Always telling the story
What a year it has been for all of us! The ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic has ensured that we have not strayed much further than Dublin or Port Laoise in the last twelve months. We did have a one-day excursion to Cork city in the summer and we are sure that we will be returning to visit that city more when … Read more
Each year at Remembrancetide, I try to find some connection with those who served in the First and Second World Wars to make it mean something more to me. This year, I thought that it would be good to see if there were connections with Dublin where I currently am a Scouter with Scouting Ireland. … Read more
Every year since 1919, the nation has paused for two minutes in silence remembering the millions of men and women from Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth who have served and sacrificed in defence of our democracy and way of life. Remembrance unites our communities across faiths, cultures, and generations, and the Royal British Legion want … Read more
By days, weeks, months, and years, kidney dialysis patients learn to live with their thrice-weekly life-saving dialysis treatment. The alternative of not having treatment at all is much worse. Most of us still want to live; so, in order that we might continue to do so, we travel from our home to our dialysis unit … Read more
We all have grandparents. Each and every single one of us has grandparents. Some of us are fortunate to have known all four of them. I know that many have not had that fortune, but I did meet all of my grandparents. I even have some items that I was gifted by them. This afternoon … Read more
The clue is in the name of the town, Monasterevin, or as Gaeilge, Mainistir Eimhín, of Monastery of Evan. There is clearly a link to monasticism in this place. But what is this link? Early Irish monasticism From the time of St Patrick there were monastic houses all over the island. It is said that … Read more
Dialysis, like much of healthcare, is all about numbers. The numbers may be examined on a yearly, quarterly, monthly, or weekly basis. Some are checked hourly during each dialysis session. Usually, these hourly numbers are registered and checked by the computer system and logged that way. However, since the attack on the HSE computer system … Read more
I’ve been taking some time to complement my studies with Code Institute by working through the #MyLeadership platform of The Institute of Leadership & Management as part of my continuing professional development. Many of my experiences both as an adult and a young person in The Scouts and Scouting Ireland as well as working with St John Ambulance Ireland have helped to nurture my skills in these … Read more
The first year the Carol Service of my old school, Balllymena Academy, was in St Patrick’s Parish Church was the year after I left. I remember three of us re-joining the “back row” of the choir to sing the familiar carols and other music that the choir was singing. It was lovely to be back … Read more
I’ve signed up to take part in My Poppy Run 2020. I’ll be joining a virtual community of fellow runners across the UK and completing my own run. By taking part in this challenge I’ll be raising funds to support the Royal British Legion. Their Poppy Appeal was founded to help those in need following … Read more