Opinion
Another year of living dangerously
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR As the dust settles on 2025, the Irish economy stands out as one of the brightest spots in a turbulent global landscape. Defying early fears of trouble from US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, the country recorded exceptional growth, record foreign direct investment (FDI), and buoyant corporate tax revenues. Yet …
Natural health trends for 2026
BY CLAIR WHITTY Every year there is a new trend or exciting new product in the natural health world. I wonder what we can expect to see in 2026? I did a little research and it looks like our gut health and digestive wellness will be one of the main areas of health concern and …
Recreation in Old Callan
By John Fitzgerald (Part three) Swimming in the King’s River was a much-loved pastime in Callan up to the late seventies. Columnist Peter Roughan remembered the swimmers of his childhood in the town at the turn of the century. And local newspaper correspondent, Seamus O’ Brien chronicled happy days on the river in his own youth, spanning …
The Winners for 2025 in Natural Health Store
BY CLAIR WHITTY Happy New Year to you all, I hope you had a good one. I am not ready for new years resolutions just yet so instead I thought I would look back on what trended in 2025. So, let’s take a look, Magnesium was number one, we couldn’t keep it on our shelves. …
Mussolini, Houdini and who-done-it?
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran One hundred year from now I wonder what shape our world will be in – that’s if we survive the murder, mayhem and chaos being wrought upon mankind and the planet by that unholy trinity: Trump, Putin and Netanyahu. Meanwhile, here’s what was going on in the world 100 years ago …
Promising better retirement security
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Ireland’s long-awaited mandatory workplace pension scheme, My Future Fund, is finally here. But last-minute changes have sparked debate. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary announced new rules just before Christmas, aiming to prevent employers from dodging the system with low-value in-house pensions. Data protection issues and the financial burden on …
Teen harm: is a social media ban the answer?
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON Back in the day, behind the bike shed was the place for experimentation or secrets. Today it’s in bedrooms, with thumbs working overtime. It was hard enough being a teenager then, picked upon or bullied if you weren’t popular, good at games or attractive enough. Now anyone, anywhere, …
One wonders what this year will bring
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS And so another year is gone, and a new one begun — and where did that time go? Whooosh! Yes, it’s true – the older you get, the quicker time goes. One wonders what 2026 will bring. Ireland sees the 100th anniversary on May 26 of the …
Celebrate Christmas at Smithwick’s Experience – Festive Tours, Premium Experiences & Unique Gifts Await
Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny is the perfect festive destination this Christmas and New Year. The award-winning visitor experience is open throughout the holiday season, closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. Last minute shoppers looking for unique gift options such as personalised, engraved Smithwick’s pint glasses and other branded merchandise will revel …
Recreation in Old Callan
By John Fitzgerald (Part two) Another absorbing pastime in Callan was card playing. In the early years of the century, the only form of transport for the men who gathered to play “25s” was Shank’s Mare. The game was played both indoors- in homes and pubs- and in the open air. It was common up …
