Opinion
Understanding political extremes: far-left and far-right
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan When I first dipped my toes into the murky waters of political ideology, I quickly realised that navigating between the ‘far left’ and ‘far right’ was like trying to find a sensible middle ground between a roller coaster and a merry-go-round. You see, the far-left dreams of a Utopian …
Rosealique 3 in 1 Anit-Redness Miracle Formula SPF 50
BY CLAIR WHITTY Last year I told you all about Rosalique a 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF 50. A unique formula designed to conceal redness instantly, reduce skin sensitivity, and provides UVA and UVB protection all in one product. It offers light coverage on your skin so you don’t feel like you are …
Quiet times but the Cats are still top dogs
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran The town is never quite the same when Kilkenny are not in the All-Ireland Final. I miss the buzz about the place. Miss the vendors flogging flags and match paraphernalia. Miss the black and amber displays in shop windows. Miss the arguments, predictions in the pub and, of course, I miss …
From spinning wheels to those digital bytes…
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan It’s fascinating to ponder how society has evolved from the days of spinning wheels to the era of digital bytes. I often reflect on how the transition from hand-crafted threads to automated textile machinery marked a turning point, ushering in what we now recognise as technological disruption. The weaving …
There has to be a bit of Shirley Valentine in all of us
By: PM O’Sullivan “The smell of the bakeries was just gorgeous…” Mary Cradock is talking about Kilkenny in the mid 1970s. Settling there simultaneously felt like destiny and the lucky side of mere chance.Her production of Shirley Valentine, with Clare Gibbs in the title role, will shortly be staged in The Home Rule Club. This …
FabÜ an Irish Brand
BY CLAIR WHITTY Some of you will be familiar with the Fabu brand. You may have seen it on the shelf in your local store. Did you know that this is an Irish brand formulated and developed by Laura Dowling? Laura is a scientist and an award-winning pharmacist and is passionate about the healing powers …
Remote work, war zones and beach babes …
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS The woman at the checkout says: “It’s not great, is it?” I look at her quizzically. “For July. The weather.” I say: “Oh? Depends.” What is it, this obsession of ours, with the weather? When it’s hot, it’s “very hot, isn’t it”? And when it’s cold wet …
Saving money with climate change initiatives
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR In their recent 2024 Annual Review, the Climate Change Advisory Council has laid out detailed observations and recommendations aimed at transforming the ‘Built Environment Sector’. This sector includes all residential, commercial, and public buildings which continues to be a significant contributor to emissions, primarily due to fossil fuels use for …
Saying “sorry” for Cromwell
…the Huntington peace visit to Kilkenny BY JOHN FITZGERALD We’ve all heard or read about the depredation wrought in Ireland by Oliver Cromwell when he led his Roundhead army on a bloody re-conquest of the country. But in 2002 a little publicized “peace mission” to Kilkenny from the tyrant’s birthplace sought to heal the old wounds and attempted, …
Time for Sinn Fein to do some resetting
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON Time for a reset! Cheery headlines to signal a change of mood in Anglo Irish relations following Labour’s landslide UK victory. But who is going to do the resetting? The subtext here is that Labour leaders care more about Ireland than the Conservatives did and it should be …
