On normal sunny spring or summer days in Sydney, all available green or sandy areas are dotted with picnic groups. Perhaps it’s an unforgettable mystery of hanging rock, or the fact that the sun illuminates the city for over 300 days a year. Not surprisingly, when I lived in Australia many years ago, I became a fairly skilled picnic with all sorts of cooler gimmicks and foldable accessories.
near
Wooden cutlery, € 5, penny; Primark.com
In Ireland, I rarely meet sunny picnics. I remember the great potential of seagulls ruining our spreads and even hitting my creamy egg salad sandwich, or worse, a plastic cup of tea tightly. But is there anything better than staring on a beautiful Irish beach and blowing off its Alan Jumper for over an hour to enjoy a sand (and no tea) sandwich and sunshine? In Somerset Maugham’s words, “Few things are so much fun that a picnic is perfectly comfortable to eat.”
near
Picnic blanket, € 10, penny, primark.com
Choosing a good picnic blanket with plenty of space to sit and spread food is the key to comfort. There are plenty of affordable waterproof options (Tiger, Penny, H & M Home, Mountain Warehouse). For more traditional wool and waterproof options, try one of the portable Wool Blankets of Heating and Plumbing with a bright orange, yellow, blue, pink and gray (available from Wolf & Badger) polyester lining.
near
Deck chair, 173 euros, small; smallable.com
Small, compact and lightweight deck chairs are great beach accessories (small possible) along with beach tents and umbrellas.
near
Beach tent, € 344, Amara, amara.com
Business and Pleasure Co has a variety of umbrellas and stylish tents to further protect and enhance classic beach umbrellas.
near
Willow Drink Hamper, € 72, The White Company, thewhitecompany.com
You can carry everything in your carry bag, but if you’re planning a high-quality picnic basket, or a backpack if you’re planning a picnic hike, investing in a backpack will make some sandwiches feel a little special. Most wicker baskets contain essentials: plates, acrylic glassware, cutlery, and some often include blankets and cool bags.
near
Picnic basket, € 139.95, The Kitchen Whisk, thekitchenwhisk.ie
Retailers The Kitchen Whisk, Avoca, TK Maxx, Oliver Bonas, Carraig Donn and Harvey Norman have a wealth of choices. If you’re on the move, try a 4-person Bronx backpack that includes an insulated cooler bag, plates, and cutlery. Available from Next.
near
Cooler bag, € 12.50, Jysk, jysk.ie
We also have a wide range of picnic accessories, from shatterproof glassware and drink dispensers to foldable grazing tables and picnic pouches.
near
BBQ, € 11.65, TK Maxx; tkmaxx.com
We Irish love barbecues, especially beach cookups, so if you’re planning on raising an ante from an egg sandwich, consider a handy portable barbecue such as Joyce’s hardware, Wexford’s Mini Sahara. please give me. -Carry TK Maxx charcoal. Retail giants can cover all their locations with lots of acrylic picnic wear, blankets and cool bag options.
near
Acrylic wine glass, € 6, The White Company, thewhitecompany.com
If you can handle the pace and crowd, Decathlon is a favorite hub in the camping section with a wealth of everything outdoors, especially useful picnic accessories and a variety of isothermal backpacks of different sizes.
near
Portable cheese board, 69 euros, Oliver Bonas, oliverbonas.com
When thinking about Manet’s famous 19th century paintings Lunch on the grassSome people rest in the sunshine around a blanket dotted with wine and food in the trees, which feels like the height of the earth’s joy, grazing leisurely in the summer sunshine.
near
Melamine plate, € 10.95, article; article.ie
Today’s picnics feel a bit non-idyllic, with empty packets of gritty cheese sambo and potato chips rolling on the sand, but with the right accessories, if you have some sand sandwiches. But it will be heaven.
