Colm O'Regan: Can we Irish get used to the heat we've been basking in? I think so
Humorist Colm O'Regan reflects on how Ireland is adapting to increasingly frequent heatwaves, noting changes in social behavior, home architecture, and daily routines. He suggests that these shifts indicate a broader transformation in the Irish national psyche.
Why it matters
Climate change is forcing cultural and behavioral adaptations in regions historically unaccustomed to extreme heat.
Memory has a habit of condensing, occasional hot weather separated by years into one long memory of Golly Bars and Choc Ices. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins
Colm O'Regan is a comedian, best-selling author, broadcaster and podcaster from Cork.
We mightn’t make the third week of a heatwave but still, it feels like something has shifted in the national psyche that goes beyond the weather itself.
We are, whether we like it or not, becoming a different sort of country. A country getting used to heat.
You notice it in small things first. The casual planning of outdoor family gatherings more than an hour in advance.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in