Opinion
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 …
Tariffs: leave your investments where they are
As I write markets around the world opened sharply lower this morning. Europe led the way and when the US markets opened the S&P and DOW were down 3.5% and 3.1%, respectively. All caused by the wave of new tariffs announced by President Trump. This global uncertainty is notoriously disliked by the investment markets. Terms …
What happens to our pre-loved clothing mountain?
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON Charity shops have a double whammy feel-good factor to them. On the one hand they give clothes a second lease of life at bargain prices, and on the other they are a way of expiating our guilt over unwanted garments by donating them to charity to raise funds …
Clocks gone forward is the light of my life
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS There is a decided spring in my step, now that I’m over losing that hour’s sleep as the clocks went forward. I’m delirah and excirah… delighted with the light of an evening – and it feels good to be alive. The clocks going forward have time on …
The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
BY CLAIR WHITTY Omega-3 essential fatty acids have many health benefits. They are best known for their role in supporting heart health, but they are also beneficial for joint, skin, brain and cognitive function, a real benefit for those preparing for exams this season. Omega-3 is made up of EPA and DHA, two components which …
A history of Ballyragget and district
Ballyragget is ‘Beal Atha Ragat’ in Irish, which means the ‘Pass of Raggeds Ford’. The ford was the broad and shallow part of the river at the present Ballyragget bridge. Ragged is the Norman French ‘Le Ragot’ the fat or comical and refers to the Norman settler, Richard le Ragged who held lands in the …
Could loyalty be your biggest blind spot?
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan Loyalty. It’s a word that rolls off the tongue with a certain charm. You know what I mean. In Ireland, loyalty is more than just a word; it’s a way of life, a badge of honour. From the tales of old to the bustling streets of our towns, loyalty …
Happiness is NOT a cigar called Hamlet
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Thursday, March 20 gone by was International Happiness Day. And no one told me (I only found out later). Not one relation, friend or acquaintance phoned me, texted me, emailed me – to let me know because, if they had, that gesture in itself would have made me happy. Or at …
Sludge: deep flaws with the Welfare system
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR The cost-of-living crisis has driven many low-income households into “financial distress”, forcing them to make high-risk decisions that could have lasting consequences; so states the newly published report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shedding light on the stark realities faced by these households and detailing their struggles …
