Opinion
Life is not all about money, is it?
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Escalating energy costs and rising living expenses are placing financial strain on households, driving many to reconsider daily budgets and lifestyle changes. Income disparity continues to drive poverty rates, leaving many households unable to meet basic needs. Housing costs remain inflated, aggravated by a low housing supply and high rent …
Children falling through cracks of care system
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON The unanswered question in many of our minds is how can a child like Kyran Durnin disappear but the alarm is only sounded two years later? The six-year-old boy who had been attending school in Dundalk was last seen in May/June 2022. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency …
Why inquiry into how we handled Covid bugs me
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Do I need an inquiry into the State’s handling of Covid-19 for me to understand that I had the rogue microbe inside me three times in two years; that the first six months of lockdown had me virtually alone and certainly petrified because I was among the …
Time to say “sorry” to Petronella?
BY JOHN FITZGERALD This month we recall a dark day in the history of Kilkenny. The burning alive of a woman erroneously accused of witchcraft 700 years ago is still source of shame, horror, and bafflement even today. The Kilkenny Heritage Walkers had their own tribute to Petronella on Saturday, enacted by veteran member Marianne Kelly. Marianne took a large …
Looking after the man in your life
BY CLAIR WHITTY Looking after the man in your life doesn’t mean handing the responsibility over to someone else. It means you. You need to look after yourself. My top tips to help you do this include maintain a balanced diet, get regular exercise, stay on top of medical screenings, protect your mental health, sleep …
Village of the Monks
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Duiske Abbey stands as a monument to Ireland’s long association with monastic orders. It has the distinction of being the largest Cistercian church in the country and one of the first Gothic structures to appear on the Irish landscape. In recent years, it has become renowned for the quality of its world acclaimed …
Childhood Experiences Impact Health
Childhood maltreatment can have a profound effect on health decades later By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). We are so malleable when we are young. We soak up everything around us. While we can all learn and adapt throughout life, babies and children tend to soak up experiences at a supercharged rate. …
TADHG O’CARROLL
BY MICHAEL O’LEARY The Ireland Ladies Rugby Team have been enjoying a renaissance recently with victories against Australia and New Zealand, and part of the backroom set-up is Kilkenny man Tadhg O’Carroll. Tadhg is Physiotherapist to the Irish Team, and his arrival has coincided with a revival in the fortunes of the International Team. Ireland …
Seasonal Affective Disorder
BY CLAIR WHITTY Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is experienced during the darker months of the year due to less hours of sunlight. It is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern and recurs at the same time each year. Common symptoms associated with SAD include: low mood, …
The US Presidential Election: just days out …
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan Just days out from the US Presidential election let’s take a satirical look at what might be happening at the rival campaign headquarters as the votes come in. In the busy offices of opposing campaign teams, the excitement around the election is increasing. Balloons float around, representing high hopes …
