A day in the west
By Batt Brosnan,
Killarney, Co Kerry
We visited you, yes its true
You really did amaze us
Soaring cliffs, deep rolling seas,
Rugged paths to guide us
Vast open caves, Aileen’s wave
Birds in flight before us
Pointed stacks of offshore rocks
Sheer beauty to inspire us
Nature’s force here at work
Still shaping Ireland’s face
Man shouldn’t alter in any way
The vast beauty of this place
O’Briens Tower sits on top
Somehow it seems right
To witness nature at its best
Creating with all its might
In distance it seems not faraway
Through the mist I can see
Old Hags Head, the pins, and famous Galway Bay
Perfection in this perfect place
I will keep in my heart
And treasure this special day
We played a simple part
We visited you, yes its true
You really did amaze us.
Grammy-winning singer songwriter, RuthAnne, footballer Ailish Considine and former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede launched Darkness Into Light 2025. \ Ben Brady
As the sun rises on Saturday, 10 May, communities across the country will walk together at the Darkness Into Light event, lighting up the morning dawn with hope. This annual walk is Pieta’s biggest fundraising event, sponsored by Electric Ireland, and the registration fee raises important funds for the charity’s free suicide and self-harm prevention and intervention services.
This year, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter RuthAnne is lending her voice to the cause, calling on the public to rise and shine and be part of Pieta’s lifesaving work. Tickets cost €22 for adults (children under 13 go free). Register at darknessintolight.ie.
Blátnaid Gallagher, a speaker at the 2025 Fashion and Farming Festival and advocate for native Irish wool. \ David Ruffles
A new festival is putting questions of fashion and farming to the fore during a May weekend in Kinsale, Co Cork. The inaugural Fashion & Farming Festival, is taking place from 10 to 11 May, with two days of talks from special guests and performances exploring the connection between what we wear and what we eat. There’ll be plenty of food too, so bring your appetite.
Weekend tickets cost €175 and admission for one day starts from €75. See fashionandfarming.com.
Pictured Daryll, Ariana, and Bobby, students from St Audoen’s National School Cook St, Dublin 8, runners up for 2024. \ Richie Stokes
For the fifth year running, Woodie’s DIY store is bidding to inspire young gardeners with its Budding Gardeners competition. It does what it says on the tin, it’s all about inspiring the next generation of gardeners.
This year’s theme is calling kids to ‘plant a pot’ and judge Brian Burke will choose an overall winner out of all the pot plant creations.There is a cash prize of €1,000 up for grabs. Applications close on 14 May. Register at woodies.ie/Budding-Gardeners.
All Brains are Wonderful.
Recently released, All Brains are Wonderful is a first-class non-fiction book for children and adults providing an engaging introduction to brain biology, neurodiversity, mental wellbeing and inclusion. It is written by (neurodivergent) primary school teacher and reading advocate, Scott Evans, also known as ‘The Reader Teacher’ on Instagram @mreprimary.
There are plenty of positive messages for children who are neurodivergent to choose the language by which they wish to be identified. Available from Easons.ie for €14.50.
A day in the west
By Batt Brosnan,
Killarney, Co Kerry
We visited you, yes its true
You really did amaze us
Soaring cliffs, deep rolling seas,
Rugged paths to guide us
Vast open caves, Aileen’s wave
Birds in flight before us
Pointed stacks of offshore rocks
Sheer beauty to inspire us
Nature’s force here at work
Still shaping Ireland’s face
Man shouldn’t alter in any way
The vast beauty of this place
O’Briens Tower sits on top
Somehow it seems right
To witness nature at its best
Creating with all its might
In distance it seems not faraway
Through the mist I can see
Old Hags Head, the pins, and famous Galway Bay
Perfection in this perfect place
I will keep in my heart
And treasure this special day
We played a simple part
We visited you, yes its true
You really did amaze us.
Grammy-winning singer songwriter, RuthAnne, footballer Ailish Considine and former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede launched Darkness Into Light 2025. \ Ben Brady
As the sun rises on Saturday, 10 May, communities across the country will walk together at the Darkness Into Light event, lighting up the morning dawn with hope. This annual walk is Pieta’s biggest fundraising event, sponsored by Electric Ireland, and the registration fee raises important funds for the charity’s free suicide and self-harm prevention and intervention services.
This year, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter RuthAnne is lending her voice to the cause, calling on the public to rise and shine and be part of Pieta’s lifesaving work. Tickets cost €22 for adults (children under 13 go free). Register at darknessintolight.ie.
Blátnaid Gallagher, a speaker at the 2025 Fashion and Farming Festival and advocate for native Irish wool. \ David Ruffles
A new festival is putting questions of fashion and farming to the fore during a May weekend in Kinsale, Co Cork. The inaugural Fashion & Farming Festival, is taking place from 10 to 11 May, with two days of talks from special guests and performances exploring the connection between what we wear and what we eat. There’ll be plenty of food too, so bring your appetite.
Weekend tickets cost €175 and admission for one day starts from €75. See fashionandfarming.com.
Pictured Daryll, Ariana, and Bobby, students from St Audoen’s National School Cook St, Dublin 8, runners up for 2024. \ Richie Stokes
For the fifth year running, Woodie’s DIY store is bidding to inspire young gardeners with its Budding Gardeners competition. It does what it says on the tin, it’s all about inspiring the next generation of gardeners.
This year’s theme is calling kids to ‘plant a pot’ and judge Brian Burke will choose an overall winner out of all the pot plant creations.There is a cash prize of €1,000 up for grabs. Applications close on 14 May. Register at woodies.ie/Budding-Gardeners.
All Brains are Wonderful.
Recently released, All Brains are Wonderful is a first-class non-fiction book for children and adults providing an engaging introduction to brain biology, neurodiversity, mental wellbeing and inclusion. It is written by (neurodivergent) primary school teacher and reading advocate, Scott Evans, also known as ‘The Reader Teacher’ on Instagram @mreprimary.
There are plenty of positive messages for children who are neurodivergent to choose the language by which they wish to be identified. Available from Easons.ie for €14.50.
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