The Mansion House and The Irish Revolution, 1912-1923 by Mícheál Mac Donncha (Dublin City Council / Four Courts Press, €25.00) Thomas J. Morrissey The author of this work was Lord Mayor of Dublin, 2017-2018. He has a deep feeling for Irish history, especially with regard to the years 1912-1923. During those years the Mansion House…
Feminist parable warned of surrogacy nightmare
Dear Editor, Mary Kenny’s mention of The Handmaid’s Tale in her aside about terms like ‘forced birther’ (IC 13/6/2019) raises an important point that should be borne in mind by those who would claim that pre-Repeal Ireland was akin to Margaret Atwood’s dystopia. In the original novel, women are indeed treated as commodities – or…
Family News and Events
Having fun bursting bubbles Bubble Rush is a fun run with a difference – lots of coloured bubbles! Attendees start in a sea of foam and then take on four different coloured bubble stations, where foam canons create a four foot bubble bath. Run, walk, toddle or dance your way around the family-friendly course. Don’t worry if…
Milstein and Hibernian Orchestra’s share their riches
Pat O’Kelly Until earlier this month I hadn’t heard the Hibernian Orchestra for quite some time. I was actually drawn to its latest event at the National Concert Hall by its soloist, French pianist Nathalia Milstein. She took first prize in the 2015 Dublin International Piano Competition when, for once, I agreed with the…
In Brief
Cardinal calls for peace and combatting anti-Semitism Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel last week by calling for a shared commitment to religious freedom and combatting anti-Semitism. “The peace process and the future of the region are in the heart of…
The sheer goodness of a man and his magical words
The Notebook Fr Conor McDonough The 20th Century was the bloodiest of all centuries, a whirlwind time of evil extremes, but it produced some great saints and Christian leaders too: in the slums of Calcutta was found the great-hearted Mother Teresa; in the racist American South, Martin Luther King Jr; in the toxic atmosphere of…
Vatican quashes rumours of Benedict XVI stroke
Pope Benedict XVI is not dead and did not recently suffer a stroke, the Vatican confirmed yesterday. On Monday, rumours circulated on Twitter and other social media platforms that the Pope Emeritus had suffered a “mild ischemia” – a kind of stroke. “The rumours are false,” Alessandro Gisotti, director ad interim of the Press Office…
Holy Spirit conducts symphony of communion, Pope says at audience
Like an orchestra conductor leading a symphony of different sounds and harmonies, the Holy Spirit creates a masterpiece of unity and communion that extols God’s love, Pope Francis has said. In creating this harmony, the Holy Spirit “makes the Church grow by helping it go beyond human limits, sins and scandal”, the Pope said on…
Hong Kong diocese warns against rushing China extradition bill amid violence
The Diocese of Hong Kong has made a rare foray into politics, issuing a statement urging the city’s government “not to rush to amend” the city’s controversial extradition treaty. The June 11 statement came amid continuing street protests, which on June 12 were broken up by police using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.…
Notre-Dame to hold first Mass since fire on Saturday
The first Mass in Notre-Dame since the cathedral’s April fire will be said tomorrow evening in a side chapel that houses the crown of thorns, with celebrants expected to wear hard hats for safety. The June 15 Mass will be of the feast of the dedication of Notre-Dame, which is held June 16. It will…










