Green Fingers The amount of time you spend in the garden in November is usually governed by the weather on the day, not the amount of jobs to be done. When a task becomes a chore, it is no longer enjoyable. Leave it and come back to it again when you can take it…
Choo choo! With the Christmas holidays fast-approaching, how does a magical train ride through a festive forest sound? On offer from December 1–9, is ‘The Christmas Express’ at Laois’ Stradbally Woodlands Railway – the first volunteer-run heritage railway in Ireland, having been established in 1969. The whole family will get the chance to embark on…
Our eldest, Caoimhe, was working in Derry yesterday so I hopped in the car and headed over to catch up with her over a cup of coffee. We only had about 45 minutes together but it was good to see her and have a chat face to face. Realistically, Caoimhe probably won’t be home again…
A parent’s perspective There’s something I like about November, tucked in between the beauty and colour of October and the hustle and bustle of December. November reminds me of the inevitability of death as the last few withered leaves lose their fragile hold on the branches, clinging on for one last flash of glory.…
Children’s Corner Since we were kids, all of us have made innocent bets with our siblings, parents or friends that we will be able to achieve something they won’t expect us capable of. Often these bets are very funny and, to give an example, might look like: “I bet you I can eat this…
Winter festival frolics With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for the whole family to start celebrating, so why not begin with the Wexford Winterland Festival? Parents and children alike can take part in the action-packed programme of events which includes The Winterland Parade and The Christmas Express. Opening on November 24 and…
Medical Matters Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common with increasing age and can often be a source of much discomfort, impacting significantly on quality of life. Indeed, it can also be embarassing for those who suffer who may present late to their GP and endure symptoms for some time before getting treatment. In…
Love Notes I am in general happily married yet sometimes I find myself feeling lonely even though I am not alone. What should I do? You are living under the same roof, you don’t wake up alone, so how can you be lonely? The pace of life can cause you and your spouse to…
A story to remember For those who enjoy jokes, songs and stories, the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival might just be for you. This Kerry event started off in 2011 as an idea by chairman and local Seanachai Batt Burns, coming to fruition the following year. Since then, the festival has grown year by…
You know it is a good homily when your 22-year-old daughter leans over and comments on it in the middle of Mass. We made a point of stopping to talk to our new curate, Fr Brendan, afterwards. What had struck Deirbhile was that Fr Brendan was connecting the readings to issues here and now. It…
Paul Gargan
Bairbre Cahill
Maria Byrne
Colm Fitzpatrick
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Wendy Grace