It’s that time of year when I look back over the last 12 months. 2025 was the year of the wedding, that was the big event and it was everything that I could have wished it could be. For those who don’t follow the blog, my beautiful daughter got married to her long-term partner, and we had the best day, which you can read about here. Although quite a lot of 2025 was spent with me stressing about what I was going to wear and not eating cake! Not eating cake didn’t make much of a difference at all, but a top tip when it comes to mother of the bride dresses, forget the fancy shops and head to Next.
So, a look back at the rest of the year.
I took a solo trip to Manchester in January, to see Magnum (a rock band, and where the magnumlady comes from). I had the best time, it was less than 24 hours but it was one of the best trips I’ve done on my own. I went to a museum, an art gallery, a very cool restaurant (pic above), and of course the concert, you can read about that here.
January was also Storm Éowyn, I flew back a couple of hours before that hit. That was probably the lowest point of the year. We had no electricity or heating for 6 days. That meant no way to cook as we have an electric cooker, no showers, etc. They were dark days and not just from the lack of power, but there was kindness from some people, and I am very grateful.
February was my birthday. I took myself off for a seaweed bath and a nice breakfast in Shells. I also met with a couple of friends, and we went out for a family lunch. The calm after the storm.
March was meetings and planning. I was delighted to be asked to document the Co-Create project with the Leitrim design house. I really enjoyed being involved in this, I got to spend time with very talented creative people, and I got to spend time behind the camera, two of my favourite things to do.
The highlight for April was going to Birmingham with Jono. We went to the Model Railway exhibition at the NEC. I really loved this, and I got to meet Pete Waterman, and got a chance to explore too. The catacombs in Birmingham are amazing! Full blog post here.
May was the launch of my photo exhibition for the Bealtaine Festival. The exhibition is still on in the Primary Care Centre, Sligo. It’s lovely to see my photos printed and framed. I don’t usually print any of them.
June is always a busy year in our house, it’s Jono’s birthday, quickly followed by Andy’s birthday, and our wedding anniversary, celebrations all round. We also went for a day trip to Stansted Airport, Jono loves flying, and we enjoyed our few hours in the airport. Read about that here.
July was the Ballina Salmon Festival Heritage day and the Boyle Arts Festival. I spent a couple of lovely days at both of them, and met Chris O’Dowd in Boyle. Although I don’t think I’ll go to the Ballina event again, I think I’m getting too old for it.
August was a day trip to the Belfast Model Railway Exhibition, this is an annual event that me and Jono go to and it’s always a good day out. I took Lucy to a few different things for her ‘mini hen’, we went to the Enniskillen Taste Experience, a seaweed bath in Strandhill, and dinner in Stoked, they were all amazing.
August was also the month that the blog stopped, and I felt like I’d lost my online home. It was costing me to run it and I could use that money for something to benefit my family. I put a call out for sponsors and I wasn’t having much luck, until I spoke to Brendan Tierney, this man has done so much for me and I am eternally grateful. In a matter of days, he had secured me some sponsors, and the blog was saved. Read about my wonderful sponsors here: https://magnumlady.com/2025/09/18/meet-the-magnumlady-blog-dream-team/
September – the wedding! Also, the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships in Roscommon – and they are coming back for 2026. Don’t miss it!
October. This was a lovely month. I was more involved in a work project and got to interview people who work in the field of animal assisted therapy. It was wonderful; I got to feed alpacas and walk a pig! I was also invited to the opening of Rituals, I think that’s the first time I’ve been invited to the opening of anything! It was also Halloween – and we went to the fireworks in Enniskillen – I’m definitely too old for this again! I was wrecked!
November – the month of collaborations and teaming up with some local businesses to tell their stories. I love doing this, it’s great to meet the people behind the business and to find out more about them. I also went ice-skating! The So Sligo Comedy Festival launched, and I had a lovely lunchtime roaring laughing at Karl Spain. It was also our work Christmas event, and it was lovely to see everyone again.
December – the countdown to Christmas. Some of the highlights of this month; visiting the beautiful Christmas village in Grange, it was just so beautiful. My Pranic Healing session in Oxyzone Sligo. Also, Christmas of course, spending time with the family, eating too much, and relaxing.
That’s my 2025 in a nutshell. It was a great year on the whole, a few bumps along the way, but all in all a good one. I’m lucky to be healthy and happy, I have a great job, a wonderful family, and a few close friends. I’ll write another post about my plans for 2026. Wishing you all a very happy new year.
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