Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Ask Miriam Editorial Katherine O'Leary

Dear Miriam: ‘I want to boost stepson’s confidence without causing extra stress’

A reader seeks Miriam's advice on how to support her adult stepson who is undiagnosed neurodivergent to overcome severe eczema and gain more confidence to find a job he enjoys.

ASK MIRIAM 3 September 2025

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‘I love the mild days of September. It’s lovely to sit outside, cuppa in hand'

‘I love the mild days of September. It’s lovely to sit outside, cuppa in hand'

L2 3 September 2025

Editorial: '‘We’re off to Sligo for our Women & Agriculture conference'

Editorial: '‘We’re off to Sligo for our Women & Agriculture conference'

EDITORIAL 3 September 2025

‘Others may see possibilities clearer than the people inside the farmgate'

‘Others may see possibilities clearer than the people inside the farmgate'

‘Others may see possibilities clearer than the people inside the farmgate'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 3 September 2025

‘Jumping a wall and filling your pockets with
apples was great craic'

‘Jumping a wall and filling your pockets with apples was great craic'

‘Jumping a wall and filling your pockets with apples was great craic'

L2 27 August 2025

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‘Blackberry picking is a sure sign that it’s time for an autumn reset'

‘Blackberry picking is a sure sign that it’s time for an autumn reset'

The blackberry harvest is a sure sign that it's time for an autumn reset, writes Deirdre Verney.

EDITORIAL 20 August 2025

Dear Miriam: 'do I have to sign my house over with the farm'

Dear Miriam: 'do I have to sign my house over with the farm'

A reader in Wexford seeks Miriam's advice as he prepares to transfer his farm to his son, as he is concerned that signing over his farmhouse could force him to leave the only home he has known.

ASK MIRIAM 20 August 2025

‘Positivity about farming is the golden rule if you want to have a successor'

‘Positivity about farming is the golden rule if you want to have a successor'

Family labour is not free labour but it is invested labour, writes Katherine O'Leary when discussing succession.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 20 August 2025

Editorial: ‘this Government is failing society’s most vulnerable'

Editorial: ‘this Government is failing society’s most vulnerable'

A society is rightly judged on how it treats its most vulnerable, but Ireland has a lot of work to do in this regard.

EDITORIAL 20 August 2025

‘It’s important to have a formalised plan in place for a smooth succession’

‘It’s important to have a formalised plan in place for a smooth succession’

A smooth succession requires mutual respect, honesty and - in most cases - mediation. Our Desperate Farmhusband has learned this from experience.

L2 20 August 2025

‘We are making progress in the use of fewer anthelmintics – science is working’

‘We are making progress in the use of fewer anthelmintics – science is working’

A dosing plan is necessary to keep animals healthy. It is time to reduce the amount of anthelmintics that we use on the farm because parasites can develop immunity and render dosing ineffective.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 20 August 2025

Dear Miriam: ‘my innocent indiscretion is tormenting my husband 10 years on’

Dear Miriam: ‘my innocent indiscretion is tormenting my husband 10 years on’

A reader in Cavan seeks Miriam's help in easing the pain she has caused her husband by being too talkative with other men at social functions.

ASK MIRIAM 20 August 2025

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