1. A jumper with arms long enough to tie around your waist

Ken_Mayer Ken_Mayer

Sure it’ll be chilly later. Or what if you sit in the shade and there’s a bit of a breeze?

Also acceptable: a light jacket.

2. ‘Cans by the canal’ accomplice

infomatique infomatique

Irish people are like Pavlov’s dogs. The first whiff of sunshine and we find ourselves inexplicably drawn towards a six pack of Bavaria and the nearest canal bank.

You’ll need an accomplice, though, to make you feel better about yourself.

3. Sunglasses, for the reflected glare off pasty topless men

quinn.anya quinn.anya

There WILL be topless men. They WILL be pasty. And that’s what sunny days in Ireland are all about.

4. Suncream (left at home)

frick-you frick-you

“Sure I won’t need it. It’s only May.”

Three hours later *frantically buys family pack of aftersun*

4. Your inner Mammy

RTE RTE

You will find this lexicon useful:

1. Lovely to be able to sit out.
2. Would you say that’s burned? 
3. It’s nearly TOO hot. 

5. Someone you know who has to study for exams

Zach Tirrell Zach Tirrell

So you can send them cans-by-the-canal selfies, but also just to give you that sweet inner feeling of smugness.

6. One item from your over-optimistic summer wardrobe

chefranden chefranden

AKA that one thing you bought last year in a fit of sun-induced hysteria, possibly while on holiday, and have never worn because it’s totally impractical for Ireland.

GODDAMMIT I WILL WEAR THIS AT LEAST ONCE AND THIS IS THE DAY – your inner voice.

7. And finally, someone to tell you when the sunshine is going to end

iorek7z iorek7z

The First Rule of Irish Summer: on any sunny day, there will be someone around to look at the cloudless sky all unimpressed and go “Apparently it’s supposed to bucket down tomorrow.”

It wouldn’t be summer without them.

More: Weather watch: It’s going to be really nice everywhere today. Except in Connacht>