There’s nothing more terrifying than a clock. For we mortals, the mere passage of time is a memento mori like no other. Yet, in the end, we may hope that the lifting of the veil of this world reveals something vastly more beautiful. The heartache which time causes in the parents of small children is…
Category: Family & Faith
Family News & Events
Let yourself Le-go for Halloween Let yourself Le-go with a themed Halloween Camp run by LEGO for children aged between 3 to 12 years in Arklow. “Come to join the fun in our action-packed Halloween LEGO Camp, where kids can enjoy creating spooky LEGO designs, arts and crafts, baking, pottery, fun and games and much…
Lead us into that mysterious silence
Mindful Living We have been exploring the depth of meaning in the John Main prayer which Christian meditators say before meditation. The second sentence of the prayer reads: “Lead us into that mysterious silence where Your love is revealed to all who call.” In this article I want to reflect on the phrase: ‘Lead us…
Faith in the Family
When the issue of climate change comes up there can be a very natural reaction to step away, saying: “This has nothing to do with me, it’s up to the governments, the energy producers.” Pope Francis however sees it differently. He invites each one of us to an “ecological conversion”. Now just what does he…
Family News & Events
Hilarious histories and funny folklore Avast there landlubbers, it’s time for some pirate history. Join Hilarious Histories and Funny Folklore at their ‘Hilarious Histories Family Show’ in Ballyroan Library in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin on Friday September 18 from 5.30-6.15pm for “a fun, socially distanced show, suitable for the whole family”. Organisers say: “Captain Ho Ho…
Nothing as great as a cherry and almond loaf cake
Sweet Treats This is an old-fashioned family favourite that remains ever popular. It is an essential recipe for every baker’s repertoire. There is nothing better with a cup of tea in the evening with its crunchy crust and delicious buttery inside studded with sweet pops of cherry. Ingredients For the crumble 200g red glace cherries…
Why are some people so annoying?
A Parent’s Perspective I watched a short, gripping video recently presented by the priest and author, Fr Mike Schmitz. Well known for his internet presence, especially his YouTube videos, this one really grabbed my attention, with the title: ‘Why Are Some People So Annoying?’ His basic premise is that being annoyed is a choice we…
Dad’s Diary
September still seems like a time of new beginnings to me. I’m sure it’s a legacy of my school and college days, when early September marked a return to work, and an advancement to the project of a new academic year. The mornings are fresh and I feel keen to leave behind the lethargy and…
Faith in the Family
There is a clematis in flower along our fence, big, rich, flouncy purple flowers. The sepals are feathery with a darker purple rib running the length of them. At the heart of the flower are stamens, purple merging to an almost lime green. Next to it is a hydrangea. Lilac-fading-to-white florets surround a head of…
Questions must be grounded in ‘quest for answers’
Everyday Philosophy The Unitarian Church on St Stephen’s Green used to have an eye-catching poster: it said something like: “We ask the big questions: we don’t preach answers.” They’re not the first to claim that as a badge of honour. Being more comfortable with questions than with answers is, for many, a mark of intellectual…




Bairbre Cahill


Maria Byrne


Ben Conroy