spiritualitysJust came from the launch of Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan’s book Our Lives Out Loud in Dublin. Edna O’Brien gave a lovely speech, her first book launch, she said.
I’ve read the book, and loved it. My full review is here.
Hot Press recently asked all its contributors to go out one Sunday morning and do a big “Mass Review” of religious services in Ireland. I chose to go to the Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy.
The observer effect refers to changes that the act of observing will make on the phenomenon being observed. Anticipating that slipping in [...]
I’ve just come from a funeral Mass. It wasn’t someone I was close to, but someone whom I’ve known since boyhood, a kind and funny man. I was glad to pay my respects. And, as he was a lifelong member of a choir, they raised the roof in a poignant melodic tribute.Since my teenage years, [...]
This first appeared in Hot Press in 2004.
I was given the book for Christmas, as something I “should” read. Not the most enticing of invitations, especially for me. I won’t be told. “Coming Out – Irish Gay Experiences” is, I concede, something I should have on my bookshelf. Which mostly means it stays on the [...]
I’m writing this on Friday 13th, and so far, my world hasn’t caved in. Superstition is magical thinking, a causality that is not grounded in reality. We knock on wood, we cross our fingers, we say “Please God” if we hear ourselves state something good is definitely going to happen, as if we are [...]
My friend gets out of hospital today,* with what looks like a small, early stage cancer of the stomach extirpated cleanly and successfully. Although sore and exhausted, and eating spoonfuls of food at a time, all indications are, so far, that a full recovery is on the cards. This incredibly anxious time for all involved [...]
The recent report, Straight Talk, commissioned by the Department of Education, on gay and lesbian issues in secondary schools, reminds us of the price we have paid (and continue to pay) for letting the Church take over the responsibility of educating children in Ireland. When it comes to relationships and sexuality, the Catholic Church’s homophobic [...]
Listen:
Unplanned delays are tricky for a control freak like me, I can either sink or swim. The decision about whether or not I’m going to get a feasibility study grant for my business was delayed by ten days – they’re now deciding on Monday. I know I shouldn’t place too much store on what they [...]
Interesting
