Three Irish gems never to be taken for granted
Country Living with Francis Farragher
April, is probably the ideal month to visit the Chinese capital of Beijing. At that time, the often extreme sub-continental climate of the region is at its most benign –...
Mecca beckons for pilgrims whose dreams never die
Country Living with Francis Farragher
At this stage, it’s seems more like a kind of pilgrimage . . . another trip along the road and this time to the county of William Butler Yeats and...
Neither health nor pleasure in a goblet of the red stuff
Country Living with Francis Farragher
For the record, I’ve never been a fan of red wine, and that’s putting it mildly. I’ve sipped it once or twice in my life, and scented it a few...
Cloosh valley fire lifts the lid on our air quality myth
Country Living with Francis Farragher
Having no sooner consoled myself about the intrinsic benefits of breathing in clean West of Ireland air as compared to what one experiences in the mega-cities like Beijing, my little...
A week when sensible souls lose their marbles and lucre
Country Living with Francis Farragher
It’s been going on for the past 148 years at Ballybrit – since August 17, 1869 – and while horses are sent out to run and jump, the Galway Races...
A few wintry blasts as Spring beckons
Country Living with Francis Farragher
It was a bit like the story of waiting for ages at the shelter for a bus to arrive, and then two of them arrive together. After the most benign...