IRELAND: SHE HAS her moments, but sometimes things happen that really make her shine.

2013 had its ups and downs, but there were plenty of times that restored our faith in this small isle, just when things were getting a bit rough.

Here’s some of our favourite moments.

The hot summer weather that took us all by surprise

We were very surprised.

(Pic: Imgur)

But we LOVED it.

(Yes, that's Ireland)

We really, really loved it.

Looking at the late Donal Walsh's incredible legacy

The young teen sadly was fighting cancer, but selflessly did lots of work to try and curb the rate of teen suicide.

(HSE Ireland/YouTube)

When a family rescued 30 sharks on a beach

Yes, sharks.

(jeffgartland1/YouTube)

... And this dog was rescued after falling down a cliff in Dublin.

(His name was Luca)

When 40 neighbours stopped three men burgling the home of an elderly man

They put them under citizen's arrest.

Pic: Google Street View

When Ireland's women's rugby team won the Grand Slam

Legends.

Video: RTÉ

When this man dressed as Commander Hadfield for the Dublin City Marathon

The astronaut even sent him a thank-you message.

HMV reopened after we thought we'd never get it back

Goodbye, HMV Grafton St. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

We thought it was gone forever. We were wrong.

The hurler who was told he'd never play again - but did

Good man, Conor Phelan.

(nemetonSPORT/YouTube)

When Superquinn assured us their sausages were not going to disappear

Nothing is going to change. NOTHING.

When someone got back at a sexist 'UCC birds' Facebook page by setting one up about actual birds

And no one got into a flap about it.

Roy Keane and Martin O'Neill teamed up, and everyone was happy!

All credit to the bad cop and bad bad cop.

Video: GodTVOfficialChannel/YouTube

When an engagement ring was found after being lost in Lidl

Good Samaritans rule.

The film director who wouldn't let Motor Neuron Disease stop him

Simon Fitzmaurice is determined to make his first feature film, My Name is Emily, and his family are there every step of the way.

When this autism assistance dog was found after going missing for 24 hours.

The Ennis dog warden even stayed up overnight to look for Darcy the dog.

Pic: Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

Emotional homecomings

Is someone chopping onions over there? No one does reunions like us.

(DailyEdge.ie/YouTube)

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