There was a time, and not so long ago, when a “ long, hot summer” in Northern Ireland was not a description of the weather. Instead it was a coded reference to the summer marching season, with frequent confrontation between rival groups which led to the worst possible publicity for Northern Ireland.

At one stage most people in Northern Ireland tried to plan their summer holidays in time to leave the province before the annual confrontations at Drumcree. The situation was so bad at the height of the annual crisis that many of the main roads and access avenues to the ports and airfields were cut off.

As well as the ugly events at Drumcree there were other dangerous confrontations in what used to be a truly long and hot summer. Happily, so much of this has changed, although the Drumcree impasse has not yet been resolved.

The annual stand-off is much more orderly and low-key, but in an atmosphere where power-sharing is working at Stormont, however imperfectly, surely the Drumcree situation can be resolved finally to everyone’s satisfaction. This ought to be an Assembly priority for next year.

This year, however, the “long, hot summer” means something entirely different in Northern Ireland. The rain has recently dampened down the welcome heat wave of June, but so far the province has enjoyed a better summer than in recent years.

There is little statistical evidence to show that good weather necessarily makes for better-behaved people, and some of our best summers in the past 40 years were also notable for their confrontations. Neverthless, there is little doubt that sunshine brings out the “feel-good factor” for most people, and Northern Ireland in good weather is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The sunshine also helps tourism. The visit to Belfast this week of the Crown Princess, the world’s largest cruise liner with thousands on board, shows that Northern Ireland is firmly on the tourist map.

Tourists bring not only much-needed revenue but also a cosmopolitanism which adds to the colour, character and “craic” Northern Ireland has to offer. This cannot but be good for the province, and people return home to report back on the attractions of this island, North and South. It is not only tourists helping to swell the coffers this year, but also Northern Ireland folk beating the credit crunch by holidaying in their native land.

It is surprising how many people in Northern Ireland have not travelled the length and the breadth of the province, even in these days of relatively easy communication. For its size Northern Ireland has a remarkable range of attractions, from the Giant’s Causeway to the Fermanagh lakes, and from Londonderry/Derry to the Mountains of Mourne and beyond.

Now that the schools are closed, this weekend marks the real beginning of the holiday season. It is to be hoped that the “long, hot summer” which began in June will continue for as long as possible.

Either way, most people are deeply grateful that after so many years of turmoil and confrontation they can at last enjoy the Northern Ireland summer in relative peace. Sunshine is good, but peace is even better, and peace with sunshine is the best of all.