Galway brothers, 80s, turning turf while the sun shines

Blue skies and black sheep.

This is the rural heartland of Mullagh in east Galway and farmers have no time for basking in the heatwave.

They are out baling hay while the sun shines right across Connacht.

Domestic turf cutters are building up a sweat in bogs in Killoran, such as two brothers in their mid 80s who have been cutting, turning and footing turf all week.

Pakie Dillon said the bog is his second home.

"I've been cutting turf since I was 14 years old and you don’t get many young lads wanting to work in bogs anymore," he said, adding with a laugh "maybe they’re right".

"I don’t mind the heat. You sweat alright but this heatwave is a Godsend," he added.

His daughter Laura Canning said the blazing heat is perfect bog weather.

Ms Canning said: "We’re down here in the bog at the height of the heat footing turf, something which is done on a yearly basis," she said.

"Especially with my Dad, Pakie, and my uncle John.

"You had to have turf for the fire.

"It’s making hay while the sun shines kinda thing."

Farmers across Connacht are working around the clock to make the most of the heatwave.

They say drying conditions are perfect ahead of the return of Atlantic rains and possible thunderstorms.

Nearby in Loughrea sun worshippers were basking lakeside.

The amenity is one of the most popular inland swimming and recreation spots in the west of Ireland.

Siobhán Cunningham and her son, Callum, were soaking up the sunshine and the jovial atmosphere.

"People are in good form," she said.

She added: "It’s lovely to be here and be in the water, which is so clean.

"The lake got a blue flag for water quality.

"Everyone is happier, we don’t get it often, so we need to enjoy it while it’s here."

Angelica Dooley was with her daughter Azura.

She said: "The heatwave has been unprecedented.

"So we took a day off school and we came down from Bullaun to enjoy the weather and the fabulous lake."

Carmel Sullivan, who is from Loughrea and was spending the day with her grandchildren, said: "We’re having a fantastic time."

Ms Sullivan said the weather "is unreal", adding "I’ve never seen the lake so full".

Whether it is bogs or beaches, oceans or lakes - people are doing their own thing and making the very best of the sunshine.