Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

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

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

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Editorial: 'our athletes are inspiring the next generation'

Editorial: 'our athletes are inspiring the next generation'

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'

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'

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

KATHERINE O'LEARY 19 August 2026

Editorial: sea swimming - ‘if you fight the water, the water will always win’

Editorial: sea swimming - ‘if you fight the water, the water will always win’

Editorial: sea swimming - ‘if you fight the water, the water will always win’

EDITORIAL 12 August 2026

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Dear Miriam: ‘how can I repair a family rift between my son and daughter'

Dear Miriam: ‘how can I repair a family rift between my son and daughter'

A reader seeks Miriam's counsel on how to resolve a family rift involving her two adult children, one of whom refuses to attend family events due to anxiety caused to his partner by his sister.

ASK MIRIAM 5 August 2026

'The Highlands reminded me of Kerry – but not quite as beautiful'

'The Highlands reminded me of Kerry – but not quite as beautiful'

A holiday in Scotland reminded Katherine O’Leary of Ireland’s farming landscape, from the mountains and fields to the familiar beauty of Kerry.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 5 August 2026

‘Even sitting in a hospital waiting room can be something to be thankful for'

‘Even sitting in a hospital waiting room can be something to be thankful for'

Sitting in a hospital waiting room is something many of us will experience, whether for ourselves or someone we love, says Kate Durrant.

BLOG 5 August 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘my daughter wants to go to college, I don’t think we can afford it

Dear Miriam: ‘my daughter wants to go to college, I don’t think we can afford it

A mother seeks Miriam's advice in how to manage her husband's worries about supporting their daughter through college.

ASK MIRIAM 5 August 2026

Editorial: ‘you’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your head’

Editorial: ‘you’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your head’

It's important that our rural sayings are recorded because they reveal so much about us as people, our heritage and rural life.

EDITORIAL 5 August 2026

‘Sport played a big part in our holiday... cheering from the sidelines'

‘Sport played a big part in our holiday... cheering from the sidelines'

Katherine O’Leary discovers that taking part isn't the only way sport brings people together – cheering from the sidelines can be just as valuable.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 5 August 2026

'For many rural communities, my own included, Facebook has become indispensable'

'For many rural communities, my own included, Facebook has become indispensable'

Our villages may gather differently today, says Kate Durrant, but the need to connect, support one another and share life's moments hasn't changed – even if that sometimes means doing it online.

FEATURES 5 August 2026

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Looking for a reason to get out and explore this August?

National Heritage Week runs from 15-23 August, with over 2,000 events taking place across Ireland. Many are free and family-friendly, making it the perfect opportunity to try something new.

Looking for a reason to get out and explore this August?

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