Dáil Éireann returns to familiar surroundings as Budget 2022 awaits October unveiling
Thu, Sep 23, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
Last week we saw the Dáil back in its rightful home at Leinster House. What a change it made from the weird, vast reaches of the Convention Centre where the Ceann Comhairle often had to crane his neck and look all around the room before he could locate the person who had put up their hand and had spoken. It was not at all suitable but of course was only necessary because of Covid restrictions. I’m glad it’s finished and that, no matter how they refigure the seats at the visitors’ gallery and various other sections of Leinster House, the TDs are back where they belong, where they can speak and be heard clearly, and no doubt where all of the business can continue in familiar surroundings.
Leaving Cert results relief for local students as Westmeath ladies perform heroics in Croke Park
Thu, Sep 09, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
So much action over the past week that I had better get started immediately. In the minds of many people, particularly young people, last Friday was the important day when the Leaving Cert results came out and young people had an opportunity to find out exactly how they had done in the recent hybrid Leaving Certificate. It appears that the results were much better than anybody had expected, and right throughout that day there were exclamations of delight from so many young people.
Athlone swimming duo raise funds for Lough REE RNLI cause as local students await Leaving Cert results
Thu, Sep 02, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
Oh so much to report on. To begin with, so much sport.
Images emerging from Afghanistan contrast vastly with weekend sporting euphoria
Thu, Aug 19, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
As I am compiling this column, I’ve just heard on the radio the huge numbers that tuned in last Saturday night to look at the Dublin-Mayo match in Croke Park. Astonishing numbers, but of course completely understandable.
Kellie now a national sporting treasure as vaccine programme progress much welcome
Thu, Aug 12, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
I would truly like to know how many of the regular readers of this column were looking at the TV coming up to 6am last Sunday morning! In case any of you are interested, I was up at 5.45am. During the night I didn’t sleep because I kept thinking ‘Oh I’ll miss the fight, I’ll miss the fight.’ I finally fell asleep at 4am and woke up at 5.30 and got straight up, came out to my living room, turned on the TV and boiled the kettle, made a big mug of tea, and sat down to watch Kellie Harrington in action against Brazilian Beatriz Ferreira.
A year for reading
Thu, Jul 29, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
Well, I’ve been talking about doing this column on books for some time. Bearing in mind that we have started the real holiday season, I felt it would be a good week to do it. Last week in the column, I spoke about the books I can remember from my childhood.
Scenic Cornwall hosts G7 Summit as legacy of British rule detailed in RTE documentary
Thu, Jun 17, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
I am compiling this on Tuesday, and the Advertiser issues on Thursday. So when I say it is glorious, sunny, bright weather outside, I know it could well have changed by Thursday. However, for the last two to three weeks, we have had the most amazing sunny days, bright days, long evenings and all that goes with being a good summer. I am sure you all join with me in being so glad to have had this wonderful June.
Emotion laden week to endure as surreal Leaving certificate experience awaits students
Thu, Jun 10, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
Well, we’ve had a few wonderful days of good weather, including the bank holiday weekend. I hope all of the readers had the same good fortune as we had here in Athlone. We have read about and seen the opening up of the lockdown and what it has meant. Now I know there were two earlier nights in the weekend when apparently a group of disturbers were determined that they would wreck the peace of the lovely weekend but thankfully the firm action of the Gardaí, and in general the determination by many others that the weekend would be enjoyable, left them as a rebel group without a cause.
HSE cyber attack quells mood of positivity as funding parity announced for gaelic games participants
Thu, May 20, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
Well, of all of the things that have happened recently, the cyber attack on our health service is the most ominous and dangerous. The Government and the people had begun to be imbued with a sense of hope that we were going to come out of the pandemic, and better times, better weather and a general feeling of goodwill were beginning to run through Irish society with shops and hairdressers opening and a gradual awakening of life in Ireland; just when all of that was beginning to be felt, we had this dreadful cyber attack on the health system in Ireland.
Easing of restrictions gives cause for cautious optimism as Henshaw faces Champions Cup test
Thu, Apr 29, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
As I am compiling this column, the weather remains beautiful, bright and sunny with good temperatures, but I believe there is a change coming this week. Now we cannot complain; we have had over two weeks of brilliant sunny weather, when every morning saw the sun shining brightly and we knew that the day ahead would be the same.
Milestone birthday celebrations for our President as apprenticeship system receives upgrade
Thu, Apr 22, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
How many of our readers sat down in anticipation of the encounter between the Irish rugby women and the French rugby women in the Six Nations last Saturday? I know I did, and of course we know that the result was such a disappointment for Ireland. This is not to completely dismiss the efforts of the Irish team; it is just that the French team are semi-professional, and with all of that at their disposal they were in the mood to obliterate Ireland. Parts of the match were good from Ireland’s point of view, but in the end the professional tone and actions of the French team had their own tale to tell. Ireland has to decide is it to go ahead along the path of providing finance and professional help to the Irish women’s team if they are to continue in the Six Nations. Time will tell if that will be the course of action.
Celebrating Easter with a difference as Biden’s tax thoughts may prove problematic for Ireland
Thu, Apr 08, 2021
Hello to all the Advertiser readers.
Well, Easter has come and gone, and it was a very odd one in so many respects. We are all, in the main, so used to going to Good Friday in our local church, usually at 3pm in the afternoon when there is a ceremony of Stations of the Cross and a very strong feeling of Easter and all that it entails, but because of the pandemic, we couldn’t do anything about that. However, I tuned in to the Good Friday ceremony from Knock, and it was quite beautiful.