Opinion
Tariffs hit margins, then jobs, then disposable income
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR As US tariffs threaten Ireland’s pharmaceutical, food and drink, and tech sectors, Government and industry leaders warn of economic fallout that could disrupt trade, raise prices, and jeopardise jobs. Speaking recently in Cork ahead of the EU-US trade talks, Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasised the urgency of securing a …
As tariffs yoyo can we avoid being Trumpled on?
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON A new verb has joined my vocabulary: it’s to Trumple. In a sense it’s a close relation of to trample, meaning to tread on and flatten things – powerful elephants, are very good at this. Trumpling is something unique to Donald Trump’s behaviour towards the world and I …
Growing old disgracefully … with some grace please
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Here’s something that may surprise you. The average age of people in Ireland now is 39 — and a half. That’s because most are now middle-aged. The bad news is that, according to, yet another, survey, people who are middle-aged — for the purpose of this exercise …
How to Manage Stress Naturally – No Pills Needed!
BY CLAIR WHITTY Stress, unfortunately, is a huge factor causing many problems for people of all ages, especially for students, parents, and teachers at exam time. It can affect your physical, emotional, cognitive health as well as influence your behaviour in less than savoury ways. Sometimes you may not even realise that the headache, migraine, …
All Roads lead to Kells
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Historic Kells, situated on the King’s River, has a heritage unequalled by most towns or villages of its size anywhere in the world. Today it rests amid idyllic pastoral beauty… rich farmland that rolls like a lush carpet of emerald green. With its river, trees, hedges, and rustic lanes, this canopy spreads …
A Natural Approach to Osteoporosis
BY CLAIR WHITTY Osteoporosis is a condition that affects bones causing them to become weak and brittle, and to break easily. A break doesn’t have to be from a fall, it can occur when doing something as simple as lifting your groceries. It is known as a silent disease because you may not find out …
Mind-Body Connection: Friendship
Time with good friends is good for your health in so many ways By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Last week we explored the mind-body connection by looking at the effects of a hangover. This week let’s look at the mind-body connection from another angle. Time with good friends is great for …
Theatre in Kilkenny
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Kilkenny’s drama lovers celebrated in 1993 when President Mary Robinson, amid a fanfare of publicity and razzmatazz, formally opened the Watergate Theatre in Irishtown. The old Savoy Cinema building had been tastefully converted into a state of the art performance venue for top notch dramatic and music events; staged by amateurs and professionals …
Christianity v. social democracy: My unlikely journey
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan I didn’t expect my path to lead from the quiet calm of church services to the energetic atmosphere of political gatherings. Growing up in a small parish, I spent my Sundays surrounded by messages of kindness and togetherness. However, as I matured, my interest in the larger world outside …
St Gregory’s toe and famous four-in-a-row
Furthermore Gerry Moran I swear I never touched her breasts – let alone rubbed them. I’m talking, of course, about the statue of Molly Malone, Dublin’s famous fishmonger, and the furore over tourists rubbing her bust. That said I have to confess that I did rub a statue once. A statue of a male. Of …
