Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Editorial: ‘as we start 2026, we want to thrive, leaving any burnout behind'

As we start a new year, we want to thrive in the long term rather than burnout in the short term.

EDITORIAL 30 December 2025

Editorial: ‘as we start 2026, we want to thrive, leaving any burnout behind'

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‘New year, new laws, new notions? Let’s start with the Tea Equality Act'

‘New year, new laws, new notions? Let’s start with the Tea Equality Act'

L2 30 December 2025

‘Lady Jeep’s ‘bottom’ no match for a mucky hill'

‘Lady Jeep’s ‘bottom’ no match for a mucky hill'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 30 December 2025

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m restless now I’ve retired, did I make the wrong choice?

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m restless now I’ve retired, did I make the wrong choice?

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m restless now I’ve retired, did I make the wrong choice?

ASK MIRIAM 30 December 2025

Editorial: ‘the time of year when family tradition is so important'

Editorial: ‘the time of year when family tradition is so important'

Editorial: ‘the time of year when family tradition is so important'

EDITORIAL 23 December 2025

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‘Remembering the families that are finding this time of year difficult’

‘Remembering the families that are finding this time of year difficult’

Katherine O'Leary remembers that Christmas is difficult for people that have lost a young person during the year.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 10 December 2025

Desperate Farmhusband: ‘I like to think I’m progressive – but I'm old fashioned'

Desperate Farmhusband: ‘I like to think I’m progressive – but I'm old fashioned'

Between worrying milk price predictions, slow TAMS grant applications and personal health challenges, our Desperate Farmhusband can only guess as to how 2026 might look.

L2 10 December 2025

Dear Miriam: how can I get out of hosting my bully brother for Christmas?

Dear Miriam: how can I get out of hosting my bully brother for Christmas?

A reader in Co Cork seeks Miriam's counsel on how to uninvite her brother and his family from spending Christmas in her new home due to a difficult childhood relationship between them both.

ASK MIRIAM 10 December 2025

‘The gaps we live with all year feel that little bit wider when the Christmas'

‘The gaps we live with all year feel that little bit wider when the Christmas'

The empty chair at Christmas can feel a little bit emptier than it does the rest of the year, writes Kate Durrant.

L2 10 December 2025

Editorial: ‘to all the children in hospital, we know that Santa will visit'

Editorial: ‘to all the children in hospital, we know that Santa will visit'

Our Christmas wish is that by this time next year, the new Children's Hospital will finally be open.

EDITORIAL 10 December 2025

‘Ducking storm Bram and swapping muddy boots for Tenerife winter sunshine’

‘Ducking storm Bram and swapping muddy boots for Tenerife winter sunshine’

Enjoying a welcome break away with the family is rare and beautiful.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 10 December 2025

Dear Miriam: ‘how can I cope with the cost of Christmas after financial setback?

Dear Miriam: ‘how can I cope with the cost of Christmas after financial setback?

A reader from Laois seeks Miriam's advice on how to pay for Christmas after a financial set back earlier in the year has reduced her family's disposable income.

ASK MIRIAM 10 December 2025

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Irish dairy’s green advantage across the globe

Our success in export markets depends not only on finding new buyers, but on protecting the strong and hard-fought position we occupy on the global stage.

Irish dairy’s green advantage across the globe

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