In the space of just 10 years the number of Catholic weddings taking place in Ireland has fallen by half. If that is not a sign of the times, it’s hard to know what is. But what exactly is it a sign of? Let’s have a look at the facts and figures before trying to…
Bishop Donal McKeown, who is set to retire, has always made a point of walking the streets of Derry to meet the people. It is a town he has come to love. “There is an energy about Derry,” said the Bishop, “and it is a blessing to be part of that. He was appointed Bishop…
I’m usually pleased to see Irish people achieve renown and an international status – from historic figures like Msgr O’Flaherty to contemporary ones like Colm Toibín or even the bumptious Michael O’Leary of Ryanair. But it’s only recently dawned on me that a sensational Irish celebrity brand now enjoying global recognition are – a bunch…
For almost 54 years the families of five people who were shot dead around 10pm on Sunday, July 9, 1972, have fought to establish what happened that day. A short IRA ceasefire had just ended. Soldiers were stationed in Corry’s Timber Yard in Belfast’s Springhill/Westrock area. An inquest a year later returned an open verdict.…
I attended a double book launch in Renehan Hall, Maynooth College, on April 18. The authors were Dr Mette Lebech of the Faculty of Philosophy, Maynooth University, and Dr Robert McNamara of the Faculty of Philosophy, St Patrick’s Pontifical University. When the official proceedings were over, we dispersed to mix and mingle. Having happily paid…
When Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton stepped up to address the 39th Annual Conference of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) this week, she did so against a striking backdrop. The Europe Hotel, overlooking Killarney’s Lough Léin and framed by the McGillycuddy Reeks, offered a majestic setting. But lurking beneath the depth of the still waters…
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin was asked a simple question this week by reporter Ben Scallon: “Do you believe that a child can be transgender?” He answered definitively, with the confidence of a man who knew the party line: “Yes, I do believe.” He then went on to pontificate: “There are young people in life who’ve…
While the British parliament was engaged in debating the Assisted Dying Bill (which ran out of time last week, and therefore fell) – a personal and dramatic story emerged to capture public attention. Wendy Duffy was a former care worker in the West Midlands of England, although, by her own admission, she came originally from…
Maybe I am simply getting grumpier with age, but I find myself increasingly exasperated by the constant comparisons between young people today and how they ‘used to be’. According to this narrative, they are distracted by mobile phones, shaped by influencers, dulled by streaming, addicted to gaming, captive to algorithms, morally adrift, socially awkward, unable…
Like most parishes in the country, we recently celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. As the day approached, I had mixed feelings. I had no worries about the Liturgy and knew that the teachers in the local school had been preparing with the boys and girls. I had no reason to believe the children were not…
David Quinn
Martina Purdy
Mary Kenny
Nuala O’Loan