The touch on the elbow, the whisper in the ear — Pat Carey admits he was nervous about some of the approaches he’s had from total strangers in the last few days.

TWO weeks ago 62-year-old Co Wicklow grandfather David Lowen took out the Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me, placed it on his turntable and listened to the sweet crackly sound of vinyl, revolving beneath an immaculately kept stylus. 

Half a million men and women living in farming communities will be taught how to look out for their loved ones in a new bid to curb suicides in rural Ireland.

THE simple answer to the question posed by the National Women’s Council of Ireland as to whether women are “bearing the brunt” of the recession is “No”.

Without any fanfare, one of the country’s best-known journalists bowed out from his on-air career with RTÉ after almost 40 years with the station.

THE Irish Countrywomen’s Association has partnered with Kilkenny Shops to raise awareness for the National Day of Volunteering which takes place at the end of September, as well as to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation.

CHRISTINE Keaney’s home in Co Galway is one of almost 600 across the country found to have high levels of cancer-causing radon gas so far this year.

COMMUNITY and social enterprise projects could provide up to 65,000 jobs but needs to be driven by government at national level, according to a report.

THE Irish Countrywomen’s Association marks a century of wonderful achievement this year.

THE story of “The Bull” who became a “Lion” provided a delightful backdrop to Cappamore Show in Co Limerick yesterday.

A DETERMINED campaign, including the collection of more than 20,000 signatures, to retain cancer treatment services at Kerry General Hospital seems to have failed, it emerged.

Kit Ahern felt it would have been hypocritical of her to decline the invitation to enter politics given that she had spent so much of her time cajoling women into getting involved in politics.

THE death occurred yesterday of former Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry North, Kit Ahern (née Liston).

THE public can be forgiven for comparing judicial sentencing for rape in this country to a lottery.

SIPPING a pint at Pa O’Riordan’s pub in Athlacca yesterday, Joe Mulcahy summed up the plight of rural drinkers.

THE pro-smoking ban health and trade union lobby, representing at least 1.1 million people in Ireland, wish to express our deepest disappointment and frustration at the decision of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and the Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance (IHIA) to continue to oppose and obstruct this vital public health initiative.

THE Government has abandoned its Women’s Health Plan which was launched six years ago, the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) said yesterday.

A SOUTH AFRICAN mother-of-two, who has received huge support in her battle to remain in Ireland, has been told she will be flying back to her former home later this week.