There is a psalm that I have loved for many years and even more so since I became a mother. It is psalm 139: “It was you who created my inmost self, and put me together in my mother’s womb; for all these mysteries I thank you: for the wonder of myself, for the wonder…
The people of South Sudan need Ireland’s help, writes Colm Fitzpatrick With poverty, hunger and fear still rampant in war-torn South Sudan, a lay missionary is calling on all Irish people for support. Noeleen Loughran, who originally hails from the small village of Emyvale, Co. Monaghan, now helps suffering children in Africa, having sold…
Céilí, comedy and lots of craic For anyone in the family with a penchant for music or all things Irish, The Gathering Traditional Festival, which is one of the biggest traditional music festivals in the country, is an event worth your attention. The festival has been running for 19 years and takes place in Killarney…
We are all guilty of poor listening at times, writes Barbara Duff Do you ever feel that your partner does not really listen to you? Well, don’t worry – you are not alone. And chances are that at times your partner feels the very same. For most of us, the art of true listening…
Colm Fitzpatrick explores relationship abuse in Ireland With 40% of those women who experience domestic violence first experiencing it during pregnancy or soon after childbirth, it is clear that relationship abuse is a crisis in Ireland. Domestic violence appears in many shapes and sizes which can range from verbal and emotional abuse to sexual…
A Parent’s Perspective In the coming weeks and months we’ll be hearing a lot about the Eighth Amendment and the right to life of our smallest human beings. It’ll be a tough time for anyone who puts themselves out there to speak on all the issues involved. I’m a bit of a social media…
New cancer-fighting test is announced In Ireland, an average of 40,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year, so it’s good news that a recently developed blood test is making leaps and bounds in changing the way doctors screen for cancer. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University in the US have developed a test that screens for…
Youth Space ‘Cathy’ describes the transformative powers of a Dublin Catholic Youth Group The ‘Transformer: Life in the Spirit’ seminar was an absolutely incredible experience. From the moment I walked through the door there was a most beautiful sense of welcome, joy and peace. As I entered the large spacious room jam-packed with young…
Green Fingers As winter slowly releases its grip on the garden, our list of jobs to be done expands. As ground conditions are wet, stay off grass as much as possible. Clear all paths, patios, decking and steps of algae and moss to prevent slips and accidents. Use a deck scrub or powerhose if…
My mother turned 70 last weekend. The coming months are brimful of celebratory events with her vast coterie of friends and family. Yet she was slightly ambivalent about the day itself, perhaps because she has sadly lost some close friends in recent months. In the end, she decided to book a nice hotel in Dublin, and…
Bairbre Cahill
Colm Fitzpatrick
Maria Byrne
Paul Gargan