Pictured below: A family slide at Lagoon Activity Centre. \Lagoon Activity Centre
It’s hard to beat an inflatable water park – and the largest one in Munster is back with a splash! The Lagoon Activity Centre in Rosscarbery, west Cork reopened just in time for summer, with an expanded list of attractions. From all kinds of water slides to trampolines, pedalos and climbing walls, there is plenty to keep the kids entertained for hours on end. There’s also the chance to try something different like stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. See lagoonactivitycentre.ie.
Moo-chas grass-ias cow, €25.
Bringing a burst of colour and creativity to homes and gardens, Julia Pevzner is the artist behind TuttiFruttiPots, a charming collection of hand-painted terracotta pots. Based in Waterford and originally from Estonia, Julia transforms humble clay pots into joyful works of art, each one brimming with personality. Every piece is individually hand-painted, making it truly one-of-a-kind. Julia also offers custom designs. TuttiFruttiPots @tuttifruttipots, can be found at local craft markets around Ireland, bringing her little pieces of happiness to your home or garden. See tuttifruttipots.sumupstore.com.
You Highly Sensitive Child, available from Gill Books, €18.99.
Your Highly Sensitive Child is a thoughtful and practical guide packed with actionable tips. This book will empower you to better understand your child and help them thrive in a world that can sometimes feel too much. Author Dr Aoife Durcan, a chartered counselling psychologist, offers parents expert advice on how to support their little one through meltdowns, anxiety and other big emotions. Learn how to set boundaries while navigating challenges like separation anxiety, school stress and social interactions.
Prize winning cow Fran with Tom McGrath, Farmer, Cloyne and his son 8 year old Sean McGrath. \Clare Keogh
Get on the road and head down south for the region’s longest-running agricultural show hosted in the Cork Showgrounds in Curraheen. The show will take place from 14–15 June which coincides with Father’s Day, making it a great gift idea for the father figure in your life. The event brings together the country’s farmers, breeders and growers, who are all invited to take part in the over 800 competition classes across livestock, equestrian, horticulture, and rural skills. While the main draw of the event is its livestock judging, there is also live music, entertainment and arts and crafts to enjoy: all the ingredients for a fun family day out. A day ticket costs €25 for an adult and under 16s go free.
See corksummershow.com.
Country music powerhouse Derek Ryan.
Dust off your stetson and cut loose in Tipperary on 20 July for a country music celebration which is set to raise the roof again in Holycross.Now in its 12th incredible year, The Cut Loose Country Music Festival has another blockbuster line-up cementing its reputation as a must-attend event for music fans from near and far.Among those taking the stage will be country powerhouses including Derek Ryan, Michael English, Declan Nerney, Una Healy, Jimmy Buckley, Louise Morrissey, Claudia Buckley, Robert Mizzell, and the ever-popular The Conquerors. See tickets.ie
Changing Times by Marian Dalton
I’m 80-years-old
And I have just retired
From years of fighting with the soil.
Waiting for rain, waiting for sun
Hoping I can get all the work done.
At the age of 16,I came home to farm
By my father’s side, I learned the jargon
We fed the stock, we sowed the crops
Sometimes we made money, sometimes not.
At 30 years, I took a wife
Who knew nothing of farming life
But that was alright
Because as they say
We all can’t think in the same way.
At 40 years, the farm was mine
My father’s health was in decline
I missed him daily by my side
And two years later my father died.
I kept working on my own
And of course I am proud of what I have done.
I have rode out the storms and based in the sun
But now my life work is almost done.
The ‘For Sale’ sign is on the gate
My children in another place
Those days this seems to be the norm
We are saying goodbye to family farms.
Someone else will take it on
Walk where I walked
Do what I have doneI have had to look
outside the box
But I will mourn a way of life that’s lost.
Pictured below: A family slide at Lagoon Activity Centre. \Lagoon Activity Centre
It’s hard to beat an inflatable water park – and the largest one in Munster is back with a splash! The Lagoon Activity Centre in Rosscarbery, west Cork reopened just in time for summer, with an expanded list of attractions. From all kinds of water slides to trampolines, pedalos and climbing walls, there is plenty to keep the kids entertained for hours on end. There’s also the chance to try something different like stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. See lagoonactivitycentre.ie.
Moo-chas grass-ias cow, €25.
Bringing a burst of colour and creativity to homes and gardens, Julia Pevzner is the artist behind TuttiFruttiPots, a charming collection of hand-painted terracotta pots. Based in Waterford and originally from Estonia, Julia transforms humble clay pots into joyful works of art, each one brimming with personality. Every piece is individually hand-painted, making it truly one-of-a-kind. Julia also offers custom designs. TuttiFruttiPots @tuttifruttipots, can be found at local craft markets around Ireland, bringing her little pieces of happiness to your home or garden. See tuttifruttipots.sumupstore.com.
You Highly Sensitive Child, available from Gill Books, €18.99.
Your Highly Sensitive Child is a thoughtful and practical guide packed with actionable tips. This book will empower you to better understand your child and help them thrive in a world that can sometimes feel too much. Author Dr Aoife Durcan, a chartered counselling psychologist, offers parents expert advice on how to support their little one through meltdowns, anxiety and other big emotions. Learn how to set boundaries while navigating challenges like separation anxiety, school stress and social interactions.
Prize winning cow Fran with Tom McGrath, Farmer, Cloyne and his son 8 year old Sean McGrath. \Clare Keogh
Get on the road and head down south for the region’s longest-running agricultural show hosted in the Cork Showgrounds in Curraheen. The show will take place from 14–15 June which coincides with Father’s Day, making it a great gift idea for the father figure in your life. The event brings together the country’s farmers, breeders and growers, who are all invited to take part in the over 800 competition classes across livestock, equestrian, horticulture, and rural skills. While the main draw of the event is its livestock judging, there is also live music, entertainment and arts and crafts to enjoy: all the ingredients for a fun family day out. A day ticket costs €25 for an adult and under 16s go free.
See corksummershow.com.
Country music powerhouse Derek Ryan.
Dust off your stetson and cut loose in Tipperary on 20 July for a country music celebration which is set to raise the roof again in Holycross.Now in its 12th incredible year, The Cut Loose Country Music Festival has another blockbuster line-up cementing its reputation as a must-attend event for music fans from near and far.Among those taking the stage will be country powerhouses including Derek Ryan, Michael English, Declan Nerney, Una Healy, Jimmy Buckley, Louise Morrissey, Claudia Buckley, Robert Mizzell, and the ever-popular The Conquerors. See tickets.ie
Changing Times by Marian Dalton
I’m 80-years-old
And I have just retired
From years of fighting with the soil.
Waiting for rain, waiting for sun
Hoping I can get all the work done.
At the age of 16,I came home to farm
By my father’s side, I learned the jargon
We fed the stock, we sowed the crops
Sometimes we made money, sometimes not.
At 30 years, I took a wife
Who knew nothing of farming life
But that was alright
Because as they say
We all can’t think in the same way.
At 40 years, the farm was mine
My father’s health was in decline
I missed him daily by my side
And two years later my father died.
I kept working on my own
And of course I am proud of what I have done.
I have rode out the storms and based in the sun
But now my life work is almost done.
The ‘For Sale’ sign is on the gate
My children in another place
Those days this seems to be the norm
We are saying goodbye to family farms.
Someone else will take it on
Walk where I walked
Do what I have doneI have had to look
outside the box
But I will mourn a way of life that’s lost.
SHARING OPTIONS