The Outdoor Primary School (TOPS), in Greystones, Co Wicklow, functions outside the Department of Education’s remit, but staff and parents rhapsodise about the benefits of such an education

Local producers want to build closer connections between Irish consumers and farmers

Rare gems, paintings from Mainie Jellett and Roderic O’Connor, and collectibles linked with Irish literary greats are among the top picks for this year

Take a wander down Francis Street to find something out of the ordinary this festive season

By creating welcoming outdoor spaces, community gardens can reduce social isolation and foster good mental healt

There’s plenty of choice for a blingtastic gift under the tree this Christmas

There may be another way to support the local economy while not becoming a Christmas grinch

One turtleneck top travelled from Ireland to Latvia, Poland and finally Pakistan, where researchers believe it was not reused

Pre-Christmas sales offer a good opportunity to consider Irish artists from the 19th to the 21st century

Striking pieces, including a 19th-century marble table, and English and Irish silverware, are to be found at Fonsie Mealy and Sheppards

First edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, printed in July 1493, has an estimate of €20,000-€30,000

Paintings by Mainie Jellett, Mary Swanzy and Paul Henry among works in collections of Gemma and Derry Hussey and John A Costello

Jewellery, glass decanters and memorabilia for railway enthusiasts might make a nice gift under the tree this year

Highly collectable jade artefacts, including ornaments, pendants and seals, feature strongly in the auction house’s Asian sale, while Irish silver is to the fore at a US sale

‘Inequality is damaging our society, so you can’t act on the climate crisis and ignore this’