Dear Editor, I found myself in church, quite accidentally, on a Saturday afternoon at a baptism ceremony. It was conducted by an elderly priest, for whom I had great sympathy. Why? The atmosphere in the church was anything but quiet and respectful. There was widespread talking and giggling, children running around through the seats, even…
Church should lead way to help refugees
Dear Editor, With the news that over 700 more refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Irish Government is still doing nothing meaningful to confront the horrors that are taking place before our very eyes, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, together with the superiors of the religious orders, must follow Pope Francis…
Any previous will is revoked by marriage
Dear Editor, Mags Gargan’s article on wills (IC 19/05/2016) was timely and valuable. However, she missed what is possibly one of the most important points in relation to making a will. Any previous will is revoked by marriage, unless it is specifically made in contemplation of that marriage. So readers who are engaged (or those…
Clear thinking needed on removal of Cork reader
Dear Editor, I note that Social Democrat Ken Curtin is dismayed at the fact that his removal as a reader in Cobh Cathedral is being used as grounds to attack the Church (IC 26/05/2016). I wonder how the media was made aware of this situation and, also, why Mr Curtin was surprised at the action…
Lack of judgement on lead story
Dear Editor, What a strange lapse of judgement to give the front page of your edition of May 26 to such a distasteful report (‘Inappropriate’ behaviour claim robustly dealt with – Maynooth). An anonymous letter to the bishops’ conference alleging a gay culture in our national seminary hardly merits a mention let alone a tabloid-style front…
Stop stressing – start living!
We need to take time out from our busy lives to allow space for reflection and renewal, writes Norman Drummond
Gospel-inspired social justice at work
Emily Massey, Kia Hayes and Alison Rae describe their work with the St Vincent de Paul
The many sides of an Irish intellectual
The Lives of Daniel Binchy: Irish Scholar, Diplomat, Public Intellectual by Tom Garvin (Irish Academic Press, €24.99 pb / €70.00 hb)
Writers rereading the Rising
In The Wake of The Rising: A Special edition of The Stinging Fly edited by Sean O’Reilly (Issue 33, Volume Two, €15)
Real life at the local level
Gowran, Co. Kilkenny 1190-1610: Custom and conflict in a baronial town by Adrian Empey The middle class of Callan, Co Kilkenny 1825-45 by Pierce A. Grace Crime in the city: Kilkenny in 1845 by Fergal Donoghue (Maynooth Studies in Local History / Four Courts Press, €9.95 each)










