The Carlow Garden Festival returns in full bloom from 25 July to 2 August, celebrating biodiversity through an inspiring programme of talks, guided walks, tours and hands-on demonstrations. Visitors can explore a wide variety of beautiful locations, from the community-led Barrow Experience Garden to the stunning grounds of Altamont Gardens and Duckett’s Grove (pictured below), as well as some of Ireland’s most beautiful private estates and parklands. This year’s festival welcomes special guests, including BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson, while renowned naturalist Éanna Ní Lamhna will lead engaging nature walks. Whether you’re an avid gardener or simply enjoy the outdoors, the festival offers something for everyone. See carlowgardentrail.com
Farmers across Ireland can sign up for Prime Time of Life for Farmers, a free eight-week exercise and health education programme starting on Monday 10 August. Open to all ages and fitness levels, it includes two weekly exercise classes or videos and one health masterclass. It can be accessed online, in-person at Mountrath, Co Laois, or there are also hybrid options available. Places are limited. Prime Time of Life has been scientifically proven to improve fitness, strength, balance, mobility, health and wellbeing. See edufit.ie/prime-time-of-life-for-farmers
The Montenotte in Cork is teaming up with artisan producer On the Pigs Back for an al fresco afternoon brunch on Saturday 15 August, during Cork on a Fork Festival. Guests will enjoy a Montenotte gin and tonic, a Cork cheese and charcuterie board,
English sparkling wine and sweet treats in the courtyard. There will also be time to visit the glasshouse or sunken gardens. €95pp. See themontenottehotel.com
Irish author Jo Spain’s latest thriller, Never To Be Found, is out now in paperback. It follows a woman who helps people disappear from their lives – until she realises she may have helped a murderer escape. Chatting with Miriam O’Callaghan on her RTÉ radio show recently, Jo said that she started getting the idea after learning about Johatsu. She said: “[In Japan] they reckon up to 100,000 people a year voluntarily disappear from their lives. They do this with the help of organised businesses that are now starting to become legal called night movers, who do everything from forming new IDs for them to helping them leave their house.” Published by Zaffre, the psychological thriller is available nationwide for €15.99.
Nine Irish food brands have reached the Grow with Aldi 2026 final, with 18 products available in 167 stores nationwide while stocks last. The range includes Boylan’s fruit berry crumble pie, Chimac sauces, Embark Protein bars, Go Pig burritos, Moran’s pesto, Mushrooms & Love crisps, Pitt Bros sauces, Safco Fine Foods hummus and The Wild Wok gyoza. Prices range from €1.49 to €4.99 and the products are available in-store while stocks last. Pictured below: James Hutchinson and Gary Milligan from Belfast company Go Pig, whose burrito range includes spicy chicken and steak & cheese varieties.
The Handy Woman i.m.
Mary McGrath (1865-1950) by Ann J. Irwin, Erris, Co Mayo
A family of music makers
bred on the shores
of the wild Atlantic,
strong Rossport scion
who left their mark.
As Mary did on the women
and children of Erris
her steady hands
gentling babies into birth,
banishing the men.
Already tippling
shots of poitin
to dull their trepidation.
Shooing them out the door
like idle cocks.
She stokes the fire,
a stream of smoke rises
from the bastable,
a supplication to ancient gods shadowing the inglenook.
The neighbouring women
gather, telling stories
or murmuring words of comfort.
their dark shawls
wrapped around them.
As the birth grows near
and the mother tires,
the women softly chant
mysteries of the rosary,
their soothing lift and fall.
A background meditation to
the first cry of birth.
This was Mary’s song
a melody so joyful
it could tear the heart wide open.
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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