Joe Barry

Old stone houses were always freezing. Deposit Photo

Back when you couldn't come in from the cold

A Romanian girl who is currently working in Ireland as a teacher was the subject of an article I read recently.

The stained glass windows at Markree Castle, Sligo

Religious rituals retain their power in a secular age

While attending a funeral recently, I found myself musing on how uplifting and therapeutic the entire ceremony was.

Opinion: Legalise cannabis and weed out the real criminals

After decades of dithering, the Government, with seemingly great reluctance, has finally legalised the use of medicinal cannabis.

Airbnb is now the biggest hotel company in the world. Photo: GETTY

The rise of machines is not that far away

It is estimated that by 2030 computers will have become more intelligent than humans. Given the low standard of Dáil debates, you could be forgiven for thinking that this has already happened.

Vast tanker ships travel globally bringing hundreds of thousands of containers from port to port

It's a hard taskmaster but capitalism actually works

Farming is, yet again, in crisis. Now where did I hear that before?

The Irish forestry industry is finally coming of age

Analysis: New investment deal for forestry is welcome but the devil will be in the detail

Good news has been a scarce commodity in the agricultural sector in recent months but the announcement that the European Investment Bank, along with others, is to support a €200m investment in Irish forestry confirms that the industry here has finally come of age.

An argument against draining rivers - 'Demanding ever more drainage is not the solution'

Here in the east of Ireland, we have been enjoying an unusually dry winter with relatively high temperatures.

An interesting life through the eyes of a slave driver

Books on self-help and business management have always been popular and many of them make useful reading, but one I picked up recently comes from a very different angle.

Life's negative conditions shouldn't rule our actions

It is only as we grow older that we understand fully the truth of the saying: "The more we know, the more we realise how little we know". We never stop learning and every day is a school day. Almost regardless of age, the career opportunities available nowadays are greater than ever, but how many make the most of them?

The site of a holly "farm" should be away from the roadside as theft can be a problem at Christmas time

Growing holly could be a lucrative resolution for 2017

They say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. That has never stopped me making New Year resolutions, however, even if many of my aspirations fail to reach fruition.

There must be a better use for hardwood thinnings

We can't see wood for trees when it comes to thinnings

When viewing hardwood thinnings stacked ready for haulage at roadside, how often have you heard the statement "It's only fit for firewood".

Shoppers in Liffey Valley. (Stock picture)

Opinion: 'We are starting to lose the run of ourselves yet again'

Christmas, with all the associated lunatic shopping, is now long over.

Precious: drop in on an elderly neighbour

'Even the pubs are shut, so where do you go for company?' - Why we should keep an eye out for the elderly this Christmas

A number of years ago I saw Michael when driving along one of the many byroads of Co Leitrim. He was walking slowly, with a stick in his right hand, and on his left shoulder he carried, with obvious difficulty, a large branch.

Increasing numbers of city-based people seeking to buy forestry

Small outlying farms can be a hindrance as well as a help. Anyone who has to travel daily to check on livestock or move them to and from land that is perhaps 10 miles from their home farm will know what I mean.

The Irish Timber Growers Association field day was held in Monaghan. Pic Roger Jones.

The value of broadleaves goes far beyond hard cash

Occasionally I find myself fortunate enough to attend an event that will remain in my memory for decades.

Taking the broader view when it comes to trees...

During autumn and early winter broadleaved trees are a stunning sight.

What will happen to workers if buses become driverless within five years?

Opinion: Public sector has no right to hold country to ransom

We should hold yet another referendum to decide, for once and for all, who actually runs the country. Is it the Government or the trade unions?

Why wood burning stoves beat out open fires on chilly nights

Winter is upon us so once again we have to contend with those long, cold, dark and damp nights that chill the bones unless we have a decent heating system installed to keep us warm.

Ethnic minorities over the years have protected their wealth in easily carried form such as gold

Sensible financial planning is worth its weight in gold

Young people are being constantly advised to save a portion of their income on a regular basis. This is, of course, wise and sensible as it can then grow into a worthwhile amount to use as a deposit on a house, a pension or just to provide security for those inevitable rainy days that affect most of us at some point in our lives.

Literary account of city life makes farming attractive

Two books, both of them recollections of childhood during the 1940s and 50s, came my way recently.

View from the Sky Road, near Clifden in County Galway, Ireland.

Enjoying the last of fading light on trip to Connemara

As I write this, it is early October and the annual leaf fall has just begun. With the shortening of the days, glorious colour changes in the trees and hedgerows are slowly altering the landscape.

From ghoulies and beasties may the Lord deliver us!

We have all heard of places that have an evil aura and a sense of doom about them.

From the auld enemy to the best of neighbours

With so much discussion regarding Britain's exit from the EU taking place, it is perhaps timely to, yet again, evaluate our feelings about our nearest neighbours.

Why I wish the pine marten a long and happy future

Contributors to the media are constantly seeking news that will capture the reader's attention.

Back to basics in my Connemara hideaway

One of the nice things of being one's own boss is that we are in control of when we take time off.

The road ahead: Sheep wander the roads of Connemara (Photo: Denise Calnan)

Restoring the 'Long Acre' is an idea worth chewing on

We all get strange ideas from time to time and yet when we think them through, sometimes they are not so odd after all. Who would have thought we would ever be purchasing bottled water, yet fortunes have been made from its sale.

Size matters not when it comes to the great gardens

A recent visit to some well-known gardens in Co Wexford made me ponder on what truly deserves the term "great".

Disgruntled forestry critics barking up the wrong tree

'There's nowt so queer as folk" is an old saying that I always understood had been written by Robbie Burns, the famous Scottish poet who composed 'Auld Lang Syne'. I was mistaken, however, and apparently it is of Welsh origin. It obviously means that people sometimes behave in a very strange way and is of little importance other than I was reminded of it while reading newspaper reports highlighting outbursts by a few individuals who were demonising forestry in Leitrim.

How status anxiety fuels protests and poor decisions

The recent referendum in Britain has thrown up more questions than answers. While a small majority voted to leave the EU, no one seems to quite know why.

Crossovers? I'm sticking to my trusty all-terrain steed

For the majority of farmers, choosing the right car can be challenging as it is difficult to justify owning a comfortable and reliable family car and also a jeep-type vehicle for towing.