Category: CURRENT AFFAIRS
-
Political satire hits the jackpot
Political satirist and comedian Oliver Callan openly admitted during the week that he would have to put both his writing and thinking caps on following Paschal Donohue’s defection to an even bigger, better paid talking shop in Washington. Lord Dimples of Inchicore has long been a central tenet of the Monaghan performer and broadcaster’s long…
-
A picture paints a thousand words but may need more to repair
I’m a sucker for pomp and ceremony. Whether it be something like a Royal wedding or funeral over the water – or the trials and tribulations of Andy MW – or a Presidential Inauguration here or in the States. Add being a bit of a political junkie to that mix and Catherine Connolly receiving her…
-
Sometimes jest is too close to the bone
On the evening of the day on which I made my Confirmation, April 16th 1994, the late Dermot Morgan was finishing a run of shows at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. For those of you with less than three decades mileage on this here planet, yes Dermot did exist before Father Ted. Firstly ironically as…
-
Democracy might be desirable but it’s not always right
At the outset here, let it be made abundantly clear – I am not anti development. That could hardly be the case when – admittedly tediously slowly – the manner in which disabled access to places has improved tenfold over the last couple of decades. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot – Croke…
-
Gavin realises he’s too much the gentleman for dirty wars
MICHEAL MARTIN MAY RECITE THE COLLINS LINE The individual who many describe as the Father Of Our Nation, Michael Collins, famously or infamously, depending on what way you look at it, proclaimed “I may have just signed my own death warrant there” upon agreement of the Treaty which led to the construction of Ireland as…
-
Search for missing Dunboyne man reaches tragic conclusion
Daire Lynch, who, at 39-years-old, disappeared in Houston Texas in December of 2021,will be laid to rest in his hometown of Dunboyne, Co Meath, next weekend. The deceased, who was a year behind this writer in school, had been living in the Lone Star state for some time having moved to the land of stars…
-
Why would you do it?
More than a quarter century ago, I tentatively rolled my wheels into organised politics for the first time. Primarily because the Local and European elections of 1999 were literally one month after my 18th birthday and thus my first opportunity to vote. Four years before that, the late John Bruton took over as Taoiseach –…
-
The haunting question that may never go away
It could be opened with either How or Why, but, the body of what will follow thereafter will be the same regardless of what is used. As a means of getting this perambulation under way, let us begin thus, how is it that certain GAA clubs manage to get so far in front of the…
-
Gavin’s genius wasted behind the trees in the Park
My late father seemed to have a saying and/or one liner for nearly every scenario in life, and in my mind’s ear I could almost hear him muse “It’s very easy to be a busy fool” when news emerged that Fianna Fail were considering asking former Dublin football Messiah Jim Gavin to be their nominee…
-
Thurles thunderbolt leaves Irish racing in a spin
Do you ever think of friend, departed for the bigger world and it just knocks you for six? I’m not talking in terms of immediate family or other relatives. Just somebody whom you perhaps didn’t realise the impact they had on your life until they’re not there anymore. On Friday morning last, the late Derrick…