Opinion and debate from Irish Country Living

Dear Miriam: How can I support my friend to leave an unhealthy relationship?

A reader in Munster seeks Miriam's advice on how to support her friend who she suspects is in an abusive relationship, and who has withdrawn from their friendship in recent months.

ASK MIRIAM 22 April 2026

Dear Miriam: How can I support my friend to leave an unhealthy relationship?

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Editorial: 'what the 1926 census reveals when you read between lines'

Editorial: 'what the 1926 census reveals when you read between lines'

EDITORIAL 22 April 2026

'Afternoon tea was lovely, but it was the company that made the day special'

'Afternoon tea was lovely, but it was the company that made the day special'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 22 April 2026

Editorial: 'mothers need more time and support to breastfeed'

Editorial: 'mothers need more time and support to breastfeed'

Editorial: 'mothers need more time and support to breastfeed'

EDITORIAL 15 April 2026

‘Between spring lamb and auld hogget, there wasn’t a scrap left on either bone’

‘Between spring lamb and auld hogget, there wasn’t a scrap left on either bone’

‘Between spring lamb and auld hogget, there wasn’t a scrap left on either bone’

KATHERINE O'LEARY 15 April 2026

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Dear Miriam: my wife thinks my sister is ‘stealing’ her baby name

Dear Miriam: my wife thinks my sister is ‘stealing’ her baby name

A Longford dad to be asks Miriam for advice on how to broker a truce between his wife and his sister who both want to name their baby daughters the same name, which has caused a rift in the family.

ASK MIRIAM 1 April 2026

‘Between new life and loss – I found myself growing into my new godparent role'

‘Between new life and loss – I found myself growing into my new godparent role'

'I may not have given him the gift of life, but life gave me the gift of him,' writes Irish Country Living columnist Kate Durrant.

L2 1 April 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘am I to blame for my youngest son’s lack of direction in life’

Dear Miriam: ‘am I to blame for my youngest son’s lack of direction in life’

A Co Clare mother fears she has been too soft on her youngest son, who has no plans for college or farming after his Leaving Cert - a decision that’s now causing tension at home.

ASK MIRIAM 1 April 2026

‘It was all go over the weekend with last of cows still left to calve'

‘It was all go over the weekend with last of cows still left to calve'

Easter remains one of the busiest weekends on Irish farms, with the final cows still to calve and a long list of spring jobs demanding attention.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 April 2026

Editorial: ‘poetry is something that will always remain timeless'

Editorial: ‘poetry is something that will always remain timeless'

In this modern world of technology, poetry is still something that never goes out of fashion.

EDITORIAL 1 April 2026

Dear Miriam: ‘my husband wants to quit work and take over his father’s farm’

Dear Miriam: ‘my husband wants to quit work and take over his father’s farm’

A worried reader in Co Sligo seeks Miriam's advice on how to convince her husband not to walk away from a career in pharmaceuticals to take over the family farm.

ASK MIRIAM 1 April 2026

‘Inclusion is a basic human need – we all deserve to belong'

‘Inclusion is a basic human need – we all deserve to belong'

My son Diarmuid stars in Unmasked 2026, a show of music, drama, dance and inclusion in Cork Arts Centre.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 April 2026

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