You may be surprised, Karen - although Ireland is in a more northern latitude than you, it has a mild climate - average temperature is 50 F. Here in Oxfordshire, England, we're zone 8a - although our summers aren't as hot as yours, our winters are much milder.
Delphiniums here are just beginning to open - one of my favourite cottage garden plants:
Sorry about all the rain - one of the hazards of England!
