Christopher Ewart-Biggs was a British ambassador to Ireland who was killed by the Provisional IRA in 1976. His widow endowed a prize in his name which would promote peace and understanding. This year’s Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize has been won just this month by Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride for their joint publication ‘For and Against…

So now, according to a new study, men are to blame for the dramatic fall in births all over Europe and the developed world. According to the report ‘Baby Bust’ (as opposed to ‘baby boom’), published by the Centre for Social Justice in London, the slow maturing of young men these days is what’s causing…

In 1918, when Britain and Ireland were still politically conjoined, the vote was finally extended to women. Yet it was initially restricted to women over 30 years of age who were property owners. The male politicians who still held the reins were nervous of the ‘flapper’ element among younger women: fearful that those under thirty…

There’s a programme on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday evenings called ‘The Moral Maze’ (which my colleague Brendan O’Regan has on occasions reviewed). It approaches a series of topical questions within the framework not just of debate, but with the focus on the moral analysis. What is the right thing to do? What is the…

I have a friend who is a computer wizard, and who tells me that Artificial Intelligence is developing apace – bigger, faster and more widespread with every month that passes – and I should get more involved with AI programmes. Its use increased by 61% across all countries in 2025. The growth is accelerating in…

A disobedient child used to be called ‘bold’ in Ireland, ‘naughty’ in Britain and ‘méchant’ – which can also mean ‘bad’ or ‘nasty’ – in France. Occasionally, the more forgiving term ‘contrary’ might be applied. And bold children were slapped for their wilfulness or sent out of the classroom to be given a humiliating scolding.…

Everyone blames ‘misogyny’ for the Jeffrey Epstein scandal – since his treatment of young girls, and women in general – was blatantly abhorrent. Epstein’s awful emails may yet bring down the British Prime Minister – because he appointed an Epstein crony, Lord Mandelson, as Ambassador to Washington. The Epstein scandal has seriously damaged the British…

Do you still address individuals as Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms (or Doctor, Sister or Monsignor)? Such old-style forms of nomenclature seem to be going out of fashion. And in tune with today’s vibes, The Irish Times newspaper has announced a formal dropping of all honorifics and courtesy titles such as Mr, Mrs or Ms.…