Now that the first part of Synod 2023-24 in Rome has drawn to a close, a 40-plus page report from Synod 2023 provides a synthesis of progress to date.

The Ox Mountains and the River Moy are like sisters; of the same place, born under the same sky and singing in time like only sisters can.

Another Friday night, another yawn for Ireland's once beloved late-night institution. The Late Late Show, our country's long-running chat show, has become a creaking relic kept alive by nostalgia more than necessity.

One year from now the next President of the United States of America will be elected. That is, of course, the most important job in American politics.

As I was ordained in 1973, that year became a pivotal point in my life for that and for a variety of other reasons.

Hallowe'en, as we know it today, had its origins in our Celtic past. It was a special time of year for the first settlers to our shores thousands of years ago.

‘If you build it, they will come’, is the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams. But in the Ireland of today, to turn fields into dreamed-of houses, we need to reverse the line: if they come, you will build it.

According to the findings of a recent Irish Times/Ipsos opinion poll, 40 per cent of the Irish public will not pay their television licence fees this year.

The recent Positive Ageing Week is a timely reminder for us – Oldies, Seniors, Elders, OAPs, Old Fogies or whatever we call ourselves now – to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, as the song has it.

Maria Boland is a naturally caring person. Her family has been in the undertaking and pub business in Swinford for years. Maria herself went to the UK at 18 and qualified as a nurse, a job which brought her to other countries and various specialties.