DOOR-TO-DOOR canvassing is a great eye-opener, you might even say an education, for politicians in regard to changes in the countryside.

TWO out of every five Irish families visit a forest each year and it’s a fair bet that May is among the most popular months for such visitation. Many people regard May as the most beautiful month of the year, a time when nature is renewed and in full bloom.

THE native red squirrel, once a common animal in many parts of the country, is under threat from the American grey squirrel which came here about 100 years ago.

ONE of the consequences of massive development has been the destruction of boglands.

WINDFARMS provide energy, may be environmentally-friendly and welcome — until they interfere with your television reception.

HIDDEN gems continue to be unveiled in Killarney National Park.

ANGLERS are, arguably, the best watchdogs you can have regarding water quality. They are the first to take note when things go wrong, but all too often the powers-that-be do not listen to them.

IRISH people still clinging the old faith probably ate fish on Good Friday, even if some of the traditionalists might have been reluctant enough about it.

GIVEN that many of the sources of our drinking water are polluted, about the only surprise to emerge from the current contamination of public water supplies in Galway is that it did not happen a long time ago, somewhere in the country.

TRAVEL outside any Irish town, on a Monday morning, for about just as long as it takes to eat a carton of chips and you’re almost certain to find packaging strewn around the roadside.