Opinion

– Where “Eternity is No Burden” BY JOHN FITZGERALD As the resting place of the original Santa Claus, it is hardly surprising that Jerpoint outside Thomastown attracts upwards of 40,000 visitors each year. But Jerpoint has other attractions to equal this claim to fame. It is classified as a “ruined town” and contains some of the most remarkable remains of our …

BY CLAIR WHITTY Flower Remedies are simple essences for everyday emotional support. When someone comes in to me to talk about a health question, I could easily end up suggesting that they take some flower essences. With the new year upon us I thought it might be good time to talk about them. In the …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR The first week of the new year is about to end with many families wondering what the year will hold for them financially. This new year as with all previous new years brings both challenges and opportunities. It can, if we wish, be an ideal time to re-evaluate and enhance …

By John Fitzgerald The Kilkenny Heritage Walkers re-connected with our Megalithic past at the weekend when they converged on the ancient passage tomb at Knockroe, near Windgap. I was honoured to accompany them on their trek. Situated in idyllic countryside, the site is located close to the Kilkenny.Tipperary border. Facing it about ten kilometers across the Lingaun Valley is the Neolithic cairn on Slievenamon. Though Knockroe gets a …

BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Reading and the words we read are among the greatest gifts given to mankind (and the printing press!)  Here are a several books that not only make for excellent presents but also offer valuable insights (and a few laughs) not only for this Christmas and New Year but for the …

FURTHERMORE  By Gerry Moran Christmas was truly Christmas back then, precious and pure, like the children we were. I am maybe seven and the Christmas lights are twinkling, shimmering in the December dark; the shops on High Street, glittering, glowing, even the butchers with their pinky, red glow I find entrancing: turkeys, plump and pimply …

AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON It’s a busy time of year – officially a holiday but if you are the one in charge of making Christmas happen- it’s a full-on labour of love. All that present buying, wrapping, shopping and cooking is where it’s generally women who shoulder the lioness’ share of the tasks. …

PART 5 CALLAN NUNS BLAZE A TRAIL DOWN UNDER BY JOHN FITZGERALD The energetic Callan nuns in Parramatta didn’t waste any time: Early next morning, December 9th, they opened their school. On that first day, fifty-five pupils enrolled for classes. Christmas arrived and the nuns spent much of the day reading letters from home. Their …

BY CLAIR WHITTY Christmas can be a lonely and sad time for those of you who are missing someone you have lost. I now know how you feel, my father passed away on 7th December. Even though he had been failing in health his death was sudden and was a shock. He will be a huge …

THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Most talk of having a ‘traditional’ Christmas, though for some it might mean one thing, and for someone else something else altogether. My wonderful daughter-law Genevieve way back on her maternal grandparents side comes from the Jewish tradition. She is non-practising, though does mark Hanukkah. But her …