Opinion
Is it time to resist the temptation of fashion?
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON It was all very well when you had the 10 Commandments. You knew where you were with the ‘shalt nots’. But today it’s hard not to get caught up in a see-saw between wanting the things you might enjoy in life – like eating steak or taking a holiday …
Home truths about the housing crisis
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS It hasn’t gone away, you know – the housing crisis. Nor is it likely to any time soon. Surely, in the name of all that is sacred, to put a roof over each of our five million plus people – without breaking the bank – should not …
Why it’s time to be positive about ageing
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Isn’t it time we dusted off the mothballs from our ideas about what it means to be older? A time too to appreciate the contribution of older people from President Michael D (82) and Mary Robinson (79), founder of Climate Justice, and on to the senior generations all around …
Let’s talk menopause
BY CLAIR WHITTY October is menopause awareness month and it’s great to see that there is so much conversation about it. I love that men are talking about it now too. In the past year I have spoken to more men about it than I have in the past twenty. They are trying to understand …
How Budget underscores Government’s commitment
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Finance Minister Michael McGrath with Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donohoe have announced a €14 Billion Package with tax breaks, housing relief, and more. In this article I want to highlight some of the areas that have been affected in the Budget package which was aimed at providing significant relief …
James Stephens The Kilkenny man who founded the Fenians
BY JOHN FITZGERALD Part 2 Continuing the story of James Stephens…the American Fenians became disenchanted with him. It was another of those splits that have bedeviled Irish republicanism through the ages. Oblivious of the fact that it was dissension and infighting within the Fenian movement in the U.S. that had delayed arms shipments for the …
Why the attack by Hamas was perfectly timed
COMMENT: PAUL HOPKINS As the onslought between Israel and Palestine continues, Israel is facing rising domestic political division, growing violence in the West Bank and delicate negotiations among Israel, Saudi Arabia and the US. The slaughter of Israelis at a festival by Palestine’s Hamas seems deliberately timely. Hamas claims it was taking revenge for a …
Euthanasia debate needs some serious thought
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Swiss organisation Dignitas has called on Ireland to change the law on assisted dying – a debate growing here since 2018. Dignitas, which supports voluntary assisted dying, told a recent hearing of the Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying, set up last January, that it had 100 Irish …
Autumn, season of mists; moderate AND mangy questions!
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran Right then, a wee quiz to shake up the brain cells before they, along with the hedgehogs, go into hibernation for the winter. Fifty questions. Quiz rating: 25 – 30 Fair. 30 – 40 Good. 40 – 45 Very Good. 45 plus – Excellent. You’re definitely a bright, very bright, spark. …
Art, heavenly music, and women of distinction…
BY JOHN FITZGERALD September witnessed a countywide flowering of arts and culture. The finest of singers, artists and topnotch lecturers once again highlighted Kilkenny’s primacy, and irresistible attraction, as a creative hub. I went along to some of these. First, I stepped into Callan’s Church of the Assumption to listen to the Cois Nore Choir; …
