Teachers have vital role in young people's lives
Fri, Jul 03, 2015
Because I could not stop for Death
He kindly stopped for me
Selection convention season is in full swing
Fri, Jun 19, 2015
Well, the selection convention season is in full swing.
Read more ...Do we want reform or do we just not care?
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
So, the Seanad survived the chop, the people have spoken or to be more exact around 40 per cent of them have. The right to vote and shape the future of our country is something that was struggled for for hundreds of years, but when two questions to shape the future direction of democracy and the legal setup of the nation was asked, 60 per cent of the people didn't even bother to show up and have their say.
Read more ...The quest for childhood adventure in a changing Ireland
Fri, Oct 04, 2013
The experience of childhood in Ireland has changed much over the last few decades. Where once Irish rural life and even the rural towns offered an adventure land fuelled by the vivid imagination that comes only with childhood, modern Ireland offers not a playground, but an arena of protection, insecurity and fear.
Read more ...Sunday brings us all together, no matter where we are
Fri, Sep 20, 2013
By the time next week’s issue of the Mayo Advertiser hits the shelves, hopefully we'll be basking in the afterglow of a day to remember for many years ahead. Sunday's games have given the people of this great and proud county something to think about and concentrate on for the past few weeks. The All-Ireland has enabled us to forget about or worries for a few brief flickering weeks, as the hunt for tickets and the build-up of excitement about the games has taken hold and pushed our financial, social, and other concerns to a small corner of the mind. Not that they have gone away or been forgotten about at all, but it has given us something positive to concern ourselves with. It has also created a great sense of community spirit and kinship from the top of Bangor Erris to the bridge in Shrule as we have all rowed in behind James Horan and Enda Gilvarry and their two teams of heroes.
Read more ...Have you got any tickets?
Fri, Sep 06, 2013
It has been the talk of the county since we woke up bleary eyed and with hearts still racing on Monday August 26. ‘Tickets’. It’s the one word that’s probably been uttered more around the county in the past fortnight, than any other.
Read more ...Thousands of Irish are still sailing
Fri, Aug 30, 2013
“Thousands are sailing, Again across the ocean, Where the hand of opportunity, Draws tickets in a lottery,” goes the second chorus from The Pogues’ song ‘Thousands are Sailing’ from 1988. While that song has its basis in the emigration history of the past, it is pretty relevant today with the most recent release of information from the Central Statistics Office.
Read more ...Testing times ahead for parents as well as students
Fri, Aug 16, 2013
Wednesday saw the weeks and months of mounting pressure lifted for the 1,619 young men and women in Mayo who received their Leaving Cert results. The hard work, the effort, and the bit of luck they were looking for will have hopefully paid off for them, when they opened the envelope as they walked out of their secondary school for the final time. What’s next in store for them will come to pass early on Monday when the first round CAO offers come through their letterbox or the nervous click of a mouse or tap on a smart phone if the check online, from the literal crack of dawn, when the offers go live at 6am.
Read more ...A new journey begins...
Fri, Aug 09, 2013
For many young Irish this weekend will be their last as true dependants on their parents. With the Leaving Cert results coming out on Wednesday thousands will begin preparations for leaving home for the first time to start fending for themselves. And while their financial dependence on mammy and daddy will probably increase, they will be tasked with daily chores and responsibilities that many never pondered how they got done up until now.
Read more ...A musical tribute to a true Mayo hero
Fri, Aug 02, 2013
We’re creatures of habit in this country. Not ones for moving away from the norm. This is especially true when it comes to socialising. We go out at the same time to meet the same people, frequent the same establishments and drink the same drinks. During the summer we might throw a concert or two into the mix. But for the most part we don’t exercise our cultural minds.
Read more ...Let’s be happy all year round
Fri, Jul 26, 2013
Life can be tough. And the rain doesn’t help. You get caught up in the merry-go-round that is work, bills, work some more, and hopefully have a bit left aside for some leisure activities. That’s if you have a job. But it’s not easy whether you are working or not these days. Then again no one ever said that it would be. That’s why it is important to take time to enjoy life too. And the fine weather has given us plenty of opportunity to do just that.
Read more ...