Opinion

As the threat to food security posed by climate change and war hits the headlines, what can be done to help protect Irish consumers from the rising price of the weekly shop? The answer to preventing cost-of-living shocks for fresh foods could lie at home, helped by a change in policy. Our food production is …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Out walking the other day, I spotted a local man I know by sight. Just before Covid on December 27, 2019, having drunk 15 pints throughout St Stephen’s night, this man knocked down a younger man walking home from celebrations. He was jailed for five-and-a-half years. In …

By John Fitzgerald A three-hour feast of storytelling, verse, and historical reminiscence will unfold at Fennelly’s of Callan on August 15th. Historian Philip Lynch will join Joe Kennedy of Callan Heritage and other luminaries to present talks, recite poetry, tell folk tales, and display a collection of vintage local maps. An extensive question and answer …

BY CLAIR WHITTY There’s something special about summer self-care when it’s simple, natural and feels good for both your skin and your wellbeing. We’re delighted to welcome the new Weleda Hair & Body Mists to the Natural Health Store. It’s a gorgeous collection designed to refresh and uplift. They are made with 100% natural fragrances …

I often look at others and wonder what is going on in their lives, and the truth is that no matter how well we know another person, there are always hidden thoughts, emotions, memories and struggles that remain unseen. Human beings carry invisible worlds within them, and because of this, we can never fully know …

AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON How much tragedy does it take before action is taken to curb the harm done to victims? It took an outcry over the number of brain-injured children to look at stricter measures to be taken on e-scooters, but these have yet to be implemented. It took the death …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS A drought is generally defined as a prolonged period of abnormally dry weather that can lead to water shortages, crop damage, low river flows or depletion of soil moisture. In Ireland, droughts usually occur in spring and summer when a persistent high-pressure system results in such weather. …

By John Fitzgerald I visited three sites last week that recall the Great Famine in the county. The first was Callan Workhouse, which opened its doors in 1842 but struggled to cope with the influx of starving people when famine struck. It was a model of dehumanizing bureaucracy and the architect had specifically designed it to …

CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton We live in a culture that celebrates youth and the latest trends. It’s as though whatever came before has already lost its value. Social media rewards appearance over substance, frivolity over experience and treats ageing not as a natural part of life but as something to resist, conceal …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS As I kicked the ball one more time towards the goal – and missed – I said: “That’s it, lads, I’m off. Top Of The Pops!” And in no time the makeshift pitch on the green was deserted, as we each made our way home. After all, …