Category: Family & Faith

Dad’s Diary

I have long been fascinated by islands. I remember, as a boy, taking my father’s small boat out to unpopulated islands off West Cork. I would step ashore like Robinson Crusoe on to a perfect, silent beach. There was always a profound serenity on these little islands, the troubles of the world were at a remove.…

Testing to excess

Science of Life   A ripple of excitement recently ran through the news media with the announcement that a blood test to detect cancer is under active development. Such a test would undoubtedly be a great boon, enabling very early detection of cancer when treatment has the best hope of success. New medical tests are constantly…

Family News and Events

A camp of your choosing! The approaching summer means that children will soon be out of school and itching to make the most of the sunny days. The Kids Guide Summer Fair is designed with this desire in mind, which offers information on a wide selection of more than 50 of the best camps in…

Faith in the Family

I have a lot of empathy for the disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel (John 20:19-31). They are gathered together in a room with the doors closed, “for fear of the Jews”. When Jesus appears among them the disciples are filled with joy but are not overly surprised. This is not the moment when they realise Jesus…

Making Easter extra special for your family

A Parent’s Perspective   Easter is such a lovely time of year. With the darker evenings behind us and the daffodils heralding the new growth, there’s a great feeling of hope and joy. For many families, the lead up to Easter is a bit similar to the pre-Christmas period with concerns about catering for family…

Dad’s Diary

It’s the last stand of the snowmen. As I write, our once-proud snowman, is standing forlorn, misshapen and incongruous, in our green and florid garden. The spring sunshine is blazing down on him like a lethal nuclear blast. I sense that mortality is on his mind. This has been a long winter which, even in…

Family News and Events

A zoo like no other After spending time over Easter reflecting on your faith and the importance of family, you can wrap up your Easter Weekend with a visit to the Electric Zoo, which returns to the Wells House and Gardens in Gorey on Easter Monday. The Electric Zoo is full of fun, drivable electronic…