Hitting the road this autumn and winter, The Devil’s in the Dancehall returns bringing the spirit of Ireland’s 1930s dance halls back to life. Led by Edwina Guckian and featuring the Gralton Big Band and a cast of 34 performers, the immersive show mixes live music, dancing, storytelling, mischief and plenty of audience participation. The tour kicks off at Bere Island Arts Festival, Co Cork, on 17 September, before travelling to dance halls across Kerry, Mayo, Roscommon, Limerick, Offaly, Fermanagh, Kildare, Clare, Galway and Sligo. Audiences of all ages are invited to dress in their 1930s best and join the fun. Tickets are €30 plus booking fee. See edwinaguckian.com
The 21st edition of Culture Night will take place on Friday 18 September 2026, with a packed programme of free events celebrating culture, creativity and the arts. Venues will open their doors later than usual for special performances, exhibitions and events in cities, towns, villages and rural communities. Supported by the Arts Council and local authorities, all Culture Night activities are free to attend. See culturenight.ie
Give a treasured ring a new lease of life with John Ross Jewellers in Tralee, Co Kerry. The fifth generation, family-run jewellers offers an upcycling service that can transform older or inherited rings into something more contemporary by reworking an existing piece into a wearable design. It’s a gorgeous way to preserve the sentiment and story behind a special piece, while giving it a fresh new look. Pictured above is previous Irish Country Living cover star and co-owner Heather O’Sullivan. See johnrossjewellers.com
Morgan’s Birds by PD Lyons, Westmeath
In the almost tallest tree, Morgan’s birds wait.
Sky near full blue but for clouds come from all the
way west
tangled up with sea shape breezes tasting salty
even here.
Yellow wasps angry
buzzing in,
but rarely back out the kitchen windows.
maybe unable to remember it’s only August
and wild apples by the dozen lay strewn along the back garden.
Rugosa roses stretch up the stone of this house
where through the last while of the day sun hits strongest.
sometimes my own fingers search out along those warm textures as if
attempting to discover
something they need to know until
I must simply say thank you right out loud without even figuring out who to.
In the almost tallest tree,
Morgan’s birds wait.
they have time to be patient, preening, cackling,
shifting branches
occasionally engaged in soft arguments, remind me of some vague song until
like a shipwreck in the
sky they rise.
Do you have a piece of poetry inspired by the countryside and farming? Please send in your best work for consideration for the weekly Poetry Corner. We’re looking for short poems that captivate, inspire and reflect the landscapes, traditions, and culture of rural Ireland in the past or the present. About 200 words or so is the ideal length. Please send your poetry to icl@farmersjournal.ie or post to Irish Country Living, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12.
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