Ireland – Page 10 – My thoughts on a page.

Celebrating Easter, Remembering Ben.

April 16, 2017

Today, Easter Sunday, is a day of celebration and remembrance to many around the world. So with that in mind, and because I missed organ donation awareness week, I’d like to repost this in order to celebrate and remember a very special boy Ben, and his brave family. Ben has not been forgotten by so … More Celebrating Easter, Remembering Ben.

There I am in the paper #24?

April 14, 2017

Here’s my article in today’s Irish Examiner’s Feelgood. Like many here in Ireland I’m feeling a little thirsty! Welcome to Good Friday. Forgive me if I am sounding a little raspy, but I’ve woken up with the most dreadful thirst. Don’t be a bit concerned as it’s a condition I suffer from this time of … More There I am in the paper #24?

There I am in the paper #23

April 10, 2017

Here’s my article from last weeks Irish Examiner’s Feelgood. Summer holiday planning is not always without pain! Do you ever notice once the time changes and the sun puts in a token appearance this country turns its face en masse to Summer and Summer holidays in particular? Hardly a week goes by when I am … More There I am in the paper #23

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The world keeps turning.

April 6, 2017

Can you believe it’s April already? Even my youngest commented this evening ‘This is the fastest year ever.’ Yet as I spent time with Daniels mum today it struck me how raw her grief remains. While most will look back and think November 2013 was almost four years ago, for a mother and father who … More The world keeps turning.

There I am in the paper #20

March 22, 2017

I’m back from a wonderful few days away, refreshed, with patience and rest fully topped up. As promised here is last weeks column from the Irish Examiner’s Feelgood supplement. Fingers crossed you enjoy it. Hallelujah. It’s St Patrick’s Day or as I like to call it… My Birthday! Yes, believe it or not, I was … More There I am in the paper #20

Slán

March 17, 2017

Everyday we learn something new so for those of you who haven’t a clue what my title for this post means, it’s ‘slawn’. Irish for goodbye. Don’t sweat, I’m not packing up my laptop and moving on but I am taking a break for a few days. I’ve not been around a lot over the past … More Slán

photo credit: P. Marioné in memory via photopin (license)A

To the girl in the mother and baby home…I’m sorry.

March 4, 2017

I was one of a group of student nurses who came to visit the ‘home’ one day in early 1985. Even at the time I remember wondering as to the ‘home’s’ purpose. Why did these girls have to go there? Did none of them want to keep their babies? Why were they not in their … More To the girl in the mother and baby home…I’m sorry.

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The reality of writing a weekly column in a newspaper.

February 23, 2017

“Wow, well done on your column,” some say. “Thank you,” I reply a little mortified. “I didn’t know you were a journalist,” others say. “Oh I’m not,” I reply even more mortified. “What do you write about?” they say. “Nothing amazing, just a comment on my life I suppose,” I reply, definitely more mortified than … More The reality of writing a weekly column in a newspaper.

There I am in the paper #15. (Mean? Me?)

January 31, 2017

I don’t think there are many among us who would be happy to be called, ‘mean’, as in ‘mean with money’? I have many generous friends and although I’m not quite in their league, I’d hope to be thought of as reasonably generous. Definitely not ‘mean’. So imagine my dismay when last week my children … More There I am in the paper #15. (Mean? Me?)

Nollaig na mBan, one of my favourite Irish traditions.

January 5, 2017

It’s January 5th. People all over Ireland are slowly coming to terms with the fact that another Christmas is over. Bank balances are looking as unhealthy as we are after the excesses of the season…and it’s the winter. So why am I skipping around the house when no one is looking, smiling and singing? Because … More Nollaig na mBan, one of my favourite Irish traditions.