Opinion
Thunberg and fighting: holding out for a hero
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS When some years back the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg came to prominence with her stance – and visible outrage – on our lack of care for climate, few of us, bar her young, fellow travellers, took notice. Climate change seemed far off back then. When Thunberg recently …
The Canal Walk…Pathway to Arcadia
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Kilkenny is renowned for its medieval heritage, but it also plays host to the wonders of nature. And you don’t have to stray too far from the city limits to find both. If you wish to connect with the past and savour the joys of our natural heritage at the same time …
Support digestive health naturally with Tumbiotix Gold
BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you struggling with irritable bowel syndrome and looking for a natural solution to help relieve your symptoms? IBS is a common problem that affects the digestive system. You may experience bloating, pain, stomach cramps, spasms, wind, or gas. You could have diarrhoea or constipation or alternate between the two. Symptoms can …
Learning to feel pain
The neurology of learning can teach us a lot about persistent pain By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Developing an understanding of pain helps to relieve suffering and improve treatment. The neuroscience of learning can teach us a lot about how persistent pain states come about and what we can do to …
Lomi Lomi Nui with the lovely Lara
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Her name is Lara. She is tall, thin, tanned and beautiful. She is standing across the room from me and, without fanfare or fuss, says firmly but gently: “I want you to take off everything, please”. Lara doesn’t emphasise the word everything. I do. Or rather my brain does. The word …
Rents, and keeping a roof over your head
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Ireland’s housing crisis has reached a critical juncture as the Government rolls out reforms to Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) sparking fierce debate over tenant protections and housing supply. Last week the Cabinet approved changes to the 2016 RPZ rules which has capped rent increases at 2% annually since 2021. The …
Concerns in care system must be addressed
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON In a reminder of the shiver of concern that ran down our collective spines following the harrowing RTE Investigates programme on shocking nursing home care, Tuesday, June 17 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The focus of the day ws on emotional loneliness and social isolation, two powerful …
What a baby born right now can expect of life
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS There’s a new baby coming into the world any second now. Nothing new in that; babies are born every second of every minute, of every day. On average there are 490,000 babies born every day worldwide, that’s 323 every minute, five a second – as opposed to …
International gathering for annual Fáilte Isteach Awards
There was a truly international gathering at the Fr. McGrath Centre recently, for the annual Fáilte Isteach English Awards, as Mayor Andrew McGuinness was warmly welcomed to do the honours. Usually this ceremony is held in City Hall, however, this year, due to ongoing refurbishments there, the Mayor made the short journey to the Butts …
The Battle of Widow McCormack’s Cabbage Patch
BY JOHN FITZGERALD At the height of the Great Famine, the Young Ireland movement committed itself to repealing the act of Union with Britain. Similar movements on the Continent inspired its radical ideology. The Young Irelanders aimed to convene an Irish Parliament to tackle the ravages of hunger, poverty, and oppression. “We’ll restore the land …
