Opinion
Tips for marathon runners
BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you thinking of running a marathon this year? Whether you are a seasoned runner or a beginner, a marathon is a significant goal, so approach it with patience, dedication and a well-rounded plan. A healthy marathon training plan involves following a balanced diet rich in wholefoods, lean proteins and essential fats …
The Italian Job: the prices are a steal!
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON They say travel broadens the mind. Maybe too, it broadens the perspective on things we might try here in Ireland, or that we could do better. Holidays can be a source of take-away ideas to bring back home. Getting to Dublin Airport is a case in point. Taking …
Daniel: and the fate of missing migrant children
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS The discovery of the remains of a three-year-old boy after a two-week excavation in Donabate in north Dublin is tragic news. The boy had not been seen for the last four years, leading to Gardaí investigating, folowing a tip-off that the boy was buried near where the …
Killing the messengers: death on the frontline
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have killed 189 Palestinian journalists since the start of the war in Gaza and 242 have died in total. No, they’re not ‘combatants’. And, yes, targeting them is a violation of international law. Last year at least 68 media workers were killed in …
Country folk and the Emergency
BY JOHN FITZGERALD (Part two) One Callan man, we’ll call him Pat, recalled his days working on a farm outside the town in the early 1940s. He learned at an early age that carpentry and plastering, at which he later excelled, were less labour intensive than working for farmers. Like almost every young lad in …
There’s often another way….
CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton Have you ever seen a sign that reads, “Help Yourself” ? and sometimes we can be hesitant…. Something is offered for free…. What’s the catch? We are often suspicious when something is simply free to be taken away. We can help ourselves to free things… free samples or …
Brewing up a storm with Gerard (aka Gerry)
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran So, fame at last. Kind of. I have recently been shortlisted. For the Booker Prize? No. For the Nobel Prize for Literature? Don’t be daft. I have been shortlisted – or at least my name, Gerard, has – for the name of a possible upcoming storm! So, Gerry, or rather, Gerard, …
So, will that be cash then sir, or Zippay?
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR In a significant development for Ireland’s financial sector, AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB have announced plans to launch Zippay. An instant mobile payments service to be launched in early 2026. This initiative is aimed at counteracting the rapid rise of fintech competitors such as Revolut and is a …
Boosting brain health tips for college students
BY CLAIR WHITTY What can we do to boost our brainpower, especially for students going back to college? Discover the key factors that can boost cognitive function and focus, empowering you to reach your full potential and set yourself up for success. The brain contains more than 100 billion cells working together to process information, …
Time to celebrate the lengthening of life
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON You might think that one of the greatest achievements of the last century, a gain of 30 extra years of life, would be celebrated from the roof tops. But, instead, those extra years are more frequently perceived in negative terms, with whinges about the cost of pensions and …
