Honey Meadows by Mary Caulfield
On the road to Cluain Meala
Summer sun scalding
Fumes of traffic
Deadening the air.
In a field by the roadside
A big machine moving,
Bellowing and gulping
The freshly cut sward
And spitting out bales -
Regular and round.
From the depths of my memory
Another field beckons
Newly mown meadow
Sweetness in the air.
My father on one knee
Scythe nearby - standing,
Blade earthed for safety.
Wild bees’ nest in hand
Yellow honey flowing.
In the wilds of the west
Was another Cluain Meala.
RDSB Awards.
Do you know an individual or organisation breaking new ground in Irish agriculture? Nominate them for the RDS Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development Awards, open for entries across three categories: Sustainable Farming Award, Sustainable Rural Innovation Award and Sustainable Rural Social Impact Award.
Now in their sixth year, the awards celebrate the work of trailblazing farming communities and organisations who are promoting economic, environmental and social development. The deadline is 31 January. See rds.ie
Grow your business to the next level
Pictured: Rob Horgan, owner of Velo Coffee with Rachael O’Connor, buying director at ALDI Ireland, Fiona Twomey global retail specialist at Bord Bia, and Cassie Stokes, ALDI Brand Ambassador at the launch of Grow with ALDI 2025 at Beyond the Trees at Avondale, Co Wicklow.
The search for Ireland’s best producers is underway, as applications for Grow with ALDI have opened for this year. Grow with ALDI is a product-accelerator programme which gives Irish producers, suppliers and entrepreneurs the chance to get stocked on the shelves of 163 ALDI stores nationwide. Follow in the footsteps of past Grow with ALDI success stories like Velo Coffee, FemFuelz, Cookie Dó and Walls Honest Chips. Applications close on 31 January. See growwithaldi.ie
Celtic Exodus creator Brian Warfield.
Celtic Exodus has all the elements that make a fantastic musical: a forbidden romance, an explosion of dance and song, and a powerful message about resilience and the Irish spirit. Created by Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, and set against the backdrop of famine and rebellion, the story follows star-crossed lovers Sean and Siobhan who must choose between their romance and a better future for their people.
The plot and characters are brought to life by a line-up of formidable Irish actors and choreography by former Riverdance lead Jason O’Neil. Celtic Exodus – The Musical opens for a special premiere run at the Complex Arts Centre, Smithfield until 25 January. See thecomplex.ie
You can make your own with this DIY kit from Wicklow artist Sarah Eva Manson.
As Lá Fhéile Bhríde, Saint Brigid’s feast day approaches on 1 February, one of the biggest traditions associated with Brigid, patroness of Ireland, is to make a Saint Brigid’s cross. You can make your own with this DIY kit from Wicklow artist Sarah Eva Manson.
You will receive all the rushes you will need to make this cross and a link to a how-to video. Traditionally the cross is woven with rushes and hung in the doorway or window for the year, it is then burned and then replaced with a freshly woven cross the following year. Sarah says: “These rushes are readily available throughout Ireland favouring damp conditions. If you do find some, only take what you need and make sure you leave enough of the mother plant to regrow.” Available for €20 from Sarah Eva Manson Art on Wicklowmarketplace.ie
Honey Meadows by Mary Caulfield
On the road to Cluain Meala
Summer sun scalding
Fumes of traffic
Deadening the air.
In a field by the roadside
A big machine moving,
Bellowing and gulping
The freshly cut sward
And spitting out bales -
Regular and round.
From the depths of my memory
Another field beckons
Newly mown meadow
Sweetness in the air.
My father on one knee
Scythe nearby - standing,
Blade earthed for safety.
Wild bees’ nest in hand
Yellow honey flowing.
In the wilds of the west
Was another Cluain Meala.
RDSB Awards.
Do you know an individual or organisation breaking new ground in Irish agriculture? Nominate them for the RDS Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development Awards, open for entries across three categories: Sustainable Farming Award, Sustainable Rural Innovation Award and Sustainable Rural Social Impact Award.
Now in their sixth year, the awards celebrate the work of trailblazing farming communities and organisations who are promoting economic, environmental and social development. The deadline is 31 January. See rds.ie
Grow your business to the next level
Pictured: Rob Horgan, owner of Velo Coffee with Rachael O’Connor, buying director at ALDI Ireland, Fiona Twomey global retail specialist at Bord Bia, and Cassie Stokes, ALDI Brand Ambassador at the launch of Grow with ALDI 2025 at Beyond the Trees at Avondale, Co Wicklow.
The search for Ireland’s best producers is underway, as applications for Grow with ALDI have opened for this year. Grow with ALDI is a product-accelerator programme which gives Irish producers, suppliers and entrepreneurs the chance to get stocked on the shelves of 163 ALDI stores nationwide. Follow in the footsteps of past Grow with ALDI success stories like Velo Coffee, FemFuelz, Cookie Dó and Walls Honest Chips. Applications close on 31 January. See growwithaldi.ie
Celtic Exodus creator Brian Warfield.
Celtic Exodus has all the elements that make a fantastic musical: a forbidden romance, an explosion of dance and song, and a powerful message about resilience and the Irish spirit. Created by Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, and set against the backdrop of famine and rebellion, the story follows star-crossed lovers Sean and Siobhan who must choose between their romance and a better future for their people.
The plot and characters are brought to life by a line-up of formidable Irish actors and choreography by former Riverdance lead Jason O’Neil. Celtic Exodus – The Musical opens for a special premiere run at the Complex Arts Centre, Smithfield until 25 January. See thecomplex.ie
You can make your own with this DIY kit from Wicklow artist Sarah Eva Manson.
As Lá Fhéile Bhríde, Saint Brigid’s feast day approaches on 1 February, one of the biggest traditions associated with Brigid, patroness of Ireland, is to make a Saint Brigid’s cross. You can make your own with this DIY kit from Wicklow artist Sarah Eva Manson.
You will receive all the rushes you will need to make this cross and a link to a how-to video. Traditionally the cross is woven with rushes and hung in the doorway or window for the year, it is then burned and then replaced with a freshly woven cross the following year. Sarah says: “These rushes are readily available throughout Ireland favouring damp conditions. If you do find some, only take what you need and make sure you leave enough of the mother plant to regrow.” Available for €20 from Sarah Eva Manson Art on Wicklowmarketplace.ie
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