A welcome 
haunting Stories of ghosts and the supernatural will be among those told at the Dublin Ghost Story Festival from June 29 to July 1. The event is to be put on by publishing house Swan River Press and will feature several writers that explore Dublin’s connection to literary ghost stories. The event will also…

Green Fingers   The dog days of July usually bring the heat of the summer with them. If your lawn dries up and turns brown, raise the height of your mower and keep cutting it, just not as often. This keeps it tidy and stops it going to seed. Resist the temptation to water it.…

Medical Matters   The recent controversy regarding the Cervical Check programme in Ireland has brought into focus the importance of cancer screening programmes. But in particular, it has also emphasised the limitations with interpretation of screening tests and the need for ongoing quality assurance. The Pap smear test was introduced in the 1940’s and is…

Children’s Corner Matthew Carlson   As summer begins, children and families will be spending more time outside, and the number of activities can sometimes seem quite limited. One thing you can do is build your own kite, a tool used by some of the smartest inventors in history. The kite is said to have been…

Have a cackle 
at the Cockle! For a great day out this summer that will be suitable for the whole family, the weekend events at the Cockle Row Cottages this June and July in Bangor are a must-go! Every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm there will be entertainment for adults and children alike, from face…

Love Notes   In my marriage I feel like I take on the majority of the housework even though myself and my husband are both working. He does do some jobs around the house but the lion’s share is on me. I am starting to resent him for this, but I have let it become…

Sea it to believe it! Ireland’s national maritime festival, SeaFest, will be returning to Galway Harbour from June 29 to July 1, and will be covering everything sea-related and will also have something for all ages. The programme of events includes a seafood fair, seafood cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs and seafaring family fun. There…

Sweet Treats   Chocolate chip banana bread… it sounds as good as it tastes. This easy to bake loaf tin recipe is perfect for any occasion. Whip it together in no time and enjoy the chocolatey smells wafting through your kitchen. The light banana sponge combined with the sweetness of the dark chocolate is a…

Portlaoise festival promises a memorable day Archery, shield making and medieval heritage re-enactment displays will be amongst the highlights of this year’s Old Fort Quarter Festival in Portlaoise, taking place from Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24. The festival, now in its third year, will take place across various locations in the town centre…

Green Fingers   The main reason to grow plants, be they trees, shrubs, flowers, fruit or vegetables, is the pleasure we get from it. It doesn’t matter whether you measure your garden in hectares or your balcony in metres – grow something. It is from June onwards that your hard work over the last few…