Agri Aware’s Farm Walk & Talk series is back for 2026, giving secondary school students a chance to bring agricultural science out of the classroom and into real working farms.
Running from late February to mid-March, the programme covers key curriculum themes and offers extra support for the Individual Investigative Study. After welcoming more than 4,000 students last year, the walks continue to be a hands-on, practical way to see modern Irish farming in action.
L-R: Gráinne McGrath, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board; Damien Dempsey, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin; Agri Aware Chair Shay Galvin; Eogan Callaghan, Teagasc; Shaun Diver, Irish Farmers Journal, pictured alongside students from Tullamore College.\AgriAware
Roscommon’s Fergal Guihen has
officially completed his extraordinary Rossie to Aussie adventure, cycling 23,000km across three continents after setting off in March 2024 and arriving at the Sydney Opera House on 7 February. Along the way, the nurse and part-time farmer raised over €193,000 for North West STOP and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. You can still contribute at idonate.ie/fundraiser/RossietoAussie.
Pictured: Fergal Guihen pictured on the farm in Arigna, Co Roscommon. \ Philip Doyle
Island renewal for Inis Meáin
A long-closed hotel on Inis Meáin is set for a new chapter, with plans underway to transform Óstán Inis Meáin into a cultural centre celebrating Irish language, arts and island life. Galway native and award-winning harpist Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, who has been living on Inis Meáin since 2020, is spearheading the sensitive restoration of the long-closed hotel. The restored building will open in 2027 with courses in music, heritage and Gaeilge.
As the project begins, the public is invited to help name the centre, with a €1,000 voucher for the winning idea. “In the spirit of collaboration and community, we’re inviting name suggestions. We are especially interested in names referencing cultural connection, education, heritage, environment, and Inis Meáin’s unique identity,” says Úna. See buildingofirishculture.com.
Óstán Inis Meáin building. \Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
For parents navigating the endless ‘Is this normal?’ moments of childhood, Should I Be Worried? A No-Panic Guide to Your Child’s Health by Cork-based paediatric consultant Dr Niamh Lynch is a reassuring book to have on hand. Drawing on her experience as both a paediatric doctor and a parent,
Dr Lynch offers clear, practical advice on common childhood illnesses and everyday health concerns. From fevers and rashes to sleep issues and tummy troubles, the book helps caregivers understand what’s normal, what needs attention, and when to seek medical help. With helpful explanations and an easy A–Z reference section, it’s a must-have guide for parents.
Published by Hachette, €16.99.
Should I be Worried? A No-Panic Guide to Your Child’s Health by Dr Niamh Lynch.
While June may be Pride Month, February quietly marks LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to pause and look back at how far we have come. Ireland’s LGBTQ+ story is one of courage,
activism and community, shaped by people who pushed for change long before it felt possible. Reading through this history is both heartening and sobering. So much progress has been made, yet there is still work to do. It’s a timely reminder that visibility, understanding and solidarity matter all year round.
Supporters of the marriage equality proposal, which authorised national legalisation of gay marriage, celebrated their victory in front of Dublin Castle. The proposal passed by a margin that surprised most people. \Vic Hinterlang
Spring Song of
The Thrush
by Marian Roche,
Bandon, Co Cork
The thrush sang loud
for me today,
From high upon a
sycamore tree.
He sang between the showers and gales.
He sang a new
song for me.
He told me of the
brighter eves to come,
And warmer days of hope to fill my heart.
Nature will awake its
annual growth humdrum
And farmers too, will make a busy start.
The squelching fields
will dry up soon
And fresh green grass
will start to grow.
New calves will come at midnight or at noon.
The milking parlour’ll hum its work once more.
So hush. Do not despair
of wet and cold…
Spring is here. New crops will grow.
Rejoice, the warm
sunshine will longer hold.
The thrush has told me so.
Agri Aware’s Farm Walk & Talk series is back for 2026, giving secondary school students a chance to bring agricultural science out of the classroom and into real working farms.
Running from late February to mid-March, the programme covers key curriculum themes and offers extra support for the Individual Investigative Study. After welcoming more than 4,000 students last year, the walks continue to be a hands-on, practical way to see modern Irish farming in action.
L-R: Gráinne McGrath, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board; Damien Dempsey, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin; Agri Aware Chair Shay Galvin; Eogan Callaghan, Teagasc; Shaun Diver, Irish Farmers Journal, pictured alongside students from Tullamore College.\AgriAware
Roscommon’s Fergal Guihen has
officially completed his extraordinary Rossie to Aussie adventure, cycling 23,000km across three continents after setting off in March 2024 and arriving at the Sydney Opera House on 7 February. Along the way, the nurse and part-time farmer raised over €193,000 for North West STOP and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. You can still contribute at idonate.ie/fundraiser/RossietoAussie.
Pictured: Fergal Guihen pictured on the farm in Arigna, Co Roscommon. \ Philip Doyle
Island renewal for Inis Meáin
A long-closed hotel on Inis Meáin is set for a new chapter, with plans underway to transform Óstán Inis Meáin into a cultural centre celebrating Irish language, arts and island life. Galway native and award-winning harpist Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, who has been living on Inis Meáin since 2020, is spearheading the sensitive restoration of the long-closed hotel. The restored building will open in 2027 with courses in music, heritage and Gaeilge.
As the project begins, the public is invited to help name the centre, with a €1,000 voucher for the winning idea. “In the spirit of collaboration and community, we’re inviting name suggestions. We are especially interested in names referencing cultural connection, education, heritage, environment, and Inis Meáin’s unique identity,” says Úna. See buildingofirishculture.com.
Óstán Inis Meáin building. \Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
For parents navigating the endless ‘Is this normal?’ moments of childhood, Should I Be Worried? A No-Panic Guide to Your Child’s Health by Cork-based paediatric consultant Dr Niamh Lynch is a reassuring book to have on hand. Drawing on her experience as both a paediatric doctor and a parent,
Dr Lynch offers clear, practical advice on common childhood illnesses and everyday health concerns. From fevers and rashes to sleep issues and tummy troubles, the book helps caregivers understand what’s normal, what needs attention, and when to seek medical help. With helpful explanations and an easy A–Z reference section, it’s a must-have guide for parents.
Published by Hachette, €16.99.
Should I be Worried? A No-Panic Guide to Your Child’s Health by Dr Niamh Lynch.
While June may be Pride Month, February quietly marks LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to pause and look back at how far we have come. Ireland’s LGBTQ+ story is one of courage,
activism and community, shaped by people who pushed for change long before it felt possible. Reading through this history is both heartening and sobering. So much progress has been made, yet there is still work to do. It’s a timely reminder that visibility, understanding and solidarity matter all year round.
Supporters of the marriage equality proposal, which authorised national legalisation of gay marriage, celebrated their victory in front of Dublin Castle. The proposal passed by a margin that surprised most people. \Vic Hinterlang
Spring Song of
The Thrush
by Marian Roche,
Bandon, Co Cork
The thrush sang loud
for me today,
From high upon a
sycamore tree.
He sang between the showers and gales.
He sang a new
song for me.
He told me of the
brighter eves to come,
And warmer days of hope to fill my heart.
Nature will awake its
annual growth humdrum
And farmers too, will make a busy start.
The squelching fields
will dry up soon
And fresh green grass
will start to grow.
New calves will come at midnight or at noon.
The milking parlour’ll hum its work once more.
So hush. Do not despair
of wet and cold…
Spring is here. New crops will grow.
Rejoice, the warm
sunshine will longer hold.
The thrush has told me so.
SHARING OPTIONS