By John Fitzgerald Folk singers Niamh Bury and Zoe Basha have performed at venues nationwide, telling evocative stories through music and song and never failing to pull at the heartstrings, with soulful renditions of trad, jazz, and their own compositions. But Fennelly’s of Callan offered them a new experience. The courtyard had been set up …

By John Fitzgerald (Part two) (Continuing the story of the Catholic Church in Callan. Part one can be read on the Observer website) One of the most accomplished organists in those far off times (late 19th and early twentieth centuries) was Minnie Cuddihy. Having played the old organ for a while, she adapted brilliantly to …

CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton In her younger days, my mother had much to say about many things, but with age she would always come out with a proverb to back up her opinion. Proverbs teach us core wisdom, good judgement, moral behaviour and right conduct. “A stitch in time saves nine.” “You …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR If you’re one of the many people who were automatically enrolled in My Future Fund earlier this year, there’s an important date coming up. From July 1 until August 31, you’ll have the option to leave the scheme if you decide it’s not right for you. After that, you won’t …

AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON There are a number of issues about the now ‘settled’ row over consultants with public-only contracts engaging in private practice at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital which aren’t being addressed honestly. These include trust in the health service, equality of care and the need to improve maternity services. Let’s …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS I only ever saw my Father cry once. And that was when his own father died and the word came through with a messenger from the local newsagent, the only ones in the area with a phone in those days. And he sat down at the top …