My forte would not be human relations or the touchy-feely stuff. Any strengths I have probably lie elsewhere, I will admit that. I am capable of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Not out of malice or intention but out of clumsiness and a dearth of those skills that my wife possesses. So… Continue reading I’m proud of this call
Category: Society
High Court only for “paupers and multi-millionaires”
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, opined a few years ago that only “paupers and millionaires” could afford to litigate in the High Court. A recently retired Judge, Deirdre Murphy, says that that quote should now be amended to “paupers and multimillionaires”. At a recent talk she made some interesting observations… Continue reading High Court only for “paupers and multi-millionaires”
The mental health benefits of riding my Vespa
I went for a short trip on my Vespa around the backroads where I live yesterday evening. It was a beautiful dry, crisp April evening with the ‘stretch’ in the evening manifest. I find it a relaxing thing to do for several reasons. But the most important one is the fact that it is virtually… Continue reading The mental health benefits of riding my Vespa
Never forget the audience
I am listening to an excellent podcast at the moment called “Empire”. It is hosted by two historians who are genuine experts in their area of empire. The podcast deals with the British empire in India and all that flowed from that and has now progressed to the Ottoman Empire, one I am particularly interested… Continue reading Never forget the audience
A clean criminal record and no All Ireland medals or a medal and a conviction?
The household I was brought up in was one in which an All-Ireland medal winner was a man to be looked up to. Revered, even. When I was a young lad, and I know there are many GAA families and households around the country with the same view, the thought of winning an All-Ireland medal… Continue reading A clean criminal record and no All Ireland medals or a medal and a conviction?
Drawing dumb conclusions from the Kyle Hayes sentence
The sentencing in the Kyle Hayes assault case took place yesterday in Limerick Circuit Court. As you would expect the sentence handed down by the Judge has generated an enormous amount of comment online, on platforms like Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok, and so forth. What amazes me is the ability of many of the commenters to… Continue reading Drawing dumb conclusions from the Kyle Hayes sentence
Spending the day in the pub
From time to time myself and herself take the bus from Ballinadrimna to the quays in Dublin city centre and spend the day in The Oval pub. We did it yesterday for the first time in a few months and it was as pleasurable as always. There is something particularly illicit and decadent about walking… Continue reading Spending the day in the pub
How I am voting in the upcoming referendums
I know this girl who has done a great job in rearing 2 children on her own over the last 20 years or so. The relationship with the father did not work out, and she never married anyone else. As sure as day follows night, they are a family. I know another girl who has… Continue reading How I am voting in the upcoming referendums
How I will decide in the referendums
I have not given the proposed referendums a great deal of scrutiny or review. I have listened to the arguments on the radio and TV and seen some comment online on Twitter and elsewhere. But I will not claim to be completely conversant with the text we are being asked to approve or disapprove. My… Continue reading How I will decide in the referendums
Is a schoolteacher equipped to make good decisions about corporate governance?
I looked up Catherine Martin’s background last week, given the controversy surrounding RTE governance, the resignation of the Chair of the Board of RTE, Siún Ní Raghallaigh. My suspicion was correct: she was a schoolteacher. A teacher of English and Music in a community school for 15 years. Being a schoolteacher is a hugely importantly… Continue reading Is a schoolteacher equipped to make good decisions about corporate governance?