Passenger rights not protected during pandemic – report Airlines and EU member states did not fully protect passenger rights throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors. Travellers often lost out on money due to cancelled flights or because they were not informed about their right to be reimbursed.…
In early summer, the Irish countryside takes on the qualities of Eden – except without the serpents. Lush green foliage bursts forth, unrestrained, all around us. As midsummer’s warmth seeps into the soil, ferns and tall grasses sway, while wildflowers glimmer in the hedgerows. The songs of busy birds, the buzzing of bees, and the…
Medical Matters We are now nearly 15 months into a pandemic that has claimed the lives of nearly four million people globally and resulted in about 5,000 deaths in Ireland. However, we are now at a juncture where the vaccination programme is well under way and hospitalised cases of Covid are at their lowest in…
Maintaining healthy lifestyle may reduce Covid risk – HIQA A healthy weight, regular exercise, receiving enough vitamin D, moderating alcohol consumption and not smoking all have positive effects on health and may reduce the risk of poor Covid-19 outcomes, the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA) has said. They examined 46 studies which focused on…
Sweet Treats This is a twist on a classic crumble flavour – added orange gives it a lovely citrusy kick. Rhubarb is right in season at the moment so now is the best time to enjoy it. Its delicate pink colour makes it a perfect centrepiece for your summer dinner party. If you want to…
Mindful Living Derek Scally’s new book, wryly entitled ‘The Best Catholics in the World’, is a thought-provoking and timely book which raises some important questions for thinking people – why did the Irish for so long submit themselves to the authority of the clergy and the hierarchy? One of the lay people he interviewed for…
Christina Malone The week after Easter I met with some of my work colleagues to record a video for children who are preparing for the sacraments. As we wished each other a happy Easter, I mentioned this Easter had been different. Normally I feel like I am part of the story. From welcoming Jesus in…
Center Parcs planning €85 million Longford resort expansion Center Parcs is set to spend €85 million on an expansion of its Co. Longford resort, which will see the creation of 250 jobs with its completion. It also said 300 temporary positions are to be created during the construction phase of the expansion. Center Parcs revealed…
A Parent’s Perspective I found an old book on the bookshelf recently that had been a present from my mother to my two eldest sons. In the inside of the publication, Yes! The Life of Blessed Josemaría for Young Readers, I discovered a lovely inscription. It said “To Adam and David, with love from Grandma…
Some friends kindly left us look after their cottage on an island off west Cork during the past month. Each Friday, we packed the kids into the car straight after school and rushed westward to catch the ferry. As soon as we stepped ashore on the island, we entered into another world, where time goes…
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Maria Byrne