Category: Family & Faith

Faith in the Family

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 last gift for loved ones

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.…

Family News and Events

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…

Treat that irritable bladder

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…

Family News and Events

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…

Faith in the Family

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…

The power of vaccination

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently reported a sharp increase in the incidence of measles in the WHO European region in the first half of 2018 compared to 2017. This increase also occurred in Ireland. The ironic thing is that measles is a disease preventable by simple vaccination and the current resurgence of the disease…

Spiced toffee apple loaf… perfect for Hallowe’en!

Laura Anderson To get your mouth watering this Halloween, try out this alternative take on the festive classic that will fill your kitchen with the sweet scent of autumnal spices. And don’t be scared off by the toffee sauce: this version simply involves melting down some shop-bought toffees for drizzling over the top of the…