By Dylan O’Connell

If Irish football is one large pyramid, very few have a view of it like Bandon native Richie Holland. The Galway United coach has seen and done it all, from working at local level to standing on the line in the League of Ireland while overseeing the development of a number of underage internationals. Holland’s pathway to the top of the domestic game has taken a lot of turns, and he tells Dylan O’Connell all about his road to the top.

“I took over an under 18 team in Bandon – I was only a couple of months over age actually,” says Holland, looking back.

“It was my mates and stuff. They had no coach. So I could do it and all that kind of stuff. It kind of kicked off from there.”

That was the start of a career that would take Holland from the Cork Youth Leagues to the League of Ireland Premier Division, to his current home at Galway United where he works under Enniskeane native John Caulfield.

What took things to the next level was a FÁS coaching course run by Cork City legends Mick Conroy and Paul Bannon.

“I really got into it properly when I was in the FAS course with Mick Conroy and Paul Bannon,” he explained.

“I was at Cork City at the time as a player as well. I got an injury on the course, on the FÁS course.

“I broke my foot. Mick got me to take charge the team for a couple of games because he saw the kind of leadership qualities in me. That was my first kind of taste of doing tactical stuff and being involved with players while doing team meetings and stuff.

“That was the first kind of exposure to it. So I went on and did my introductory badges while I was injured. I just continued it from there.

“Then I started taking teams when I could in the evenings. I started getting my hours in, in terms of coaching sessions around West Cork. I was doing different teams and all the rest of it.

“I went into the West Cork League and I did two Kennedy Cups with them, the West Cork League. I continued with Bandon and I coached some underage teams at Ballinhassig. Eventually then went on and did my B licence.”

Holland had serious momentum at that point in his career and he used it to gain more coaching roles around Cork.

“I was working for the Cork ETB as a sports tutor in Cork city,” he added.

“I was going around to youth centres and doing football programmes and stuff while I was still playing as well.

“Eventually did my A licence. I was Kennedy Cup manager for Cork as well in 2017. I got the Noel O’Reilly Coach of the Year Award from the FAI that year as Grassroots Coach of the Year.”

“I got the call from John Caulfield in the middle of 2017 to say I would come into Cork City and work in the academy. I was in the academy and Colin Healy got involved  after. We were on the same team then, their Under-19s. I worked with the academy and kept up my education. Eventually Colin progressed to academy manager and first team manager. I went in with him then.”

Holland and Healy went into a City team that desperately wanted to feel good about itself after experiencing relegation in 2020 from the Premier Division, just three years after claiming a league and cup double. The coaches led the club to promotion in 2022, at the expense of Galway United and Waterford, an emotional achievement that was celebrated across Cork.

That was made even better by the emergence of David Harrington, a goalkeeper that is now declared for Wales at international level. Mark O’Mahony and Franco Umeh broke in, and now ply their trades with Brighton and Hove Albion and Portsmouth in addition to the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

At Cork City, Healy departed a year later and Holland was put into the hotseat during a campaign that ended with relegation through the play-offs.

Holland later joined Cobh Ramblers, to work under former Iran and Qatar coach Mick McDermott. They proved to be a winning combination as the club won the Munster Senior Cup and pushed for the First Division title, only to fall short in the final few weeks of the season.

Holland is now at Galway United, and he is back coaching in the Premier Division with an FAI Cup tie to come in July.

“It’s a different part of the country and there’s great people up here,” Holland talked about life at Eamonn Deacy Park.

“Galway is pretty similar to Cork in terms of they’ve got their own club in the city. The games at Eamonn Deacy Park have great atmosphere.

“The Premier Division is going from strength to strength every year with the quality of the players and stuff like that. We’re taking it game by game but there are no illusions where we are compared to other teams in the division, budget wise and resource wise.

“We’re competitive in every game and hopefully we’ll push for the second half of the season.”

Galway United were in midtable at the midseason break, but a strong finish could propel the club up the table and into the European spaces. The club have also been drawn against amateur side Crumlin United, a winnable tie on paper that could set up a trip to the Aviva Stadium in the winter.

The sky is the limit for Galway United and the club, just three years on from winning promotion to the Premier Division. Holland is a large part of the club’s revival and current position in the Irish football pyramid.

His work now serves Galway United, and as an inspiration for any coach starting out in West Cork and Cork city.

My personal philosophy on caring for your dog means looking after him holistically. By that I mean nurturing him physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. This begins with respecting him as a sentient being. He experiences the same emotions as we do. It’s up to us to give him direction, to develop his potential and help him live life to capacity even within the limits of reduced health or old age. If you like, it’s the lifestyle we, as humans, desire for ourselves.

Responsibility: When we bring a dog into our home, we immediately have a duty of care to look after him to the best of our ability. That means giving him the best diet we can afford that suits his needs and lifestyle. It entails exercising both his mind and body in order to help him reach his potential.

Your dog adopts you as his ‘go to’ person: the most reliable, favourite person who looks after his needs. That’s a huge responsibility and one we shouldn’t take lightly. It’s an opportunity to establish a relationship that can thrive both in good times and bad. It’s a partnership, a two-way relationship based on mutual respect bringing enormous satisfaction to both of you.

Education: This is a basic need – to identify your chosen breed and then to find out all you can about its character traits.

By this, I mean that you find a dog that suits your lifestyle. If you hate routine and physical activity, don’t invest in a dog that needs loads of exercise and mental stimulation. If you hate an established routine and training sessions, then you need to think about your choices.

Sometimes the best people to talk to are the veterinary nurses who see all breeds coming through their doors. And most will be glad to give you the benefit of their wisdom and advice.

If you’re getting your first dog, it’s probably a good idea to avoid those breeds or combinations that come with a caveat such as ‘very independent’, ‘can be difficult with other dogs’ or some such proviso. Much better to choose a dog that is known to be biddable. But, having said that, there’s always the exception to every rule! So don’t be afraid of asking for help in choosing the ‘right’ dog for you.

Socialising: When you’ve made your choice, then you’ll be embarking on a course of training which should include socialising him. That covers many aspects. Obviously, you need to help your dog to meet and be happy with other dogs and people. It may suit you to find some socialisation classes to do this where a trainer orchestrates the ‘Meet and Greet’ between other dogs.

However, you need to really know your dog. A shy dog, a confrontational one, a fearful one, even an over-exuberant, friendly one: they all need a different approach to socialisation. A trainer may be your best bet lest you make your dog’s life more difficult by overwhelming him through your own ignorance.

Playtime: This means playing with your dog; teaching him games; giving him quality time with you. It’s so important when developing the relationship between you and him. It’s also a way of incorporating training while having fun. For example, instead of simply throwing a ball for Saffron, I will ask her to sit and wait while I throw it. Then I encourage her to ‘go fetch’ it.

Or I will ask her to sit and stay while I disappear around the house and hide the ball from her. Then I call her to ‘Go find’. Not only has she shown complete self control by sitting and waiting, she then uses her brain and nose to sniff out where I’ve hidden it.

And, of course, you can teach your dog tricks. Most dogs will enjoy learning as long as you make it easy for them, and provide plenty of praise and rewards in the process.

Esteem: It’s important to appreciate your dog: his qualities, his ability to focus and learn, his value in your life. Cherish your dog for all the good things he brings to your relationship.

Caring: By caring for your dog, I mean giving him the best diet, all the veterinary care he needs, extra training, if necessary. And most of all, loving him to the end of his life. Dogs love us wholeheartedly. We need to follow their example.

Training: Every dog thrives from learning basic obedience training. It gives them boundaries and lets them know exactly what you want and expect of them. It also gives them choices. If you’ve got the training right, they will want to follow your guidance and do as you ask. If not, they may just walk away! And then you have to question what’s gone wrong. Training should be a way of life, not a chore.

As you can see, respect for your dog covers many facets.

A volunteer-led organisation that provides highly trained K9 search and rescue teams to assist in missing person searches across Ireland is looking for new members.

A relatively new K9 search and rescue organisation, Ireland’s Specialist Search and Rescue Dogs (ISSARD) is is working to develop dogs across the disciplines of mantrailing, airscent, and cadaver, with a special focus on low-land and urban searches.

Working alongside tasking agencies like An Garda Síochána and other recognised search agencies, ISSARD deploys specialist dog teams to support in search, rescue, and recovery missions across Ireland. Combining professional standards with a strong community spirit, the organisation’s team goal is play a role in supporting families, communities and emergency services when someone goes missing.

ISSARD Chairperson, Becci Jeffers, is based in Courtmacsherry. Her pet dog, Pepper, adopted from West Cork Animal Rescue in 2023, is working towards assessment in the discipline of cadaver/HRD on-land and in drowned victims recovery.

Becci says the legacy of volunteering in her family and the ethos of the organisation encouraged her to join. “My dad served with the RNLI, so he likes to say ‘Pepper is continuing the family tradition of SAR work.’ I initially volunteered as a dog’s body in 2024 to support the work of the team, but as time went on the mission, work, and culture of the organisation really struck home for me.”

She continues, “the team is professional and full of eager, hardworking people who are dedicated to contributing to the exceptional demands of search, rescue, and recovery in a collaborative fashion and with a specialist focus. It is a particularly challenging line of voluntary engagement, one that requires significant commitment from our members, but equally one that offers critical services to communities in need. Recently too, we have been engaging in valuable inter-agency exercises with Killarney Water Search and Recovery, Tipperary Search and Rescue, Dublin Homeless Awareness, and the Coast Guard, which have emphasised the many contributing resources and significant voluntary hours involved in search and rescue operations. We welcome new volunteer applications through our onboarding process, and should anyone be interested in joining in some capacity, more details can be found on our website.”    

ISSARD’s onboarding programmes are currently held twice each year. These recruits initially serve as “dog’s bodies or mispers” i.e. volunteers who assist in training exercises by acting as search subjects for the dogs. This vital role helps develop and maintain the dogs’ search skills while giving new members an opportunity to learn about the team’s operations and become involved in the organisation’s work.

The next onboarding call will be for August, 26, please see www.issard.ie or follow on Facebook or Instagram for more details.

For more than 25 years, the West Cork Animal Welfare Group (WCAWG) has been dedicated to improving the lives of animals across the region. Since its inception, the organisation has helped rehome more than 8,000 animals, assisting an average of 300 to 400 pets every year in finding loving, permanent homes. Aoibhinn O’Sullivan, Kennel Staff at WCAWG, shares valuable advice on what prospective owners should know before welcoming a rescue animal into their family.

One of the most important things for prospective adopters to understand is that bringing home a rescue pet is a process that takes time. Whether it is a cat, dog, puppy or kitten, every animal needs an opportunity to settle into its new surroundings, become familiar with its environment and build trust with the people around it. Equally, families need time to get to know their new pet, including their personality, preferences, fears and individual quirks.

Patience and understanding are essential during this transition period. A move to a new home can be daunting for any animal, regardless of whether they have come directly from a previous home or from a kennel or cattery environment. Simply allowing a new pet the space and time to adjust, without overwhelming them, can make a significant difference in helping them feel secure.

Anyone considering adoption should also carefully think about the long-term commitment involved. Dogs and cats can often live for 15 years or more, depending on the breed, and owners need to be prepared for the responsibility that comes with caring for an animal throughout its lifetime.

Life circumstances can change over the years, with children growing up, moving away to college, changes in employment or family situations, but a pet remains dependent on its owners for care and stability. It is important that everyone in the household is fully committed to welcoming a new pet and understands the responsibilities involved, from feeding and exercise to training, grooming, cleaning and veterinary care. Financial costs, including unexpected vet bills, should also be considered before making the decision to adopt.

A useful guideline often referenced in rescue circles is the 3-3-3 rule, which helps explain how long it may take for a pet to settle into a new home. The first three days are typically spent decompressing after the stress of the move. During the first three weeks, the animal begins to learn household routines, become familiar with family members and gain confidence in its new surroundings. By three months, many pets are fully settled and feel at home.

While every animal is different and these timelines can vary, the 3-3-3 rule provides realistic expectations for adopters. Some pets may settle more quickly, while others require additional time depending on their background and previous experiences. Minor challenges during this adjustment period are common and should not be viewed as setbacks.

Consistency, routine and clear boundaries play a crucial role in helping both dogs and cats settle successfully. Establishing these routines from the very beginning helps create a sense of security and predictability, allowing the animal to understand what is expected of them.

When it comes to rescue dogs in particular, it is important to remember that every dog has a unique history. Some may have experienced neglect, abandonment or difficult circumstances, while others may have come from loving homes where owners could no longer care for them. Whatever their background, each dog deserves patience and understanding as they adapt to a new chapter in their lives.

Building a relationship with a rescue dog can sometimes be challenging, particularly in the early stages, but the rewards are immense. Watching a dog gain confidence, learn to trust and become a valued member of the family is one of the most rewarding aspects of rescue adoption.

Behind every successful adoption is a significant amount of work carried out by rescue organisations such as WCAWG. The centre is run by a small team of two staff members, supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and dog walkers who give their time to care for the animals. WCAWG also works closely with Transition Year students throughout the school year, providing valuable work placement opportunities.

The day-to-day reality of animal rescue involves far more than many people realise. Alongside feeding, cleaning, grooming, exercising and providing veterinary care, staff spend time socialising animals and helping prepare them for life in a new home.

Outside the kennels, the workload continues. The team responds to dozens of calls, emails and messages every day relating to adoptions, pet surrenders, lost and found animals, feral cat colonies and general pet care advice. Managing social media, updating supporters and completing the necessary administration and paperwork are also important aspects of the organisation’s work.

While the work can be demanding, seeing animals thrive in their new homes and receiving updates from adopters makes every effort worthwhile.

For more information, to make a donation or to fill out an adoption form go to www.westcorkanimals.com

Initially found as a stray, Nell’s foster caregiver, Lauren Ingram, shares why Nell is so deserving of a good home with the right person.

This little sprite is dinky collie mix, maybe mostly Australian Kelpie. She’s so small, her ears are the largest part of her! She is gentle and loving and playful, with a teeny touch of cheekiness that adds to her overall charm.

A bit timid initially with new people, Nell is dying to bond with a person and presses into you for affection! She can be coy, in that she’ll only want to do something if it’s her idea but, as she’s very responsive to treats, this can easily be worked on with training and consistency. 

The ideal home would be reasonably calm. She would be the perfect companion for an older person. She is fine with strangers and people but can be daunted by a lot of running around or noise.

Nell would do very well in an apartment or a rural setting. She would be fine as an only dog or with a very steady male companion. She does not like it when unknown dogs rush straight up to her, she prefers polite introductions. She walks gentle on lead and is very reliable off lead. Children 12-plus for Nell; she loves to play games and shake for treats so would love dog-savvy children around. She doesn’t pay much mind to cats.

If you would like to offer Nell a home, please read the Adoption Process on the West Cork Animal Welfare website (westcorkanimals.com) and apply using the Adoption Questionnaire.

July is a busy and rewarding month in the garden, with regular maintenance ensuring that plants continue to perform at their best throughout the summer and into autumn.

Roses

Roses will repay regular attention during this period. Deadheading should be carried out frequently as flowers fade, pruning back to a leaf axil lower down the stem and always cutting to an outward-facing bud to help keep the centre of the bush open. Wild roses should not be deadheaded, as this allows the formation of attractive fruits, or hips, in autumn. Rosa moyesii ‘Geranium’ is especially attractive, producing single flowers in profusion during early summer followed by a beautiful display of hips. This variety requires plenty of space, usually 2 to 2.5 metres apart, to fully display its flowers and fruit. It also has an attractive arching habit.

Additional interest can be created around stronger shrub roses by underplanting with hardy geraniums, snowdrops, Epimedium and hardy outdoor cyclamen. Cyclamen hederifolium flowers freely from early to late autumn, while Cyclamen coum produces attractive pink and white flowers, some with marbled leaves, from late winter well into spring. Both are winter hardy and gardeners should look out for bulbs in garden centres and shops from July onwards.

Following deadheading, roses benefit from a feed formulated specifically for roses. High-nitrogen fertilisers should be avoided as they encourage soft, sappy growth that is more susceptible to pests and diseases. Blackspot, mildew and rust should be controlled by gathering and disposing of infected leaves away from the garden. Such material should not be added to the compost heap as it can spread disease spores. Roses grown in containers require regular feeding with a seaweed-based liquid fertiliser. Any sideshoots should be removed as soon as they are detected and pruned back to their point of origin. During dry, hot weather, roses should be watered regularly, taking care to avoid wetting the foliage and flowers.

Plan for holidays

Many gardeners will be preparing for summer holidays during July. Provision should be made for watering while away, either through an automated system or with the help of a family member, friend or neighbour. Vegetables and cut flowers should be picked regularly before departure, as frequent harvesting encourages continued flowering and fruiting well into autumn. Lawns should be mown before leaving, and water should be collected during wet periods in water butts or genuine wooden casks. Borders can be mulched to conserve moisture, ensuring that the soil is already moist before the mulch is applied. A leaky pipe or seep hose system may also be worth considering. Plants should receive a thorough watering before departure, with particular attention given to recently planted specimens.

Many greenhouse, conservatory and houseplants can be placed outdoors during July and August. Greenhouses require careful watering during warm spells and shading should be applied to prevent scorch. Watering is best carried out early in the morning or during the cool of the evening. Dead leaves and signs of pest damage should be removed before going away. Holidays also provide an opportunity to visit inspiring gardens, with details available through local and national newspapers, gardening magazines, tourist information offices, and gardening and tourism websites.

Pruning

July is also a suitable time for pruning. Lavender can be cut for drying, while early summer flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus and Weigela should be pruned after flowering. Wisteria should be pruned by cutting back the long whippy growths produced during summer to within five or six buds of the main stem.

Dahlias

Dahlias require robust staking and support throughout the season. Gardeners should remain vigilant for slug damage and provide regular liquid feeding to encourage strong growth and abundant flowers. Frequent deadheading will also prolong the display.

Vegetable garden

In the vegetable garden, early potatoes can be harvested. Onions should be lifted when their leaves turn yellow and begin to flop. They should be eased carefully from the soil and left on the surface for several days in warm, dry weather. Like shallots, they can also be placed on a mesh framework where sun and wind can dry them thoroughly before storage. Strong mesh wire or any suitable framework that maximises exposure to sunshine and airflow is ideal. Once fully dried, onions can be stored indoors in a cool, frost-free location, either strung together or arranged in single layers in boxes.

The planting of winter brassicas should be completed this month, with plants watered well after planting. Protective collars placed around the base of each plant help guard against cabbage root fly, while fleece provides effective protection against cabbage white butterflies and their caterpillars. Peas can continue to be sown until the end of July, while beetroot, carrots and turnips may be sown until late in the month. Autumn and winter salads should also be sown now. Spring cabbage can be sown from late July to mid-August and is particularly valuable because it provides fresh produce during a traditionally scarce period of the year. Sowing at intervals of seven to ten days helps ensure a succession of crops.

Gardeners should also take precautions against potato blight. Warnings are provided through Met Éireann weather bulletins and on their website.

Fruit garden

In the fruit garden, summer-fruiting raspberries should ripen during July and any surplus fruit can be frozen successfully. Red and white currants should be summer pruned. Fruit trees carrying heavy crops may require additional support, while ripening peaches and nectarines should be protected from birds and wasps. Well-secured horticultural fleece or mesh provides effective protection.

Lawns

Lawns will continue to require mowing once or twice each week. During very dry weather, mower blades should be raised and mowing carried out less frequently. Watering should only be undertaken when absolutely necessary. A good liquid feed can help maintain vigour, while lawns established in spring should continue to receive water. July is also a good time to prepare for sowing new lawns in September by removing perennial weeds such as docks, nettles, thistles and ground elder. Areas can be roughly levelled now, with final levelling carried out in September.

Fuchsias

Fuchsias provide colour from June until November and the hardy varieties can remain outdoors throughout winter. They respond well to hard pruning in February. Vine weevil can be troublesome but may be controlled through biological methods. Weekly feeding produces the best results, while rust and downy mildew should be monitored carefully as they can cause premature leaf drop. Gardeners should inspect both the upper and lower surfaces of leaves for signs of infection. Fuchsias are also an excellent choice for summer and autumn containers.

With regular care and timely attention, July offers abundant rewards across every part of the garden, from roses and ornamental borders to productive vegetable plots, fruit gardens and lawns.

Have you ever wondered what keeps us up right on just two feet? It is a pretty amazing system and it involves input from vision, proprioception (the subconscious ability to sense our own movements) in our feet, our joints, and most importantly the vestibular system.

Vision allows us to have an understanding of where we are and what position we are in, proprioception allows us to feel the ground – how level and solid it is – and lastly the vestibular system. The vestibular system has ten sensory organs, five in each ear. The five are three semi-circular canals (anterior, horizontal and posterior), the utricle and the saccule. The semi-circular canals are involved in sensing our head movements and have a close relationship with eye movements. The utricle and saccule, which gives us a sense of position in relationship to gravity, you can feel this when you go up in an elevator or accelerate or stop in a car.  The neurology in these systems is very complex and becomes more so when you consider how they all integrate together.  nearly always find that there is a breakdown in the ability for the vestibular system to sense where you are, which causes problems with balance.

How do you tell if you have good balance?  The first thing to do is to stand with your feet close together but not touching, your hands by your side. You should be able to stand perfectly steady.  If you can’t, try taking your shoes off – if this makes your balance better, then switching to a firmer soled shoe may help you.  The next stage would be to stand in the same position with your shoes off and close your eyes – do you feel completely steady? You should be able to stand perfectly still. If not, it would be a good time to get some help improving your balance.  

In clinic, I will add a further level of complexity to assess dysfunction of the vestibular system by having you stand on a foam mat, which allows me to see problems early on, so I can help you take the appropriate action. 

The first stage to restoring balance is to help rebalance the vestibular system, especially the semi-circular canals in relation to utricle and saccule, and it is possible to do this by using specific movements in relation to gravity or motion (GRM – Gravity Reset Method).  

Additionally, there are some further therapeutic measures that we can use such as eye exercises and sound at certain frequencies to improve balance. These can often have an immediate effect in improving balance but this needs to be reinforced with simple exercises done at home. These are not strenuous and do not require a huge amount of time, but done little and often, they can help to make long lasting changes for the better.

Eoin Roe is a Chiropractor and Functional Neurology specialist working in Skibbereen.  If you would like to get in touch, you can use the contact form at www.roehealth.ie or call and leave a message at 028 62081.

If you would like to learn more about the Gravity Reset Method go to neurdsolutions.com.

Clíonadh O’Keeffe grew up in Skibbereen and has been living in Baltimore for the past three years. Before returning home, she had lived and worked across different countries and cultures. Her studies and work in community development and humanitarian aid brought her to Southeast Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East, and various parts of Ireland. Today, she works as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and project worker supporting people with disabilities and families experiencing homelessness. She loves the combination of physical activity, psychosocial support and caring for others, especially when that support has a real effect on people’s everyday lives.

Her style is a natural extension of who she is. Clíonadh loves clothes and jewellery, most of which she finds in independent shops around Skibbereen and other towns across West Cork. For her, getting dressed is about far more than practicality or appearance. It’s a way of expressing mood, imagination and a sense of freedom. A vibrant colour, an interesting texture, a treasured vintage piece or a bold statement item almost always finds its way into her outfits.

“I’d much rather dress to express than dress to impress,” she says. Her clothes reflect her emotions, her creativity and the values she lives by. Sometimes they also become a quiet expression of her beliefs – for example, when she wears a keffiyeh as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine.

In fashion, Clíonadh makes a conscious effort to choose more sustainable clothes. She is deeply concerned about the environmental impact of fast fashion, the culture of overconsumption, and the exploitative working conditions – particularly those affecting women across the Global South.

Her love of life is reflected in her many passions. She describes herself as a curious wanderer who likes to stay present and occasionally step beyond the familiar. She’s happiest outdoors, whether she’s swimming, horse riding, sailing, enjoying live music or simply spending time reflecting. She has a keen eye for beauty, values authenticity, and isn’t afraid to live a little on the edge – where new discoveries often begin. And then there’s her beloved dog, Iggy Pop, who seems to be by her side through life’s happiest adventures.

The photoshoot became an unexpected challenge. Clíonadh had never done anything like it before, and she’s proud that she said yes. Through the experience, she realised that her style isn’t simply an expression of her worldview; it also reflects joy, self-love, freedom, and the confidence to be seen as she is.

Look 1: This look is built around a bold combination of rich colours that creates a sense of lightness, energy and confidence. The emerald green dress, with its soft, flowing silhouette, forms the perfect foundation, while the vibrant pink blouse adds personality and a contemporary edge.

The colour palette is thoughtfully echoed through the accessories: a petite pink handbag and coordinating earrings bring the look together, while the bronze shoes introduce a refined metallic accent without distracting from the main colour story.

This outfit is a perfect example of how vibrant colours can feel elegant and harmonious when they are united by a clear vision and carefully considered details.

Stylist’s tip: If you’re wearing a bold colour combination, repeat one of the shades in your accessories. Small details such as earrings, a handbag or shoes will tie the look together and make the colours feel balanced.

Look 2: This look is inspired by bohemian aesthetics and Eastern influences, yet it feels thoroughly contemporary and highly individual. The focal point is the long floral-print overlay, whose rich pattern comes to life with movement, bringing depth and character to the outfit.

It is beautifully complemented by relaxed satin trousers finished with gold trim at the hem. They add fluidity and elegance while reinforcing the Eastern-inspired feel, all without compromising comfort or freedom of movement.

The accessories complete the look perfectly. A bold gold necklace and stacked bracelets introduce a sense of richness and refinement. The combination of contrasting textures, intricate prints and metallic accents gives the outfit depth and makes it feel truly original.

Stylist’s tip: When wearing pieces with a striking print and strong personality, don’t be afraid to pair them with statement jewellery. As long as the colours and overall aesthetic work together, bold combinations can still feel harmonious and sophisticated.

Look 3: This look is built around a subtle interplay of colour, texture and decorative detail. Soft blush-pink wide-leg trousers with delicate gold embellishment create a fluid, elegant foundation, while the sheer embroidered top adds a romantic quality and a beautiful handcrafted feel.

A thoughtful colour connection brings the outfit together: the pink embroidered flowers on the top echo the soft blush tone of the trousers, creating a look that feels cohesive and carefully composed. The muted olive base of the top adds depth, while the sheer fabric keeps the silhouette light and ethereal.

A delicate sheer wrap draped over the shoulders completes the layered composition. The earrings and necklace subtly enhance the look’s soft, feminine aesthetic, while the bronze pointed-toe shoes echo the gold detailing on the trousers, introducing a refined metallic accent.

Each element has a clear role. Each colour and texture complements the next, creating a look that feels effortlessly elegant with a modern romantic spirit.

Stylist’s tip: If your outfit features embroidery or decorative detailing, try repeating one of its colours elsewhere in the look. These subtle colour echoes may seem understated, but they are what make an outfit feel thoughtfully styled and beautifully pulled together.

One of the most common conversations I have with clients starts with the same concern.

“Sam, I don’t think I’m saving enough.”

Then we sit down, open the bank statements, and discover something surprising. Quite often, they have actually done a fantastic job of saving. The problem is not that they don’t have money. The problem is that too much of their money is sitting in cash, doing very little.

Now, before anyone rushes off to move money around, let me be clear. Cash is important. Every household should have an emergency fund. Life is unpredictable. Boilers break, cars need repairs, children need braces, and unexpected expenses seem to arrive exactly when you least want them to. Having cash available provides security and peace of mind.

The issue is not having cash. The issue is when all of your money is doing the same job.

Irish people are actually very good savers. Central Bank figures show that households hold more than €150 billion in deposits. While having cash is important, it does raise an interesting question. How much of that money is there because it has a purpose, and how much is there because nobody has decided what else to do with it?

This is where I think financial planning becomes much more practical than people expect.

When clients come into us, we rarely start by talking about products. We start by talking about purpose. Every euro should have a job, and most money falls into one of four categories.

The first job is emergency money. This is your safety net. Depending on your circumstances, this is often somewhere between three and six months’ worth of expenses. This money needs to be accessible because its purpose is protection, not growth.

The second job is medium-term money. This could be money for home improvements, helping children through college, upgrading a car, or a major life goal over the next few years. Again, accessibility is important, but the approach may be different depending on when the money will be needed.

The third job is long-term growth. This is money that does not need to be touched for ten, fifteen, or twenty years. This is where investing often comes into the conversation because the goal is not simply preserving money, but allowing it to grow over time.

The fourth job is retirement. This is where pensions come in. Retirement planning is really just deferred income planning. You are building a future pay cheque for a future version of yourself.

Once clients start looking at their finances through this lens, things become much clearer.

For example only, and not financial advice, imagine a couple with €120,000 sitting in various savings accounts. They may need €20,000 as an emergency fund. They may want €20,000 available for future home improvements or family expenses. But does the remaining €80,000 need to be sitting in cash earning very little? Often the answer is no.

This is where opportunity cost becomes important.

Most people focus on whether their money is safe, but very few stop to think about what they might be giving up by leaving it where it is.

For example, if you had €80,000 sitting in an account earning little to no interest, and inflation averaged three percent per year over the next decade, the spending power of that money would fall significantly. While the bank balance would still show €80,000, its real value would be closer to €60,000 in today’s terms.

Now compare that to the same €80,000 earning an average return of five percent per year. After ten years, it could be worth approximately €130,000 before taxes, charges, and market fluctuations are taken into account.

That is a potential difference of around €70,000 between money that has been left sitting still and money that has been given the opportunity to grow.

That is the real cost many people never see. Not a loss on a statement, but the opportunity they missed by doing nothing.

I regularly meet people in their fifties who thought they were doing everything right because they had substantial savings. They worked hard, avoided debt, and built up healthy account balances. What they had not considered was whether their money was working as hard as they are.

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that investing is only for wealthy people. Another is that investing automatically means taking huge risks. Neither is true. Investing is simply a tool. The appropriate level of risk depends on the person, their goals, and the timeframe involved. Someone investing for twenty years will often have a very different strategy from someone planning to retire in five.

This is where advice becomes valuable. We are not trying to predict markets or chase the next big opportunity. We are helping people align their money with their goals. Sometimes that means increasing pension contributions. Sometimes it means moving excess cash into investments. Sometimes it means consolidating old pensions. Sometimes it means doing absolutely nothing because the current plan is already working.

The biggest mistake I see is not making the wrong investment decision. It is doing nothing at all.

People often wait until they feel more confident, until markets settle down, or until they have more money. The problem is that those perfect conditions rarely arrive. Meanwhile, years pass and opportunities are lost.

The good news is that this is usually fixable. Small changes can make a significant difference over time. A pension review, a conversation about goals, a better understanding of where money is sitting and why, these are often the first steps towards meaningful progress.

Over the years, one thing has become very clear to me. I have never met anyone who regretted having a plan, but I have met plenty of people who regretted waiting. Waiting until next year. Waiting until life became less busy. Waiting until they felt more confident or had more money available.

At the end of the day, financial planning is not about having the most accounts or the biggest balances. It is about understanding what you have, what you need, and whether your money is working towards the life you want. Sometimes the biggest opportunity is not earning more money at all. Sometimes it is simply making better use of the money you already have.

Perhaps that is the real takeaway. The question is not whether you have enough money. The question is whether every euro in your life currently has a purpose. Because when every euro has a job, your finances become clearer, your goals become more achievable, and your money starts working as hard as you do.

Halpin Wealth and Mortgages offers free consultations. Visit www.hwm.ie or email info@hwm.ie to learn more.

by Niamh Cooper, Melissa Byrne & Gillian Hegarty

Salad is so much more than soggy lettuce and a squirt of salad cream. We have three easy, tasty salad recipes, and a secret weapon, just for you: the best salads start in the garden, and growing them is easy-peas-y! 

Grow your own

Lettuce shoots up fast and barely takes up any space. It is not too late to plant your favourite lettuce, in fact, the more varieties the better! Keep your lettuce watered, and most importantly, pick those slugs whenever you see them – unfortunately they love lettuce, too. When it’s ready, just pick the outer leaves (be careful not to tug too hard and take out the root) and the plant will keep growing. 

Why not plant a few radishes in between the rows of lettuce, while you’re at it. Radishes grow quickly and you can slice them straight into your bowl for some lovely colour. You can add some herbs too: parsley, mint, chives and basil all love growing here, and each one gives your salad a completely different taste.

Here are a few great and easy recipes you can try to make at home:

French Green Bean Salad

Ingredients:

• a handful of green beans

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 6 tbsp olive oil

• a pinch of salt and pepper

• grated parmesan

• roughly chopped parsley

• a few edible flowers (marigold, viola or cornflower)

• your favourite salad leaves

Method: Boil the beans in salted water for 3 to 4 minutes.

Shake the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper together in a jar until well mixed.

Tip the still-hot beans into a bowl and immediately top with parmesan and toss.

Mix in some of the dressing.

Serve on salad leaves, and decorate with parsley and edible flowers.

If you prefer to try a different dressing, why not give this one a go:

French Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 2 fl oz vinegar

• 6 fl oz olive oil

• 1 tsp honey

• half tsp Dijon mustard (opt)

• a pinch of salt and pepper

Method: Put all the ingredients into a clean jar. Make sure you have a close-fitting lid!

Screw the lid on tightly and shake well.

Pour over your beans, or any salad you like.

Tip: Write the date on the jar. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to four weeks.

If you love peas, we know you’re going to adore the next one. It can be made so easily with frozen peas. Give it a try, and why not invite your friends over to help you make it (and eat it!).

Pea Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 450g frozen peas

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ½ a red chilli, chopped

• 1 tsp toasted ground cumin

• 2 tbsp coriander

• 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley

• a pinch of salt and pepper

Method: Boil the peas in salted water for 2 to 3 minutes.

Cool them in cold water straight away.

Add in the rest of the ingredients. Blitz everything together in a food processor until smooth.

Taste it and adjust with salt, pepper and lime juice if it needs it.

Did you know?

Peas have been grown in Ireland for hundreds of years

Peas actually are sweetest as soon as they’re harvested, and start losing their sweetness once they’re picked. Frozen peas are frozen as soon as they’ve been picked, which is why they often taste better than fresh ones that have sat in a shop for days.

Parsley is a great source of iron and it has more vitamin C in it than an orange!

Edible flowers like marigolds and violas aren’t just pretty, they’re full of antioxidants that help your body repair itself.

So next time someone asks if you want more salad, say yes. And tell them you know the perfect recipe.

The Kids’ Food Revolution is a community-led initiative. Our recipes are tried and tested with kids. Our Eat! Grow! Cook! pilot is funded by the Lidl Green Fund Community Prize, where the Kids’ Food Revolution won the top prize of €25,000. You can find out more on kidsfoodrevolution.ie. Sign up for our newsletter.

This month Natalie Webb is showing us how to make a huge icecream cone.

“This month’s project will really make your mouth water!”

Materials: 

•  Three sheets of card, one blue, one light brown or yellow, one dark brown.

•  Poster paints.

•  An old sponge

•  Glue  •  Scissors •  Pencil

•  Old plate

•  Brown marker pen

•  Small pom poms (optional)

Draw and cut out a long triangle shape from your light brown or yellow card to make your icecream cone.

Stick your cone onto your blue card then, using a brown marker, draw a criss cross design.

Cut out four disc shapes from your sponge. Don’t worry – they won’t be perfect circles!

Blob four different colour paints separately onto your plate. I used white, yellow, red and pink.

Dab your sponge pieces into the paints, using one for each colour, then press them down above your cone to make your icecream….you can make this as big and colourful as you like!

When you are happy with the result, cut out a little rectangle from the dark brown card for your chocolate flake. Stick this so that it looks like its’s coming out of the top of your icecream.

To finish off I added some “sprinkles” – I got some tiny pom poms and glued them onto the ice cream. It looks delicious….but don’t eat it!

This month, branch Chair, Jez Simms, describes how some Egret species began to visit Ireland regularly, one species even breeding here now.

It was not until the latter half of the last century that birders in Ireland began to regularly encounter a beautiful pure white heron known throughout Europe and Africa as the Little Egret. A bird so beautiful it was nearly wiped out in Europe in the 1800s due to the great demand for its breeding plumes to make ladies hats. The campaign to save the bird led to the formation of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in 1889, now the largest bird conservation group in Europe with over a million members.

A rarity in Ireland up to the late seventies, the first ever Little Egret was recorded in County Cork in 1940, more and more kept arriving until they were finally confirmed as a breeding species in 1997 at Fota in Co. Cork. Nowadays these beautiful birds can be seen gracing most waterways, lakes and coastal areas in the country with a population, including wintering birds; of approximately 1,500 birds with a breeding population of around 500 pairs.

The next Egret to start regularly visiting Ireland is the Cattle Egret, slightly smaller and less elegant than the Little Egret, these birds are not exclusive to water margins but, as their name suggests, like to roam amongst cattle and other herbivores in quest of the flies and other insects they attract, returning to water margins to roost and sometimes hunt. The first one recorded in Ireland was at Kilkeran Lake in West Cork on March 7, 1976, and then there were only around 10 more records between then and 2006. In 2007 there was a massive influx of Cattle Egrets during the winter with around 80 birds arriving along the south and west coasts, forever changing its status in Ireland. It is now a regular late Autumn and Winter visitor to our shore with flocks of birds into the high twenties sometimes occurring here in West Cork.

But that’s not all folks, back in 1986 Ireland’s first ever Great White Egret was found in Cobh; this was a very early sign of another major Egret expansion with a big influx starting in the 2000s. They first bred in the UK in 2012 and are now well established in Ireland, particularly in Co. Cork. They can often be seen on wetlands and marshes; breeding is suspected but not confirmed yet. These are magnificent birds, pure white and the size of our Grey Heron, with a distinctive long yellowish bill, unlike the black bill of the Little Egret, so they are hard to miss. They are almost resident at the Gearagh Nature Reserve near Macroom, with numbers sometimes building into double figures in the Autumn and Winter. At White’s Marsh near Clonakilty, I have seen all three of our Egrets feeding together.

While not a true Egret, there is another bird which might be showing signs of following them, this is the mega rare Squacco Heron. It is Egret-like in flight with its pure white wings, but when in reeds or in foliage its beautiful buff and brown plumage can make it hard to spot. In recent years the odd one has shown up in Ireland and this year an unprecedented three have been seen with quite a few in the UK as well, so maybe they are following a similar pattern. So, check your field guides and bird apps and keep an eye out for all these truly beautiful birds.

BirdWatch Ireland West Cork Branch News

Our next events are:

July 12: Nature walk on Whiddy Island.

August 9: Timoleague Educational Garden.

Visit our website www.birdwatchirelandwestcork.ie for more information about these events. To receive news and reminders about our events join our mailing list by sending an email to mailinglist@birdwatchirelandwestcork.ie.

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c @ birdwatch_ireland_west_cork

For many families, buying a home is the largest financial decision they will ever make, and it remains one of life’s biggest ambitions. Yet one question continues to dominate conversations around kitchen tables, in work canteens, on bar stools, and even in the offices of mortgage providers and estate agents: when is the right time to buy, trade up, or trade down?

With supply limited in the current property market, prices rising, interest rate increases expected, and prospective buyers increasing, it is very easy to become despondent.

To make a long story short, there is no right or wrong answer to the question, ‘Should we buy now or wait for conditions to improve?’ It’s a far more complicated answer than a simple yes or no. 

Property experts generally agree there is no perfect moment to enter the market. The decision should be based on a family’s financial circumstances, housing needs, and long-term plans rather than trying to predict future prices. It depends less on market timing and more on personal readiness. Housing markets will rise and fall, interest rates will fluctuate, economic uncertainty will persist, and there will always be another speed bump in the decision-making process.

One of the most important factors is affordability. Before purchasing a home, families should assess whether they can comfortably meet mortgage repayments while maintaining their current standard of living. The Central Bank’s mortgage lending rules require buyers to meet strict borrowing criteria, helping to ensure that homeowners are not overstretched financially.

Mortgage approval should not be viewed as the only measure of affordability. Just because a lender is willing to lend a certain amount does not mean borrowing the maximum is the wisest option. Leaving room within a household budget can provide valuable flexibility if circumstances change. A larger deposit can reduce borrowing costs and improve mortgage options. Buyers who take the time to strengthen their financial position may ultimately secure more favourable terms and experience less stress after moving in.

As financial advisors, we recommend that buyers look beyond the deposit itself. Legal fees, valuation costs, survey expenses, stamp duty, and moving costs can add thousands to the overall purchase. Families should also retain a financial cushion for unexpected expenses after moving in. Owning a home often comes with costs that renters may not anticipate, from replacing the boiler to dealing with the little ones putting a football through the window.

Interest rates are another key factor to consider. Following the turbulent times after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, interest rates have settled down over the last two years. Now, due to geopolitics, inflation is creeping up again, and the ECB has started increasing rates. The difference between now and 2022 is that the ECB is starting from a higher base. Higher interest rates increase monthly repayments and reduce borrowing capacity.

However, waiting indefinitely for lower rates may not necessarily benefit buyers if house prices continue to increase during the same period. Also, if you are currently renting, there is a cost to staying put. For example, if your rent is €1,500 per month, that is €18,000 per year that could have gone towards your new home. You are also a year older, so you have one year less on your mortgage term, which increases your monthly payments.

Lifestyle factors are equally important in the decision-making process. A growing family may require more bedrooms, access to schools, outdoor space, or proximity to employment. The growth of remote and hybrid working also encourages some households to look beyond their current area, broadening their housing options. Property professionals often advise buyers to consider whether a house meets their needs for a minimum five to 10 year period. This can help reduce the likelihood of having to move again in a relatively short period of time, avoiding additional costs and housing uncertainty. This timeframe spreads the upfront costs over a longer period while also allowing buyers to benefit from any potential growth in property values.

Children in particular benefit from continuity, and staying in one place allows families to establish stronger connections within local communities.

Prospective buyers should research local trends and examine the Property Price Register in the area where they are purchasing. Are there any future developments planned in the area, such as new transport links, schools, or commercial projects that could influence property values over time? Spend some time in the area, by day and evening, on weekdays and weekends. Get to know the area and talk to locals. Ireland’s persistent housing shortage continues to support demand, which reduces the odds of a sudden drop or fall in house values.

Ultimately, the right time to buy a family home in Ireland is highly personal. It depends on sufficient savings, secure income, realistic and manageable borrowing levels, and confidence that the property will meet a family’s needs for years to come. Buyers who are financially stretched or uncertain about their future needs may benefit from waiting until their situation becomes clearer. There is no perfect moment to purchase; markets and economic forecasts are unpredictable. The only thing that remains constant is your personal circumstances and dreams.

In a market where supply remains limited and demand remains strong, the decision is less about finding the perfect market conditions, when prices are lowest or interest rates are most attractive. It is about whether the purchase supports a family’s financial wellbeing, lifestyle goals, and long-term security. Do you see yourself growing old in this house? While you’re buying a house, can you make it into the home you want it to be? You need the house to work for you, not you working for the house.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us on 023 881 0001.