Audio-recorded memories are on the rise. Marie Kelly meets the historians documenting the way we were for families, and for posterity, in a fast-moving world.

Storytelling has long been used as a way to understand ourselves and bring communities together. Now, the Irish tradition is being revitalised by groups seeking new connection in a post-pandemic world, discovers Marie Kelly.

Forget our ‘progressive’ society, Zoë Desmond — founder of single-parent online hub Frolo — tells Marie Kelly that dating as a single parent is beset with challenges, not least when children are sometimes seen as a burden by potential partners.

Creating installations for film, fashion shows, campaigns and celebrity events in London, the Irish founders of creative floral design studio Worm are helping to transform floristry from a humble trade into an innovative art form, explains Marie Kelly.

Working from home with schools and creches closed for long stretches means working dads are now much more involved in child-rearing and domestic chores than before. It’s a challenging but rewarding situation, and one that could signal the start of a cultural shift for Irish fathers, says Marie Kelly.

With the cross-generational benefit of youth and experience — as well as shared values and trust — mother-daughter ventures are proving a powerful force across a variety of industries, says Marie Kelly.

An old fast food outlet in Carrick-on-Shannon has been turned into the country’s first organic food drive-through, serving a menu supplied by local farms. Marie Kelly speaks with Justina and Liam Gavin, organic farmers and ethical carnivores with big business ambitions.