Preparing for Christmas can take the stress out of the day, writes Colm Fitzpatrick There are certain facts that you can only learn about by growing older: time is a limited resource; your health is a priority; and of course, Christmas is really stressful. For kids, this festive day is almost other-worldly, where they…
A Parent’s Perspective I recently returned from a week in the beautiful Canarian island of Fuerteventura. Located just 100km from the coast of north Africa, it’s no wonder that it’s referred to as the island of eternal spring. It was very strange to be strolling around in shorts and t-shirts, sipping cool drinks and slapping…
I watched an ad today on Facebook. The ad was meant to be on TV but it has been banned. Why? It is considered to be too political. The ad, ‘There is an orangutan in my bedroom’, is a beautifully animated piece which explores the destruction of the jungles where orangutans live. The land is cleared…
Youth Space Our faith calls us to set the world on fire, writes Blánaid ní Bhraonáin A few weeks ago, a group of young adults from around Ireland joined a pilgrimage to Rome with the theme ‘Our Upward Call’. The trip was organised by the community of Dominican Sisters of St Cecelia. In 2016, four…
Walk with dinosaurs The story of the dinosaurs continues to fascinate minds, both young and old, but instead of reading about them in book, why not seem them close-up in Dublin’s 3Arena? Running from December 21-23, Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular, is based on the award-winning BBC TV series of the same name, and…
Children’s Corner There are literally hundreds of thousands of magic tricks that exist today, each of which have their distinct subtleties or presentations. The majority of these tricks, however, can be reduced down to single-word effects like disappearance or transformation. One popular effect created by magicians is penetration – the idea of piercing or…
Christian hope and resilience go hand in hand, writes Colm Fitzpatrick In a world that is becoming increasingly characterised by conflict, confusion and uncertainty, the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity is a value more prized than ever before. While it’s easy to ignore our own failings or struggles and coil…
Our minibus was packed to the gunwales with four children, furniture, bedding, tools, clothes and toys. Hundreds of miles of road and two sea crossings lay ahead of us. I felt like writing ‘Cork or bust’ on the side of the bus. With my wife on maternity leave, and with my having the opportunity to…
Youth Space Dan Pender reflects on the unforgettable impact of the papal visit On a changeable Summer’s day in the Phoenix Park amidst a sea of memorabilia, crucifixes and ‘Lollipopes’ I got to see the Holy Father himself, Pope Francis. Back in April when my classmates and I were asked to volunteer for the…
This Christmas will be my first Christmas as a married person. Myself and my husband have still not decided where we will spend it but we are getting pressure from both families as to where we should be spending Christmas day. For some families who is seated at their Christmas table on Christmas day…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Maria Byrne
Bairbre Cahill
Rory Fitzgerald
Wendy Grace