With Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist
Dandelion: Look out for early dandelions, the most important flower for our wild bees. This is according to the Biodiversity Data Centre, which receives records of bee sightings, including information about what bees feed on. In 2022, from 1,482 bee records submitted, the dandelion was by far the most popular. Wild bees are in trouble mainly because of hunger. They need plants that provide the best source of pollen and nectar.
The dandelion flowerhead is a composite of hundreds of individual florets and provides an early supply for bumblesbees, solitary bees, honeybees and other insects emerging from nests or from dormancy at this time of year. Dandelions are part of our native Irish biodiversity.
Dear editor,
I really enjoyed last week’s front cover piece on Jenny Kelly and Mairéad Ronan. I used to listen to them on Today FM when I was in college and it’s great to hear their voices together in their podcast again. I’m revealing my age here, I am in my late 30s and although I have had a few relationships over the years, I haven’t found Mr Right.
Jenny and Mairéad were so right when they say that the dating apps have ruined everything. People are judging each other so fast and swiping right without a thought. I’ve gone on quite a few dates through the dating apps but nothing really materialised. To put it delicately, our interests were not in line. I would love to meet a man in my local on a Saturday night but it is slim pickings. I really hope Jenny and Mairéad revive their match-making skills, they are needed in rural Ireland. Or maybe
Irish Country Living would consider hosting a ‘Getting in Touch’ event to help out those looking for love.
Remaining hopeful,
Leinster lady
Cillian O'Riordan, aged 1, loves the farmers journal, in particular the machinery section. Co Cork. \ Diarmuid O’Riordan
Review before you renew: Home insurance rates have climbed upwards due to the increased cost of living. What’s more, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) recently flagged a 12% rise in building costs in the last year. This may be having an impact on the cost of your insurance premium.
While many of us stick with the same insurer from year to year, it can be worth changing things up. The CCPC recommends to firstly shop around. If that quote you’ve received from your insurer is more than expected, you might be able to get better value. There are comparison websites you can use, and you can directly contact each of the insurance providers yourself and get their best quote. Also be sure to look for discounts. Insurance companies offer a range of discounts to consumers depending on various factors. Always find out how much your excess is when getting a quote. This is the amount you’ll have to pay towards a successful claim before your insurer covers the balance.
When taking out home insurance, it’s vital to figure out your rebuilding cost. Be careful not to overvalue as you could end up paying too much for your insurance.
For more information, see ccpc.ie
€50,000
The Vacant Property Refurbishment
Grant (VPRG).
Up to €50,000 available to renovate a vacant property.
Up to €20,000 is further available for houses that are considered derelict aka structurally unsound.
"I was travelling 260 days per year and I was seeing women [in food] everywhere – in bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants – but they were not being invited to these conferences,” she recalls. “Women represent 55% of the
planet, so I started saying: ‘If you don’t have
women at these kinds of conferences, you are
missing 50% of the talent."
Founder and CEO of Parabere Forum, Maria Canabal
Don't Kill my Vibe Jewellery
In this week’s Meet the Maker, Grace Hanna chatted to designers Ciara Gache and Niamh Mooney about how they set up their jewellery business ‘Don’t Kill my Vibe’.
Read more
Musical magic at Jim of the Mills
How fast is your fashion?
With Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist
Dandelion: Look out for early dandelions, the most important flower for our wild bees. This is according to the Biodiversity Data Centre, which receives records of bee sightings, including information about what bees feed on. In 2022, from 1,482 bee records submitted, the dandelion was by far the most popular. Wild bees are in trouble mainly because of hunger. They need plants that provide the best source of pollen and nectar.
The dandelion flowerhead is a composite of hundreds of individual florets and provides an early supply for bumblesbees, solitary bees, honeybees and other insects emerging from nests or from dormancy at this time of year. Dandelions are part of our native Irish biodiversity.
Dear editor,
I really enjoyed last week’s front cover piece on Jenny Kelly and Mairéad Ronan. I used to listen to them on Today FM when I was in college and it’s great to hear their voices together in their podcast again. I’m revealing my age here, I am in my late 30s and although I have had a few relationships over the years, I haven’t found Mr Right.
Jenny and Mairéad were so right when they say that the dating apps have ruined everything. People are judging each other so fast and swiping right without a thought. I’ve gone on quite a few dates through the dating apps but nothing really materialised. To put it delicately, our interests were not in line. I would love to meet a man in my local on a Saturday night but it is slim pickings. I really hope Jenny and Mairéad revive their match-making skills, they are needed in rural Ireland. Or maybe
Irish Country Living would consider hosting a ‘Getting in Touch’ event to help out those looking for love.
Remaining hopeful,
Leinster lady
Cillian O'Riordan, aged 1, loves the farmers journal, in particular the machinery section. Co Cork. \ Diarmuid O’Riordan
Review before you renew: Home insurance rates have climbed upwards due to the increased cost of living. What’s more, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) recently flagged a 12% rise in building costs in the last year. This may be having an impact on the cost of your insurance premium.
While many of us stick with the same insurer from year to year, it can be worth changing things up. The CCPC recommends to firstly shop around. If that quote you’ve received from your insurer is more than expected, you might be able to get better value. There are comparison websites you can use, and you can directly contact each of the insurance providers yourself and get their best quote. Also be sure to look for discounts. Insurance companies offer a range of discounts to consumers depending on various factors. Always find out how much your excess is when getting a quote. This is the amount you’ll have to pay towards a successful claim before your insurer covers the balance.
When taking out home insurance, it’s vital to figure out your rebuilding cost. Be careful not to overvalue as you could end up paying too much for your insurance.
For more information, see ccpc.ie
€50,000
The Vacant Property Refurbishment
Grant (VPRG).
Up to €50,000 available to renovate a vacant property.
Up to €20,000 is further available for houses that are considered derelict aka structurally unsound.
"I was travelling 260 days per year and I was seeing women [in food] everywhere – in bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants – but they were not being invited to these conferences,” she recalls. “Women represent 55% of the
planet, so I started saying: ‘If you don’t have
women at these kinds of conferences, you are
missing 50% of the talent."
Founder and CEO of Parabere Forum, Maria Canabal
Don't Kill my Vibe Jewellery
In this week’s Meet the Maker, Grace Hanna chatted to designers Ciara Gache and Niamh Mooney about how they set up their jewellery business ‘Don’t Kill my Vibe’.
Read more
Musical magic at Jim of the Mills
How fast is your fashion?
This is a subscriber-only article
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