Health Matters Dr Andrea Fitzgerald Depression is a common illness, affecting more than one in 10 people in Ireland at any one time. Nearly 20 per cent of us will suffer from depression at some point in our lives. Depression is so common globally that the World Health Organisation has predicted that by 2020…
January can be a strange month. The post-Christmas blues begin to set in and everything seems a little flat after the hectic Christmas period. Bills are pouring in, the focus is back on the cheerless news about the economy and it’s difficult to get back to the reality of our mundane existence with the…
In a rediscovered letter, a dying mother says goodbye to her young daughter ‘When we bought two (copy) books for your homework so that you had the opportunity to use the one ”like all the others” I made up my mind to write a long, long letter to you in the one you didn’t…
Family Activities Anne O’Connell Make an agreement with your child to do something special that will help make this year a good one. Write out your intention, put it in an envelope and keep it in a safe place — remind yourselves about it every now and then. A good new year’s goal for…
Health Matters Dr Andrea Fitzgerald Happy new year! I hope that, after the inevitable excesses of Christmas, your new year’s resolutions include some plans to optimise your health and fitness this year. Research has consistently shown that physical fitness is vitally important to health. Indeed, it may be healthier to be overweight and fit…
Erin Fox looks at some traditional ways of celebrating the feast of the Epiphany The feast of the epiphany is traditionally about celebrating the three wise men’s visit to Jesus Christ. But it also marks the end of Christmas for many. The holiday is celebrated in many different ways across the world; each…
Cliona Byrne explains how to make decorations for Christmas Sewing projects are perfect during Christmas, they can be done while sitting by the fire or watching the television. Since I can remember I have worked on sewing projects over Christmas holidays with my mother, from angels for the top of the tree to little…
Cliona Byrne explores making a ginger bread house for Christmas Ginger bread houses have always been a fascination of mine, from fairy tales of Hansel and Gretel to the sheer skills needed for it simply to work. As a child I would watch my grandmother bake cakes, buns and tarts. She would often let…
Childcare Given the bewildering array of options available, it can often be difficult to choose childcare. Quite often, the decision will be based on what fits conveniently into your commute, and which is most reasonably priced. All else being equal, Irene Gunning of Early Childhood Ireland, says that before choosing a daycare centre: ”A parent…
Cliona Byrne continues her recipe for a ginger bread house Last week, we looked at how to make the ginger bread house pieces. This week, it is time to look at how to construct and decorate this little biscuit home. Constructing the ginger bread house can be a little bit tricky, so the…
Maria Byrne
Erin Fox