Christmas spending doesn’t require breaking the bank, writes Colm Fitzpatrick For children, Christmas is a magical day in the Christian calendar where gifts, toys and sweets miraculously appear in large, overstuffed stockings. However, behind the innocent smiles of children overwhelmed by the presents before them, is usually the worry of a stressed parent unsure…
Medical Matters The fight in the battle against Alzheimer’s got some positive news last month when the results of a drug trial raised hope and promise for a potential new ground breaking therapy. Disappointedly, the search for new medicines to treat Alzheimer’s has been a story of gloom and failure spanning more than 15 years…
Sweet Treats This is a cosy, decadent dessert perfect for those cold evenings as the darker weather sets in. It isn’t as difficult as you might think to make this lightly spiced version of the sweet gooey classic. It is worth looking for Medjool dates, they have a rich caramelised flavour compared to that of…
Ten-year-old kids are complex creatures. There is but a short period in life when you fervently believe in Santa, but also can operate a computer proficiently. If there were a Venn diagram with circles entitled, ‘Computer skills’ and ‘Santa Claus’ the age in the intersection would be 10. A 10-year-old is at a remarkable juncture…
A magical ho-ho-ho Christmas is a time of awe and wonder, and there’s no better place for children to experience this than at a magic show performed by Santa! Taking place in Brigit’s Garden, Galway, from December 8-23, Santa and his little helper will mesmerise kids and their families, along with the added touch of…
Personal Profile Most conversion stories sound mundane. They might involve having an interesting conversation, listening to a great sermon or reading a persuasive book. But the story of Alan Field’s journey to God plays out more like a movie than a real-life experience. From criminal turned movie-writer, his story is one worth listening to. Born…
Waving goodbye to your child is hard but there are ways to cope, writes Colm Fitzpatrick There are times during parenthood when mums and dads fantasise about their child finally leaving home; perhaps it’s during the infancy stage after a series of sleepless nights, or when their stroppy teenager refuses to speak to them. It’s normal…
Mindful Living The contemplative traditions assert that the language for expressing and exploring the spiritual quest is silence. As St John of the Cross expressed it, ‘Silence is God’s first language’. Meditation does not create the silence – it is already there, within the person but meditation uncovers and reveals it.” Silence is the language…
Do you know that our brains are like Velcro for negative experiences and like Teflon for positive ones? That is what a psychologist explained to us recently at training for people working with families. The subject was ‘Supporting parents of an anxious child’ and we were being urged to understand that really, our brains are…
It’s story time in Kerry Our lives revolve around stories – we listen to the news, read books and regale our children about times gone past. To celebrate all things story, the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival will present artists of all ages to delight and enthral. Taking place in Kerry’s Sneem Hotel…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Rory Fitzgerald
Bairbre Cahill