After Winter by Louise Shanahan
There’s a fizz in the air
A comma in the sea
The primrose heads stir
Just beneath the ground
They will unfurl like ballerinas
To set firework to the dull ditches, the deep winter trenches
They have hidden in wait
Laid so quiet
All winter training and whisper rhapsodizing to spring
To make their stage entrance right
They vie for it
They vie for the light
Reach for it like a woman swimming
Thighs kicking,
Shoulders smacking
Arms kissing
Biceps burning
As she stretches to break the sore sore surface of the cold cold sea.
After so long in the underwater night,
She full body stretches for the dapples of white.
You will never be ready for how beautiful she is
When she resurfaces after winter,
In the day borne light.
Sustainable ag students represent Ireland
Pictured below: Lauren Acheson, Chantelle Ging and Katie Cooney, finalists in the AgriNext Video Competition with EU projects researcher, Elaine Cleary.
Seven third-year students from the BSc in Sustainable Agriculture programme at Dundalk Institute of Technology will travel to Spain to represent Ireland, following winning performances in the Green Job = Dream Job Video Competition. The contest which challenged students to create trailer videos on themes of sustainable agriculture, farm diversification, and green innovation, was organised by the AgriNext project. The final round of the competition which will take place in Córdoba in April.
Mother’s Day cards,€4, byclaireschorman.com
Looking for a Mother’s Day card that’ll make your mam smile? Wicklow-based illustrator
Claire Schorman wants to capture the spirit of Irish mammies with her collection of cards packed with personality. From cards for your ‘aul one’ to your ‘superma,’ each one represents a nod to Irish life with a witty phrase or pun. Cards are printed, packed, and shipped by Claire using minimal, eco-friendly packaging. Mother’s Day cards, €4, byclaireschorman.com
Have your say on what challenges face rural Ireland, and what actions will help secure a more resilient future for rural communities. The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary T.D., has launched an online survey giving the public an opportunity to have their say on the next phase of Ireland’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future.
The survey closes on 2 April 2025. See panel.amarachsurveys.ie/S2/159/DRCD2025/
Ava Hearne (5) and Eaodain Everard (6) led the charge this past Friday at Holy Family National School’s annual St Patrick’s Day march in Templetuohy, Co Tipperary. Each year, the school parades up and down the village before treating community members to a show of traditional song and dance. \ Billy Loughnane
After Winter by Louise Shanahan
There’s a fizz in the air
A comma in the sea
The primrose heads stir
Just beneath the ground
They will unfurl like ballerinas
To set firework to the dull ditches, the deep winter trenches
They have hidden in wait
Laid so quiet
All winter training and whisper rhapsodizing to spring
To make their stage entrance right
They vie for it
They vie for the light
Reach for it like a woman swimming
Thighs kicking,
Shoulders smacking
Arms kissing
Biceps burning
As she stretches to break the sore sore surface of the cold cold sea.
After so long in the underwater night,
She full body stretches for the dapples of white.
You will never be ready for how beautiful she is
When she resurfaces after winter,
In the day borne light.
Sustainable ag students represent Ireland
Pictured below: Lauren Acheson, Chantelle Ging and Katie Cooney, finalists in the AgriNext Video Competition with EU projects researcher, Elaine Cleary.
Seven third-year students from the BSc in Sustainable Agriculture programme at Dundalk Institute of Technology will travel to Spain to represent Ireland, following winning performances in the Green Job = Dream Job Video Competition. The contest which challenged students to create trailer videos on themes of sustainable agriculture, farm diversification, and green innovation, was organised by the AgriNext project. The final round of the competition which will take place in Córdoba in April.
Mother’s Day cards,€4, byclaireschorman.com
Looking for a Mother’s Day card that’ll make your mam smile? Wicklow-based illustrator
Claire Schorman wants to capture the spirit of Irish mammies with her collection of cards packed with personality. From cards for your ‘aul one’ to your ‘superma,’ each one represents a nod to Irish life with a witty phrase or pun. Cards are printed, packed, and shipped by Claire using minimal, eco-friendly packaging. Mother’s Day cards, €4, byclaireschorman.com
Have your say on what challenges face rural Ireland, and what actions will help secure a more resilient future for rural communities. The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary T.D., has launched an online survey giving the public an opportunity to have their say on the next phase of Ireland’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future.
The survey closes on 2 April 2025. See panel.amarachsurveys.ie/S2/159/DRCD2025/
Ava Hearne (5) and Eaodain Everard (6) led the charge this past Friday at Holy Family National School’s annual St Patrick’s Day march in Templetuohy, Co Tipperary. Each year, the school parades up and down the village before treating community members to a show of traditional song and dance. \ Billy Loughnane
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: