Everyday Philosophy If there’s one thing philosophers hate, it’s scientism. This is, roughly, the claim that ‘science can answer all the meaningful questions that there are to ask’ or ‘the scientific method is all you need to acquire all the knowledge about the world that there is to acquire’. Philosophers hate this for a predictable…
As I suspected, returning to Mass after three and a half months was an emotional experience. I went down to the cathedral here in Letterkenny, the 8am Mass, mask on, hands sanitised, social distancing in effect. So it wasn’t like any Mass I’ve ever been involved with before but it was good to be there.…
At the start of August, I will not be working from home anymore and I will be back working in the office. I’m nervous about how I and the family will readjust to another change in routine. At the beginning of lockdown, it seemed daunting, but now many of us have gotten used to our…
Gearing up for Mayo charity 10 km Looking for a day out and some exercise at an event that will help raise funds for the local and wider community in Mayo? Ballyheane Community Council, in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association and supported by Ballyheane AFC will host a 10 km run/walk/jog. The run will…
Living Laudato Si’ Jane Mellett These have been extraordinary months across the world. Slowly and cautiously we are emerging from the Covid-19 restrictions and it is vitally important that we do not get complacent. The virus has not gone away and each of us are responsible for ensuring that we protect ourselves and each other…
We sat huddled by the fire as the rain lashed relentlessly against the windows. My wife was treating one child for mild hypothermia and another for sunburn. We were, of course, on a traditional Irish summer holiday. The most accurate predictor of rainfall in June is the scheduling of the school holidays. It is an…
Medical Matters The search for therapies for Covid-19 has led scientists to explore an array of drugs ranging from expensive anti-virals and anti-inflammatories to anti-malarials (hydroxychloroquine) and even anti-helminthics (use to treat parasitic worms). Despite this, the potential role of something much more simple – ‘vitamin D’ in either helping to prevent infection or reduce…
Getting active at Kilruddery Estate Getting the family outside the house to enjoy fun activities outdoors is certainly on many people’s minds after weeks of lockdown. It can become very easy to fall into a habit of staying in and cocooning from the world. Alive Outside has just launched Family Fun Activities in Killruddery Estate,…
Mindful Living While Thomas Merton may have been the first in our time to open up to a wider audience the ancient tradition of Christian meditation, it was John Main who recovered and simplified the practice for ordinary women and men. Prior to that it was to be found mainly in contemplative monasteries. The practice…
“You don’t get to be Racist and Irish,” Imelda May reminded us in her powerful poem recently. I would be inclined to add that you don’t get to be racist and Christian either but that isn’t always clear. Whether it is Donald Trump wielding a Bible in front of St John’s Episcopal Church or a…
Ben Conroy
Bairbre Cahill
Wendy Grace
Dr Kevin McCarroll