The annual Listowel Writer's Week, founded by the late John B Keane and Bryan McMahon which takes place each year over the June Bank holiday weekend opened last night for its 49th year.

A new book celebrates the pioneering educators who founded Cork’s Scoil Mhuire, writes Ellie O’Byrne, where past pupils include actress Fiona Shaw, knitwear designer Bébhinn Marten and TV presenter Clodagh McKenna.

ARIA Ungerer is in her mid-30s. She’s happy, successful, in a stable loving relationship, fulfilled in her life, and… avowedly childless. Or ‘child-free’ as she calls it.