The study of reptiles and amphibians is called herpetology. In Ireland, unfortunately, it is a limited field – apart from the occasional sea turtle, we have only one species of native reptile, and just three amphibians. Some might blame, or thank, St. Patrick for banishing snakes and other poisonous creatures […]
This month Birdwatch West Cork Committee Chair Jez Simms shares one of his favourite birds, the Hoopoe (Upupa epops). When I was very young and first started looking through bird books and field guides, I noticed one fantastic looking exotic creature which the books described as a very rare spring […]
In a resounding testament to excellence and innovation, West Cork Distillers has been crowned the Large Cork Company of the Year 2024 at the prestigious Cork Chamber awards. This accolade marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey, recognising West Cork Irish Whiskey‘s outstanding contribution to the local economy, commitment to […]
British soldier Adrian Carton de Wiart lived through some of the most remarkable war stories and events ever recorded shares Shane Daly earning himself the moniker ‘The Unkillable Soldier’, a title he carried with him into his retirement in Macroom. Born in Brussels in 1890, De Wiart was the son […]
Single combat was a high point of many of the old heroic stories in the Fianna Cycle and Ulster cycle of Irish Mythology. In the Táin conflict between Ulster and Connacht, Cúchulainn fought and killed many of Queen Maeve’s warriors. Finally Cúchulainn was pitted against his closest friend, Ferdia, who […]
The Israel invasion of Gaza has caused a huge reaction worldwide. Yet despite the tens of thousands of civilian deaths, it has been allowed to run for five months unabated. Over the next two issues, I want to explore the history and politics of this conflict, to bring a deeper […]