Paul Hopkins: Why August can be a wicked month

And so August comes around, and, being my birthday this week, I am again reminded of how quickly life goes in — I mean where have the last 20 years gone? What happened to yesterday? Oh, for those August days of my wild, abandoned youth, where every summer day lasted a lifetime. Now, August is my wicked reminder that life is ephemeral.

Upon publication in 1965 'August Is A Wicked Month', as with most of Edna O'Brien's early novels, was banned in several jurisdictions, including Ireland. The "wickedness" in the title of her fourth novel refers to the harsh realities that challenge protagonist Ellen's initial expectations, highlighting the contrast between the romanticised idea of escaping her life lived so far and the complex truths of her reality. The title is regularly mentioned to this day by commentators on topics ranging from business to politics, to fashion — and the weather.

Some call this month the 'dog days of summer', to signify the hottest and most humid days of the season – and we, unusually so, have been having such. But with August upon us, maybe this should be called the 'swan song of summer'. July is now behind us, and June is long in the rearview mirror. The bulk of summer is almost over. These days, for me, it always goes so fast.

As we continue to sprint through August, there are a few milestones we hit which help to reinforce the idea that the summer days are slowly slipping past us. Many of us tie the summer months to those late-evening sunsets. It’s always a joy to see light in the sky at 10pm. But as we clear the midpoint of this month, the sun will set before 8pm – a sure sign summer is on the way out.

By now, you’ve seen the school supplies in the book shop. Time for the young to trade in scooters and swimming for pencils and paper. One in three parents are staring at their bank account wondering how on earth they'll cover all those back-to-school expenses without going further into the red. The Irish League of Credit Unions' (ILCU) latest survey shows just how tough things are as the new school year beckons.

This year parents of primary school children will spend an average of €1,450, up by €364 on last year. For secondary school families it's €1,560, up €159. One in three parents are going into debt to cover costs up an average of €376 a household. Last year it was only one in four taking on extra debt of €368. More than a third are having to say no to at least one item their children need, with new gym gear the most deferred.

What's driving these costs up? After-school care heads the list for primary schools. Then there's the pressure to buy branded items with 59 per cent of parents feeling the strain. And as for those 'voluntary' contributions that 78 per cent of schools ask for, it's no wonder 61 per cent of parents think schools aren't pulling their weight to keep prices down. Overall, 64 per cent see back-to-school as a real financial burden, up from 62 per cent in 2024.

More families are making sacrifices with 37 per cent forgoing family holidays and 18 per cent cutting back on food. That's not just skipping a treat, but rather real hardship. Behind the statistics, this August sees families stressing out, children missing out and debts piling up. And that's before you switch on heat, come late autumn.

Meanwhile, summer camps are done and (good lord) shops have Halloween decorations for sale and pumpkin spice on anything and everything.

Sumer has been short, but good for the lucky ones who could afford a trip to the Costa What-have-you or a meander along the Wild Atlantic Way.

You won't feel it now, Yer Man at the bar says. Soon, the evenings go back and then that Halloween nonsense. And then, be japes... are you ready for it?

For what? I ask.

The end of the world no less, he says. According to those Mayans. Sure what with Trump and the rise of Russia and famine and climate change and all those fireballs of airplanes coming out of the sky... sure it's as obvious as the nose on your face. Revelations is right.

Really, I say, feigning interest.

Yep, the old Book of Revelations. Wicked, I say. Still there is always the Christmas. Have you started the shopping yet?