Opinion
Why The Firm is better than all the others tried
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON What’s this? Are we really monarchists at heart wishing that Michael D could wear a crown on ceremonial occasions? Maybe not. But in a recent survey her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turned out to be more popular than all our political leaders, even Mary Lou. It’s easy to be …
Modern dads show their true emotions
THE FACT OF THE MATTER PAUL HOPKINS It’s been long a given that there’s a whole generation of the New Man out there. They use moisturiser, they stroke the cat, they have women friends, they make brown bread, and they clip their toenails on a regular basis. But they also workout regularly and are conscious …
Making sure you get all your tax allowances
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Have you claimed your Flat Rate Expense (FRE) for last year yet? No? Unfortunately, you’re not alone as every year thousands of people leave unclaimed FREs and other tax reliefs and refunds with the taxman. More than 50% of employees surveyed by Taxback.com do not know their tax entitlements or …
You’ll be ‘Appier’ after a good night’s sleepio
BY ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST A THIRD of all adults aren’t sleeping. Sleepless nights result in miserable days after. You’re never at your most efficient when you’re fatigued. Alongside the one in three of us who say we regularly suffer sleepless nights, two-thirds of grown ups struggle with disrupted sleep. Furthermore, a quarter report not being …
What’s Osteoporosis?
BY CLAIR WHITTY Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones have become weak and brittle causing them to break easily. This can happen if you trip or fall, hit off something, or even from coughing. The most common fractures occur in the hip, spine, or wrist. It is known as a silent disease as you …
Let’s not scapegoat refugees for our deficiencies
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON We may be one of the most distant destinations for refugees fleeing Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine but their reception in Ireland couldn’t have been warmer. Since Ukrainians began arriving here from March onwards, they have been taken into our hearts and our schools. Don’t we deserve a pat …
Monkeypox, how are ya; it’s the economy stupid!
THE FACT OF THE MATTER PAUL HOPKINS I’m in my local when he spots me and there’s no escape. It’s Yer Man at the bar, he who has an opinion on all and sundry. “I’ll get that,” he says as the barman places the blonde in the black skirt in front of me. “So, it’s …
Underactive thyroid natural support
BY CLAIR WHITTY At the shop I see a lot of people who ask for advice about underactive thyroid. This is an extremely common condition which causes the body’s metabolic rate to slow down. This results in symptoms that can include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint …
School days and that question of sex …
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Should girls and boys always be educated together? With so many controversies going on the proposed bill by the Labour Party that all Government funded schools in the 26 counties should be co-ed in future has created barely a ripple. Around 17% of primary schools are single sex and …





