Opinion
The departure of the swallows from Ireland
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan So, there I was, perched on my usual stool in Ted’s Pub, the eternal beacon of warmth on a damp Irish evening. The place was buzzing, as always. The regulars, me included, were scattered about, each with a pint in hand and a tale on the tongue. Ted’s was …
How to insult people, efficiently and effectively!
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Straightway let me say that no one, but no one, wants to insult anyone. And no one wants to be insulted. That said – life is no bed of roses or hydrangeas for that matter – s**t happens, insults fly and occasionally we are at the receiving end of those put-downs …
Only one way to stop Middle East conflict
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON As the Israelis’ killing fields switch their deadly focus from Gaza to Lebanon and the tinder box of the Middle East region teeters on the brink of conflagration you wonder where is this going to end. As the death toll and injury of innocent civilians mounts by the …
So, will the Government’s Budget pay off?
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Budget 2025, presented against a backdrop of solid economic growth and an impending election, is a delicate balancing act by the Government. Faced with global economic uncertainty, surging costs of living, and the need for long-term infrastructure investment, the Budget reflects both political priorities and the need to address ongoing …
Was it a miracle? I like to think so…
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS The term ‘miracle’ is used very broadly in every day, ordinary language. We speak of miracle drugs, or of miracle babies, and some household products purport to be miraculous as well. Then there are those Christmas miracles. Philosophical discussion of the miraculous, however, is confined to the …
WHITE TWINE AND OLD SUITCASES
THE KILKENNY INVOLVEMENT CENTRE AND RECOVERY COLLEGE SOUTH EAST HAVE PRODUCED A WONDERFUL ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY AND PROSE. ‘WHITE TWINE AND OLD SUITCASES’ COMPRISES OF 128 PAGES AND 60 AUTHORS AND IS COMPLEMENTED BY SOME WONDERFUL PHOTOS AND ARTWORK BY TASK CAMERA CLUB. IT IS PRINTED BY MODERN PRINTERS. IT IS DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED READING FOR …
Windgap…A little piece of Heaven
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Part 2 Noel Ryan continued his guided tour of Windgap. I had accompanied the Kilkenny Heritage Walkers on their Saturday outing, and a revelation it was that weekend. Noel has an intimate grasp of local heritage A few years ago he co-authored with his brother Jim a book about Windgap’s remarkable history and archaeology. His parents managed the …
DANIELLE MORRISSEY
BY MICHAEL O’LEARY Last week, Danielle Morrissey was nominated for Intermediate Camogie Player of the Year following her outstanding performances in helping Kilkenny reach the All-Ireland Final. Unfortunately for Danielle and her Kilkenny teammates, they suffered heartbreak in losing the All-Ireland Final by a point to Cork, but her efforts throughout the year have seen …
Support Your Physical Performance with Ashwagandha
BY CLAIR WHITTY Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine by both men and women. The herb’s adaptogenic properties may help to improve energy levels and reduce fatigue associated with stress and low mood. It may help balance mood swings and enhance emotional well-being. Ashwagandha may also support testosterone levels. Men particularly …
Windgap… A little piece of Heaven
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Part 1 A little piece of Heave fell from out the sky one day…so went the old song that warmed many an Irish heart. A sizable chunk of that piece must have fallen in the part of our county now occupied by the village of Windgap and its bucolic hinterland. It has some of …
