Imogen Stuart RHA has long been a fixture of the Irish art scene, and her works can be found in so many church and religious foundations, that many people will be familiar with her skills as a wood carver without knowing they are. Last week RTÉ One broadcast a film about her created by her…
The papers and the bookshop windows are full of Christmastime promotions. Everyone is spoilt for choice. So I thought I should act like an editor and provide details of what seems to be an essential selection which all will enjoy. Dear Gay: Letters to the Gay Byrne Show, a hand written history of modern…
A Christmas Hero RTÉ Two Sunday December 17, 11.40am A guardian angel shows a disillusioned war veteran what he means to others and that his life makes a difference. Songs of Praise BBC One Sunday December 17, 1.15pm Sharing the Joys of Christmas: Rev. Kate Bottley visits County Durham to find out why one primary…
It is instructive when looking back in history to ask whose memory endures. Is it that of a distinguished writer, a captain of trade and commerce, a statesman, a warlord, a political leader? When one looks back in Dublin’s history it is clearly not one of these at all, but rather it is that of…
Last week I finished on a somewhat positive note with the release of child hostages in the Holy Land. However, the positivity was short lived – it was abhorrent to see the end of the ‘humanitarian pause’. Now it’s more like humanity itself being on pause. Once again, the news programmes last weekend featured images…
This time of the year is for booksellers at least the busiest time for children’s books. Books always make an acceptable present. But for those buying them, mostly parents and grandparents, some care has to be taken. Don’t get carried away by the title hypes in the press or prominently displayed in bookshop windows (that…
I have a theory. Endeavour is based on the same premise as Doc Martin. You probably think that sounds ridiculous but think about it. Both series feature introverted eccentrics who come up with elaborate solutions to complex problems. In one case they’re medical, in the other criminal. I recently bought box sets of both on…
Thomas O’Loughlin This essay is a continuation of the theme of the essay on the breaking bread published here recently. Whilst our common memory of the origin of the Eucharist is that Jesus took “bread and wine” (emphasising distinct materials), by contrast all our early texts notice that he shared “a cup” (the emphasis…
When adults pursue their own selfish ends it’s often the children that suffer, even if the excess of individualism comes nicely wrapped and rationalised. Last Thursday I was listening to an interesting discussion on cribs (the Christmas kind) on Liveline (RTÉ Radio One). It was quite positive – the live animals were being restored to…
With his death on November 17, the long life of the doyen of our composers – Seóirse Bodley – came to an end. May he rest in peace. Born in Dublin on April 4, 1933, Seóirse Bodley attended the CBS Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square where the curriculum was taught through Irish. Bodley also studied…
Peter Costello
Brendan O’Regan
Aubrey Malone