I have known a few politicians over the years, and yes some are venal, and flawed, and attention-seeking. But my overwhelming impression is that they were in it to do some good for the people they represented.
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Newman’s message of tolerance needed more than ever
From The Irish News, October 15 2019 As I type these words, 1,500 miles away in Rome a Catholic convert is being elevated to the sainthood. John Henry Newman is the first Englishman of modern times to be canonised.…
Continue ReadingHistory belongs in books
From The Irish News, March 9 2020 Let’s focus on the living History belongs in books One of our family heirlooms is a bodhrán drum which was beaten within an inch of its life at seisiúns the length and…
Continue ReadingA cry for freedom on Europe’s dark night
From The Irish News February 5 2020 So what did you do on Friday night? I avoided the news, went to bed early and listened to Leonard Bernstein conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – you know the one. Its finale…
Continue ReadingA little bit of chintz never hurt anyone
From The Irish News November 19 2019 A word to the wise. Never let your wife read your column after it’s been printed. I’m in trouble on two counts after last week’s column on my matchy-matchy appearance at a…
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