Serving as a part-time editor like myself opens you up to two contrasting aspects: being engrossed in receiving a variety of media content like everyone else when at home versus actively participating in their creation when at work. I spent the beginning of this week, Monday and Tuesday, as a homemaker, filling my mind with history podcasts whilst ironing, coupled with stories from global news as I prepared meals in volume. The latter part of the week, from Wednesday to Friday, saw me at the bustling Features desk managing and facilitating the assembly of diverse pieces, ranging from Michael Harding’s heart-warming tribute to countryside labourers to Nicola Coughlan’s opinions on Gaza, whilst also planning for upcoming readings for the weekend and forthcoming week. On most occasions, this balancing act proves beneficial, despite its overwhelming nature. In the best scenario, each week I gain a touch more knowledge on a wide range of topics, whereas during the challenging weeks, it’s difficult to distinguish whether the knowledge I possess stems from current events or historical content draped in antiquity.
I extend my invitation for you to delve into the assortment of fascinating stories I’ve curated this week.
One of the highlights includes June Caldwell’s effective dissuasion on the prospect of becoming an Airbnb host – a thought prompted by her firsthand experiences penned down on Tuesday. Her account of unwelcome surprises brought by guests, such as a late arrival who turned out to be highly promiscuous and an indie-pop singer’s bizarre breakup scene, sent shivers down my spine. “You have to be mentally fortified when you welcome strangers into shared living spaces, because there’s no telling the quirks of human behaviour,” Caldwell penned. For my part, I concur with her and it is a resounding ‘no’ to becoming an Airbnb host.
Growing up in a family business has given me a unique understanding of the dedication and hard-work it requires. So, it saddened me this week when I read of three small businesses closing their operations. The first was a clothing store, Alias Tom. They blamed their shut down on a shift towards a more casual work attire trend. Then two Dublin restaurants, Dillinger’s in Ranelagh and Shanahan’s on the Green, also closed down, adding to the increasing number of food outlets leaving the market. Corinna Hardgrave delved into the tangible causes behind such stream of closures, providing a glimpse into the challenges faced by those at the helm.
In a separate observation, Hugh Dooley and Emma Hanrahan examined why only a handful of students from the North choose to study in the Republic – a predicament that has affected my fellow Northerners for some time now. The requirement to pass four A-level exams to gain admission to South’s preferred courses has always been a daunting task. I was heartened to learn about the adjustments being made in the points conversion rates for future admissions.
A story that really intrigued me was one by Kevin O’Sullivan, which recounted the unfortunate demise of a we tracked brent goose. Tracked from Co. Waterford to the Canadian Arctic by schoolchildren, the bird was hunted and consumed upon its arrival by an Inuk hunter. The amused hunter proudly displaying the tags from the cooked bird added a dash of reality to this circle of life lesson for Dungarvan schoolkids.
Last but not least, I came across a sobering story by Justine McCarthy about Sherin Alsabbagh. Sherin, an Irish citizen residing in Co. Roscommon, is desperately trying to rescue her 74-year-old mother, Najwa Alsabbagh, from the war-torn Gaza. Although Najwa was granted an Irish visa in February, several hurdles have delayed her departure from the conflict-stricken region. With her mother surviving barely on a single meal of rice or bread per day, Sherin feels time is slipping out of her hands.
Brid Fitzpatrick gave an insightful comment on Emer McLysaght’s article regarding the rich Irish terminology for rain, adding ‘dawky day’ to the compilation. I have a personal preference for a phrase which seems to be unique to County Tyrone: ‘growthy’. This word, more or less, signifies a mildly wet day wherein it seems as though the grass grows visibly.
Podcast Highlight
It was profoundly gripping to listen to the composed and understated Sally Hayden as she documented her experiences in Beirut in our In the News podcast, hosted by Bernice Harrison. Sally gave unnervingly clear and graphic descriptions of the outcomes following Israel’s latest actions on the Lebanon populace. She is also candid about how she traverses her role of reporting the ongoing tragedy surrounding her.
Lebanon Under Siege: A fear of Gaza’s fate repeating itself brews among locals
Top Picks
– An essay by the writer and bookstore owner Ann Patchett, on her qualms surrounding the notorious ‘time-saving’ email, featured in the New York Times, was an absolute delight this week. While gracefully navigating her sister’s warning that writing about it would cast her as a ‘fool’, Patchett made nearly persuasive points in support of postal pigeons making a comeback. She also referenced This is Happiness, a novel by Irish author Niall Williams, where she finds a comforting tranquility. This story follows the upheavals accompanying the introduction of electricity in a quaint Irish town.
– Transition year- referred to as the ‘best-kept secret of Ireland’s education’ was praised in The Guardian this week. The piece tells how notable actors like Cillian Murphy and Paul Mescal discovered their potential during this period. The article recognizes that it’s not all glitz and glamour, but nevertheless a commendable program that remains beneficial many decades after its inception.
Top Reads
– Joe Canning reveals: ‘The drinking was a mistake…However, to punish us by intense training was sheer insanity’
– Police suspect the murder of an 8-year-old boy may have occurred up to two years before he was reported missing
– ‘We started living together after just seven days. We were engaged after eight months.’
The passing of Liam Payne has left his One Direction band members in a state of profound sorrow. His autopsy report revealed that his demise tragically occurred from a fall at a hotel.
The renowned Dublin-based steakhouse, Shanahan’s on the Green, has indefinitely shut its doors due to fiscal difficulties.