Archives | State Papers Secrets of the powers that be The new files clearly reveal that large numbers of Russians applied to enter the Free State, but the granting of a visa to do so was guarded. This was the time when the authorities in the UK and the Free State were concerned about…
Archives | State Papers Echoes of the past from the archives Desmond Fitzgerald, the father of future Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald, was a minister holding a series of portfolios in the Free State Government. He was involved in many controversial matters, the least of which was his effort to nominate James Joyce for the Nobel…
Catholic swimmer Katie Ledecky has been named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. A ballot of US editors and news directors saw Ms Ledecky, who won five gold medals and one silver in July’s world swimming championships, pip tennis star Serena Williams by 351 votes to 343. Ms Ledecky, who has praised…
Archives | State Papers Echoes of the past from the archives In previous centuries, perhaps even down to the 1950s, local traditions and what were called then ‘superstitions’ prevented Irish country people interfering with ancient sites from prehistoric, Celtic and early Christian periods. ‘A fear of the fairies’ went along way to prospering field…
Taste is subjective. Keep that in mind as I share with you the 10 books that most touched me last year. That isn’t necessarily a recommendation that you read them. They may leave you cold, or angry at me that I praised them. Be your own critic here and one who isn’t afraid to be…
Journey of Ten Thousand Smiles by Patricia Keane (Rebuild for Bosnia, Monasterevin, €16.95; for over the phone sales call 045 532 410) In November 1996 I accompanied Fr Kevin Doheny, CSSp, on a journey from Medjugorje to Sarajevo. He had been a missionary in Biafra, where there were thousands of displaced people and refugees after…
The Post Office in Ireland: An Illustrated History by Stephen Ferguson (Irish Academic Press, €26.99) At this time of the year over Christmas and the New Year we come to appreciate the post, which brings messages of love and peace and presents from relatives and friends all over the world, some not seen in person…
Every January, I have great plans for how wonderful the year ahead is going to be. They usually involve a multitude of new projects that encompass all sorts of areas and include the whole family. One year, I made out a detailed list about how all aspects of a person’s life need to be attended…
Archives | State Papers Echoes of the past from the archives The ‘Cold War’ that followed World War II, and some of the events connected with it such as the Korean War (1950-1953) and the testing of atom bombs by Soviet scientists convinced the Irish government in the early 1950s that preparation had better…
Louth: ‘Friends of Our Lady of Guadalupe’ Campaign presented over 1,393,245 rosaries and 256,542 visits to the Blessed Sacrament Pledges received from all over the world, for the protection of life and to save the Eighth Amendment, to Our Lady of Guadalupe at her shrine, Church of the Nativity, Ardee.
Peter Costello
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Maria Byrne