With Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist
Look out for sloes on blackthorn. This is the easiest time to distinguish blackthorn from whitethorn, which has the smaller red haws. Look at their leaves now, which can be also used in summer to differentiate them.
Blackthorn leaves are entire oval shaped leaves similar in shape to the apple leaf, while whitethorn has palmate or lobed leaves similar to the shape of the oak leaves. At the end of March after St Patrick’s Day, blackthorn hedges appear covered in clouds of snow-white flowers, while whitethorn flowers later after its leaves have come out at the end of May or first cut silage time. Sloes are part of our native Irish biodiversity.
Culture Night in Co Wicklow
The Artisan Craft Market in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow.
The 19th Irish Culture Night returns around the country on Friday, 20 September and is set to be another record-breaking one, according to Arts Council director Maureen Kennelly.
“About 1.2 million people, almost a quarter of the population, engaged with about 1,700 events last year and we are aiming to top that,” she said. “It’s great for everyone. People love it because they get to see what is happening in their local arts centre or studio or theatre and it encourages them to go back during the year.”
In Co Wicklow, Creative Places Baltinglass announced their line-up, which features a rich, diverse and dynamic range of experiences and live performances for people of all ages to enjoy, free of charge.
A taste of what is in store includes Baltinglass Sings performing in the library, West Wicklow bluegrass band, The Blueberry Pickers will play in Horan’s Lounge from 9pm until late. An Artisan Craft Market, co-hosted by Rachel Kane (wicklowmarketplace.ie) and Karen Allison (craftcraic.ie), will take place in Germaine’s Inisfail hotel, from 5pm - 9pm. There will be over 20 stallholders showcasing crafts on the night.
Check out the full line-up on culturenight.ie
Vitamin Sea Festival 2023.
Tramore’s Vitamin Sea Festival is back from 20 - 22 September. Organised by Taste Tramore, a collective of local food and drink businesses, the weekend festival celebrates the unique blend of seaside life, culinary excellence.
Top attractions this year include the opening night Street Party, a self-guided Taste Tour of Tramore, Ceílí at the Crossroads, Sunset Paddle and Pizza at the Pier. Bernie Power, Vitamin Sea Festival director and Taste Tramore chairperson, says, “Combining the thriving seaside scene with its culinary attractions is more of a draw for many people. We see visitors locally, and also from across Ireland coming for the many attractions – and delicious food.”
For more visit vitaminseafestival.ie
Picture of the week
Abbie O’Callaghan keeping an eye on her dad Conor baling barley straw between the showers in Kildare.
\ Submitted by Conor O’Callaghan
The high price point of lamb [relative to other proteins] and a lack of awareness of the
product can sometimes be a barrier to purchase for younger consumers on the domestic market
- Seamus McMenamin, sheepmeat and livestock manager at Bord Bia.
A HSE evaluation report on Galway Community Café stated Galway University Hospital’s Emergency Department refers approx 2,000 service users to psychiatry supports each year.
Westival launch their 49th festival.
The 49th year of the Westival programme launched with a diverse programme of events planned showcasing creativity and culture in the West of Ireland.
Taking place from the 23 - 28 October, the festival programme includes a wide variety of performances from music, theatre and films to workshops and activities for families. Pillow Queens take the headline spot with highlights across the weekend including John Spillane, Sunday’s Child Theatre, Maxine Peake and many more.
Read more
A week in the country
With Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist
Look out for sloes on blackthorn. This is the easiest time to distinguish blackthorn from whitethorn, which has the smaller red haws. Look at their leaves now, which can be also used in summer to differentiate them.
Blackthorn leaves are entire oval shaped leaves similar in shape to the apple leaf, while whitethorn has palmate or lobed leaves similar to the shape of the oak leaves. At the end of March after St Patrick’s Day, blackthorn hedges appear covered in clouds of snow-white flowers, while whitethorn flowers later after its leaves have come out at the end of May or first cut silage time. Sloes are part of our native Irish biodiversity.
Culture Night in Co Wicklow
The Artisan Craft Market in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow.
The 19th Irish Culture Night returns around the country on Friday, 20 September and is set to be another record-breaking one, according to Arts Council director Maureen Kennelly.
“About 1.2 million people, almost a quarter of the population, engaged with about 1,700 events last year and we are aiming to top that,” she said. “It’s great for everyone. People love it because they get to see what is happening in their local arts centre or studio or theatre and it encourages them to go back during the year.”
In Co Wicklow, Creative Places Baltinglass announced their line-up, which features a rich, diverse and dynamic range of experiences and live performances for people of all ages to enjoy, free of charge.
A taste of what is in store includes Baltinglass Sings performing in the library, West Wicklow bluegrass band, The Blueberry Pickers will play in Horan’s Lounge from 9pm until late. An Artisan Craft Market, co-hosted by Rachel Kane (wicklowmarketplace.ie) and Karen Allison (craftcraic.ie), will take place in Germaine’s Inisfail hotel, from 5pm - 9pm. There will be over 20 stallholders showcasing crafts on the night.
Check out the full line-up on culturenight.ie
Vitamin Sea Festival 2023.
Tramore’s Vitamin Sea Festival is back from 20 - 22 September. Organised by Taste Tramore, a collective of local food and drink businesses, the weekend festival celebrates the unique blend of seaside life, culinary excellence.
Top attractions this year include the opening night Street Party, a self-guided Taste Tour of Tramore, Ceílí at the Crossroads, Sunset Paddle and Pizza at the Pier. Bernie Power, Vitamin Sea Festival director and Taste Tramore chairperson, says, “Combining the thriving seaside scene with its culinary attractions is more of a draw for many people. We see visitors locally, and also from across Ireland coming for the many attractions – and delicious food.”
For more visit vitaminseafestival.ie
Picture of the week
Abbie O’Callaghan keeping an eye on her dad Conor baling barley straw between the showers in Kildare.
\ Submitted by Conor O’Callaghan
The high price point of lamb [relative to other proteins] and a lack of awareness of the
product can sometimes be a barrier to purchase for younger consumers on the domestic market
- Seamus McMenamin, sheepmeat and livestock manager at Bord Bia.
A HSE evaluation report on Galway Community Café stated Galway University Hospital’s Emergency Department refers approx 2,000 service users to psychiatry supports each year.
Westival launch their 49th festival.
The 49th year of the Westival programme launched with a diverse programme of events planned showcasing creativity and culture in the West of Ireland.
Taking place from the 23 - 28 October, the festival programme includes a wide variety of performances from music, theatre and films to workshops and activities for families. Pillow Queens take the headline spot with highlights across the weekend including John Spillane, Sunday’s Child Theatre, Maxine Peake and many more.
Read more
A week in the country
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: