Thank you for the recent health series in Irish Country Living on ‘How To Age Well’. I’ve been struggling for the last year, and while I have never heard it called the ‘sandwich years’ before, pharmacist Kathy Maher explained it very well. Caring for two other generations, ageing parents and young children can be really tough, while working as well. And let’s face it, women are often left doing a lot of it. It’s often hard to really take time for myself, but the article has spurred me on to make an appointment with my GP as I’m also in menopause and need some guidance and help.
Name with editor
Something to Crow About
By Paddy Egan
A crow sits on its perch
Ready to build, it’s the first of March
Tradition tells us it’s their chosen date
To build a nest and seek a mate
At building nests they’re highly skilled
They’ll choose a site where to build
They’ll create a rookery on the highest tree
They’ll work together on building spree
The crow is no way musical, just caw caw
A noisy community like their cousin Jack daw
They are by nature a clannish lot
They live in a rookery, a territorial squat
They weave their nest is a work of art
From twigs and brush it is a curse
They gather cipeens and stalks of hay
A quick look round, then on their way
They’ll hatch a brood and keep them warm
In their nest secure from rain and storm
Hours in search of food they’ll spend
But they are certainly not the gardener’s friend.
Steve Jones, director of fundraising ORCA. \ Dylan Vaughan
Brittany Ferries and Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) Ireland have announced the launch of a whale and dolphin spotting app in Ireland, marking their 15-year partnership. The app encourages users to record their wildlife sightings and aligns with the return of Brittany Ferries ‘Sea-Safari’ mini cruises. The 2025 Sea Safari Cruise between Rosslare and Bilbao takes passengers through the Bay of Biscay, a globally recognised hotspot for marine wildlife and birdlife.
See brittany-ferries.ie and to download the ORCA Observers app, see orcaireland.org
Mini Loom Knit (€18.50).
Pop Out Projects, the award-winning Irish craft brand, is keeping the tradition of weaving alive with its kits and Irish-made materials, including yarn from the original Galway sheep.
“We wanted an accessible way to introduce people to the beauty and heritage of real Irish wool, and to give everyone a chance to experience a real piece of Ireland this St Patrick’s Day,” says founder, Maeve Pudney. The brand new Mini Loom Knit, €18.50 is a fun activity to share with family.
See popoutprojects.com
Pictured above: Rory Nolan and Marty Rea in Druid Theatre’s production of three short comedies by Séan O’Casey. \ Ste Murray
Druid Theatre will be criss-crossing the country this spring for an 11-venue tour of three short comedies by Séan O’Casey. This new national tour marks the beginning of their 50th anniversary programme. The three short comedies, A Pound on Demand (1939), Bedtime Story (1951), and The End of the Beginning (1937) will be directed by Garry Hynes and examine themes of family, drama and misadventure.
See druid.ie
Béibhinn Parsons, Josh van der Flier, Sam Kidd and Charlotte Fleming pictured with the stamps. \ Brona McDonagh
An Post has unveiled two new stamps marking the 150th anniversary of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). They feature action shots of professional players, Josh van der Flier and Béibhinn Parsons, as well as young club players Sam Kidd (Banbridge) and Charlotte Fleming (Ballinasloe) to showcase the leadership of the IRFU in promoting the game internationally and at home.
See anpost.com
Clodagh McKenna and Celeste Grandjean, members of the Young at Art Collective pictured at the launch of the 27th Belfast Children’s Festival in the Lyric Theatre. \ Brian Morrison
Northern Ireland’s leading arts provider for children and young people, is keeping a smile on children’s faces with their flagship, Belfast Children’s Festival.
From 6 to 15 March, Young at Art is organising events across Belfast for children and families to enjoy. Entertain the kids with puppet theatre, film screenings and theatre performances, and learn more about education topics at different talks and discussions.
See youngatart.co.uk
Thank you for the recent health series in Irish Country Living on ‘How To Age Well’. I’ve been struggling for the last year, and while I have never heard it called the ‘sandwich years’ before, pharmacist Kathy Maher explained it very well. Caring for two other generations, ageing parents and young children can be really tough, while working as well. And let’s face it, women are often left doing a lot of it. It’s often hard to really take time for myself, but the article has spurred me on to make an appointment with my GP as I’m also in menopause and need some guidance and help.
Name with editor
Something to Crow About
By Paddy Egan
A crow sits on its perch
Ready to build, it’s the first of March
Tradition tells us it’s their chosen date
To build a nest and seek a mate
At building nests they’re highly skilled
They’ll choose a site where to build
They’ll create a rookery on the highest tree
They’ll work together on building spree
The crow is no way musical, just caw caw
A noisy community like their cousin Jack daw
They are by nature a clannish lot
They live in a rookery, a territorial squat
They weave their nest is a work of art
From twigs and brush it is a curse
They gather cipeens and stalks of hay
A quick look round, then on their way
They’ll hatch a brood and keep them warm
In their nest secure from rain and storm
Hours in search of food they’ll spend
But they are certainly not the gardener’s friend.
Steve Jones, director of fundraising ORCA. \ Dylan Vaughan
Brittany Ferries and Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) Ireland have announced the launch of a whale and dolphin spotting app in Ireland, marking their 15-year partnership. The app encourages users to record their wildlife sightings and aligns with the return of Brittany Ferries ‘Sea-Safari’ mini cruises. The 2025 Sea Safari Cruise between Rosslare and Bilbao takes passengers through the Bay of Biscay, a globally recognised hotspot for marine wildlife and birdlife.
See brittany-ferries.ie and to download the ORCA Observers app, see orcaireland.org
Mini Loom Knit (€18.50).
Pop Out Projects, the award-winning Irish craft brand, is keeping the tradition of weaving alive with its kits and Irish-made materials, including yarn from the original Galway sheep.
“We wanted an accessible way to introduce people to the beauty and heritage of real Irish wool, and to give everyone a chance to experience a real piece of Ireland this St Patrick’s Day,” says founder, Maeve Pudney. The brand new Mini Loom Knit, €18.50 is a fun activity to share with family.
See popoutprojects.com
Pictured above: Rory Nolan and Marty Rea in Druid Theatre’s production of three short comedies by Séan O’Casey. \ Ste Murray
Druid Theatre will be criss-crossing the country this spring for an 11-venue tour of three short comedies by Séan O’Casey. This new national tour marks the beginning of their 50th anniversary programme. The three short comedies, A Pound on Demand (1939), Bedtime Story (1951), and The End of the Beginning (1937) will be directed by Garry Hynes and examine themes of family, drama and misadventure.
See druid.ie
Béibhinn Parsons, Josh van der Flier, Sam Kidd and Charlotte Fleming pictured with the stamps. \ Brona McDonagh
An Post has unveiled two new stamps marking the 150th anniversary of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). They feature action shots of professional players, Josh van der Flier and Béibhinn Parsons, as well as young club players Sam Kidd (Banbridge) and Charlotte Fleming (Ballinasloe) to showcase the leadership of the IRFU in promoting the game internationally and at home.
See anpost.com
Clodagh McKenna and Celeste Grandjean, members of the Young at Art Collective pictured at the launch of the 27th Belfast Children’s Festival in the Lyric Theatre. \ Brian Morrison
Northern Ireland’s leading arts provider for children and young people, is keeping a smile on children’s faces with their flagship, Belfast Children’s Festival.
From 6 to 15 March, Young at Art is organising events across Belfast for children and families to enjoy. Entertain the kids with puppet theatre, film screenings and theatre performances, and learn more about education topics at different talks and discussions.
See youngatart.co.uk
This is a subscriber-only article
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