Opinion
How I see the world unfold in 2025
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Economy notwithstanding, Ireland is emerging from what has been a lost decade for many – in housing and health and emigration – and we are, hopefully, emerging with a new Government with a greater sense of what needs to be done. That said, Ireland’s growth rate is …
The Kilkenny man who won a VC in Afghanistan
BY JOHN FITZGERALD A County Kilkenny village has a “heroic” link with Afghanistan. It is unique on these islands for having yielded two winners of the Victoria Cross. Walter Hamilton of Inistioge died fighting in the war-torn country-but not in any of the recent conflicts in that part of the world. He met his end in September 1879, while …
Let’s Get Motivated!
BY CLAIR WHITTY At this time of the year after all the festive indulgence you’re probably feeling bloated, sluggish or tired; unable to summon the drive you need to kick-start your new year with some healthier habits. The festive holidays allow us to indulge, relax and retreat; very important for most people who juggle busy …
Healthy Office Movement
Moving and raising your heartrate in brief bouts may be key to office health By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). We often blame our desks, chairs and postures for those nagging aches we occasionally experience at work. But what if I told you that we have all been focusing on the wrong …
When our vote talks, and your TD doesn’t listen
Democracy — it’s a great idea and important that we defend it but sometimes it feels like we’re just shouting down a well, waiting for our vote to echo back with some sense of relevance. Many people across Ireland believe their voices are just polite suggestions in a boisterous Matt the Millar’s pub dialogue. There’s …
Contradicting the Bible and bare-legged women!
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran January – the month when folks try to predict what lies ahead in the coming year. I love to peruse the predictions in Old Moore’s Almanac (on the go for a mere 261 years) though they’re not always accurate. It predicted Kerry to win the Football All Ireland in 2024 and …
Despite all, the economy remains robust
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR In a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Irish corporate insolvencies have increased by 16% in 2024, the highest level in six years. Though the final count of 852 insolvencies fell short of the anticipated 900, it reflected an unexpected strength in the Irish economy. Retail and hospitality sectors bore the …
Is living happily ever after a myth?
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON If I have wished friends and contacts happiness once over the festive season, I have done it hundreds of times in greetings. But what chance is there of living happily ever after like Cinderella with her Prince? Even though we know that real life isn’t like that and …
Ireland’s Prawn Cocktail Revolution
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan A few weeks ago, we chatted about the dreaded Brussels Sprout. Did the article change your mind about the “little verdant orb”? Was it on the menu in your house? This week I am going back to a starter that had its birth in Ireland in the 1960s and …
Light of hope in an ever-changing street…
BY JOHN FITZGERALD This is often a time for looking back over the past year. As I happened to be researching Callan in a bygone era I couldn’t help but cast my mind further back…far beyond my own lifespan, to how different the town looked a century ago, The raising of the festive lights in Callan illumined a town …
