Breastfeeding facility supporting families

Longford Shopping Centre has opened a new breastfeeding room, giving nursing families a comfortable and private place to feed while out and about. Delivered through the Longford Breastfeeding Project, the space is part of a wider effort to make breastfeeding more visible and supported across the county. The collaboration between the local authority, Healthy Ireland and the centre is designed to promote health, connection, and empowerment for parents. Located on the ground floor and free to use, it’s a simple but meaningful addition to the centre. See longfordcoco.ie

Paddy Mahon, chief executive of Longford County Council; Laura McHugh, Healthy Ireland coordinator; Niall Samuel Byrne, manager of Longford Shopping Centre; and Cllr Niall Gannon, leas cathaoirleach of Longford County Council. \Shelley Corcoran

Shaping food’s future

Dawn Meats has marked the graduation of its 2025 Management Development Programme, run in partnership with UCD. Thirty-two employees from Dawn Meats and Dunbia gathered at Butchers’ Hall in London for the two-day event, showcasing projects focused on innovation and sustainability across the agri food sector. The winning team, recognised with the Dan Browne Excellence Award, explored ways to enhance safety in the meat industry. The programme continues to support and develop future leaders across the group.

Eoghan Fox, Conor Lavery, Michael Mullarkey and Alicia McEldowney were presented with the Dan Browne Excellence Award by Philip Tallon, operations director at Dawn Meats. They are the 2025 winning team at the Dawn Meats’ Management Development Programme graduation. \Dawn Meats

Race is on for charity

Punchestown is honouring 175 years of racing heritage with a rare,limited-edition collection of John Sturgess prints, depicting the iconic 1872 Conyngham Cup. The set features four museum-grade Giclée reproductions of the renowned 19th-century artworks, rediscovered in New York by Kildare native and art dealer Cameron McMillan and now displayed at Punchestown. With only 175 unframed sets available, this is a distinctive collector’s piece for enthusiasts. All proceeds support two Kildare charities, Barretstown and Tiglin. The prints can be purchased online at punchestown.com, with medium sets priced at €1,000 and large sets at €1,200.

The 1872 Conyngham Cup, The Start.

Poetry Corner

Process by Nicola Hewson

When you’re no

longer here,

I’ll feel you in my bones

You’ll walk with me with every step

I’ll never be alone.

When you’re

no longer here,

the clock will

cease to chime

When you’re

no longer here,

I’ll miss you all the time.

When you’re

no longer here,

I’ll wonder where you’ve gone

I’ll speak to you like I

always did

Our bond

forever strong.

When you’re

no longer here,

I hope I’ve told

you all I should

When you’re no longer here, I pray you know how much you’re loved.

When you’re

no longer here, the earth will turn, but I’ll stay still

The memory bank

will open and images will spill.

When you’re no longer here, we’ll raise a glass for all you were

The songs will flow in circles, our many tears will fall as well.

Now you’re no longer here, I feel the weight upon my chest.

Now you’re no longer here, it is in peace

that you shall rest.