Category: Family & Lifestyle

The real cost of Christmas
Christmas time really shouldn’t break the bank, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   The Christmas period usually elicits imagery of family gatherings, present-sharing and festive cuisine, but behind this ideal, parents are struggling to cope with the financial costs and burdens that have become part and parcel of this Christian event. And although it seems incongruent to…
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When Faith and creativity meet

Personal Profile Some believers can make the Faith their own, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Very few people in Ireland can say that one of their creations has been blessed by a Pope, but luckily for retired farmer Noel Ward, he is one of these very few. The Cork-born man had a chance to witness Pope…

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A rich history of social justice

A Parent’s Perspective   My daughter is studying history for the Leaving Certificate and was quizzing me recently about the differences between communism and socialism. I was just about to settle down to watch a film so I took the easy option of playing a few YouTube videos and referring to George Orwell’s Animal Farm…

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Family News and Events

Garden of Ghosts and Ghouls October is the month of frights, spooks and scares, and so there’s no better way to spend this time than by experiencing an ominous Hallowe’en tour. Wexford’s Wells House and Gardens is welcoming the return of the acclaimed ‘Dare to Scare’ Hallowe’en tour, taking place in its beautiful old country…

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Dad’s Diary

It was a proud moment this week, watching my eight-year-old son tog out as captain of his school football team. He looked smart in his kit and even had an easy authority, as he casually directed his teammates, as he walked up to take the kick off. It seemed only yesterday that I was kicking…

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Rise and shine!
Waking up earlier in the morning will change your life for the better, writes  Colm Fitzpatrick   During the winter season, when mornings and nights are both cold and dark, the prospect of voluntarily waking up at 4.30am seems like an untenable and daunting nightmare. To intentionally remove yourself from the comforting warmth of your…
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Faith in the Family

Diarmuid is doing his Leaving Certificate this year and recently had a very interesting Irish essay for homework – ‘Will young people in the future have Faith?’. They were asked to explore a number of questions including the impact of the Pope’s visit, the scandals that continue to rock the Church and whether young people…

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