As many of my readers will know, I have been involved with St John Ambulance since my days living in Gibraltar. During that time, I have been fortunate to receive high-quality instruction from many volunteers within the wider St John … Continue reading Support Mick and Michelle Cardiff
As the United Kingdom was mourning the passing of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and many gun salutes were being fired to mark this occasion, I found myself wondering what the Irish Defence Forces did with regard to … Continue reading Minister for Defence confirms that Irish Defence Forces no longer have “gun salute to the Most Blessed Sacrament”
We’re in the lead up to Christmas, so all sorts of supermarkets have started broadcasting their Christmas advertisements. I’ve just seen the one from Ireland’s SuperValu The children are worried about whether “he will come”. Obviously, most of us instantly think of Father Christmas and whether he will come. This is re-emphasised with the familiar glass and couple of mince pies left on the side. The final scene has he who was expected arriving. And no, it is not Father Christmas, it’s the child’s grandfather. With all that is going on in the world, with the ongoing social distancing due … Continue reading Insensitive SuperValu Christmas ad as we continue to live with COVID-19
During the various lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reported that they can hear birdsong in a way that they have not been able to for some years. This is now being extended in an art installation … Continue reading Birdsong is On Chorus at Irish Rail stations
The Ohio Department of Health tweeted a video illustrating the impact of social distancing using ping pong balls and mouse traps. Let’s all take notice of it and maintain the social distancing to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The Government … Continue reading Social distancing works: keep at it everyone
We draw strength, I hope, from our faith. The Good News is still good news in times of great trouble and fear. As Christians we proclaim it and we share it, lovingly and practically, with those who are most affected … Continue reading “Be strong and courageous” says Bishop Paul Colton of Cork
When you move from one country to another, you find that all the systems of doing things are different. All the public bodies are different and slowly you begin to understand to whom you should report faults. Today, I learned that there is a handy tool for reporting faults like faulty street lights, graffiti, broken footpaths, etc if you live in Ireland. It can be found at https://fixmystreet.ie/ I have today highlighted that there is a faulty street light on Station Road in Portarlington. We’ll see how long it takes for Laois County Council to come and fix it. Continue reading Handy reporting tool for local faults: fixmystreet.ie
Growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles continues to impact your life in ways that may seem strange to others. This afternoon, my nurse was preparing to give me the Venofer injection which helps to refulate iron in my body. As she did so she was humming the tune to Harry Chapin’s Cats in the Cradle song. Immediately, my thoughts turned to the advertisement that we saw in the North for the Confidential Telephone line as part of the campaign against terrorism, I said to the nurse about it – she had no idea about what I was talking. … Continue reading A song casts a shadow from Northern Ireland’s past
Last Saturday, the Labour Party held its conference in Mullingar. The conference’s theme was Building an Equal Society, which surely is what the Labour movement is all about across the world. Labour has set out their core goals: a Living … Continue reading Building an equal society
The British Prime Minister, Theresa May has said that she doesn’t want the borders of the past on the island of Ireland. She, like many, keeps saying “But we’ve had a common travel area between the UK and the Republic … Continue reading Entering the EU legally… post #BrExit guide
Gyronny Herald 