Opinion
Can we restore threatened Nature in Ireland?
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON Meadows and hedgerows were a thing of wonder when I was growing up. They were starred with wild flowers with evocative names: Ragged Robin, Lady’s Bedstraw, Scarlet Pimpernel, Bird’s Foot Trefoil and Cowslips. When I walked on the short turf by the sea in Co. Down I trod …
Think less about posture
Think less about posture and more about regular movement By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Posture is not all that important when it comes to back pain and health. So many other things are much more important to consider if you wish to care for your body in the long run. I …
Marianne leads the way to the Christmas Cribs…
By John Fitzgerald The Kilkenny Heritage Walkers rounded off a year of enthralling and highly informative talks and walks in festive style: The group organized a beautifully choreographed visit to some of the much-loved churches of the City, with special emphasis on the cribs to be seen within these hallowed centres of devotion. Marianne Kelly brought all …
2024 SPORTING REVIEW OF THE YEAR
BY MICHAEL O’LEARY 2024 was one of the great years for Sport with so many great memories, highlighted by the wonderful success of the Irish at both the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris. Willie Mullins achievements throughout the year were extraordinary even by his highest standards, and in March he trained nine winners at the …
Some random memories of mine from 2024
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Let’s start with the little old lady in Dunnes Stores car park who politely asked if I could spare 20 cents to release a trolley. “But trolleys require a euro,” I said. “Twenty cents works,” she informed me. She was right. What’s this they say – you learn something new every …
New Year And All Year Resolutions
CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton Happy New Year to one and all. New Year always feels like a time for new beginnings and resolutions, and like most I start off with great intentions. This year I’m asking myself, how can I contribute to making the world and my community a better place? How …
The best Christmases of my life
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Some years back, a Fr Ronan Drury, the then Editor of The Furrow, made contact wondering if I would write a piece on how Christmas was different for me having recently retired from the teaching profession. The Furrow is a monthly journal for the contemporary church and enjoys an international reputation …
Of Gods and Men, and a monastery in North Africa
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan Picture this: It’s the 1990s and there’s this monastery in North Africa where eight French monks live among their Muslim neighbours. Everything’s peaceful until one day, things go sideways when a violent extremist group makes its presence known, and suddenly everyone’s on edge. The monks hit a crossroads — …
A selection of books for the festive season
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Reading is among the greatest gifts given to Mankind. Here is a selection of books that not only make for excellent presents but also offer valuable insights and a few laughs. Money: A Story of Humanity by David McWilliams This is an accessible and entertaining account following the history of …
Time to untie the knot of social pain
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON Only the lonely Know the way I feel tonight Only the lonely Know this feeling ain’t right. Roy Orbison’s lyrics touch on the loneliness conundrum. You can feel perfectly fine alone – and a third of over 65s in Ireland live alone – without feeling lonely. But if …
