Ciara was here
It is five years since the Met Office, together with their counterparts in Ireland, decided they would give names to significant storms in the forthcoming winter. We did not live in the Caribbean and certainly not in the South China Sea, what need had we to name the occasional gusty day? Strong winter winds were routine in childhood days in … [continue reading …]
Flowers and republican socialism
Visiting Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery at the time of the centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016, it was apparent from the abundance of flowers on his grave that Michael Collins was significantly more popular with visitors than Eamon de Valera, perhaps a case of principle triumphing over political intrigue, more likely a case of youthful film star looks having greater … [continue reading …]
Exclusive inclusivity
The most liberal of middle class people sometimes can become the most reactionary. People who have previously argued for the need to understand those who commit crimes can become advocates of strict policing and severe punishments when the crime affects them personally. However, such situations do not often arise because the people who most suffer through criminal behaviour are those … [continue reading …]
The old scams seem to work
There can be few people with email addresses who have not received at least an occasional email that seeks details that would allow the sender to defraud them. The “Spanish Hostage” scam is the oldest approach used (thus named because when it began two centuries ago people wrote letters claiming to be held hostage in Sapin and promising abundant reward … [continue reading …]
Being reminded of our place in society
The previous day, the long-suffering Richard had agreed to give my car a look over at eleven o’clock the next morning. With the garage closed over the Christmas and New Year period, he had found himself inundated with calls and suggested I return in an hour. It was a perfect length of time for which to wait – not long … [continue reading …]
Sunday thoughts for 16th February 2020
“I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement” Matthew 5:22 Vengeance is a popular theme in entertainment; there is enjoyment when people receive what people regard as their just desserts. Think of how many television programmes there are where someone is wronged, but waits and finds an opportunity to … [continue reading …]
Wet and dry
The Financial Times reported on the challenges to the insurance industry posed by the deluge suffered by parts of England and Wales in recent days. How will the cost of the loss of homes and livelihoods be shared? It has taken more than two decades for the realisation to dawn that climate changes will bring with them considerable cost. In parts … [continue reading …]
Tunes that are lost loves
Twice a week, Chris Hawkins’ early morning show on BBC Radio 6 features a “lost love,” a song that is remembered by a listener but which they have not heard in years. The song generally come from some point deep in the person’s youth and will bring forth memories from other listeners. Songs that linger are songs that have a … [continue reading …]
Settling the account
This story was expanded from a piece of flash fiction. It was entered for this year’s RTÉ Francis McManus Short Story Competition. The evening classes at the college gave her the opportunity. It was a computing class that had taught her to use the Internet, something of which she had been frightened. It had been the stories in the papers … [continue reading …]