Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Dear Miriam: anxious son is avoiding school as we wait for public assessment

A reader in Kildare asks Miriam for help on how to support her son who has started secondary school deal with the anxiety that often leads him to refuse to go to school, as he finds it overwhelming.

ASK MIRIAM 9 September 2026

Dear Miriam: anxious son is avoiding school as we wait for public assessment

MOST READ STORIES

1

2

3

4

5

Mighty craic rising to the challenge at Dairy Women Ireland DIY course

Mighty craic rising to the challenge at Dairy Women Ireland DIY course

KATHERINE O'LEARY 9 September 2026

Editorial: the effect of climate change on the green fields of France

Editorial: the effect of climate change on the green fields of France

EDITORIAL 9 September 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m torn between the family business and building my own life’

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m torn between the family business and building my own life’

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m torn between the family business and building my own life’

ASK MIRIAM 2 September 2026

‘Unless you change the settings, Google’s answers will be generated by AI’

‘Unless you change the settings, Google’s answers will be generated by AI’

‘Unless you change the settings, Google’s answers will be generated by AI’

BLOG 2 September 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

MOST READ STORIES

1

2

3

4

5

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

With the school year under way, now is the time to get that jobs list up on the kitchen wall, says Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 19 August 2026

Editorial: 'it was a hard-won victory for the Friedreich's Ataxia community'

Editorial: 'it was a hard-won victory for the Friedreich's Ataxia community'

There was joy and relief for patients affected by Friedreich's Ataxia, but also sadness that approval came too late for my cousin Kate and many others who died before the drug became available.

EDITORIAL 19 August 2026

Dear Miriam: 'how do we get our adult son to move out of the family home?'

Dear Miriam: 'how do we get our adult son to move out of the family home?'

A reader from Co Wexford asks for help in dealing with her adult son who refuses to move out of the family home, preferring to enjoy his home comforts at the expense of his parents and siblings.

ASK MIRIAM 19 August 2026

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

A family celebration never materialised for Katherine O'Leary during the solar eclipse, but a hospital visit, plenty of cuddles and shepherd's pie made for a memorable day.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 19 August 2026

'We shed a tear for my husband, John, and all who never saw Mayo's triumph'

'We shed a tear for my husband, John, and all who never saw Mayo's triumph'

Memories of following the Green and Red through the years come flooding back as Margaret Leahy reflects on those who waited a lifetime for success.

BLOG 19 August 2026

Editorial: ‘historical work of farm women deserves recognition'

Editorial: ‘historical work of farm women deserves recognition'

For generations, women played a vital role on farms but were excluded from official workforce figures, leaving their contribution largely unrecognised

EDITORIAL 19 August 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m tired of hosting my family's holiday every year’

Dear Miriam: ‘I’m tired of hosting my family's holiday every year’

A reader asks Miriam if she's being unreasonable for resenting the annual family invasion of her holiday cottage, where she's expected to do all the work instead of enjoying a break herself.

ASK MIRIAM 19 August 2026

SPONSORED

Sommet de l’Élevage 2026: shaping the future of sustainable livestock farming

As livestock farming faces growing environmental, economic and generational challenges, the Sommet de l’Élevage continues to showcase practical solutions and innovations for the future of the sector.

Sommet de l’Élevage 2026: shaping the future of sustainable livestock farming

LOAD MORE STORIES