Outdoor Living

Hans Weiland takes a look at soil, compost, leafmould and humus and some simple steps to making your own fertiliser

Part 4 of Martin Dillane’s guide to the 200km Western Way covers Stage 4, the section between Sheeffry and Westport

John Shelley notes the foggy signs of autumn’s impact on local wildlife, from pheasant to chaffinch to hare

Hans Weiland shares his tips on growing fruit in the west of Ireland – where to plant and what to try to grow

The lack of summer heat has meant a poor blackberry harvest this year, even in Tourmakeady, writes John Shelley

John Shelley heads to the woods in search of a particular red squirrel, only to find another

The recently opened Granuaile Loop Walk on Achill offers a panoramic views of Clew Bay, as well as many historical features

Margaret Sheehan on the benefits of introducing named-theme areas into a flower garden

John Shelley meets an emigrant returned who is unhappy with how the countryside has been mismanaged over the years

John Shelley’s appeal on behalf of the wood mice that have entered his family home falls on decidedly deaf ears