Nothing beats Ireland in sunny weather, and us Irish know how to embrace our warmer days too.

"Summer" on the Emerald Isle is always a bit of a gamble, so once the temperatures start rising it's time to get out and make the most of it. And the best way to enjoy a warm day outside? A picnic.

Grab a few friends and family, pick up the makings of lunch on the way, and head to the park or beach for an al fresco meal. Not only is it cheap, but it beats sitting in a packed restaurant trying to attract the attention of a waiter. 

A new survey of 1,500 Irish adults by Keogh's Farm reveals that a whopping 95% of us plan to have a picnic outdoors this summer, with over half (53%) of respondents saying a picnic was their favourite way to spend a sunny day.

When it comes to picnic requirements, there are a few things we all consider essential.

Starting with the obvious, an unsurprising 91% of say sunny weather is the most important part of a picnic. As for the other 9%, they must be content to spread their picnic blanket out in the front room…

Of course, we can't forget food when planning the perfect picnic. As is always the way with us Irish, most survey respondents preferred to keep things low-key, with crisps and sandwiches taking the top spots for the perfect picnic snacks.

And as every child at heart knows, crisps and bread are the ultimate combination for an easy snack. Crisp sandwiches topped the polls, with 37% saying it was their favourite childhood snack, while ham and egg also got a look in as fillings.

If you're planning a picnic this summer, make sure everyone's happy by picking up a Keogh's Farm Favourites Multipack, containing two bags each of Dubliner Cheese & Onion, Atlantic Sea Salt & Irish Cider Vinegar and Roast Beef & Irish Stout in each pack.

Grab a sliced pan while you're at it and you're all set for the ultimate Irish day out…