This book is a labour of love. At the outset the author reveals how he first became aware of the existence of Gordon Brewster.
A sharp eye on the Irish Free State
Category: Reviews
The memory of the dead
Peter Costello
Glasnevin Cemetery is an important place, but at the same time one which is little known. How it came into existence has to be kept in mind.
Extremism, absolutes and elections
Brendan O’Regan
For many, religion can be inspirational and enhancing, bringing out the best in people as they try to live in a harmonious relationship with God, each other and nature. But it can turn sour if infected by extremism, and that draws the media like a magnet. Cults are a particularly ugly manifestation of this, a…
Ireland’s oldest chamber music festival is back
The Dublin International Chamber Music Festival, which began on Tuesday June 4, at the unusual venue of Richmond Barracks in Inchicore with the visiting JACK Quartet and Irish clarinettist Carol McGonnell, had an interesting mix by US and Irish composers including Ruth Crawford Seeger, Juri Seo and Belfast-born Ann Cleare who holds a PhD from…
The “Flight into Egypt” as history
The Holy Family in Egypt narrative by Nazmy Morcus, illustrated by Nazmy El-Kommos, with a preface by the late Dr Mamdouh El-Beltaguie, Minister of Tourism (Cairo: Ministry of Tourism, no price stated.). In the West Christians of all kinds are often unaware of the feasts and festivals of their Orthodox and Eastern brethren in faith.…
Poetic Flowers of Listowel Poets
Autumn Blooms: A Selection of Stories, Poetry and Parable by Paddy Glavin, Cyril Kelly, John Fitzgerald (Copies are available from Woulfe’s Independent Bookshop, 7 Church Street Listowel, Co. Kerry; email: woulfesbookshop@gmail.com; phone (068) 21021; €12, with a special postage rate of €6.80). Listowel Writers Week, the premier locally led and sustained literary festival in Ireland is…
We want to see what we believe
Resistance is sometimes easy, when you have public or cultural support, or difficult when you’re up against public disapproval or Government oppression. On Liveline (RTE Radio 1, Friday) we heard the fascinating story of Sr Kate McCarthy, an Irish religious sister who was part of the French resistance during World War II. Her story was…
Piano prodigies shine in feel-good documentary
Aubrey Malone
Shanghai is the Promised Land. From the surrounding villages and townships, they come, Junior Franz Liszts pitting themselves against the best of the rest from areas that expand like repeating decimals. Xia Yidi is eight. He’s the kind of lad you might expect to see playing with his toys. But when he puts on his…
Netflix Smash Proves Irish Fascination with Catholicism Is Going Nowhere
Ian Dunn
At first glance, the streaming show Bodkin seems very modern in its attitude, but as it progresses, it reveals that Catholicism is still integral to Ireland. If you’ve logged into Netflix in recent weeks, you’ll likely have seen Bodkin promoted. Supposedly a comedy, it has all the tropes of a particular depiction of modern Irishness.…
Resurgem: the awe-inspiring restoration of Notre Dame
A Short History of Notre Dame by Ken Follett (Pan Books, £12.99 / €14.99) On April 15, 2019 a fire in the roof space of Notre Dame de Paris appalled those who admire Paris and love the Cathedral. That great medieval edifice, begun in the 12th century, is a dominant symbol of the history and culture…