|
|
Gunners set to become Gonners
Having dominated
the Premiership a few years ago, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are now on a downward spiral, signalled by the rapid rise of Chelsea. By Ken Early
|
| |
|
|
The moment of truth
Temple Bar Gallery and Studios' current group exhibition provides a synopsis of the year in Irish art, during which the spotlight has definitely been on painting, says Billy Leahy
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Moans, cribs and rants
We wanted to award Lynn Truss our publicity whore of the month award but it seemed just a little silly to give out about a book which is essentially a 200 page moan about modern manners.
|
| |
|
|
Myths made modern
Margaret Atwood's take The Odyssesy is self-consciously jokey, but Jeanette Winterson's retelling of the story of Heracles is more successful, writes Caroline Alexander
|
| |
|
|
More words than numbers
It's light on economics, but David McWiliams' book is a pacey read, with enough social and anthropological analysis, entertainment, irreverence and attitude to keep the reader engaged. Reviewed by economist Jim O'Leary
|
| |
|
|
One man's Arabia
Robert Fisk's new book The Great War for Civilisation suffers from its length, tone and sweeping condenmations, writes Geoffrey Wheatcroft
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Chelsea bump and grind
Swathed all in black on the touchline, Mourinho looked every inch the comic book villain as his side murdered Arsenal. He was surrounded by his white-clad minions on the bench, offering him a Christmas corona. This was the moment the Premiership season was finalised in Chelsea's favour. Their performance, despite a shaky few minutes after half an hour, had the all consuming physical power and precision which Mourinho has been implementing and refining since his arrival. It was robotic and relentless. Arsenal had been ruined.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Church guidelines fall short
Our Children, Our Church fails to follow some key recommendations of the Ferns Report, and rows back from an earlier draft
|
| |
|
|
Not enough protection for children
Much has been made this week of the view of Maureen Lynott, chair of the Catholic Church's working group on child protection, that its new policy goes beyond the requirements of Children First, the State's child protection guidelines. Children First was also the result of a process chaired by Lynott so her view has been seen as particularly relevant. However, it should be noted that Children First, which has yet to be fully implemented, is in itself significantly flawed. The Ferns Report finds that current child protection legislation and practice is entirely powerless to prevent the abuse of children outside of the familial context. That existing State policy is flawed is clear but what of this new Church policy, how does it meet the expectations not only of organisations like One in Four but also of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and of both Maureen Lynott and the members of the working group that developed the drafts upon which it is somewhat loosely based?
|
| |
|
|
Newsworthy
Relatives, and friends of those involved in distressing high-profile court cases should not be subject of invasive press coverage
|
| |
|
|
Paranoia unconfined
In the spirit of the pantomime season, here's a warning for the most senior members of Sinn Féin: "Look out, he's behind you".
|
| |
|
|
Beating the Christmas logjam
 This may be the silly season, but Darina Allen has some tips up her sleeve to make you festive feast a fiesta
Countdown to Christmas – A few days before the big day snatch a few quiet moments, make yourself a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, put your feet up and make a few detailed lists. I love to set up the crib first, to remind me of the raison d'être for the whole celebration and to get me into the true spirit of Christmas. Our grandchildren gather round to help, wide-eyed with wonder as they hear the story of Joseph and Mary and then place the little baby Jesus in his tiny crib. They love to help bring in the holly and decorate the Christmas tree. There's nothing coordinated about our decorations, all the jingles and baubles collected over the past three decades, each with its own little story, hang in a haphazard way. It's fun to include some edible decorations on the tree, even tiny children can help to make popcorn garlands with a darning needle and thread. Dolly mixtures or little jellies also work well and can alternate with the glittering tinsel on the tree.
|
| |
|
|
Chocolate yule log
Chocolate yule log is usually made with a chocolate sponge Swiss roll but I prefer this sinfully rich version. There's no need for any icing, it's rich enough as it is! Serves 10 approx
|
| |
|
|
Torturing the facts
The US secretary of state's tortuous defence of supposedly non-existent CIA torture chambers in Eastern Europe was an acid flashback to Clintonian parsing.
|
| |
|
|
Editorial: Explosive allegations concerning senior gardaí must be investigated
There is an important and pressing public interest in the Morris Tribunal investigating allegations made by an unnamed Garda concerning two very senior gardaí, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty and Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey (now retired). The allegations were contained in a document sent to two TDs, Brendan Howlin and Jim Higgins – the document was attached to a Supreme Court judgment on 20 December, concerning the claim by the two parliamentarians of parliamentary privilege.
|
| |
|
|
Ugly Ireland
Over the last couple of months a quiet revolution has been taking place on the south side of Dublin. While the DART has been closed at weekends, to allow for work on making stations more accessible for disabled passengers, some of the ugliest structures ever erected in Ireland were being built.
|
| |
|
|
