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 […]