Róise McGagh asks: At the heart of it all, why are people lonely? Why do we get lonely? A simple question with a very complex answer. Is making an effort to interact with more people in a day the way to cure it? It is estimated that around 400,000 people in Ireland suffer from loneliness.…

Personal Profile Sometimes it is easy to forget just how lucky we are. In Ireland, we are ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. People largely have access to healthcare, free water, some – be it expensive – housing and plenty of food. Niall O’Meara had the opportunity to realise just how lucky…

‘Is the air in your home affecting your health?,’ asks Róise McGagh ‘Go out and get a bit of fresh air’, we were told, by parents, teachers and friends. Whether we are feeling under the weather mentally or physically. But what is so bad about the indoors? It is a recent enough biome in terms…

Róise McGagh examines whether children in Ireland are exercising enough. Kids are often quite energetic and would naturally take care of themselves when it comes to running around and filling their daily quota of activity. However, in recent years technology has had a big impact on the how active young people all the way up…

Personal Profile   Faith communities in University College Dublin (UCD) are growing, and offer a space for students to support each other in their Catholic beliefs, according to the university chaplain. While there was only about a dozen students who attended lunchtime Mass when Fr Eamonn Bourke began his ministry four years ago, nowadays they…

Journaling can works wonders in improving your life, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Modern life can be pretty fast-paced; trying to juggle a million different commitments often means that people rarely have the time to sit down and reflect on their day, week or month. However, the opportunity to introspect by analysing your actions and relationships…

Róise McGagh   Personal Profile It all began when Fr Martin Keane, superior of the Holy Ghost Fathers in Kenya, approached Olive Halpin over 10 years ago. Fr Martin has been living in Kenya for around 40 years. He had visited Ireland after his brother passed away. While at home he came to Olive, who…

It can be tough sticking to your New Year Resolutions but they are achievable, writes  Colm Fitzpatrick   All of us are guilty now and again of putting something on the long finger; we’ll start that daunting diet next week, clean the car at the end of the month, or look for a new and…

Youth Space   Friendship and fellowship in university can change your life, writes Sandra Parda   My name is Sandra Parda, I’m the auditor of the Life Society and in my final year of studies in NUI Galway. In February I converted back into Catholicism and received so many graces along the way. It’s been…

Winter can put many of us into a state of despair, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   Many people look forward to the winter season where you can build snowmen, drink hot chocolate by the fire and cosy up with a Christmas movie. However, this idyllic image of these icy months isn’t shared by everyone – most…