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Who am I to be writing a book review? That’s my general thought process sitting down to write this. But perhaps, it isn’t a bad attitude to have in reviewing or indeed reading this particular book – Seamus O’Rourke’s memoir, Standing in Gaps. In essence, making everyday life on a farm in rural Leitrim in the 60s, 70s and 80s, truly transfixing Self-deprecation is a trademark of O’Rourke’s storytelling here, which enables him to give his seemingly ordinary upbringing comedy and calamity (his words not mine). In essence, making everyday life on a farm in rural Leitrim in the...

Home » Arts & Culture » Author Ryan mines the rich seam of rural life Author Donal Ryan will be the subject of the Ennis Book Club Festival’s Bookclub Meet and Greet event on Saturday Author Ryan mines the rich seam of rural life March 5, 2021 A POPULAR and critical phenomenon since the publication of The Spinning Heart in 2012, Donal Ryan will be the subject of the Ennis Book Club Festival’s Bookclub Meet and Greet event on Saturday. It’s a chance for readers to have some face time with the author, as he talks about his latest novel Strange Flowers, with the conversation to be facil...

It’s been another busy week on the farm here, between new calves and lambs being born I’ve not had a minute to myself. To be fair, that is something of a lie, for each night despite the wind or rain, despite the snow and lack of sunshine, I’ve been breaking the 5km radius . It’s not been physical travel, though, it’s been a journey of the mind. Each evening of this wet and long winter I’ve been emigrating, sans passport, to the far-flung corners of the world. Last week I was in Western Australia with Tim Winton and this week I’ve been exploring the Vietnam War with Ken Burns.

When I am on the land I like to dream of other worlds and other places. Some are real and some are imagined. On my long walk up to see our heifers in the upper ...

Once again this week I sat at my desk, switched on the laptop, turned off the mobile phone and attended an online funeral. Afterwards, I signed an online book of condolences. This is the only way most of us can pay our respects in the face of death, that great leveller. The days of brushing down my black coat, checking the venue on Google Maps and squeezing into a crammed church are gone. As for the sociable aftermath where you’d catch up with old friends and relatives, perhaps have something to eat and drink together, that’s a distant memory. The webcam funeral is only one among a host o...