Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

‘Between new life and loss – I found myself growing into my new godparent role'

'I may not have given him the gift of life, but life gave me the gift of him,' writes Irish Country Living columnist Kate Durrant.

L2 8 April 2026

‘Between new life and loss – I found myself growing into my new godparent role'

MOST READ STORIES

1

2

3

4

5

Dear Miriam: ‘am I to blame for my youngest son’s lack of direction in life’

Dear Miriam: ‘am I to blame for my youngest son’s lack of direction in life’

ASK MIRIAM 8 April 2026

‘It was all go over the weekend with last of cows still left to calve'

‘It was all go over the weekend with last of cows still left to calve'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 8 April 2026

Editorial: ‘poetry is something that will always remain timeless'

Editorial: ‘poetry is something that will always remain timeless'

Editorial: ‘poetry is something that will always remain timeless'

EDITORIAL 1 April 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘my husband wants to quit work and take over his father’s farm’

Dear Miriam: ‘my husband wants to quit work and take over his father’s farm’

Dear Miriam: ‘my husband wants to quit work and take over his father’s farm’

ASK MIRIAM 1 April 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

MOST READ STORIES

1

2

3

4

5

‘Inclusion is a basic human need – we all deserve to belong'

‘Inclusion is a basic human need – we all deserve to belong'

My son Diarmuid stars in Unmasked 2026, a show of music, drama, dance and inclusion in Cork Arts Centre.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 18 March 2026

'Just two colours, black on white, created a scene that I would happily frame'

'Just two colours, black on white, created a scene that I would happily frame'

Beautiful spring days make farming enjoyable. Having the right staff makes everything run smoothly.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 18 March 2026

Editorial: 'rural families facing drug-related intimidation'

Editorial: 'rural families facing drug-related intimidation'

Drug violence has made its way down the byroads and side roads of rural Ireland, into our GAA clubs and marts.

EDITORIAL 18 March 2026

Editorial: ‘the phrase

Editorial: ‘the phrase "buy cheap, buy twice” definitely applies when gardening'

The phrase ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ is one which especially applies to garden tools.

EDITORIAL 18 March 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘my sister is sacrificing her own dreams to keep family farm going'

Dear Miriam: ‘my sister is sacrificing her own dreams to keep family farm going'

A concerned sister in Limerick asks Miriam how to help a sibling who seems to be sacrificing her own dreams to support her husband and their growing dairy farm.

ASK MIRIAM 18 March 2026

‘Soon our clocks will spring forward by an hour, and reignite the annual debate’

‘Soon our clocks will spring forward by an hour, and reignite the annual debate’

Minutes trickle away like sand through our fingers. Once lost they are gone forever, so we must use them wisely.

L2 18 March 2026

‘My aunt Gretta was the queen amongst aunties and she had a mighty send off’

‘My aunt Gretta was the queen amongst aunties and she had a mighty send off’

Aunties and Uncles have a major role to play in children’s lives, here's to my aunt Gretta.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 18 March 2026

SPONSORED

What exactly is contributing to high-quality silage in Kilkenny

For dairy farmers Leslie and Sam Caldbeck, producing high-quality silage is central to how their Kilkenny farm performs.

What exactly is contributing to high-quality silage in Kilkenny

LOAD MORE STORIES