Every day children in schools all around the world eat their lunch in toilet cubicles; others spend entire mornings in class silently agonising about who might hang out with them at lunchtime; millions immediately panic when they hear the familiar ping from their mobile and they realise that yet another so-called friend has posted spiteful…

“We view our core members as friends, not clients,” says Maria Lezama, a volunteers’ coordinator for L’Arche Cork. L’Arche (French for ‘The Ark’) began in 1964 when Jean Vanier invited two men, who were confined within a local institution because of their intellectual disabilities, to come live with him. Together they shared a small house in…

With the popularity of electronics growing every day, it can be a challenge to get your children outdoors and into nature. To make the most of what is left of the summer weather, you should get out to explore the beauty that Ireland has to offer. So how do you get your whole family to…

Summer camps for young girls are well underway across Ireland instilling values like friendship, loyalty and faith in remembrance and celebration of Michaela McAreavey. In July St Peter’s Primary School Cloughreagh outside Newry in Co. Down hosted the Michaela Foundation Girls’ Summer Camp for the fifth year running. The Armagh camp was one of 19…

As back-to-school signs hang in seemingly every shop window, there is no denying that school days are just around the corner. The summer is winding down and as anticipation for school picks up, parents are preparing their little ones for the first day of school. Many parents are anxious about this new journey in their…

Fr Cathal Deery was born in Monaghan town, and had a traditional Catholic upbringing, where the family rosary was a daily occurrence. “It was part of growing up,” he says, adding, “going to Mass wasn’t an option – we’d go every Sunday.” His maternal grandfather had a strong influence on his faith, which compelled him…

Sport and exercise have become increasingly popular in Ireland, with people having a greater focus on getting into shape and staying healthy. A 2016 report revealed that over 45% of the adult population participate regularly in sport, equating to approximately 1.6 million people, and of these, 8.2% run. However, beginning a new sport like running…

Dr Lazarus Gidolf An 11-year-old boy comes home crying from school. His older sister asks what happened. “Teacher called me names!” he replies. “What did he call you?” she asks angrily. “He called me ‘deacon’ and the whole class bullied me afterwards… I am not going back… they are all calling me ‘deacon’…” Anger moved…

“When you finally get that transplant, it’s like winning the Lotto,” says John Whelan, the newly elected National Chairman of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA). He has been a member of the IKA since he went searching for answers after his diagnosis of end-stage renal failure in 2006. A native of Wexford, he grew up…

Older people of Dublin North City and County will no longer be lonely with the expansion of ALONE’s support services to their area. The charity, which supports older people in their choice to age at home, has partnered with HSE to further this mission. “Repeated studies have demonstrated that ageing at home is the first…