The unbridled joy of thumbing the open roads

Fri, May 06, 2016

I saw someone thumbing the other day. And I thought serial killer. Freak. What are they up to now, trying to stop cars with a flick of their thumbs. Should I call the guards. Get them arrested, these weirdoes standing by the side of the road, expecting people to stop and let them in. Do they not know that these people have seen Crimecall? And have Twitter. And read scary reports about freaks out at night. Even though this is the morning time. And serial killers tend not to thumb.

Echoes of the past - how far have we moved on?

Fri, Apr 29, 2016

So here we are again after another week of talks.
It is very difficult to understand how grown men and women cannot come to a conclusion which will lead to a government for this country. We are beset by housing problems, health problems, and educational problems, and yet it seems as if the issue of the provision of water was the one causing the impasse.

Serious talks at last – but is the end in sight?

Fri, Apr 22, 2016

We had a third inconclusive vote for a Taoiseach last Thursday with neither Enda Kenny nor Micheál Martin winning out. So, what now?

Debating the debates as the drama unfolds

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

I am sure many of you have been looking at and listening to the Leaders Debates on TV. Last week we had the TV3 one among four leaders: An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, and Gerry Adams. Just this week, on Monday night on RTÉ, we had a Leaders Debate among seven.

Pick a poll, pick a winner...

Fri, Feb 12, 2016

Well, as we all know the Election is in full swing with dreadful weather everywhere.

D-Day has come – the Election is called!

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

This weekend saw the Labour Ard Fheis in Mullingar. It was a fine turnout with Joan Burton the star at the Leader’s Speech. Throughout the weekend there is no doubt the local hero was Willie Penrose – a long-time serving Labour TD for Longford-Westmeath.

Fine Gael in full flight!

Fri, Jan 29, 2016

Never let it be said that I only follow the Ard Fheis of one Party. Last Saturday night, having spent the morning and early afternoon in Dun Laoghaire with Fianna Fáil, I sat down at home to look at Enda Kenny’s speech at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

Floods abate – but storms of a different nature loom large

Fri, Jan 15, 2016

Yes, the floods have dropped in Athlone; however the acute danger remains. This week with its frost and dry weather will hopefully see a further drop in water levels but after that, who knows?

Bankruptcy Bill, Willie Penrose, and other matters political

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Well, it has been a busy week all round, particularly in politics. Firstly, we had the Bankruptcy Bill which was brought forward by Willie Penrose, Labour TD for Longford-Westmeath.

STRAIGHT TALKING WITH...MARY O’Rourke

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

It is very difficult to start to think, talk, and write about politics at home when we have had such a weekend of terror and murder in Paris.

Paddy likes to know the story

Fri, Oct 30, 2015

Last Saturday I was in Salthill for a few hours. It has been about two years since I was in Salthill last. I was amazed again at the grandeur of it; the wide Atlantic breaking in; the long and lovely promenade. 

All this would lift your heart. It was a beautiful day, so there were plenty of people out walking on the promenade and even children playing on the beach. Imagine that at the end of October.

Planning, manoeuvring and strategic thinking in political circles

Fri, Jul 31, 2015

Hello to the Mayo Advertiser readers.
Well, school’s out and the Dáil and Seanad are shut. This should be bucket and spade time for everyone; however there is a lot of paddling under the water to be done before the beginning of September. For the political parties, planning, manoeuvring and strategic thinking will continue.

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