Opinion

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS I only ever saw my Father cry once. And that was when his own father died and the word came through with a messenger from the local newsagent, the only ones in the area with a phone in those days. And he sat down at the top …

BY CLAIR WHITTY Healthy glowing skin is not just about the creams and lotions that we apply to our skin, it’s often a reflection of what is happening inside your body. Skin is your largest organ and factors such as digestion, hormonal balance, nutrition, hydration, stress and sleep all play an important role in how …

CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton Due to the amount of attention it receives every year, one would be led to believe that the Leaving Certificate was the only game in town as, once again, the hype engulfs the nation. For some households I guess this is the case. Mothers and fathers throughout the …

By John Fitzgerald (Part One) Catholic clergy have, for centuries, wielded authority and given leadership in the social life of Callan. In recent years, that all-pervasive influence has been tempered somewhat by changing times, as in the rest of Ireland. Overall, the church has been a force for good in Callan. And the Big Chapel, …

BY CLAIR WHITTY None of us like to get bitten by insects whether it’s when out walking, running or gardening, or when abroad on holiday. Insect bites are unsightly, itchy, sore, they can become infected, inflamed, and swollen. Prevention can be better than cure and there is certainly nothing lost by trying this approach. Incognito …

FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran A few weeks back I came upon Shay Kirwan. Shay is a young man from inner-city Dublin; his mother died young and his father is a bitter, aggressive, alcoholic with whom he has issues. Shay has just been released from prison where he was incarcerated for his part in a botched …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR A while back I got a call. The chap on the other end said he was from Microsoft and that my computer had a serious virus. He was very calm, very professional and he wanted to help me fix it right there and then, over the phone. All I had …

There are a number of issues about the now ‘settled’ row over consultants with public-only contracts engaging in private practice at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital which aren’t being addressed honestly. These include trust in the health service, equality of care and the need to improve maternity services. Let’s look at the controversy from the point …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS In the latest figures available, for 2024, Gardaí recorded 4,095 missing persons. The vast majority of these were located quickly. However, as of now, 47 individuals remain unaccounted for, as do hundreds more over the years. Men, women and children seemingly having vanished, their loved ones left …

By John Fitzgerald The Sisters of Mercy were the great teachers in Callan for decades. But they also had a strict code of discipline in the early part of the twentieth century. Learning through kindness and a politically correct teaching method was unheard of-with rare exceptions: The infamous Bata-a long ruler or skilfully crafted stick-was …