It has been one of those summers in Ireland, the kind of season that people will be referring back to years from now.
Many in Ireland still talk of the summers of 1975 and 1976, especially the latter.
The summer of 2026 will be similarly remembered - unless it has multiple follow-on companions which stand out in a similar vein.
This summer in Ireland has been a grand one if you are heading for a park or a beach, or simply enjoy sunshine in a part of the world where it is never fully guaranteed.
There is much to be said, positively, about a sunny Irish summer lacking in typical rain.
But if you are a farmer those endless blue skies can be cause for concern as illustrated by this statement from Macra, an organization representing young Irish farmers.
The statement reads: "Macra has called for urgent action to support young farmers facing mounting financial and fodder pressures as prolonged dry weather continues to impact farms across the country.
"Macra joined other farming organisations in meeting Minister Martin Heydon, highlighting that many young farmers are already feeding winter fodder and purchasing concentrates due to poor grass growth, adding further pressure to already tight cash flows.
"Macra President Josephine O’Neill said: 'Young farmers are facing another significant and unforeseen cost. Many are feeding silage intended for the winter while purchasing concentrates far earlier than planned. With margins already extremely tight, this is creating serious cash flow pressure.'
"Macra also highlighted concerns around diminished winter fodder stocks and reduced yields for tillage farmers and vegetable growers. The organisation welcomed the Minister’s commitment to reconvene the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, but expressed disappointment that no concrete timeline was provided.
"The committee needs to meet urgently, and it cannot be a talking shop. We need concrete actions and meaningful supports that address the challenges farmers are facing now and in the months ahead.
"Macra echoed the Minister’s call for farmers to complete fodder budgets to assess available stocks and help inform the response required. The situation is developing quickly. We need to understand the scale of the challenge and ensure young farmers are supported before pressures deepen further.”
Urgent action, support. The climatic conditions in recent months would appear to warrant both.
What actually transpires remains to be seen as governments are expert when it comes to talking....and talking.
Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, and amid our fire ravaged and drought-plagued summer, there is not even much in the way of relevant talk out of Washington.
All too many American farmers are struggling. And this is an urgent situation for all of society as we depend on those farmers to put food on our tables.
And yet we have this from the Washington Post: "Squeezed by tariffs and Iran war, farmers say they face a new crisis The president’s policies are driving up prices for fertilizer, fuel and machinery.
Meanwhile, a campaign to deliver emergency farm aid has stalled on Capitol Hill."
And in the New York Times these Page 1 headlines: "Farmers Report Struggle To Get Federal Services....Toll of Mass Layoffs....Delays in Loans and Help From a Thinned-Out Agriculture Dept."
Irish farmers are having a tough year. But one thing they don't have to contend with is nobody picking up the phone in the government department overseeing agriculture.
Tough times all over but arguably better off in Kerry than in Kansas.
