Learning she was autistic at the age of 37 was life-changing for Evaleen Whelton, a speech and drama teacher who went on to found Ausome Training, a pioneering organisation based in Bandon that challenges stereotypes and empowers autistic individuals through mentoring and training. Over the past decade, Ausome Training has […]

Arriving in Ireland almost two years ago with just a few suitcases and some precious family photographs between them, Ukrainian couple Galyna, 56, and Vlad, 38, faced the challenge of finding their feet together in a strange environment. Back home in Ukraine before the war, Vlad, who was exempted from […]

With an accordion for every day of the week, plus one to spare, Ashley Wholihan is rarely seen without one of his prized instruments to hand. Just shy of his ninetieth year, with one foot in Glengarriff and the other in Kenya, and still regularly driving to sessions around West […]

After over a decade in Vancouver, Canada, entrepreneur and DJ Shane Breen, 41, returned to his roots in Skibbereen last year and has since set up Ár n-Áit (Our Place), a shared artisan workspace built around the concept of community, creativity, and collaboration. Inspired by Shane’s time in Vancouver where […]

If all the world is a stage then actress Fiona York has played many parts. Today the 87-year-old version of herself, living on her own in a pretty little terraced house with a long and narrow garden at the back in Union Hall, is content. While she has been struggling […]

The Clonakilty branch of Samaritans is urging compassionate individuals from across West Cork to join its growing team of over 40 dedicated volunteers. Since opening its doors in 2023, this vital community resource has been handling approximately 400 calls a month, providing critical emotional support to those in need. Clonakilty […]