Ah lads! Have we ever had it so good? I know there was 1995. Some old-timers remember 1976. The 2000s had some memorable moments, even last year was hailed as the hottest summer on record since 1900 when the temperature dataset began. Before last summer my benchmark was 1995. However, […]

Victor Hugo said: “To speak another language is to gain another soul.” That’s because the language we speak shapes the way we think. Irish is a case in point. Unfortunately, I still don’t speak it, even after over thirty years of living here. I do, however, have some insights into […]

What a difference a month makes. Last month we were all revelling in the fact that after a thoroughly rotten start to 2026 (when it rained for 54 days straight), the sun finally came out. May was awful – wet, windy and cold – so when the season got itself […]

What a difference a day (and ten degrees) makes. After three weeks of wet, grey and cold, the sun finally came out. There is an Irish saying about April borrowing days from May, but I can’t remember any terrific warm, sunny days in April. I’ve also heard some say that […]