Brothers Jordan and Cian Adams, known as The FTD Brothers, are taking on an extraordinary challenge with deep Irish roots. In April 2026, the pair from Redditch, Worcestershire, will run 32 marathons in 32 days, one in every county, to honour their mum Geraldine and raise funds for Frontotemperol Dementia (FTD) research.
Ireland was chosen for the family’s strong ties to Longford and Leitrim. You can follow their journey and support the cause at justgiving.com/fundraising/FTDbrothers.
Jordan and Cian Adams.
Meet Teidí (pictured above), the much-loved main character from the charming Irish-language books of the same name written by Sadhbh Rosenstock and illustrated by Ciara Ní Dhuinn. Available from Picnic Press, a publishing house devoted to books in the Irish language for children, these beautiful books (€16.95) are printed in Ireland, as are the matching tote bags. The adorable Teidí teddy bears (€19.95) are sustainably made in Ukraine. Snuggle up with your favourite teddy and enjoy fun-filled reading time.Bí ag spraoi, ag léamh agus ag canadh – play, read and sing. See picnicpress.ie.
Teidí teddy bear, picnicpress.ie.
As January invites a fresh start, award-winning sodas Poachers Drinks offers a refined way to enjoy great flavour without alcohol. Drawing on over 200 years of the Colbert family’s food and drink heritage in Wexford, Poachers’ premium natural mixers are crafted with Irish ingredients like Achill Island sea salt and Wexford mint – ideal as a sophisticated addition or a standalone drink. A taste to consider whether you’re embracing a mindful January or looking for a grown-up alternative to soft drinks. Now available in Dunnes Stores.
See poachersdrinks.com.
Poachers Drinks, poachersdrinks.com.
Unleash your inner artist at Potteria pottery and painting studio in Ballintemple, Co Cork. Bursting with a huge selection of pottery pieces, vibrant paint colours, and all the tools you need, this welcoming studio makes creativity effortless for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re marking a special occasion or looking for a fun, relaxing day out, Potteria’s team can help you bring your ideas to life. Prices start at €24 for a pet bowl, making it an accessible way to create something uniquely yours. Reserve your spot get creative at potteriapainting.com.
Potteria painting.
A feel-good gathering in Pullough Community Centre recently marked the impact of the Just Transition Academy, a partnership led by TUS with local groups across Offaly. Since March, the academy has supported more than 400 people, from farmers exploring new directions to community groups building skills for a low-carbon future. Rooted in the idea of bringing the university into the community, it’s a hopeful example of what can happen when local knowledge, learning and ambition come together for the long-term. See tus.ie.
Pictured below: Professor Raphaela Kane, TUS; Padraig Boland, LOETB; Tara Sexton, Pobal; Siobhan Broderick, TUS; Avni Mishna, Pobal; Roisin Lennon, OLDC; and Anna Marie Delaney, Offaly County Council, at the showcase.
Hamnet by Irish-born bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell is far from a new book, but it remains one well worth reading for anyone curious about the fuss surrounding it. This tender historical novel reimagines the life of Shakespeare’s family, focusing on the bond between twins and the devastating impact of the death of young Hamnet on his parents. At its heart is a story of love, loss and grief that has resonated deeply with readers. Killarney-born star Jessie Buckley recently won Critics Choice Awards 2026, for the coveted Best Actress prize for her performance in the film adaption of the book Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, €11.99, published by Tinder Press.
Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell.
Where the Quiet Lives
by Mairéad Creagh,
Doonbeg, Co Clare
I walk the boreen
each morning
long before the sun
remembers to rise,
the world stitched
together
by soft light and
birdsong.
Hedges lean in like
old friends,
whispering news
carried on the breeze.
Sheep shift in the
lower fields,
their wool catching the first hint of day.
A tractor hums
beyond the hill,
steady as a heartbeat.
These small
moments never
make the headlines.
A kettle steaming
in a window,
the neighbour’s dog
trotting beside me,
as if appointed my
guardian.
Turf smoke drifting
slowly skyward.
People ask why I stay,
but how could I leave
the place
that taught me to
breathe slowly.
Out here, time isn’t rushed.
It’s felt.
And every
morning arrives
like a gentle beginning.
Brothers Jordan and Cian Adams, known as The FTD Brothers, are taking on an extraordinary challenge with deep Irish roots. In April 2026, the pair from Redditch, Worcestershire, will run 32 marathons in 32 days, one in every county, to honour their mum Geraldine and raise funds for Frontotemperol Dementia (FTD) research.
Ireland was chosen for the family’s strong ties to Longford and Leitrim. You can follow their journey and support the cause at justgiving.com/fundraising/FTDbrothers.
Jordan and Cian Adams.
Meet Teidí (pictured above), the much-loved main character from the charming Irish-language books of the same name written by Sadhbh Rosenstock and illustrated by Ciara Ní Dhuinn. Available from Picnic Press, a publishing house devoted to books in the Irish language for children, these beautiful books (€16.95) are printed in Ireland, as are the matching tote bags. The adorable Teidí teddy bears (€19.95) are sustainably made in Ukraine. Snuggle up with your favourite teddy and enjoy fun-filled reading time.Bí ag spraoi, ag léamh agus ag canadh – play, read and sing. See picnicpress.ie.
Teidí teddy bear, picnicpress.ie.
As January invites a fresh start, award-winning sodas Poachers Drinks offers a refined way to enjoy great flavour without alcohol. Drawing on over 200 years of the Colbert family’s food and drink heritage in Wexford, Poachers’ premium natural mixers are crafted with Irish ingredients like Achill Island sea salt and Wexford mint – ideal as a sophisticated addition or a standalone drink. A taste to consider whether you’re embracing a mindful January or looking for a grown-up alternative to soft drinks. Now available in Dunnes Stores.
See poachersdrinks.com.
Poachers Drinks, poachersdrinks.com.
Unleash your inner artist at Potteria pottery and painting studio in Ballintemple, Co Cork. Bursting with a huge selection of pottery pieces, vibrant paint colours, and all the tools you need, this welcoming studio makes creativity effortless for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re marking a special occasion or looking for a fun, relaxing day out, Potteria’s team can help you bring your ideas to life. Prices start at €24 for a pet bowl, making it an accessible way to create something uniquely yours. Reserve your spot get creative at potteriapainting.com.
Potteria painting.
A feel-good gathering in Pullough Community Centre recently marked the impact of the Just Transition Academy, a partnership led by TUS with local groups across Offaly. Since March, the academy has supported more than 400 people, from farmers exploring new directions to community groups building skills for a low-carbon future. Rooted in the idea of bringing the university into the community, it’s a hopeful example of what can happen when local knowledge, learning and ambition come together for the long-term. See tus.ie.
Pictured below: Professor Raphaela Kane, TUS; Padraig Boland, LOETB; Tara Sexton, Pobal; Siobhan Broderick, TUS; Avni Mishna, Pobal; Roisin Lennon, OLDC; and Anna Marie Delaney, Offaly County Council, at the showcase.
Hamnet by Irish-born bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell is far from a new book, but it remains one well worth reading for anyone curious about the fuss surrounding it. This tender historical novel reimagines the life of Shakespeare’s family, focusing on the bond between twins and the devastating impact of the death of young Hamnet on his parents. At its heart is a story of love, loss and grief that has resonated deeply with readers. Killarney-born star Jessie Buckley recently won Critics Choice Awards 2026, for the coveted Best Actress prize for her performance in the film adaption of the book Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, €11.99, published by Tinder Press.
Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell.
Where the Quiet Lives
by Mairéad Creagh,
Doonbeg, Co Clare
I walk the boreen
each morning
long before the sun
remembers to rise,
the world stitched
together
by soft light and
birdsong.
Hedges lean in like
old friends,
whispering news
carried on the breeze.
Sheep shift in the
lower fields,
their wool catching the first hint of day.
A tractor hums
beyond the hill,
steady as a heartbeat.
These small
moments never
make the headlines.
A kettle steaming
in a window,
the neighbour’s dog
trotting beside me,
as if appointed my
guardian.
Turf smoke drifting
slowly skyward.
People ask why I stay,
but how could I leave
the place
that taught me to
breathe slowly.
Out here, time isn’t rushed.
It’s felt.
And every
morning arrives
like a gentle beginning.
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