By Libby Falk Jones Visiting Lecturer, English/Berea College, Kentucky USA After Nazim Hikmet, Turkish poet exiled from his beloved homeland I didn’t know I loved rain, yes, rain misting my face, droplets catching in my eyelashes and the thick hard rain seen from my window, my rainpants and boots worth their weight when it’s time for … [Read more...] about Things I Didn’t Know I Loved: Ireland
Ireland
Martin O’Neill might be nearing the end, but his time as Ireland manager was still a success
By Mark O’Connor I think the majority of Irish fans understand who we are as a footballing nation. We are traditionally a mix-up of Premier League and Championship level footballers whom, for the most part, fall under the category of 11 work horses. We simply don’t have the “raw materials” that other countries do. We haven’t been blessed with players such … [Read more...] about Martin O’Neill might be nearing the end, but his time as Ireland manager was still a success
Is there hope for the Pope?
When it was announced that Ireland was to receive the Pope in late August, once again we were reminded of the reality of the ongoing process of Ireland separating Church and State. For decades, Irish citizens have felt the effects of a constitution being filled with heavy church teachings, values and beliefs given a platform so high that it infringes on the choices of people, … [Read more...] about Is there hope for the Pope?
Seventy eight percent of statistics are made up. In 2016, half of the news you read was, too
People are reflecting on how crazy and unpredictable the last twelve months have been, with so many political curveballs and so many greats taken away from us. “It is becoming increasingly obvious that David Bowie has established a better alternate universe and is populating it selectively one by one,” one Twitter user wrote. Ninety one thousand people seemed to agree, … [Read more...] about Seventy eight percent of statistics are made up. In 2016, half of the news you read was, too
After Syriza’s Victory, Europe comes to a crossroads
With 36.3% of the vote, and two seats short of an overall majority in Greece’s 300-member legislature, the Leftist Syriza party, previously – and still formally – a loose coalition of radical leftists and green movements, has taken power in the country. … [Read more...] about After Syriza’s Victory, Europe comes to a crossroads