Opinion
Global polls and menacing role of AI
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Three things will predominate this new year, and they are global politics — general elections, effectively — the further rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and further advances in space travel and revolutionary advances in medical science. Over Christmas, as I watched two of my four granddaughters joyfully …
How a more sustainable future is in the can
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Next month in a bid to meet ambitious recycling targets set by the European Union’s ‘Single Use Plastic Directive’, Ireland will gear up for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionise the way we handle plastic drinks’ bottles and aluminium cans, thereby promoting a …
Uprising on Slievenamon
By John Fitzgerald A mountainside in County Tipperary was the only part of Munster to witness an uprising in 1798. The action occurred on Carrickmoclear hill, an outcrop of Slievenamon. A rebel army numbering many thousands planned an uprising in the county. Recruits came from areas like Windgap, Grangemockler and Mullinahone. Volunteers from County Kilkenny, …
New Year resolution: time to think forward
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Some of us have an unfortunate habit of thinking backwards rather than forwards, where ideas remain rooted in the past rather than looking forward to the future, especially when it comes to certain subjects. Top of the list of those tricky topics is immigration. We need better communication about …
Henry would have known what New Year holds
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS So Christmas has come and gone as we knew it would, and I trust you all had a good and peaceful one. From my window the avenue is strewn with windows and doors lit up like landing strips, and only God knows the cost to the national …
Jerpoint Abbey
– 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 …
Flower Power
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 …
Your guide to better financial planning in 2024
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 …
A visit to Knockroe – Kilkenny’s Stonehenge!
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 …
Staying between the covers this Christmas
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 …
