There’s nothing like a good old spritz of room spray to set the tone for your morning, and The Nature of Things have just launched new products in their wellness range. The Irish essential oil brand founded by artisan perfumer Benoit Nicol have launched three new scents: Purity, Cosy Winter, and Think Positive, all designed to give the house an invigorating lift. Blended and bottled at The Chocolate Factory in Dublin, each spray (€16) is crafted with pure essential oils and natural ingredients. See thenatureofthings.ie.
Artisan perfumer, Benoit Nicol, and the range at The Nature of Things.
As children start back to school, Naomi Fisher’s A Different Way to Learn (€21.74) offers a fresh perspective on education, showing that children don’t all thrive in the traditional classroom.
Drawing on her experience as a psychologist, Fisher explores how self-directed learning can help neurodivergent children flourish at their own pace. By focusing on each child’s strengths rather than their challenges, this is a practical guide to helping children grow in ways that suit them best. It’s a gentle reminder that learning doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
See easons.com.
Naomi Fisher’s A Different Way to Learn (€21.74).
Ireland comes alive as Culture Night returns
On Friday 19 September, Culture Night returns across Ireland, offering a vibrant evening of free events from 6pm onwards. Communities nationwide will open their doors to showcase the rich tapestry of local arts, music, and heritage, inviting everyone to celebrate creativity. In Baltinglass, the evening promises a fun-filled programme for all ages. Germaine’s will host a special concert featuring headliner Paddy Casey, alongside local talent including Mark Caplice and Kendal Moody. Meanwhile, the ‘Art for the Community’ workshops at Baltinglass Library will explore botanical art, quilling, and film-making, encouraging hands-on participation.
Culture Night is an opportunity for everyone – families, friends, and neighbours – to engage with the arts, connect with their community, and experience creativity in its many forms. Whether you’re in Baltinglass, Bray or elsewhere in Ireland, it’s a night not to be missed. For a full list of events, locations, and free workshops, visit the official Culture Night website at culturenight.ie.
Cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan with Denis and Ed Morrissey from The Only Ones who play at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray.
The luxury champagne brand, Veuve Clicquot has just buddied up with Avoca, and if you’re looking for something to keep your spirits high amid the onset of autumn – then this is it. The newest collaboration is taking the afternoon tea experience at the picturesque Fern House Restaurant in Avoca Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow up a notch. We already know that Avoca delivers on culinary excellence – buttery scones, handcrafted patisserie and homemade goodness – and now you can add bubbles to the mix and enjoy it all with a chilled glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne (€65) or Veuve Clicquot Rosé (€68). Prices for afternoon tea start at €45 per person. See avoca.com.
Afternoon Tea Experience at The Fernhouse.
National Hedgerow Week is just around the corner, and HedgeRow Fest is being held this weekend to coincide with that. Hosted by Mount Briscoe Organic Farm in Daingean, Co Offaly, the festival will unite farmers, foragers and artists bringing our hedgerows to life. The festival programme includes events such as wild food foraging, mushroom foraging, art workshops and weaving.
Richard Negus, author of Words from the Hedge is headlining the festival, HedgeRow Fest.
My old mower
By Patricia Kehoe,
Broadway, Co Wexford
My old mower is just
secondhand,
But it’s just the thing
for my piece of land.
I’ve got a half acre under grass,
And I mow it every
Sunday after mass.
It goes in and out through
the apple trees,
It hums its way past the
bumblebees,
I walk up and down
and I hum a tune,
Then I look at my watch and it’s almost noon.
The old mower spurts
as if to say,
It’s time to stop and
get the tae,
I clean it well and put it away,
My old mower has lived to see another day.
I don’t know what I would do if it broke down,
I wouldn’t know where to look in Wexford town,
There’s so many
models now on display,
And with this new currency you wouldn’t know
what to pay.
But for the moment I’ll push my old mower around,
And Peter will keep her
ticking over the ground,
I know sometimes she makes the odd tremor,
And that’s why I think she needs help from a strimmer.
Calling all poets
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.
There’s nothing like a good old spritz of room spray to set the tone for your morning, and The Nature of Things have just launched new products in their wellness range. The Irish essential oil brand founded by artisan perfumer Benoit Nicol have launched three new scents: Purity, Cosy Winter, and Think Positive, all designed to give the house an invigorating lift. Blended and bottled at The Chocolate Factory in Dublin, each spray (€16) is crafted with pure essential oils and natural ingredients. See thenatureofthings.ie.
Artisan perfumer, Benoit Nicol, and the range at The Nature of Things.
As children start back to school, Naomi Fisher’s A Different Way to Learn (€21.74) offers a fresh perspective on education, showing that children don’t all thrive in the traditional classroom.
Drawing on her experience as a psychologist, Fisher explores how self-directed learning can help neurodivergent children flourish at their own pace. By focusing on each child’s strengths rather than their challenges, this is a practical guide to helping children grow in ways that suit them best. It’s a gentle reminder that learning doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
See easons.com.
Naomi Fisher’s A Different Way to Learn (€21.74).
Ireland comes alive as Culture Night returns
On Friday 19 September, Culture Night returns across Ireland, offering a vibrant evening of free events from 6pm onwards. Communities nationwide will open their doors to showcase the rich tapestry of local arts, music, and heritage, inviting everyone to celebrate creativity. In Baltinglass, the evening promises a fun-filled programme for all ages. Germaine’s will host a special concert featuring headliner Paddy Casey, alongside local talent including Mark Caplice and Kendal Moody. Meanwhile, the ‘Art for the Community’ workshops at Baltinglass Library will explore botanical art, quilling, and film-making, encouraging hands-on participation.
Culture Night is an opportunity for everyone – families, friends, and neighbours – to engage with the arts, connect with their community, and experience creativity in its many forms. Whether you’re in Baltinglass, Bray or elsewhere in Ireland, it’s a night not to be missed. For a full list of events, locations, and free workshops, visit the official Culture Night website at culturenight.ie.
Cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan with Denis and Ed Morrissey from The Only Ones who play at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray.
The luxury champagne brand, Veuve Clicquot has just buddied up with Avoca, and if you’re looking for something to keep your spirits high amid the onset of autumn – then this is it. The newest collaboration is taking the afternoon tea experience at the picturesque Fern House Restaurant in Avoca Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow up a notch. We already know that Avoca delivers on culinary excellence – buttery scones, handcrafted patisserie and homemade goodness – and now you can add bubbles to the mix and enjoy it all with a chilled glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne (€65) or Veuve Clicquot Rosé (€68). Prices for afternoon tea start at €45 per person. See avoca.com.
Afternoon Tea Experience at The Fernhouse.
National Hedgerow Week is just around the corner, and HedgeRow Fest is being held this weekend to coincide with that. Hosted by Mount Briscoe Organic Farm in Daingean, Co Offaly, the festival will unite farmers, foragers and artists bringing our hedgerows to life. The festival programme includes events such as wild food foraging, mushroom foraging, art workshops and weaving.
Richard Negus, author of Words from the Hedge is headlining the festival, HedgeRow Fest.
My old mower
By Patricia Kehoe,
Broadway, Co Wexford
My old mower is just
secondhand,
But it’s just the thing
for my piece of land.
I’ve got a half acre under grass,
And I mow it every
Sunday after mass.
It goes in and out through
the apple trees,
It hums its way past the
bumblebees,
I walk up and down
and I hum a tune,
Then I look at my watch and it’s almost noon.
The old mower spurts
as if to say,
It’s time to stop and
get the tae,
I clean it well and put it away,
My old mower has lived to see another day.
I don’t know what I would do if it broke down,
I wouldn’t know where to look in Wexford town,
There’s so many
models now on display,
And with this new currency you wouldn’t know
what to pay.
But for the moment I’ll push my old mower around,
And Peter will keep her
ticking over the ground,
I know sometimes she makes the odd tremor,
And that’s why I think she needs help from a strimmer.
Calling all poets
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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