March 1

What are you reading? I’ve just finished Cathy Rentzenbrink’s exquisite Dear Reader, The Comfort and Joy of Books. For bibliophiles – it’s part memoir, part booklist with an insider’s guide to what it’s like working in a bookshop too. Today sees the start of a free “Share a Story” programme on YouTube – part of a week of events leading up to World Book Day (on Thursday). While actively promoting reading for pleasure, this year’s programme is championing children’s authors and illustrators including Humza Arshad, Alex Bellos, Sita Brahmachari, and Joseph Coelho among others. To find out more visit www.worldbookday.com.

March 2

If you’ve hatched a business plan during lockdown or run your own business and need some support or a morale boost, then Local Enterprise Week is taking place until March 5. There are ten helpful spotlight events and webinars – from assessing the financial health of your business to making your business more sustainable, as well as case studies from Irish entrepreneurs and their start-ups; www.localentreprise.ie.

March 3

Are there any sounds you have missed over the last year? After a year which has felt muted for most people, a recent study by Hidden Hearing, has shown laughing with friends and catching up with family are the two sounds that almost all of us are looking forward to hearing after lockdown. It’s World Hearing Day today – raising awareness around how to prevent and address hearing loss. “Studies show one in two Irish adults know someone that has experienced hearing loss, so we are encouraging those who are worried about their hearing to book in for a free test now to be ready for the world when it reopens” says Dolores Madden, Audiologist & Marketing Director at Hidden Hearing; www.hiddenhearing.ie.

March 4

It’s Glossy Thursday today, so don’t forget to pick up a copy of the new issue out with The Irish Times. It’s our Fashion Issue, covering everything from the transformative appeal of bright shirts to the new power dressing. Enjoy the read and remember to share your pictures on Instagram @theglossmag.

March 5

If you’re a business owner or employer, spare a thought for your hardworking employees and let them know how valued they are: today is the first Employee Appreciation Day. Also underway is the Dublin International Film Festival. This year the festival will come to you via the Festival screening portal Eventive. Taking place today is an exclusive “In-Conversation” event between director Steve McQueen and one of Ireland’s leading filmmakers Mark O’Halloran, offering an insight into McQueen’s artistic process. I’m also looking forward to Philippe Falardeau’s My New York Year, starring Sigourney Weaver in an adaptation of Joanna Rakoff’s memoir My Salinger Year. www.diff.ie

March 6

Missing a Saturday browse around the shops? Harvey Nichols has created a Virtual Shopping Experience that allows you to browse and shop by video call with a personal shopper. Beauty lovers can also stock up on their make-up must haves and luxury skincare brands such as: Trish McEvoy, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Fenty,Sisley, Dermalogica and Hourglass. Email PersonalShopping.Dublin@harveynichols.com. Meanwhile, Folkster has also introduced a one hour Zoom appointment for brides and bridesmaids, providing a full consultation with stylists where they take you through colour schemes, styles, fits and accessories. To book an appointent visit: www.folkster.com.

March 7

Pop over to Paris and take in FIAC, the renowned contemporary art fair usually held in the Grand Palais, which is taking place virtually this year. Kerlin Gallery is the only Irish gallery taking part, and are exhibiting celebrated Irish artists such as Dorothy Cross, Willie Doherty, Richard Gorman, Elizabeth Magill, Brian Maguire, Isabel Nolan among others. www.kerlingallery.com

March 8

Happy International Women’s Day! Taking place today from 3pm to 4pm is a free online event exploring the challenges to gender equality in Ireland. An Post CEO David McRedmond, Irish International canoeist Jenny Egan and broadcaster Sonya Lennon will discuss this from their own personal, professional and societal perspectives. The event is open to all, but registration in advance is required and is available through www.dressforsuccessdublin.org.

March 9

Have you been reading any romantic fiction during lockdown? If so, you might be interested in finding out which authors were triumphant in the annual Romantic Novelist Awards (results are posted today). One of the finalists is Catherine Tinley, from Newry, Co Down, who is nominated in the Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel Award category. One confirmed winner is novelist Mike Gayle, who will be presented with the 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of his contribution to the field of romantic fiction. For the winning books and authors and possible inspiration for your next read, visit www.romanticnovelistassociation.org.

March 10

Have you started to plan your Mother’s Day gift? Always useful and welcome is some luxurious hand cream. I recommend Molton Brown’s new limited edition Orange & Bergamot which is inspired by sun-drenched Seville. The citrus and white-floral fragrance is Molton Brown’s best-selling scent and is available in hand wash, hand lotion, body lotion as well as bath and shower gel; www.moltonbrown.co.uk.

March 11

Have you written to a friend recently? Why not use one of Alex Jefferson’s #PositivePostcards for keeping in touch. These cards come in a kit of five, (€7.50) or ten (€13.50) with a variety of thoughtful (and funny) messages, available to purchase with or without national or international stamps. Jefferson also creates general cards in crisp, modern designs for other occasions, and a range of gorgeous personalised birth and birthday prints in high quality giclée prints; www.propellerprints.com.

March 13

Historians and classical music fans might be interested in the Irish Baroque Orchestra’s new CD The Trials of Tenducci, which is released today. The recording captures the musical story of the celebrity superstar of his day, Italian castrato Giusto Tenducci, and his time in Ireland. Tenducci made a huge impact on music in 18th-century Dublin, as well as causing a major scandal by falling in love with one of his Irish singing students, 15-year-old Dorothea Maunsell, and eloping with her to Cork to get married. The Trials of Tenducci was recorded in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda last year. Tara Erraught, mezzo soprano, sings in the role of Tenducci on the CD, which is available for pre-order on www.irishbaroqueorchestra.com and www.linnrecords.com.

March 14

It’s Mothering Sunday. Why not pick up one of Avoca’s pretty Raspberry Rose cakes, €16.95, before you visit (if your bubble allows). Hopefully it will be perfect weather to enjoy with a cup of tea outside today; www.avoca.com.

March 16

The Arts Council and Waterford Healing Arts Trust have an innovative new online series designed to support the wellbeing of arts professionals. Entitled Surviving or Thriving?, the series of panel discussions, workshops and podcasts, aims to strengthen resilience, restore confidence and promote connectedness across the arts sector. The programme features panel exchanges chaired by psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney, with guest speakers, including writer Anne Enright, musician Eleanor McEvoy and artist Austin Ivers, in addition to follow-up workshops and online resources exploring self-care and wellbeing. Surviving or Thriving? takes place over three weeks until April 1. Admission is free, but booking is required from www.artscouncil.ie and www.waterfordhealingarts.com.

March 17

Happy St Patrick’s Day! Today the Abbey Theatre, will stream Home: Part One, a project that presents the voices of the survivors of the Mother and Baby Institutions. A company of 46 women, including artists, survivors, and public figures, will voice excerpts from the direct testimonies of survivors, alongside extracts from a number of reports into these institutions. The readings will stream on the Abbey Theatre’s YouTube channel at 7pm. The programme will be over three hours long: www.youtube.com/user/AbbeyTheatre.

March 18

How is your spring cleaning going? If you are a fans of the Netflix show Get Organised with The Home Edit, you will find lots of great products at The Organised Store at Dundrum Town Centre. The popular stacking drawers featured throughout the Netflix show are now exclusively available at The Organised Store, from €7.99 – €16.99 per drawer; www.organisedstore.ie.

March 19

It’s World Sleep Day and the theme of this year’s event is “Regular Sleep, Healthy Future.” If you’ve been having restless nights, why not try ESPA’s new Restful collection. It’s a peace-inducing blend of lavender, clary sage and bergamot that helps you to drift off and enjoy a restful night’s sleep; www.espaskincare.com.

March 20

Time to update your perfume perhaps. Two new launches might appeal. Yves Saint Laurent’s appropriately called Libre is a white tea accord with a splash of sparkling bergamot, crystalline pear, and crisp apple. Also tea-based is Maison Margiela’s Matcha Meditation – one of its iconic Replica scents, created by Maurice Roucel. It’s a fresh fresh and elegant floral, with a luminous green tea accord and bergamot essence.

March 21

As we move towards “al fresco April” and the garden once again becomes a central part of our day-to-day living space, why not check out Jysk’s new “Mindful Garden” range. The colour palette is inspired by memories of holidays with taupe, faded rose, pale olive, blue and asphalt prevailing. Prices are affordable such as the Rosenfink fire pit (€25), Avosett lamp (€34.99), Gjern hanging chair (€249), Gulsanger lanterns (€29.99), and the Nordic range of garden furniture. The new collection is available to purchase online at www.jysk.ie, or alternatively you can call your local store (if you live within 20km) to place an order over the phone and the store will arrange a home delivery for €30.

March 22

If your focus is on a refresh indoors, then Hedgeroe has launched its first paint collaboration of ten colours with Acres Hall, specialists of the Irish Georgian paint palltte. The series is available in a finest matt and eggshell; www.hedgeroe.com.

March 23

If you’ve heard of cloud bread, dalgona coffee or volcano omelettes – it’s thanks to Tik Toks 60 second videos. Rising stars include pasta pro Nadia Caterina Munno who believes in the importance of loosening ragus with pasta water – or “tears of the gods”, as she calls it. If you want some inspiration for a quick easy pasta sauce, do have a look at @the_pastaqueen.

March 24

How is the fitness regime going? Do you need a boost? Why not dig out your dancing shoes! Everyone – including Irish supermodel Thalia Heffernan – is doing the 21-day dance challenge, from hiphop to salsa and from pop to rumba. See more at @myorganicdance.

March 25

From today until March 31, international cellists are delivering “Cellissimo – Music for the Senses”, from the West of Ireland. Among the top artists to feature are Mischa Maisky, Marc Coppey, Adrian Brendel, Tatjana Vassiljeva, and Natalie Haas. The festival begins at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara today with a concert given the Irish Chamber Orchestra. French cellist Marc Coppey directs a programme of cello and string works, including Vivaldi’s toe-tapping double cello concerto, for which he is joined by his former student, the Dublin cellist Christopher Ellis. www.musicforgalway.ie

March 26

Tune into Netflix for a new eight-part series The Irregulars starting today. Set in Victorian London, the series follows a gang of troubled street teens who are manipulated into solving crimes for the sinister Doctor Watson and his mysterious business partner, the elusive Sherlock Holmes. As the crimes take on a horrifying supernatural edge and a dark power emerges, it’ll be up to “the Irregulars” to come together to save not only London but the entire world. The series stars Henry Lloyd-Hughes (Killing Eve, The Inbetweeners, Indian Summers) as Sherlock Holmes; Royce Pierreson (Judy, The Witcher, Line of Duty) as John Watson.

March 27

Thinking ahead to your Easter tablescape? Søstrene Grene launches its new collection today. It’s inspired by nostalgia and craftsmanship as well as springtime. You’ll find something to refresh each room, not just your tableware; www.sostrenegrene.com.

March 28

Have you left out food for the birds? David Cabot’s Irish Birds is an easy-to-use, fully illustrated guide for non-specialists to 160 of the most frequently occurring birds in Ireland. Birds are grouped together according to where they are most likely to be seen: in gardens, parks, farmland, hedgerows and coastal areas etc. There are notes on distinguishing features, numbers and migration for each species in addition to 74 of the best sites throughout Ireland for bird-watching. This makes a great gift for nature lovers; www.easons.com.

March 29

If you are feeling claustrophobic why not try an escape room puzzle. With different themes and scenarios to puzzle your way out of, play as an online group with friends and work out clues together. One scenario of Trappedintheweb.com is waking up outside your tent at a festival and having to find your gear in time to catch the train home. Nightmare.

March 30

Visit Kathy Prendergast’s colourful exhibition at Kerlin Gallery from March 6 – April 3. Many of the artworks are painted over actual roadmaps reflecting her exploration of map-making in general, its techniques and themes of ownership, territories and borders; www.kerlingallery.com.

March 31

Pay day treat! It’s time to banish black for good and embrace the new season’s colours – pink and orange are trending. Irish designer Zoë Jordan has launched her new Tramuntana collection – a love letter to mountain living and the Tramuntana Mountain Range in Mallorca, which was the backdrop to her wedding. I love this Sierra Tie-Dye Cabaña Knit, €220 available on www.zoe-jordan.com.