Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m torn between the family business and building my own life’

A reader feels pulled between helping with the family business and creating a life of her own. Miriam says staying silent about her concerns is not the answer.

ASK MIRIAM 2 September 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m torn between the family business and building my own life’

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‘Unless you change the settings, Google’s answers will be generated by AI’

‘Unless you change the settings, Google’s answers will be generated by AI’

BLOG 2 September 2026

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 2 September 2026

Editorial: 'it was a hard-won victory for the Friedreich's Ataxia community'

Editorial: 'it was a hard-won victory for the Friedreich's Ataxia community'

Editorial: 'it was a hard-won victory for the Friedreich's Ataxia community'

EDITORIAL 2 September 2026

Dear Miriam: 'how do we get our adult son to move out of the family home?'

Dear Miriam: 'how do we get our adult son to move out of the family home?'

Dear Miriam: 'how do we get our adult son to move out of the family home?'

ASK MIRIAM 26 August 2026

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'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

A family celebration never materialised for Katherine O'Leary during the solar eclipse, but a hospital visit, plenty of cuddles and shepherd's pie made for a memorable day.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 19 August 2026

'We shed a tear for my husband, John, and all who never saw Mayo's triumph'

'We shed a tear for my husband, John, and all who never saw Mayo's triumph'

Memories of following the Green and Red through the years come flooding back as Margaret Leahy reflects on those who waited a lifetime for success.

BLOG 19 August 2026

Editorial: ‘historical work of farm women deserves recognition'

Editorial: ‘historical work of farm women deserves recognition'

For generations, women played a vital role on farms but were excluded from official workforce figures, leaving their contribution largely unrecognised

EDITORIAL 19 August 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m tired of hosting my family's holiday every year’

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m tired of hosting my family's holiday every year’

A reader asks Miriam if she's being unreasonable for resenting the annual family invasion of her holiday cottage, where she's expected to do all the work instead of enjoying a break herself.

ASK MIRIAM 19 August 2026

Editorial: 'our athletes are inspiring the next generation'

Editorial: 'our athletes are inspiring the next generation'

Every outstanding performance inspires another young person to set the alarm early, pull on their running shoes and put one foot in front of the other and chase their own sporting ambitions.

EDITORIAL 19 August 2026

'The water crisis has eased on our farm, but the grass battle lies ahead'

'The water crisis has eased on our farm, but the grass battle lies ahead'

Surviving the recent drought was no mean feat for our Desperate Farmhusband, especially when the farm's well suddenly stopped supplying water.

BLOG 19 August 2026

'Rain has arrived in parts of mid-Cork and it's badly needed after the drought'

'Rain has arrived in parts of mid-Cork and it's badly needed after the drought'

According to Met Éireann, July was the driest on record. While recent rainfall brought some relief, Katherine O'Leary says much more is needed to boost grass growth on her mid-Cork farm.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 19 August 2026

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