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…
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…
Patrick Ussher Through the pain and suffering of hardship and illness, there can emerge a beam of light. Over time, that light can become increasingly brighter until, eventually, it can illuminate your life in a wholly new way. Illness does not have to define us. We can be ill, yet whole. When I was a…
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…
Mayo – give it a go! For those who have haven’t explored the beautiful county of Mayo, the three-day Mayo Dark Sky Festival is your opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of the area. This is the third year of the festival which provides ample opportunities to learn about astronomy, and the all the wonders…
While the Christian message has traditionally been spread at Mass and passed on from generation to generation, one priest has decided to open up new evangelical frontiers. Dublin-based priest Fr Justin Gillespie is making leaps and bounds in proclaiming the Faith to young adults both in Ireland and across international waters through the power of…
Christmas time really shouldn’t break the bank, writes Colm Fitzpatrick The Christmas period usually elicits imagery of family gatherings, present-sharing and festive cuisine, but behind this ideal, parents are struggling to cope with the financial costs and burdens that have become part and parcel of this Christian event. And although it seems incongruent to…
Personal Profile Some believers can make the Faith their own, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Very few people in Ireland can say that one of their creations has been blessed by a Pope, but luckily for retired farmer Noel Ward, he is one of these very few. The Cork-born man had a chance to witness Pope…
A Parent’s Perspective My daughter is studying history for the Leaving Certificate and was quizzing me recently about the differences between communism and socialism. I was just about to settle down to watch a film so I took the easy option of playing a few YouTube videos and referring to George Orwell’s Animal Farm…
Bairbre Cahill
William Reville
Colm Fitzpatrick
Maria Byrne