Acting Editor Niamh Devereux welcomes you to the new issue of Irish Country Magazine
As we bid farewell to what was an uncharacteristically glorious Irish summer, I must confess a possibly unpopular opinion: I’m overjoyed that autumn is here. The season of comfy jumpers, soup and Samhain is when I thrive the most – as much as I may be cursed by you for not bemoaning the sunshine leaving our skies.
But hear me out: this time of year is prime for curling up, hot drink in hand, with a great read. Inside this issue, we have an abundance of stories to sink into and find comfort and inspiration. Take our cover star, a skilled storyteller herself. Louise O’Neill opens up on the “Eat Pray Love for the Hinge era” journey she embarked on after navigating heartbreak, which she has written about with astonishing vulnerability, wisdom and wit in her new memoir, A Bigger Life. It is required reading for anyone who has ever shrunk themselves or settled for less. We met Louise in her hometown of Clonakilty, in stunning west Cork, and Claire Nash snapped a cover shot that encapsulates what is a central theme in her book: the reclamation of pleasure and joy after the pain of losing her sense of self.
From page 18, read our conversation on her transformative dating experiences across London, Paris and New York; learning to lean into her sexual desires; and how, by taking risks, she built the life she actually wanted.
Elsewhere, Sarah Finnan takes a look at how scores of Irish people are turning away from dating apps and going retro in favour of tête-à-tête meetups (page 76), while Megan Fox rounds up healing getaways for anyone currently experiencing grief and loss (page 106). Adele Miner rounds up the unsexy beauty products that punch above their weight on page 56, and I love Dee Laffan’s look at Irish-grown, sustainable oysters – long considered a powerful aphrodisiac.
For those anticipating their autumnal wardrobe switch-up, we have plenty of ideas in our new-season edit: welcoming rich chocolate, caramel and olive shades, as well as heritage textures, tailored silhouettes and classic layering with a vintage flair. If you’re curious about the rise of colour analysis, we speak to an expert about finding your perfect tones (page 30), while this issue’s instalment of My Style My Story (page 42) is a reminder of how fun and freeing fashion can be when you embrace your individual style.
Finally, from pages 45-51, we celebrate the wonderful night that was the Irish Made Awards 2026 and each of our incredibly deserving winners. As I said in my speech on the night, it is imperative, now more than ever, that we support our creatives and homegrown businesses. At a time when AI is creeping into all facets of life, our Irish makers have one thing that can never be replicated by the likes of ChatGPT or Temu: heart. They all stand for something real.
I hope you enjoy the curling up, the hot drink and the reading. Until next time!
Discover all that and much more in the November issue of Irish Country Magazine. Find your nearest stockist here, or to subscribe and never miss an issue, click here.
