WHAT A SUMMER, 76mm of rain in Dublin on August 9th - more than the average rainfall for the whole month - and there's been very little improvement since.
Co Cork's Puddleducks are among the few to see the silver lining in the clouds. The distributors of wet weather clothing say their children's waterproof dungarees (€29, www.puddleducks.ie) are vanishing as quickly as this year's sunshine. The machine-washable dungarees have reinforced knees and seat, adjustable braces, a reflector around the right leg, and elasticated ankle and foot straps.
If the summer squalls look like dumping bucket loads of rain mid-play, it might not be a bad idea to add a sou'wester style waterproof hat (fleece-lined, €16, and unlined, €12).
An all-in-one suit (€45) is a breathable, washable, waterproof suit for toddlers that can be worn over clothes, and comes with an elasticated, detachable hood, fleece-lined collar, and a storm flap with zip and studs. Put your toddler in one, open the back door, and those fierce black clouds suddenly lose their potency.
Now that the kids are sorted, the adults in their lives can stay both dry and stylish in a pair of Hunter and Salamander wellingtons via a Co Meath distributor. They're waterproof, but these latex boots aren't your typical farmers' mud-hoppers: an orthopaedic last, cushioned footbed, anti-bacterial lining and non-slip grip. (€75 www.welly4u.ie, free shipping)