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Fr Paddy: May the Lord fill us with health of body and peace of...
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ this year, I’m conscious of all what we have to be grateful for.
Many long for...
Martina Mulhall: Explaining the process of applying for college courses in the UK
Irish students have been choosing to study in the UK in significant numbers for some time. As many as 5000 applied to universities across...
Fr Paddy: May Christmas 2024 be a time of great blessing
A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children.
After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing...
Fr Paddy: ‘There is something inherently decent and kind in all our hearts’
More than 300 people recently attended the funeral of a woman in Carlow, after an appeal on social media by a funeral director who...
Martina Mulhall: Explaining HEAR and DARE third level admission schemes
HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) and DARE (Disability Access Route) are third level admissions schemes which promote equity of access to higher education for...
Fr Paddy: The more I care for myself the greater I can care for...
It's wonderful these days to see the brightness of Christmas lights decorating our streets, shops and homes.
In the darkest days of the year, we...
Fr Paddy: The Advent season – a time to get ready for Christmas
There is a story of six people who froze to death around a campfire on a bitterly cold night.
Each had a log of wood...
Adrian Kavanagh: Looking at how Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil tallied across...
As an electoral geographer who is interested in the minutiae of geographical variations in support patterns for political parties and candidates, there is nothing...
Martina Mulhall: Tips for navigating through the CAO application process
Applications for the CAO (Central Applications Office) which processes all applications to undergraduate courses in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are now open.
And while the...
Fr Paddy: Never underestimate the incredible genius that defines our human spirit
The gift of creativity and vision always brings hope and optimism.
Hope is a great gift and an important value to maintain and cherish these...
Fr Paddy: ‘When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden’
A motivational speaker walked confidently around the room holding a glass of water while leading a seminar on stress management.
Everyone guessed she was going...
Fr Paddy: Alzheimer’s Disease – Who cares for the Carer?
In every community, often silently and heroically, are people who voluntarily care for a vulnerable loved one.
For me personally, those who care for a...
Martina Mulhall: Exploring new courses available as CAO set to open this week
With the Central Applications Office (CAO) opening for applications this week, November 5, it’s a good time to take a look at courses which...
Adrian Kavanagh Column: From 1977 to 2020 – a history of how Laois (and...
This article will offer a very brief history of General Election contests in Laois, or rather Laois-Offaly in most cases, with the focus being...
Fr Paddy: Samhain – the Celtic festival that became Halloween
Time continues to move as we now have entered winter time. We begin this Season with Halloween.
It’s origins are strongly connected to ancient Celtic...
Martina Mulhall: Free fee health related courses in Northern Ireland
Many students and their parents/guardians are unaware that as many as 15 high demand health related courses in Northern Ireland universities offer free fees...
Fr Paddy: Economics and justice plus the important roles that political leaders play
The Gospel has a very challenging relationship with economics. Justice is at the heart of the Gospel message.
In growing and vibrant economy those who...
Martina Mulhall: Helping current Sixth Class students choose subjects for Junior Cycle
An important deadline is fast approaching, the closing date for enrolment to post-primary schools.
With that comes the obligation to choose subjects for the junior...
Fr Paddy: The story of Medjugorje, a major pilgrimage destination
Medjugorje, located in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, is where the Virgin Mary has allegedly revealed herself on a regular basis to six local children...
Fr Paddy: St Francis of Assisi – the most beloved and familiar of all...
Throughout this month of October, the universal Synod of the church continues in Rome.
This is a wonderful process, where discernment , reflection and pragmatic...
Fr Paddy: Angel of God my Guardian Dear
This week we begin the month of October. October is the time when leaves fall and darkness begins to be felt, nature produces beautiful...
Fr Paddy: Huge numbers expected as relics of St Bernadette to come to Portlaoise
Currently the relics of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, are visiting many churches across the Country.
Saint Bernadette’s relics will be present in the Carlow Cathedral...
Fr Paddy: Random tales of wisdom – Sleep When the Wind Blows
How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you're trying to get...
Fr Paddy: Scoping Inquiry details dark chapter of abuse
The recent publication of the Scoping Inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools, details the horrific trauma inflicted by the abuse of young students.
This...
Fr Paddy: Ignore the pessimism of others – stay positive!
There was once a bunch of tiny frogs, who arranged a running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A...
Fr Paddy: Where is God in the midst of war, violence and human suffering?
It is not God, but our false images of God we need to challenge ourselves about.
God is not a puppeteer who is pulling the...
Fr Paddy: Blessed Carlos Acutis Relics visit Portlaoise Parish Church
This September a relic of blessed Carlo Acutis will be brought to Ireland by three Franciscan friars from Assisi where his mortal remains repose.
Portlaoise...
Fr Paddy: We live in turbulent times, where polarisation and extremism are becoming all...
Recent violent protests in the United Kingdom regarding racial tensions, displays firsthand the horrible reality of racism and prejudice.
We live in turbulent times, where...
Fr Paddy: Laughter is good for the soul
Earlier this summer, Pope Francis, hosted more than a hundred comedians from around the world at the Vatican.
The entourage of comedians included some famous...
Fr Paddy: August – the month to carry out the harvest and thanksgiving
Time and seasons come and go, so far 2024 seems to have moved very quickly, it's hard to believe, this week we begin the...
