Here’s Henrietta By Edwina Smith
Down on the farm in a cosy barn
A clucky hen broods away
She sits on a clutch
Which one dare not touch
Will her eggs hatch today?
Within the clutch a dozen strong
Henrietta has a plan
To escape the shell
Which has served her well
And greet the chirping clan.
She chips along in earnest
A line around the shell
And when it seems long enough
Henrietta alone can tell.
Then she pushes upwards
Against that heavy lid
A sturdy case of calcium
Till now in which she’s hid.
The shell gives way at last
She’s free and flaps her wings
Henrietta joins the natural world
Of many wonderous things.
Covered by the hen’s warmth
She’ll dry her birthday suit
It becomes a gown of fluffy down
And looks rather cute.
As sunrise brings the day
The birds begin to sing
Henrietta takes her first peek
From ’neath a protective wing.
Pictured left to right: Bernie Sweeney, Kathleen O’Brien, Ann Casey, Martina McCarthy, Carmel Clancy, Breda Fitzgibbon, Kathleen Russell, Margaret O’Brien and Betty Mee.
A group of women from Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary have raised the incredible sum of €27,100 for UNICEF to support children in Gaza. The money was raised through selling raffle tickets for a Ballyporeen major fundraiser, as well as through community events. These included a sponsored lunch organised by the Teachers and Parents Council at Ballyporeen National School under the slogan “Children helping Children”.
750ml Regular Ginger Wine, €12, jacksonroze.com
Whether or not you’re doing dry January, Jackson Roze Ginger Wine will add sugar, spice and all things nice to these wintry days. Handmade in Co Armagh, Andrew and Nicky Jackson use a fourth generation recipe and local ingredients to make a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own, as a mixer or in dishes. 750ml Regular Ginger Wine, €12. See jacksonroze.com
Pictured Jayne Harkness-Bones, Ulster Wool.
Shear Success, a new guide for sheep farmers has been distributed to almost 50,000 sheep farmers. Produced in partnership with the Irish Grown Wool Council and Teagasc, the guide offers recommendations to sheep farmers on how best to prepare before, during and after shearing to maximise their wool value and use. The Irish Grown Wool Council recommends that sheep farmers attach the guide to the shearing month of their 2025 calendar.
From books you’ve already read to clothes that don’t fit, children’s charity, Barnados are accepting donations of unwanted Christmas gifts that are too big, too small or just not quite right. Each donated item will help generate funds for the charity’s vital work with children and families in 56 service locations across Ireland. To donate your unwanted Christmas gifts, drop them off at any Barnardos shop. See barnados.ie.
Lough Erne Resort Golf Course.
The Faldo Course at Lough Erne Resort has nabbed a top 10 ranking in Golf World’s Top 100 Parkland courses in Great Britain and Ireland. The rankings place The Faldo Course in sixth position overall. Barry McCauley, golf operations manager at Lough Erne Resort, says: “This prestigious award is a testament to the world-class golf experience available here at Lough Erne Resort.”
You can follow in the footsteps of golfing giants with a round of golf on the championship Faldo course at Lough Erne, followed by a three-course dinner at Loughside Grill and an overnight stay with a lakeside breakfast for £209.50/€249 per person sharing. See lougherneresort.com
Here’s Henrietta By Edwina Smith
Down on the farm in a cosy barn
A clucky hen broods away
She sits on a clutch
Which one dare not touch
Will her eggs hatch today?
Within the clutch a dozen strong
Henrietta has a plan
To escape the shell
Which has served her well
And greet the chirping clan.
She chips along in earnest
A line around the shell
And when it seems long enough
Henrietta alone can tell.
Then she pushes upwards
Against that heavy lid
A sturdy case of calcium
Till now in which she’s hid.
The shell gives way at last
She’s free and flaps her wings
Henrietta joins the natural world
Of many wonderous things.
Covered by the hen’s warmth
She’ll dry her birthday suit
It becomes a gown of fluffy down
And looks rather cute.
As sunrise brings the day
The birds begin to sing
Henrietta takes her first peek
From ’neath a protective wing.
Pictured left to right: Bernie Sweeney, Kathleen O’Brien, Ann Casey, Martina McCarthy, Carmel Clancy, Breda Fitzgibbon, Kathleen Russell, Margaret O’Brien and Betty Mee.
A group of women from Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary have raised the incredible sum of €27,100 for UNICEF to support children in Gaza. The money was raised through selling raffle tickets for a Ballyporeen major fundraiser, as well as through community events. These included a sponsored lunch organised by the Teachers and Parents Council at Ballyporeen National School under the slogan “Children helping Children”.
750ml Regular Ginger Wine, €12, jacksonroze.com
Whether or not you’re doing dry January, Jackson Roze Ginger Wine will add sugar, spice and all things nice to these wintry days. Handmade in Co Armagh, Andrew and Nicky Jackson use a fourth generation recipe and local ingredients to make a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own, as a mixer or in dishes. 750ml Regular Ginger Wine, €12. See jacksonroze.com
Pictured Jayne Harkness-Bones, Ulster Wool.
Shear Success, a new guide for sheep farmers has been distributed to almost 50,000 sheep farmers. Produced in partnership with the Irish Grown Wool Council and Teagasc, the guide offers recommendations to sheep farmers on how best to prepare before, during and after shearing to maximise their wool value and use. The Irish Grown Wool Council recommends that sheep farmers attach the guide to the shearing month of their 2025 calendar.
From books you’ve already read to clothes that don’t fit, children’s charity, Barnados are accepting donations of unwanted Christmas gifts that are too big, too small or just not quite right. Each donated item will help generate funds for the charity’s vital work with children and families in 56 service locations across Ireland. To donate your unwanted Christmas gifts, drop them off at any Barnardos shop. See barnados.ie.
Lough Erne Resort Golf Course.
The Faldo Course at Lough Erne Resort has nabbed a top 10 ranking in Golf World’s Top 100 Parkland courses in Great Britain and Ireland. The rankings place The Faldo Course in sixth position overall. Barry McCauley, golf operations manager at Lough Erne Resort, says: “This prestigious award is a testament to the world-class golf experience available here at Lough Erne Resort.”
You can follow in the footsteps of golfing giants with a round of golf on the championship Faldo course at Lough Erne, followed by a three-course dinner at Loughside Grill and an overnight stay with a lakeside breakfast for £209.50/€249 per person sharing. See lougherneresort.com
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