We aren’t really accustomed to decent weather here in Northern Ireland, and as a result there are a few ritualistic habits that emerge every year during summertime.
When I say ‘summer’, what I really mean of course is the three days where the sun’s splitting the trees. Not actual summer, like the three months of great weather that normal countries have.
Still, it explains why we all go mad the second there’s a glimmer of that orange thing in the sky…
Taps Aff
Rally the squad, call in sick to work and get the taps aff because the sun’s out and probably won’t be for long!
You know full well that you look as pale as a vampire and tomorrow you’ll be complaining about being burnt red raw, but unashamedly showing skin is a sign that summer has arrived here in NI.
Barricks In The Park
Day drinking in Botanic Gardens is usually the only way to celebrate sunny weather in Northern Ireland.
While you’re at it, get a wee poke from the ice-cream van and blast a few tunes from your iPhone while you soak up the Vitamin D.
Dodgy Tan Lines
Northern Irish girls just can’t get enough of it, even if it does make them look like walking Wotsits. If that wasn’t bad enough, this usually coincides with orange hands and grubby looking tan lines in every crease and fold.
Girls, embrace what nature gave you.
Festivals and Raves
Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, is great for summer-inspired entertainment.
Expect plenty of random underground raves to pop up across the city where you can party ‘til the early hours, as well as numerous gigs and outdoor shenanigans.
Your summer just isn’t complete without a mucky three day drink-athon at Sunflower Fest where you come home with no shoes, a quivering hangover and a bunch of new pals.
DJ Rankin Blasting From A Honda Civic
There will always be a few twenty-somethings who still haven’t matured past the age of 15 and think it’s pure cool to blast some happy hardcore at every traffic light.
It’s nostalgic, yes. But it’s also a cringe-worthy reminder of your awkward teenage years and getting steaming off two bottles of Fat Frog.
Helen’s Bay Is Rammed
Yet it’s the go-to spot, alongside Newcastle, for every family in the country the second the sun comes out. The water is never warm enough to swim in, but we’ll still try to anyway.
The women will be sprawled out in all shapes desperately trying to get more orange and there will always be one middle-aged man in Speedos. But sure, it’s all good craic.
Overoptimism
It’s not surprising given how sun-deprived we are most of the year, but Northern Irish folk always get a little overambitious when there’s a clear sky and a bit of heat.
This means when summer comes around in Northern Ireland we’ll leave our coats at home amid all the excitement and only remember when it’ starts raining and every body has to go inside that we actually live in Northern Ireland, not Spain.
Everybody’s Whinging About The Fierce Heat
We wait all year for it, but when it gets warmer we really just can’t hack it.
After the initial novelty has worn off most of us in NI will want to head back inside for a bit of shade.
It’s also tradition to complain about the weather no matter what.
Cocktail Selfies
Brace yourself, Facebook and Twitter will be inundated with snaps of Strawberry Daiquiris come June.
Not that we don’t drink them at other times of the year, it’s just that in the summer it’s okay to have one at any time of the day.
Plus, it makes us feel summery even if it’s bucketing down with rain.
BBQ’s In The Front Yard Of Your Gaff With A Few Blue WKDs
Picture it: The lads out the front of every third terraced house on the street…tunes blasting…sassidges on the go…Yeooo!
