Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Dear Miriam: ‘my friends excluded me from their secret retirement holiday’

A lady in Meath asks Miriam's advice in dealing with a group of lifelong friends who excluded her from a group holiday that she wasn't invited on.

ASK MIRIAM 11 March 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘my friends excluded me from their secret retirement holiday’

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Editorial: ‘for Mother’s Day – all I want is a break from mom guilt'

Editorial: ‘for Mother’s Day – all I want is a break from mom guilt'

EDITORIAL 11 March 2026

‘Harry ordered seeds in an act of gentle resistance – for us to remember him'

‘Harry ordered seeds in an act of gentle resistance – for us to remember him'

L2 11 March 2026

'There was a time when palliative care would have sent me into a terror zone'

'There was a time when palliative care would have sent me into a terror zone'

'There was a time when palliative care would have sent me into a terror zone'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 11 March 2026

‘Living more sustainably isn’t about getting it right all the time'

‘Living more sustainably isn’t about getting it right all the time'

‘Living more sustainably isn’t about getting it right all the time'

L2 4 March 2026

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'A sudden death changes the pulse on a farm and throws everything into turmoil'

'A sudden death changes the pulse on a farm and throws everything into turmoil'

Remembering Dan O'Riordan from Ballydaly, a cherished member of our IFA family.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 18 February 2026

Editorial: ‘the Bord Bia protest will be recorded as political – it’s much more'

Editorial: ‘the Bord Bia protest will be recorded as political – it’s much more'

The history books will write about the Bord Bia Five as a political story but for me, it is one of human emotion and passion.

EDITORIAL 18 February 2026

Ask Miriam: I devoted myself to farming and at 50 feel a failure with no family

Ask Miriam: I devoted myself to farming and at 50 feel a failure with no family

A single farmer seeks Miriam's opinion on how he can meet a partner after devoting his life to his farm, since he left ag college and having no luck on the dating scene.

ASK MIRIAM 18 February 2026

'Feeding new-born calves is definitely the best job on the farm'

'Feeding new-born calves is definitely the best job on the farm'

The stability and seasonality of spring is grounding with calving season in full flow.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 18 February 2026

Editorial: 'common sense must prevail when it comes to building rural homes'

Editorial: 'common sense must prevail when it comes to building rural homes'

When it comes to planning rural family houses, common sense must prevail.

EDITORIAL 18 February 2026

Desperate Farmhusband: ‘the cow's needs come first – not mine!'

Desperate Farmhusband: ‘the cow's needs come first – not mine!'

Our Desperate Farmhusband might be sleep-deprived, but he is loving watching his 2026 batch of calves thrive.

L2 18 February 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘My siblings are stopping Mam from moving on with her life’

Dear Miriam: ‘My siblings are stopping Mam from moving on with her life’

A reader in Co Longford seeks Miriam's help in convincing her mother she is not betraying her late husband by forming a new friendship with an old flame, despite the objections of her other children.

ASK MIRIAM 18 February 2026

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Inform Nutrition marks 40 years with major €5m investment in premix plant

Cork-based Inform Nutrition Ireland Ltd, is marking 40 years in business with a further €5 million capital investment designed to accelerate growth, strengthen capacity and future-proof the company.

Inform Nutrition marks 40 years with major €5m investment in premix plant

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