Castleventry – where’s that?
Castleventry is an appropriate place to visit as the month of May begins. This ancient site with a commanding view over so much of West Cork has been a place of ritual for at least 4,000 years. It’s a combination of […]
Unpacking memories
I moved house and parish in September 2022 and the process of moving gets difficult as one gets older — in part because I’m a hoarder, of sorts! But why would one destroy something like this? It’s a photo I […]
Charming Gougane Barra of St. Finbarr
There are few places in Ireland as enchanting as Gougane Barra – the out-of-the-way but picturesque spot which is associated with Cork’s patron saint, Finbarr. It was once a secluded place of monastic prayer. Later it became a place of […]
In the shadow of sculptor John Hogan
I had an opportunity a few days ago to visit Dublin with a couple of friends. Part of the treat was to follow the trail of a nineteenth century sculptor who was born in Waterford but grew up in Cork […]
In footprints of a saint and lots of villains
We learn about those who have gone before us not just to help us avoid their mistakes but also to be inspired by their virtues and their lives. This year, for a summer holiday, I planned a trek across a […]
First ever history of Desertserges Parish published by retired principal teacher
For all those interested in Enniskeane and Desertserges Parish and its long history and in the history of West Cork: Con McCarthy, former Principal Teacher of Ahiohill National School and respected local historian, has published a comprehensive history of Desertserges […]
New papal nuncio from Nigeria has Irish faith line
On the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13th last, Pope Francis was at Fatima to mark the centenary of the apparitions. On the same day, his press office in the Vatican published the daily bulletin and it included […]
An accordion start
A bold initiative was started in Drimoleague and Drinagh in the early 1970s — an accordion class. It was my introduction to something that has brought me a lot of enjoyment since, especially in the many people I have met […]