I first met Brendan O’Neill in the summer of 1970. I was still a secondary student and had landed a summer job in the Reading Room of the Cork Examiner (now the Irish Examiner). Over the next few months I gravitated towards Brendan, drawn by his quiet demeanor and his interest in writing. He it was who introduced me to Donal Foley’s Man Bites Dog … Continue reading Old friends are best. Meet Brendan
The blog has taken a back seat for the past few months. I apologise for that. It wasn’t meant to be such a long gap, but circumstances dictated that I should focus on other things, and before I knew it months had flown by. So here’s a recap to bring you up to date, and why, like our Taoiseach Enda Kenny, I’ve got my mojo … Continue reading I have my blogging mojo back
It’s always nice to be shortlisted for a blog award, so to be singled out by Littlewoods Ireland Blog Awards 2016 makes it very special after a really traumatic year. I haven’t blogged for three months, and I’ll explain why another day, but for now I need a favour. Please click on the VOTE NOW badge on the right side of this blog, go to … Continue reading I need your vote, folks
It’s hard to believe that today, despite the overwhelming evidence, some people still deny the existence of the Holocaust when six million Jews were killed as part of the Nazi extermination policy. I have, over the years, read countless books on World War 2, especially about the conflict itself; but later I studied the rise of the Nazis, its policies, and anti-Jewish programmes. It made … Continue reading A chilling visit to Dachau
I’m lucky to be alive, seriously. I cheated death in a fire, despite being on the critical list for weeks, and endured years of hospitalisation and numerous operations. I put up with abuse and harassment as I grew up, was beaten up a few times for my sins, and suffered a million and one humiliations to my psyche, self esteem and confidence. I haven’t been … Continue reading Always look on the bright side of life
Did you ever have a member of your family either a priest or nun? I did. My Auntie Betty was a Convent of Mercy nun known as Sr Francis. She died many years ago, but one of the things I loved about her was that she dared to be different. She couldn’t wait to drop the veil and wear ‘civilian’ clothes, was passionate about gardening … Continue reading The nuns and a window into my past
Brendan Prendiville died last month. His death may have escaped you – it certainly might have done so for me too but for the vigilance of my Irish Times reading sister-in-law Margaret who spotted an acknowledgement to him in the paper and alerted Trish. Of course the name means nothing to you, but to me he was a God. Yes, Prendiville played that role in my life … Continue reading RIP Brendan Prendiville, the genius who rebuilt my face
