Heifer Whines Could Be Human Cries

Taking a rather different tactic than normal farming publications – which, regardless of economic climate, tend to feature rural types in flat caps and wellies wielding placards about whatever happens to be pissing them off about their endlessly miserable line of work – the cover of the latest issue of Irish Country Living (a supplement […]

The Future’s Bright…

Now, I was toying with the notion of running a little competition (entirely for my own amusement, you understand) to find the most orange-looking person in Ireland. However, I stumbled upon the winner immediately during a routine glance at the Saturday edition Cork’s Evening Echo.

Perfect Coffee Break Read

In the spirit of using free papers or junk mail to prevent awkward or indelible stains forming on your desk or table, Meath now has a publication tailor-made for that very purpose. It’s a joy to discover The Meath Coaster, a venerable monthly journal so popular (distributed to over 6,200 homes), it always seems to be running out. As they say […]

“Unsavoury” Lay-by Closed in Co Tipperary

The Midland Tribune feels compelled to report (on page 2 of its April 22nd issue) that a lay-by on the N7 at Toomevara in Co. Tipperary has been temporarily closed by North Tipperary County Council due to reports of “homosexual activity”. There’s no deliberation over terms such as ‘lovers’ lane’ or any such thing, these […]

We All Go Down Together

Can any teacher, or other public servant for that matter, actually come up with a better argument than this excellent analysis from Kevin Myers, published in today’s Irish Independent? I can’t open the papers without getting riled these days. Yes, I think the government is deplorable, and could not be more irate with people who voted Fianna […]

C.S.I. Carrick-On-Suir

*SPOILER ALERT FOR PROBABLE FORTHCOMING TV DRAMA* Just when I thought that Dublin life was getting far too dangerous and violent, I read with horror in the Nationalist And Munster Advertiser that rural life is even more precarious. It seems that residents of a Carrick-On-Suir house were wakened in the small hours by a “hoody wearing youth climbing on […]

Make It Easy On Yourself and Stomach

I do love Easy Food magazine. The recession certainly needs its ethic, and it’s one publication that’s been patiently honing its act and biding its time until we’re all poor enough to require it. Now, I’m not saying it’s the home of remedial food, but it certainly takes the responsibility of its title very seriously […]

FF Pinning Recovery Hopes On Secret Assets

Like many of Social & Personal‘s loyal male readership , I wondered when Fianna Fail’s most devastating secret weapons would be unleashed. I should have guessed, really. Where better than their Ard Fheis? Yes, we’re talking Mary Coughlan’s legs. I hasten to add, dear reader, that this is not a personal opinion. Back in July 2008, Social & […]

How Green Was My Hobby?

According to the “special” Christmas Day edition of The Avondhu, the Green Party’s greenest candidate for the 2009 local elections, Fermoy’s Adam Douglas, is “concerned over fishing proposals”. No wonder. It’s almost guaranteed that fishing was his dad’s proposal; like most kids, young master Douglas no doubt wanted to go to Funderland instead.

The Future Of The Left..?

As a former teenage Civil Servant back in Scotland (Britain’s Official Secrets Act forbids me from stating where, which makes it seem way more dramatic than it actually was) during the Thatcher era, I get strangely nostalgic whenever I flick through that venerable journal, Public Service Review. For those who may not have come across it, it’s […]