There are occurrences in world history which - no matter how long may have passed since them - (a) you will never forget where you were when they happened and (b) will remain part of public discourse long after they actually happen. Now, part a of the above may not apply in this case, but... Continue Reading →
John Bruton
I have absolutely no doubt some eyes will pop out of heads - certainly locally and perhaps further afield - that what appears hereafter was produced by the occupant of this seat. Now read on... That's OK. However, there could never be a better or more apt illustration of the foibles of judging a book... Continue Reading →
Truss throws in the towel as political chaos continues
BREAKING NEWS In one of the biggest political undressings in history, Liz Truss has bowed to the inevitable and resigned as British Prime Minister just 44 days after getting her seal of office from Queen Elizabeth II in the latter's final official duty before her death. The erstwhile Conservative Leader was beset by controversy and... Continue Reading →
Johnson abdication a cause of concern for Ireland
They say a week is a long time in politics. However true that may be, the time during which the world came to a standstill owing to Covid-19 - rightly or wrongly - felt like a lot longer. Not, however, for the now ex British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Who seemed to have no bother... Continue Reading →
A while in Joey’s company was good for the soul
Did you ever encounter somebody in your life who, over time, ended up feeling more like family than some of those who actually are? There are many ways in which such bonds are formed and manifest themselves and there should be no need to justify how they came about to anybody. Coming at the same... Continue Reading →
Fields of Gold – Previously posted in 2006
FOGRA: The below was the first non-GAA related piece I ever sent to the late Liam Cahill for his much loved and sadly missed website http://www.anfearrua.com Never for a minute thinking he would print it. But he did, and not only did it open up a whole new avenue of writing for me, it stands as a... Continue Reading →
Kelly falls on his sword after holding poisoned chalice
It had been very quiet on the political scene in Ireland. Apart from the usual dross - general and understandable disdain for Eamon Ryan, Sinn Fein whinging about something or other and rumblings in certain quarters about a desire to replace Micheal Martin (also not difficult to fathom) but nobody with the cajones to do... Continue Reading →
Things you don’t expect to see
Mention has often been made in this space previously of the fact that when this writer was growing up, we only had RTE 1 and 2 on the television at home. Now read on... Thus, it was only when going with Anna and her now husband Kieran to the home of his parents, Denis and... Continue Reading →
A century on, have things really changed much?
If certain heartbreaking developments hadn't happened during the summer, I can only imagine the debate myself and Myles Fahey would have had on Monday night. It would surely have got feisty but would just as certainly have wound up being adjourned over a pint or three. Now read on... Monday night pints were always my... Continue Reading →
When there are no leaders the tail wags the dog – Act I
There are seminal moments in life whch, if you've witnessed or been around for, you will never forget where you were when the occurrance took place. Like, as has often got a spin in this space, for the Omagh Bombing, 9/11 and the subsequent American invasion of Iraq, wheels transporting yours truly were parked in... Continue Reading →