IT’S SUNNY OUT there! And the media, for much of the past couple of days, has been consumed with talk of a ‘heatwave’.

For anyone unfamiliar with the workings of an Irish heatwave, we have prepared this useful guide in how to recognise one:

1. Most of the male population appear to believe they are in their own homes

And have removed the bulk of their clothes

Ben Birchall/LOCOG/Press Association Images

2. Meanwhile, women are looking self-conscious in clothing they haven’t worn for months

Flickr/FromSandToGlass

3. It has somehow become acceptable to eat *only* pork and beef products for dinner

Flickr/phalinn

4. You have heard the mysterious phrase ‘grand drying out’ several times in the last half hour

Flickr/T.M.O.F.

5. Every single person in the country is going drinking after work

Photocall Ireland

6. The population has collectively forgotten that we are a pasty people unsuitable for sunshine

Photos via Shutterstock/Imgur

7. People are diving into bodies of water that you wouldn’t wish your worst enemy into

Photocall Ireland

8. Many people around you have found a new reason to complain

And are secretly pleased about it.

Photocall Ireland

9. And finally, it’s not really a ‘heatwave’ at all

It’s 18 degrees outside and yet everyone acts like we’re suddenly in the Northern Sahara.

Photocall Ireland/Shutterstock

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