Columns - Irish Examiner

Denis Lehane

Denis Lehane is Ireland’s favourite farming satire writer (at least according to us!). Known for his unorthodox farming ingenuities and ideas, you never know what adventures our ‘Auld Lehane’ will be up to in Lighten Up.

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Lighten Up: Why the Oscars needs to come to the Green Glens

The National Ploughing Championships changes venue every few years, and this always adds a fresh spark to the adventure... the Oscars could do the same by moving to Millstreet

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Neustadt in Holstein, Germany - August 4, 2019, European Folklore Festival

Lighten Up: Only Michael Flatley can save us from the rain

Our Auld Lehane says he is struggling hard to remember a time in rural Ireland when we didn't have rain, as he reflects on a month of endless rain in this week's Lighten Up

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Roses, two glasses of red wine and candles on desk

Auld Lehane's advice for frugal farmers on Valentine's Day

Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but they are no friend of mine, writes our Auld Lehane, as he gives his top tips ahead of Valentine's Day

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Auld Lehane's New York adventure continues

I was in New York recently, with many people now wondering what the heck I was doing there. "You hardly go to Kilmurry for the paper," one old fellow said to me after mass on Sunday.

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

The Statue of Liberty over the Scene of New york cityscape river side which location is lower manhattan,Architecture and buildin

Lighten Up: Auld Lehane... On the ground in New York City

New York... it's like Macroom on a fair day, only multiplied by 10, writes our Auld Lehane from the 'Big Apple'

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Lighten up: New year, new you at the mart — our Denis's 10 tips for mart success in 2026

Don't push the mart around, credit-wise or in any other way... the stick hasn't gone away, you know, and the mart still knows how to use it, writes Denis Lehane in a special New Year's mart report

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Lighten Up: A Christmas rodeo at the mart

Ever a man to spot an opportunity, our auld Lehane has fixed upon a great scheme to further enhance our cattle marts standing in the world, in this week's Lighten Up

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Young woman is stealing at store, shop, boutique at shopping mall. Shoplifting concept.

Lighten Up: Guarding Cork's Christmas knickers

Thirty years ago, if you were looking for Auld Lehane, you wouldn't find him out here on this farm in Kilmichael, busily carrying buckets across the yard to feed two hungry calves...

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Young pilot candidate receiving flight training meets with the tower

Lighten Up: Tractor pilots wanted

Auld Lehane, the self-declared Lord Byron of Irish farming, has a poem this week to lift the spirit, and indeed the finances, of the struggling farmer.

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

There's some truth in the cattle mart rumours that Auld Lehane could soon be running the BBC

From chit-chatting to royalty to cleaning out the loo, there's no job our Auld Lehane says he wouldn't tackle, in this week's Lighten Up

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025