People can’t have their cake and eat it

Dear Editor, I cannot be alone in thinking that Cardinal Kevin Farrell and the Vatican are perfectly within their rights to decide who can – and cannot – speak on Vatican territory. The report that the organisers of an event at which former President Mary McAleese is due to speak next month have had to…

Digicel Foundation opens 174th school in Haiti

The Digicel Haiti Foundation has opened a new school in Northwest Haiti dedicated to the late communications guru PJ Mara. Founded in July 2011 this school – which was operating in a makeshift shelter – is now lodged in new earthquake-resistant and hurricane-resistant premises. The school has eleven classrooms that can accommodate more than 400…

Family News and Events

Céilí, comedy and lots of craic For anyone in the family with a penchant for music or all things Irish, The Gathering Traditional Festival, which is one of the biggest traditional music festivals in the country, is an event worth your attention. The festival has been running for 19 years and takes place in Killarney…

Listening: an elusive art

We are all guilty of poor listening at times, writes Barbara Duff   Do you ever feel that your partner does not really listen to you? Well, don’t worry – you are not alone. And chances are that at times your partner feels the very same. For most of us, the art of true listening…

70 years of excellence celebrated by the RTÉSO

Pat O’Kelly   Next week the RTÉ NSO celebrates its 70th birthday with its concert at the NCH on Friday, February 16. Directed by former principal conductor Gerhard Markson, music by Wagner, Prokofiev and Deirdre Gribben brings soprano Orla Boylan and pianist Finghin Collins as soloists. But there had been a Radio Éireann Orchestra prior…