In Co. Kerry, we have the best of both worlds – the sea and rugged coastline and expanses of beaches but also treasures like Killarney National Park. This time of year is perfect for watching the changing of the seasons’ guard as we move from Autumn to Winter. So I thought I’d share my favourite / best places for Autumn / Winter walks to watch the leaves change and fall in Co. Kerry

Coziness is "Teolaí" as gaeilge. Isn't that just a lovely word to say - teo-leee 😍
Its more commonly known as the scandinavian concept of Hygge, the word is said to have no direct translation in English, though “cozy” comes close. Journalist Helen Russell, defines it as “taking pleasure in the presence of gentle, soothing things,” like a freshly brewed cup of coffee and wool socks. For me it's about embracing autumn and winter coziness so as to ease feeling blue about the darker days. Here are my top five cozy things to do right now that are helping me enjoy this autumn season.

My top 5 Halloween / Samhain Book Recommendations
I'm on a total Autum vibe, trying to slow my pace of living to match the energy of this season and I'm spending lots of time in my cozy new home. Its the season for a good book by the fire, as the evenings darken so much earlier now (7.30pm last night!) so I thought I'd share my top 5 favourite samhain season reads with you.

Welcome to October, Deireadh Fómhair as gaeilge, which translates as ‘end of harvest’.

As the leaves continue to liberate their grasp and cascade back down to the earth, it serves as a reminder to us to release what no longer serves us too. “It is a cycle, not a descent”. It is not a descent into the darkness, but merely a normal, natural, annual cycle, part of creation. My musings on the month in question and some ideas for making a memorable October.

For that's what the turn of the seasons is, it's not the end, nor a dramatic beginning, but simply a new page turning to tell stories of a time full of its own beauty and blessings.

In our Slow & Seasonal programme this month, I shared some reflective journaling prompts. One was similar to this.... What step(s) can you take to make a current or upcoming transition in your life feel more easeful? For one my own transitions, I went from blonde to silvery grey in a few hours…..

If you were born in a time before now, then you might well be celebrating the Harvest, at a big oul hooley perhaps?! Or maybe you'd be getting married? Or perhaps you'd be showing off your skills and prowess in races or games? Or perhaps you'd be dancing around a fire in praise of Lugh the Sun God?! Either way, you'd be celebrating the festival of Lughnasadh, feast of Lugh the Sun God and the start of the Harvest season. Read all about this ancient celebration and how you can connect to it for yourself in modern day life.

Every year it snuck up on me...Autumn I mean....

I LOVE summer, I crave the heat, the long hazy evenings, the piercing bright morning light that fragments the curtains and the sense of possibility in the air. Over Summer I'm normally quite busy flitting around from place to place, weekends away camping, festivals, meeting friends, packing and unpacking my little caravan. From June to August, I was always cramming things in, racing to the next adventure before the current one even finished.

This year it's different…

We took to our woodlands, parks, mountains, and open spaces in droves during the Pandemic, desperate for headspace, clean open air and some much-needed peace and reassurance. And because we all needed to get out of the house before we started a battle with family! In a world of cataclysmic shifts, where uncertainty and fear reigned, nature became our constant saviour. Though we may not be able to explain it, we know we always feel much better, calmer, more grounded after being immersed in green spaces like forests or woodlands. It is not surprising that we are made to be outdoors.