Peter CostelloPeter Costello reports from the National Archives on the release under the 30-year rule of confidential state files from 1985
Month: December 2015
A great poet’s gift to the nation… from the archives
Courtney McGrailIn 1969, the poet Richard Murphy purchased High Island, now called Ardoileán, a small island rich with early Christian remains in the vicinity of Inishbofin off Galway, a place with which he had been associated since 1954. “I got excited at the thought of buying this inaccessible holy island, restoring the beehive cells and oratory…
Irish politicians tone deaf to authentic Christmas message
Michael KellyMr Higgins’ apparent belief that religion is a club ‘keeping a society together’ is as superficial as it is stupid, writes Michael Kelly
Alienated Catholics should return to fold – George Hook
Cathal Barry‘There’s no better way to live,’ says broadcaster
World News in Brief
Burma can hope for a blessed year The coming year can be a year of blessing for Burma, also known as Myanmar, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon has said in his Christmas message. “With the general election of November 8, our nation sees the dawn of a change,” the cardinal said, calling on “all men and women of goodwill to join…
Echoes of the past… from the archives
Garrett FitzGerald meets the Pope On March 28/29, 1977 Dr Garret FitzGerald, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Italy for an EEC Summit, paid a visit to the Vatican, during which he had the opportunity of an audience with Pope Paul VI. So much at least was known to the press, who seem to have…
Secrets of the powers that be… from the archives
The Vatican: Ireland’s diplomatic listening post In recent years the justification of Ireland maintaining an embassy in both the Vatican and Italy has been the subject of much controversy, with the Vatican legation being abolished and then re-established. The Government seems to have taken little cognisance of the fact that the Italian State does not…
Setting the bounds of the nation… from the archives
Most people think they are aware of the size of Ireland and its boundaries. But a series of files now released, dealing with different aspects of policy, suggest we may all be unaware of just how large the national territory actually is. One file, for instance, deals with the boundaries of Dublin. A special order…
Off the Hook
Veteran broadcaster George Hook talks faith and family with Cathal Barry
Public urged to donate unwanted gifts
Dublin’s St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral has urged people to donate unwanted Christmas presents to the needy rather than return them to the shops. On Christmas Day, hundreds of people living in homeless and emergency accommodation received gifts from the diocese’s social care agency, Crosscare, that were donated to the Pro following Christmas 2014. St Mary’s Administrator…