Our writers and bloggers comment on the latest news and life in rural Ireland.

LATEST ARTICLES
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Colour, crowds, fun and puddles – Ploughing back with a bang
Katherine O'Leary
The mood of farmers was upbeat and enthusiastic at the Ploughing Championships.
28 September 2022 Ask Miriam
Our daughter has come out as gay; how can we support her?
Dear Miriam, my daughter has come out as gay, but I worry for her future. How can we support her?
28 September 2022 Damien O'Reilly
Ag science has big challenges but plenty of opportunities ahead
Critics of the ag-food sector often don’t realise how many talented scientists are quietly working behind the scenes to help solve our biggest problems.
Miriam: ‘only child’ comments hurt
Dear Miriam, how should I cope with hurtful comments about my only child?
21 September 2022 Ask Miriam
Damien’s Diary: democracy under pressure
Worrying political trends in other parts of the world should serve as a warning sign for protecting Irish democracy.
21 September 2022 Damien O'Reilly
Katherine’s Country: tackling the stiffness issues
There is an exercise programme out there to suit anyone, writes Katherine O'Leary - you just have to find the right one.
21 September 2022 Katherine O'Leary
Gender-specific policy decisions? Good, bad or insulting?
Views differ on higher rates of grant aid and funding for female only discussion groups but the challenge remains - to always try to make things better.
21 September 2022 Amii
Katherine’s Country: finding the rhythm of the school year
A new school year begins and Katherine’s grandson Ricky starts playschool with enthusiasm.
14 September 2022 Katherine O'Leary
My daughter does not want to live with her grandaunt
My daughter does not want to live with her grandaunt for her first year in college.
14 September 2022 Ask Miriam
Damien O’Reilly: time to go back to the future and learn from 1980s lifestyles
There are many lessons on sustainable living to be learned from the dark economic days of the 1980s.
14 September 2022 Damien O'Reilly
Editorial: Deciding to not only survive but to thrive
Last week’s ASA conference addressed the many challenges facing Irish Agriculture but it was not the scientists that put a word on it, it was the man with the spinal cord injury.
14 September 2022 Amii
‘My husband won’t leave the farm for a family wedding abroad’
Dear Miriam, my husband won’t commit to leaving the farm for a family wedding abroad next year
7 September 2022 Ask Miriam