Opinion
Planning retirement in era of economic challenges
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Concerns are growing that the Government’s long-awaited auto-enrolment pension scheme is set to miss, yet another, launch deadline. This landmark scheme has been mired in delays and, despite initial plans to begin in early 2024, the absence of State contributions in this month’s Budget may cast doubts on the timeline. …
Clocks going back can be a time for winter blues
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS The woman at the supermarket check-out says to me: “It’s very changeable.” As I bag my Pinot Grigio, I say: “I think it’s rather mild for the time of year, what with the clocks about to go back and all.” Another customer says: “And then you go …
Two Ladies of Vermont and The Sound of Music
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Over a quarter of a century ago, on a rain swept Halloween night, my wife and two American friends, pulled in to the Von Trapp Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. During our brief stay I met two very interesting women – one, a member of the famous Von Trapp family who founded …
A ghostly county…
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Matt the Miller is one of Kilkenny’s best known benign ghosts Tradition has it that Matt’s mill was situated on the River Nore in the shadow of John’s Bridge. Tired of grinding corn, he experimented with home brew. He kept the best of the barley that arrived at his mill to use …
‘Killing innocents cannot be justified as defence of the Israeli nation’
COMMENT Mediation must be impartial By MARIANNE HERON An Israeli father spoke bitterly of his five- year- old child, slain in the attack by Hamas when 1,400 were murdered. He was glad that she was dead rather than among the 200 people taken hostage and facing possible torture by Hamas. ”How could anyone do that …
The Haunting of the John Locke Inn
BY JOHN FITZGERALD For almost three decades, the John Locke Inn on Callan’s Green Street achieved notoriety as one of the most haunted houses in Ireland. A number of ghosts, demons, and poltergeists appear to have taken a shine to it. From at least the early sixties, people calling to, or residing in, the building, …
Bedbugs, All Blacks and blotched and bruised!
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran So, while the Irish were battling bedbugs and the All Blacks in Paris yours truly was battling the ‘invisible enemy’ in the tourist resort of Nerja in Southern Spain. Nerja, population 25,000, is a charming little town about 30 miles from Malaga. My wife and I visited Nerja about 25 years …
Retirement: looking ahead with optimism
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Retirement is no longer seen as the end of a productive life but the start of something new. In this era of extended life expectancy and a desire for active, self-defined retirements, it’s crucial to prepare for this new chapter of life. Today’s retirees could enjoy two to three decades …
Is it time to resist the temptation of fashion?
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON It was all very well when you had the 10 Commandments. You knew where you were with the ‘shalt nots’. But today it’s hard not to get caught up in a see-saw between wanting the things you might enjoy in life – like eating steak or taking a holiday …
