY!

Finally, an excuse to dust off those denim cut offs and head for the beach.

There’s just one downside; the added heat and general summer weather can take a serious toll on our hair. Nothing ruins a holiday like unmanageable frizz or nasty split ends.

Not to worry, we rounded up a few tips to help you master the summer hair woes and keep you on fleek whether you’re at the beach in Bundoran or jetting off to the Bahamas.

Problem: Chlorine can leave your locks less than lustrous

The Fix: Celebrity stylist Rita Hazan says the best way to combat this is to wet your hair before getting in the water. This stops the chlorine from being absorbed by your hair. Also, a deep conditioning mask wouldn’t go astray. If you apply it while you’re drying off in the sun the heat will help the product really help your hair recover.

 

Problem: The sun makes coloured hair brassy

The Fix: Hazan says that using a gloss twice a week before you condition as well as a nice weekly deep condition for coloured hair will help you keep your colour all summer long. Also wet your hair before diving head first into the chlorine, and when you’re on the beach, or strolling about town on a hot summer’s day, invest in some products with UV blockers. They’ll help your keep your style for longer and your colour plenty vibrant. Sorted. 

Problem: “IT’S THE HUMIDITY!”

The Fix: The number one cause of fizziness is your hair being dry, so your tresses will draw water from the atmosphere, making it frizz. The easiest way to tackle this is by getting a good leave-in conditioner to help your extend your style and keep things under control. No cornrows necessary. Phew!

 

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Rejoice! One recent poll has revealed that 100 percent of us Irish ladies (that's all of us, allegedly) think less of a man who can’t light the BBQ when the time comes.

We honestly don’t care that there’s only one weekend in the year where the grill can actually be dusted off and put to good use; we still appreciate a man who’s prepared for any and all food cravings. It’s not that difficult, lads!

In a shock turn of events, the smouldering Christian Grey himself has been tossed aside as 37 percent of the country’s women would much rather share a BBQ evening with funny man Chris O’Dowd.

Well, you can’t deny Chris would be better banter; Christian meanwhile would be too busy fantasising about braiding our hair.

It’s furthermore been discovered that stunner Georgia Salpa is the lovely lady Irish men wouldn’t mind toasting marshmallows alongside. Someone should probably let the lads know that Greek salad could be a winner there, so maybe lay off the hot-dog innuendos.

The poll, conducted by Iceland, confirms that women really do appreciate the more traditional BBQ-loving man who isn’t afraid to take charge of firing up the grill.

So those hipster guys with their kale smoothies and flammable scarfs can sit themselves back on their yoga mats, thanks all the same.

Interestingly, nine out of ten of those asked said that the women of the household are more likely to be in charge of the side-dishes during BBQ season. 

And almost half of the population also admit that they’ve thrown a few more unusual items on the barbie: popcorn being one, alongside Mars bars. 

If you do fancy branching out this sunny season and expanding your foodie horizons, definitely take a trip to your local Iceland.

They’ve gone ‘wild’ this summer and are launching a range of speciality meat for all your BBQ needs. Sorry Skippy, but kangaroo is an option. So is crocodile, swordfish and wild boar.

We’re feeling a Bear Grylls vibe coming on…

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Those of you considering booking a holiday this summer, please forget any other destinations you had in mind. 

Because this water slide in Texas is where we all NEED to be. 

The video for this water slide has received more than 6million views in less than a week – and for once it's not just the featured bathing-suit clad people that's caught the attention of the internet.

The Royal Flush is certainly not for the faint-hearted: you gather serious pace going down its steep slope before you encounter the ramps at the bottom which propell you into the air.

That might sound scary, but it looks like the most fun ever!

But seriously, if this is what all people in Texas look like, that's enough for us to book a flight. 

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