Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Ask Miriam Editorial Katherine O'Leary

‘No parents beyond this point...they are using the wings you gave them'

It’s only natural that our fledglings must fly away, but keep the fridge stocked, as, like homing pigeons, they’ll soon be back.

L2 13 August 2025

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‘Sweden was a revelation of open corn fields, forests and picturesque farmyards'

‘Sweden was a revelation of open corn fields, forests and picturesque farmyards'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 13 August 2025

Dear Miriam: the future of our farm has my two sons at loggerheads – it’s a mess

Dear Miriam: the future of our farm has my two sons at loggerheads – it’s a mess

ASK MIRIAM 13 August 2025

Editorial: ‘training the next generation on the pitch and on the farm'

Editorial: ‘training the next generation on the pitch and on the farm'

Editorial: ‘training the next generation on the pitch and on the farm'

EDITORIAL 13 August 2025

Dear Miriam: I’ve finally left my toxic husband – how do I start over in my 40

Dear Miriam: I’ve finally left my toxic husband – how do I start over in my 40

Dear Miriam: I’ve finally left my toxic husband – how do I start over in my 40

ASK MIRIAM 6 August 2025

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Editorial: ‘parents should not have to carry the digital burden in schools'

Editorial: ‘parents should not have to carry the digital burden in schools'

Trying to reduce mobile phone usage in the classroom but parents are being asked to pay €400 on digital devices will only deepen the divide for children.

EDITORIAL 30 July 2025

‘The countryside was surprisingly boring in Denmark – there’s not much going on’

‘The countryside was surprisingly boring in Denmark – there’s not much going on’

Lots of grain growing and not much else going on from what I can see, writes Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 30 July 2025

'Bhí mo chroí i mo bhéal. Ba dhóigh leat go rabhas i m’athair nua mé féin'

'Bhí mo chroí i mo bhéal. Ba dhóigh leat go rabhas i m’athair nua mé féin'

Tá ár gcolúnaí Séaghan Ó Súilleabháin, The Kerry Cowboy, ag ceiliúradh bheith mar Sheaimpíní Uile Éireann fós ach ní hé Corn Mhic Uidhir an t-aon duais atá leaindeáltha.

L2 30 July 2025

Dear Miriam: 'How can I help son settle in school without molly coddling him?'

Dear Miriam: 'How can I help son settle in school without molly coddling him?'

A mother from Sligo seeks advice from Miriam on how to help her son and the whole family cope with his transition from a small rural school into a larger all boys secondary school.

ASK MIRIAM 30 July 2025

‘There was huge relief in this house when the rain started to fall'

‘There was huge relief in this house when the rain started to fall'

Grass management is vital during droughts and downpours to ensure there is forage for the season ahead, writes Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 30 July 2025

Desperate Farmhusband: ‘I tend to think I’m the Terminator and can self-heal'

Desperate Farmhusband: ‘I tend to think I’m the Terminator and can self-heal'

Our Desperate Farmhusband couldn’t figure out why he was feeling so down in the dumps lately, but a break from the farm brought clarity.

L2 30 July 2025

Editorial: wrap up the plastic packaging

Editorial: wrap up the plastic packaging

Milk is no longer in glass bottles; the butcher doesn’t put your rashers into brown paper and what is it with bananas in plastic bags?

EDITORIAL 30 July 2025

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Celebrating our agricultural roots: 10 must-see events for Heritage Week

From rare breeds to viking fields, this year’s heritage week invites you to reconnect with Ireland’s farming past and sustainable future.

Celebrating our agricultural roots: 10 must-see events for Heritage Week

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