Opinion

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Kneecap have ruffled the feathers of Britain’s law and order makers who are charging the rap trio’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh with a terrorism offence after they unearthed a video of him waving an Hezbollah flag at a London gig. Liam, who performs under the name Mo …

BY CLAIR WHITTY We all dread this time of the year when we are prone to getting bitten by all sorts of insects. This can include mosquitoes, tiks, horseflies, or fleas. These insects bite to feed on your blood. Sounds horrible! The bite triggers an immune response, which leads to inflammation and itching. Not only …

Social connection is known to improve immune system function By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Your immune system is like a protective shield for the body. A functioning immune system is vital for health. A healthy immune system fights of infections, kills cancer cells, keeps our blood vessels healthy and ensures the …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 50% tariffs on EU goods has moved from Sunday, June 1 to Wednesday, July 9 to allow talks to take place between the US and the EU – which, or whether, it continues to cause alarm across Ireland where businesses and workers rely …

AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON The brutal details of single murders dominating the headlines here in Ireland in familiar surroundings traumatise us. Yet, the equal horror of the slaughter of hundreds of Palestinians by the Israeli Defence Forces amid the ruins of Gaza are dulled to a terrible familiarity and consigned to the …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Around eight o’clock one night my eldest son announced, very matter-of-factly, on Facebook that he was ‘now in a relationship with L’’, a certain young lady from Donegal. I knew he had met her about two months previously and that they had been, as they used to …

Social connection has real, measurable effects on your inner biology By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Friendship is a soothing, protective balm for the body and mind. Scientists can literally measure the changes that occur in the body while in the presence of people we are close to – friends, family or …

BY JOHN FITZGERALD (Part one) In the early years of the 20th century, Callan Workhouse continued to serve the community. The famine was in the past, and life had more or less returned to what passed for normal in the once again thriving market town. Apart from catering for the less-well-off and providing a measure of …

BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you struggling to maintain your weight? Many people struggle with stubborn weight gain or sluggish metabolism. Eat less and move more is generally the mantra we hear.  But in recent times we realise that’s over simplified and the real picture can be much more complex. Sometimes low mood or lack of …

FURTHERMORE  By Gerry Moran It’s that time of year, folks, Cat Laughs Comedy time. Time for a chuckle or two. Here are a few jokes that hopefully will engender a giggle. Apologies if you’ve heard them before – but, even if you have, feel free to chuckle or giggle … again. An elderly lady and …