Opinion
Don’t trip lightly over essential travel insurance
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR The holidays are truly upon us. Assuming you have the time and the money you could “plan an epic summer holiday with Discover Ireland”, arrange a “summer sun package” with the myriad of offers online, travel to the far ends of the world “at unbeatable prices”, visiting St Lucia, the …
The Clock in the Window
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Part 2 Callan watchmender Owen Richardson knew where everything was to be found in his Bridge Streetshop. He adhered to his own kind of order and efficiency in the little universe that was his home and workplace. He had a keen interest in current affairs, and listened closely to the BBC’s World …
Inspired by Mick
BY CLAIR WHITTY My friend Mick is 79 and looks fantastic. He is fit and active. There’s nothing wrong with his memory and he is in great condition. He can even still do a decent squat! He has no aches and pains either which is brilliant. I asked Mick what does he put his good …
A seachange is needed over lives lost at sea
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON In the last hours or minutes of survival, what goes through the minds of those who will be lost at sea? Grief for the family that they will never see again, thoughts of lives that will be unlived, the death of hope and paralysing fear. It’s unimaginable, or is …
LETTER FROM AMERICA
What of another Kennedy in the White House? PAUL HOPKINS When Robert F Kennedy Jr announced his plan to run for president in the Democratic party primaries a month ago, Jim Kessler, a leader of the pro-Biden think tank Third Way, called him a “gadfly and a laughingstock” while Democratic consultant Sawyer Hackett brushed him …
Two new books from Kilkenny authors
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Druids were once hailed as the great teachers and priests of ancient Ireland, claiming to have magical powers and to be in contact with the spirit world. They highlighted the primacy of nature in all our human dealings long before the advent of the modern Green movement. Druids feature prominently in many …
Jim ‘Foxy’ Maher: fellow teacher and author
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Jim Maher passed away on the June 13. Jim taught me in 3rd class in the Christian Brothers Primary School, known to one and all as ‘The Brothers’. Jim was also known to one and all as ‘Foxy’. I have no idea where that nickname came from but ‘Foxy’ he was …
Possible reasons for low uptake on rent aid
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Nine months on, half of eligible individuals have yet to apply for the Government’s rent credit tax relief scheme. New figures recently obtained by RTÉ News reveal that, out of 400,000 eligible people, only 230,000 have requested support, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the scheme. The scheme, introduced in …
Tips for nervous flyers
BY CLAIR WHITTY Fear of flying is a common question I get asked about at this time of year. Some people are just a bit nervous and for others it borders on terror. There is I think, for most of us the nerves around travel which are usually associated with getting to the airport or …
So, why are we in such a state of stasis?
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Inertia isn’t a word you hear very often and yet it is something that applies here with extraordinary frequency in services that are meant to make life run smoothly. The word means to do nothing or leave unchanged. Fine, if things are functioning but where they are going wrong …
