A hopper of ditches, a cutter of corn, and a brown little cow without any horns.

The world of the creative arts is not an easy one and you don’t need to tell Julie Sharkey that. Despite facing challenges within her chosen career over the years, the Ballaghaderreen native has persevered and made it a success.

I often wonder if I am alone in my frustration with RTÉ’s coverage of the news. Just now, my big crib is with the coverage of the US election.

With the election now well and truly under way, candidates are in full campaign mode. They are busily criss-crossing their constituencies – switched on, smiling, suited and booted, shaking hands, saying what they think people want to hear.

BEFORE As an American living in Ireland, I am often asked about the upcoming US presidential election. I understand why this is a hot topic of conversation. From an external point of view, US politics looks like a circus.

Not too long ago when a competitive spirit between Christians of different denominations was the order of the day and religious identity seemed more significant than it is now, there were accepted benchmarks that underlined denominational labels.

Looking forward to the impending general election of 1918, the November 16th edition of the Connaught Telegraph delivered a sharp burn of the Sinn Féin candidate for North Mayo, Dr John Crowley, stating ‘from what we know of North Mayo, Dr Crowley ...

At last – an election date has been confirmed.  For weeks it was inevitable we would be looking at a late November election.

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,  The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.

News last week about tourist and visitor numbers coming into Ireland provide some food for thought.