Life in the West – in ‘rural’ Ireland – is increasingly urban.

So, now we know. Ryan Tubridy was the top earner in RTÉ in 2022. He took €515,000. I used to enjoy Ryan, perhaps, 10 or 15 years ago.

John Henry Newman (1801-90) was a famous Anglican clergyman who converted to Catholicism in 1845, was made a cardinal in 1879 by Pope Leo XIII, and was canonised a saint in 2019.

I was amused recently to hear a man contend that Saint Brigid was actually a Protestant.

Kilmaine native Marina Murphy is extremely passionate about helping people to feel better. What sets her apart in this goal is that her passion and drive come from personal experiences.

At the end of January, we will come to the end of another shooting season. The Ox Mountains are a popular hunting ground for those who still like to bag the occasional snipe or woodcock.

Want to ruin an election canvaser's New Year? Bring up Varadkar's or Martin's popularity problem with younger voters.

As the deadline for the CAO application approaches, my thoughts go back to my own CAO form many decades ago. It is 30 years this year since I applied for a place as a student in Trinity College.

There are strange things going on in this little country of ours and I am not necessarily talking about that daft decision by Mayo County Council. You know the one. Embarrassing for the entire county.

In the All-Ireland Football Club final last year, Watty Grahan’s Glen (based in Maghera, Derry) fell short by one point.