Rural rhymes

This week’s poem is taken from Maresa Sheehan.

moving the fence

The night gave a tiny shake

as it got up for the day,

tiny drops of its sweat

trimbling down to swing

upside-down from cobwebs.

Young spiders,

trampolining and swinging

around all night watch

the older perfectionists

who spun masterpieces

spanning the small gaps.

You stopped

for just a moment,

after moving the electric fence

and giving the cattle more grass,

to admire the cobwebs.

Chef Janine’s tips

If you’re already running out of ideas for your child’s lunchbox, here’s my approach: don’t worry so much.

Pack small snacks you know they’ll eat. Pepperoni or chorizo slices, string cheese, yogurt and crackers are regulars in my kids’ boxes, with fruit like bananas and grapes that won’t oxidise and turn brown before lunch. It’s not that I can’t be bothered to pack homemade lunches and elaborate sandwiches, but those lunch boxes never come back empty and lead to yet more food waste.

Local treasures

In this week’s local treasure, Amy Forde takes a look at the legendary burial place of Queen Maeve of Connacht – Knockma.

Knockma, or Cnoc Meadha as Gaeilge, is a limestone hill near Tuam in Co Galway. It is 170m to the summit and the hill is the legendary burial place of Queen Maeve of Connacht. There are a number of cairns on the hill, dating back to pre-Christian times.

The trail to the top of the hill is mostly paved, making it accessible for many. All in, it’s about 4km from start to finish. It is ideal for a ramble any day of the week and this walk allows for social distancing, fresh air and great views of Co Galway, including Lough Corrib.

Instagram inspiration

Melanie May

In “normal” times, you might find Melanie May anywhere from Sardinia to Nova Scotia, but while COVID-19 has put a stop to globetrotting for the time being, the top travel writer is still sharing her adventures closer to home on Instagram @_maymelanie.

Instagram Inspiration: travel writer Melanie May

So, whether it’s a lobster roll by the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal, the best coffee stop off the M7, an oyster farm tour in the heart of Connemara or the hidden gem that is the Nenagh Heritage Centre, expect plenty of inspiration for your staycation.

Tweet of the week

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A Week in the Country

A week in the Country