Bia Úr is hitting our screens on TG4. This uplifting new eight-part food series, airing on Wednesdays from 9 September, celebrates the diversity of Ireland’s contemporary food culture through the stories of people who have made this island their home.
Presented by Kirsten Mate Maher and Allie Stack (pictured above), Bia Úr explores identity, belonging and tradition through the universal language of food. Across the series, Kirsten and Allie meet an inspiring group of chefs, food entrepreneurs and home cooks whose flavours have become part of Ireland’s modern culinary landscape. Their journeys reveal how immigration continues to shape and enrich the Irish table.
Clonaslee Show in Co Laois takes place on Sunday 13 September. Anne Costelloe, its first female chairperson (pictured above), continues a long-standing family tradition of involvement with the show. Her father, Jim Costelloe, was a founding member and served as honorary life president for a number of years before his death in 2023. Her mother, Nancy, was a prolific and successful exhibitor over the years. Women have played a central role in the Clonaslee Show since its earliest days. The show itself was established in 1948 when the local Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) and Macra na Feirme joined forces. An early show catalogue stated that one of the aims of the ICA was “to brighten and make interesting the lives of women in rural Ireland”.
The Kilkenny Animated Festival 2026 is a celebration of animation, illustration and storytelling, taking place in Kilkenny from 11 to 13 September. Across three days, the festival brings together screenings, workshops, talks, live shows, tours and social events, offering something for animation fans of all ages and interests.
The Sketching Tour (pictured above), costs €8.50 and is aimed at those aged 12+ (under-16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are required for all participants). It starts at Lighthouse Studios on 13 September.
See kilkennyanimated.com
Autumn Apple
By Nanette Meany
An autumn breeze,
a spill of sun
My cupped hand eager,
my eyes all bright
My heart skips with
edible delight
Is this the day? Is this the one?
First as bud, months
passed, you woke
Pink unfurled,
then white you turned
Pollen drops and nectar earned
The bees were busy,
as were fairy folk
Crimson, green
and yellow-tinged
Full, hard, strong and round
Ready to leave
your safe surround
No longer tightly hinged
First crunch,
succulent and sweet
Fragrant scent so divine
Seen many weathers over time
You held firm,
proved too hard to beat
Harvest calls out good and loud
It’s time, it’s time,
roars every county
Laden down is
autumn’s bounty
Roots stay strong and
trees stand proud
Young and old lay
down your tasks
Outside awaits a feast so great
Make haste, don’t wait
This scene of nature
wears no masks
My senses awakened,
autumn is here.
Whispering winds,
cool and crisp days
Time to rethink some old ways
And reflect at this time of year.
An autumn breeze,
a spill of sun
My cupped hand eager,
my eyes all bright
My heart skips with edible delight
This is the day!
This is the one.