Caroline Delaney

It takes a certain skill to make a stand-up comedy act, in front of thousands of people in a packed tent, feel like a chat with a really witty, good friend. But John Bishop aced it. And just like so many meet-ups with friends, it opened with some travel details — and a shout-out to tractor drivers who shun the hard shoulder. It’s election season and of course the election posters festooning every pole and fence caught Bishop’s attention as he motorbiked across Ireland.

It took research, photo shoots, a series of newspaper articles and radio interviews, schedule juggling, and literally hundreds of phone calls and emails for her mum and school principal, but a little girl who had missed nearly a year's worth of school is finally back in her classroom. "We were up at 6.30am today getting her ready and it was just great to see her getting onto the bus and getting off at the school," said Michelle, Leah Forde's mum.