Opinion

BY JOHN FITZGERALD A former bacon factory in Callan played host to a most unusual artwork last week. The Quickening by Artist Deirdre O Mahony drew a capacity audience to the Power House on Mill Lane. It’s a film that conveys a heart-felt plea to change our ways as we arrive at a critical phase in the ever-worsening ecological and …

PART 1 BY JOHN FITZGERALD Last week I completed the story of the botched ambush attempt in Friary Street, Kilkenny, back in 1921…but there’s a postscript: Though none of the ambush team members were arrested or captured- having escaped on their bikes from the scene- others who had no involvement in the affair were picked up …

FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran If music be the food of love there’ll be fair feasting this May Bank Holiday in the Marble City thanks to The Roots Festival one of our most popular and successful events. And so, it’s music, music all the way in harmony with the rhythm of the weekend! * Donovan on …

AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON One of the striking sights in a TV programme about the incredible race to restore Notre Dame cathedral was the felling of magnificent oak trees. Nearly 2,000 have been used to rebuild the beams and the spire which fell when the iconic building went ablaze in Paris five …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS After decades of unimaginable, unbearable hurt for the families of the 48 young people who never came home, the Stardust inquest jury recently returned an unanimous verdict of unlawful killing – akin to manslaughter – for each person who was snatched from under our watch that St …

BY CLAIR WHITTY Let’s talk about psoriasis. This is a fairly common skin condition. It is characterised by thick, silvery white scales that are surrounded by a red, inflamed border. It can appear anywhere on the body, but common places are the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. It can affect the nails causing them …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR According to industry experts over half of us are paying way above the odd for our health insurance leading to mounting financial pressure for many. Every year individuals and families are facing the annual ritual of renewing their health insurance policies but the search for a deal this time around …

BY CLAIR WHITTY It’s that time of year again which those of you who suffer from hay fever dread. I know it’s a little early, but did you know that by starting early you may help reduce the impact that pollen has on your immune system and the histamine response? Which means your symptoms may …

PART 5 BY JOHN FITZGERALD Concluding the Story of that memorable day on Friary Street in 1921… If you missed the previous parts you can read these on the our website… Phil Dillon, who was in the bottling store yard off Friary Street with the horse and trap that was to convey the weapons, realised …