Prof. William Reville The average British life expectancy at birth in 1900 was 50 years, today it is 81 years. Much of this improvement can be attributed to modern scientific medicine and in particular to the introduction of antibiotics. Many bacterial infections such as septicemia and puerperal fever that killed so many people historically can…
The start of 2016 sees our family engaged in an Irish tradition: emigrating. Work has brought our family to live in England for a spell. The past few months have been a flurry of paperwork, transit vans, goodbyes and house-hunting. We now find ourselves in an idyllic rural corner of England that often feels like…
Not long after reports about the dangers of eating processed meats died down had the media provided further cause for concern. New research apparently found that a typical Indian takeaway meal of a starter, main course and pilau rice can contain far more calories than an adult’s total daily requirements. The study of 280 Indian…
Transition Year students from Tuam describe a project to create a green space for their school We chose ‘The Power of Women’ as our theme for Transition Year 2015/2016. This theme was reflected in all our projects and assignments. In the ‘Build a Bank Challenge’ we introduced students to an influential woman every week. We selected these…
Dyspepsia and upper gastrointestinal discomfort is common, affecting about 25% of the population and impacting significantly on quality of life. Symptoms vary from burning or abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating or fullness which often occurs soon after eating food. Reflux of acid from the stomach into the gullet is one of the commonest causes and gives…
So is the New Year starting for you with a diet or, like me, are you still celebrating the Christmas season right up until January 6? (After that there will be no more mince pies and caramel squares!) I’m often struck by the sense of anti-climax people sometimes experience at this time of year. “All…
Who says Christmas crafts have to end at Christmas? Coming up to the epiphany, make these Three Wise Men dolls to tell the story of how they came to Bethlehem. The feast of the epiphany is in just a few days and celebrates the arrival of the Magi, otherwise known as the Three Wise Men. …
With Christmas jumpers becoming more and more popular every year, the selection in designs grows too. You can have whichever Christmas jumper design you like when you make it yourself. Create your own personalised festive jumper by getting crafty with an old sweater. Think of your favourite thing about Christmas, whether it’s the Christmas tree,…
For people who enjoy Christmas, this is a magical time of year. For those who remember or who are having a sad or painful time, this is not the most wonderful time of the year. Yet, because there are festive decorations and messages all around us, there is a pressure to be ready and to…
The kids wanted to know what Christmas was like in “the olden days”, that is, when I was a boy. “Come on!” I said indignantly, “the 1980s is not the olden days!” But they insisted that it was. Time is relative, I suppose. The end of the 1980s happened over 24 years ago – over…
Cathal Barry
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Bairbre Cahill
Erin Fox