Rain & Shine

Kids In: There's a zoo in the urban garden, if you look closely. How many different kinds of bugs can the children collect?

Observe them. What are the insects eating? What's eating them? Buy one of those plastic magnifying boxes (Art & Hobby Shop, various locations in Ireland) and count the legs and exoskeleton. Look up the bugs on the internet and see can you name them. Listen to the birds. How many different warbles can you hear? Look at the geology - rocks are often millions of years old. See http://homeschooling.about.com. - Kate Holmquist

Read In

What book are you reading? Pianist Dearbhla Collins(right)

"I'm reading The Family on Paradise Pier by Dermot Bolger.

It's about an Anglo-Irish aristocratic family and it traces the history of the family through Irish and European history. I'm almost finished it and I don't want to give it up. The story is told through the main character Eva and you get very caught up in it. The writing is beautiful. I'm going to read more of his work."

- In conversation with Ciara Bambrick

Scene Out

Stone Age Lough Boora, Co Offaly

In 1977 a stone track at Lough Boora, Co Offaly was revealed to be an ancient glacial lake shoreline. Excavations revealed approximately 1,500 Stone Age artefacts which offered important proof that communities lived in the centre of Ireland as long as 8,500 years ago. Although nothing remains of the encampment, sculptures inspired by the find mark the site, which is a 1.2km walk from the Lough Boora car park. - Shane Hegarty

In Festival

Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival, Co Meath, August 14th

The exhibition, in its 30th year, at Moynalty near Kells will feature demonstrations of old threshing engines, including horse-drawn reapers and binders. Some of the skills of long ago will be on view, including basketry, woodturning, pottery, blacksmithing and spinning. There will also be a replica thatched cottage with butter churning, bread baking and spit roasting. Contact 087-2354763, www.community.meath.ie/moynaltysteamthreshing.

Catherine Foley