Still sleeping in your childhood bedroom? Putting big life plans on hold because there’s nowhere affordable to live? Or did you feel you had no choice but to leave Ireland? Irish Country Living is working on a series exploring what ‘adulting’ looks like for young people in rural Ireland during the housing crisis – and we want to hear real experiences, in your own words.
1. Young adults in their 20s or 30s living at home due to financial reasons.
2. Young adults who felt forced to emigrate because affordable housing just wasn’t an option.
3. Anyone who feels the housing shortage has affected their independence, relationships, mental health or future plans.
If you’re willing to share your story – whether it’s frustrating, hopeful, complicated or all of the above, email icl@farmersjournal.ie.
Interviews can be anonymous, if required. A short note, question or comment is very welcome – your experience matters. If you’re willing to share your story – whether it’s frustrating, hopeful, complicated or all of the above, email icl@farmersjournal.ie. Interviews can be anonymous if required.
After selling out repeatedly over Christmas, Dream Point has expanded their new Van Gogh After Dark to every Friday, running weekly from 16 January through to 20 March. Taking place at the Point Village Square in the Dublin Docklands, from 10am-5pm, the artistic projections become a playground of sorts for families and children, who can burst into balloon-filled rooms and explore long, glowing corridors. The venue will then transition into an adult only space after 5pm, offering the kind of relaxed, night time atmosphere which is perfect for a date night or friends’ get-together. Dream Point Van Gogh feels more like a day out than a traditional art exhibition – an experience not to be missed. See dreampointexperience.ie.
Taste 4 Success Skillnet is now taking registrations for its spring 2026 Sustainable Food Tourism Experience Development Programme. Aimed at food producers, farmers, café owners and local guides, the eight-week online course helps turn good ideas into memorable, sustainable visitor experiences.
New this year, the programme is CPD accredited and begins on 10 February. Places are limited, so early booking is advised. More details and applications are available at taste4success.ie.
Kim Whyte from Pawpear has just launched her new Book of Kells collaboration, with colourful designs inspired by the ancient manuscript that is considered one of Ireland’s finest cultural treasures.
Pawpear has collaborated with Guinness previously, and an Imbolc range is launching soon. We can’t get enough of these intricate and characterful Irish designs. The Winged Creatures Greeting Card Box (€15) part of the Book of Kells collection, contains eight greeting cards to send to the ones you love. See pawpear.ie.
Comedy podcast duo I’m Grand Mam are heading back on the road with their new live show Happy Campers. Best friends PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey have built a huge following thanks to their quick wit, big heart and very relatable take on modern life. The nationwide tour takes in Killarney, Belfast, Cork, Galway and Dublin, following a string of sold-out shows this year. Tickets start at €40.20 and are on sale via ticketmaster.ie.
St Brigid
By Michelle McCormack,
Rosenallis, Co Laois
Winter has ended its time
Spring is beginning
to show thy hand
A spiritual coming
Gliding across our fair land
Our Irish lady, Brigid of the gale.
You pass by in the
early morning dusk
Leaving your imprint
without fail
Frost and ice lie in river and lake
Like Gods looking glass,
they melt and
defrost in your wake
Pilgrims honour you
in a healing mass
Imbued with your virtues of hope and labour
Farmer and earth,
tender and toil
Extending one’s hand
to thy neighbour.
The northern lights
have just been
The skies in a green
and purple glow
But we wait for you now,
for new life to flow
Bud and blossom
begin to flower
Awake from slumber,
alive to nature’s earthly power.
The Brigid’s cross is made
Brat na Bríde is left out
Bonfires lit to the sun fade
On the hill and on summit
Imbolc calls for
you and you cometh.
Across valley and church spire,
mountain and hill
Spring glory is reckoning,
all is still.
For it is time,
Brigid
You are welcome!
Come in...