Celebrating Irish flavour
The finalists for the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 have been announced. From farms and fisheries to kitchens and cafés, the awards celebrate the people who make Irish food so special. Check out the finalists at goodfoodireland.ie before the big night on 10 November in the K Club.
Pictured at the launch of the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025, left to right, are: sponsor, John Cahalan, chief commercial director, FBD Insurance; Ed Cooney, executive chef, The Merrion Hotel; Birgitta Curtin, owner and master smoker, Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre; and Margaret Jeffares, founder, Good Food Ireland.
From milking parlours to centre stage, Leitrim’s Acorn Players return with their hit rural comedy Loophole by John McManus. Led by farmers James Grimes, Padraig McLoughlin and Philip Flood, the cast bring authenticity to this tale of land and local life. For James Grimes, returning after prostate cancer treatment makes it especially meaningful.Catch Loophole in Claremorris Town Hall (1 November), Manorhamilton’s The Glens Centre (22 November), and Westport’s Town Hall Theatre (24 January) for a night of true rural humour and heart. Tickets are €20.
Farmers James Grimes, Padraig McLoughlin and Philip Flood. \Rachel Kellegher.
The recent passing of Manchán Magan at 55 has left a quiet ache in Ireland’s cultural heart. A writer, broadcaster, and fierce advocate for the Irish language, Magan brought beauty and depth to everyday life through words. His book Ninety-Nine Words For Rain (And One For Sun) captures this spirit perfectly – a poetic celebration of the Irish language’s subtlety and sensitivity to nature. Each word reflects a different mood, movement, or meaning of rain, revealing how language can mirror our environment and emotions. The writer and environmentalist gifted us a new way of seeing the world, and will be sadly missed. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam. Ninety-Nine Words For Rain (And One For Sun) by Manchán Magan €18.99, published by Gill.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Nature Hero Awards, inviting schools across Ireland to celebrate and care for nature. Run by Biodiversity in Schools with support from Glenveagh, the awards recognise the creativity and hard work of students and teachers helping wildlife thrive. A prize fund of €10,000 will help schools grow their outdoor spaces and deepen children’s connection with the natural world. For more information on the Nature Hero Awards, visit biodiversityinschools.com/nature-hero-awards.
Pictured (back L-R): Annette McGarry, head of community engagement, Glenveagh; Diarmuid Hayes, operations manager, Biodiversity in Schools; Mark Nolan,
founder and CEO, Biodiversity in Schools and (bottom centre), Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity; and Christopher O’Sullivan, with children from Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan, Co Cork. \Cathal Noonan
Barnardos big breakfast making real change
Join Barnardos ambassador Carl Mullan in turning your morning cuppa and toast into support for children across Ireland. Host a breakfast at home, work, or school, and help make sure every child starts their day with a full tummy and a smile. Ambassador Carl Mullan said: “At home we know how important it is for the kids to enjoy a healthy breakfast; it sets them up for the day. My hope is that more children will be able to experience this thanks to this fun way to raise money for Barnardos. It’s a wonderful organisation making a real change in children’s lives.” Sign up today at barnardos.ie/bigbreakfast.
Rise and Shine: Barnardos Launches Big Breakfast Campaign Oscar Daily (4) and Barnardos Big Breakfast Ambassador Carl Mullan, at the launch of Barnardos Big Breakfast. Barnardos children’s charity has launched an exciting brand new fundraising campaign where you can turn your morning coffee, croissants, or cornflakes into a meaningful way to support vulnerable children in Ireland. /Patrick Bolger
Celebrating Irish flavour
The finalists for the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 have been announced. From farms and fisheries to kitchens and cafés, the awards celebrate the people who make Irish food so special. Check out the finalists at goodfoodireland.ie before the big night on 10 November in the K Club.
Pictured at the launch of the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025, left to right, are: sponsor, John Cahalan, chief commercial director, FBD Insurance; Ed Cooney, executive chef, The Merrion Hotel; Birgitta Curtin, owner and master smoker, Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre; and Margaret Jeffares, founder, Good Food Ireland.
From milking parlours to centre stage, Leitrim’s Acorn Players return with their hit rural comedy Loophole by John McManus. Led by farmers James Grimes, Padraig McLoughlin and Philip Flood, the cast bring authenticity to this tale of land and local life. For James Grimes, returning after prostate cancer treatment makes it especially meaningful.Catch Loophole in Claremorris Town Hall (1 November), Manorhamilton’s The Glens Centre (22 November), and Westport’s Town Hall Theatre (24 January) for a night of true rural humour and heart. Tickets are €20.
Farmers James Grimes, Padraig McLoughlin and Philip Flood. \Rachel Kellegher.
The recent passing of Manchán Magan at 55 has left a quiet ache in Ireland’s cultural heart. A writer, broadcaster, and fierce advocate for the Irish language, Magan brought beauty and depth to everyday life through words. His book Ninety-Nine Words For Rain (And One For Sun) captures this spirit perfectly – a poetic celebration of the Irish language’s subtlety and sensitivity to nature. Each word reflects a different mood, movement, or meaning of rain, revealing how language can mirror our environment and emotions. The writer and environmentalist gifted us a new way of seeing the world, and will be sadly missed. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam. Ninety-Nine Words For Rain (And One For Sun) by Manchán Magan €18.99, published by Gill.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Nature Hero Awards, inviting schools across Ireland to celebrate and care for nature. Run by Biodiversity in Schools with support from Glenveagh, the awards recognise the creativity and hard work of students and teachers helping wildlife thrive. A prize fund of €10,000 will help schools grow their outdoor spaces and deepen children’s connection with the natural world. For more information on the Nature Hero Awards, visit biodiversityinschools.com/nature-hero-awards.
Pictured (back L-R): Annette McGarry, head of community engagement, Glenveagh; Diarmuid Hayes, operations manager, Biodiversity in Schools; Mark Nolan,
founder and CEO, Biodiversity in Schools and (bottom centre), Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity; and Christopher O’Sullivan, with children from Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan, Co Cork. \Cathal Noonan
Barnardos big breakfast making real change
Join Barnardos ambassador Carl Mullan in turning your morning cuppa and toast into support for children across Ireland. Host a breakfast at home, work, or school, and help make sure every child starts their day with a full tummy and a smile. Ambassador Carl Mullan said: “At home we know how important it is for the kids to enjoy a healthy breakfast; it sets them up for the day. My hope is that more children will be able to experience this thanks to this fun way to raise money for Barnardos. It’s a wonderful organisation making a real change in children’s lives.” Sign up today at barnardos.ie/bigbreakfast.
Rise and Shine: Barnardos Launches Big Breakfast Campaign Oscar Daily (4) and Barnardos Big Breakfast Ambassador Carl Mullan, at the launch of Barnardos Big Breakfast. Barnardos children’s charity has launched an exciting brand new fundraising campaign where you can turn your morning coffee, croissants, or cornflakes into a meaningful way to support vulnerable children in Ireland. /Patrick Bolger
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