Rath Literary Festival 2026
The second Rath Literary Festival returned with an exciting and diverse programme of literature, music, film and creative workshops, celebrating both local talent and visiting artists. The 2026 festival had…
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Purple Rain
Farming Life Column – what’s in a name?
Seventy five years ago, the Farming Life newspaper carried news of my great-uncle Bill’s success at the 1951 Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s Spring Show and Sale, which was held at…
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Farming Life column – Not in that poor lowly stable
Not in that poor lowly stable Tis the season to sing carols as Christmas approaches. Did you know that the traditional opening song of the BBC Carols from King’s was…
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Michael Dillon Lecture 2025
It was great to catch up with fellow Guild of Agricultural Journalist members north and south at the K Club Resort last week at the biennial Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture…
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Farming Life column – Dwelling houses – places of meaning
This blog first appeared as an article in the Farming Life ‘Good News for the Countryside’ on Saturday 7th June: The use of the term dwelling houses is perhaps more…
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The Fermanagh Camino
Seven years ago, I took a sabbatical from Purple Rain to run a photography exhibition in my home town of Rathfriland to raise funds for the Simon Community. After another…
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Spring is here! New issue of Inspire out now
The Oxford Children’s Word of 2025, as voted by young people, is kindness. It is a word that can mean many things and is a positive word, one that we…
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2024 Highlights Reel
So, 2024? Where did you go? Here is a quick recap of some of my projects I was involved in: Four editions of Inspire, many promotional reels created for Instagram,…
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Farming Life column – Grateful hearts this Harvest
Published in the Farming Life, Saturday 2nd November 2024 While harvest services are plentiful in the countryside at this time of year, as we praise God for his bounteous provision…
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Farming Life column – Caring fathers
Caring fathers By Rebecca McConnell Published in the Farming Life, Saturday 6th April 2024 My childhood is full of memories out on the farm with my dad, two brothers and…
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