West Belfast is a place of murals and memories, where Irish tricolours flutter beside terraced rooftops and the faces of hunger strikers and republican heroes gaze down like saints from gable walls. It has withstood siege and sorrow, where identity isn’t worn but lived—staunchly Catholic, proudly nationalist, unshaken in its Irishness. And yet, for more…
In the Ards Peninsula of Co. Down – one of Ireland’s most passionate hurling heartlands – the game is more than a sport; it’s a way of life. And among its most esteemed sons, few need less introduction than Graham Clarke. The former Down and Ballygalget goalkeeper built a reputation as one of Ulster’s most…
Aaron Kernan thinks back on his childhood in Crossmaglen, his memories aren’t dominated by the turbulence of The Troubles or the sight of British soldiers patrolling his streets in full combat gear. What he remembers most is football – and faith. Born in 1983, the second of five boys in a tight-knit family, Aaron was…
From the start, Liam Griffin brought a methodical and modern approach – he was far ahead of his time, writes Éanna Mackey Long before Liam Griffin led his county to glory in 1996, he was just a young boy standing at the window of his family home, staring out across the Irish Sea towards the…
In Wexford hurling folklore, few names command the same reverence as Martin Storey. The Oulart-the-Ballagh man captained the Slaneysiders to their last All-Ireland success in 1996, delivering a glory the county had hungered for since 1968. But for Storey, success was never built on skill alone. Beneath the fierce competitor lay a quiet foundation —…
Jamesie O’Connor, one of Clare GAA’s most storied names and now a veteran teacher at the great Munster hurling nursery, St Flannan’s College in Ennis, isn’t one for romanticising the past. But when he speaks about the challenges of raising children in a modern age of smartphones and social media, you can hear the quiet…
Diarmuid Lyng has always been more than a hurler. The former Wexford captain known for his pace and skill in the yellow and gold, has long traded the pitch for the sacred landscape of Ireland’s hills and heritage. These days, he’s more likely to be found deep in the wilds, guiding young people through Irish…
There are few Gaels who don’t know the name Seán Marty Lockhart. An All-Star winner, an Ulster champion, and a man who wore the Ireland jersey with pride more times than anyone else. Lockhart has spent much of his life in the spotlight. But behind the accolades and county colours is someone whose impact runs…
The Glens of Antrim are renowned for a few things. Its breathtaking volcanic emerald scenery, the world-famous Giant’s Causeway and, above all else, one of the finest hurling strongholds in Ireland. Yet, few are as celebrated or revered as the towering figure of Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton. A legendary name of the game that has become…
The values of Lent and the celebrations of Easter – sacrifice, reflection, service – were instilled early in McManus’ life, writes Éanna Mackey. Easter Sunday will see parishes across the country alive with the joy of the Lord’s resurrection. But in the Glens of Antrim, a different kind of devotion – just as serious…