Peter Costello examines Latin in the biblical tradition

Professor O’Neill, a consultant geriatrician, has written an excellent handbook on the myriad aspects of ageing in the largely medical sense. But out of some 380 pages little more than two are devoted mental and social activity. Some years ago the director of a nursing home remarked to us that it was striking that those who…

The author’s name will be familiar not only from his articles in The Irish Catholic, but the lectures he has given in Dublin in recent years. This book seems to be aimed at exploring the myths and legends about the Church held by those who are not Catholic. But as many of these are held…

This is a title in a series which Avril O’Reilly is self-publishing called 'First Holy Communion in Cork'.  It is delightful fun.  She has a wonderful way of observing with great simplicity, but truthfulness, the tiny realties of life for a girl in a First Communion tizz. There is a lot of adroit observation. The…

J. Anthony Gaughan  These essays discuss how Irish people identified themselves throughout the vicissitudes of their history.  It is no surprise that religion is an ever recurring theme in that regard. Even before the time of St Patrick, Christianity was a factor in their self-consciousness. This was particularly the case in the middle ages. Social life…

This book is flagged as the “first Bloomsbury Lent Book”. The author Ann Widdecombe is well remembered as a forthright and strong minded member of the British parliament. As a writer and columnist, she continues to be just as forthright and strong minded, even if her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing went a very long…

Thomas Aquinas is usually thought of in terms of the Summa Theologica, even if the long shelves of that compendium are rarely consulted by many of the faithful today. However, in this most interesting book, Paul Murray an Irish Dominican and poet, deals with very different aspect of Aquinas; not with the philosopher and theologian,…

Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path of Knowing and Following Jesus, by Sherry A. Weddell (Our Sunday Visitor, €12.75 / £10.50 / $16.95)

Wild Child, by Alan Croghan (Penguin Books, €9.99/£7.99)