Editor’s letter

Today we deal with the big questions, and the little ones. Grainne Gallanagh is Miss Universe Ireland, and while she loves the glam of it all, and thinks the swimsuit section is good fun, this Donegal nurse is more interested in advocating for women’s health than in becoming a model.

Author and poet Mary O’Donnell writes an open letter to the first woman to have an abortion in Ireland. While Tommy Tiernan ponders what happens to a man as he turns 50. Ciara O’Connor regrets trying to Marie Kondo-ise her life, while Declan Lynch muses on the notion that there’s no harm in going back to the drink as you get older.

But just as important are Rachel’s oozing, luscious chocolate lava cakes and banana butterscotch pudding. And Lucinda reviews Variety Jones, which is set to be one of the hottest new restaurants of 2019.

All these various things are important in different ways, and in their own way.