The ever-changing moon was an object of mystery and superstition in ancient Ireland. The old Celtic druids placed great emphasis on the moon and arranged their calendar by it. It was believed that any work or business undertaken when the moon was growing (waxing) would be successful. Work begun when […]
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On November 25, 1975, Francis Crossan, a 34-year-old father of two children and a Catholic from Belfast with no affiliation to any paramilitary organisations, became the first civilian to have his throat cut by the Shankill Butchers. During the most provocative times of the Troubles, he became the first of […]
When we first came to the village to view the house that would become our home, I was shocked to see a little boy of around six standing on the side of the road. I was about to stop and ask if he was lost when an even smaller boy […]
It feels like the real freedom of summer has arrived. The socks are off, schools are all closed, exams over and done with and the good weather has cranked up the feel good factor. We are so fortunate to be able to enjoy our heatwave, the mid-20s in Celsius is […]
Inflammation is at the heart of so many of our modern diseases. As many of us have experienced, taking anti-inflammatory medication can reduce pain for some inflammatory conditions, but over time the inflammation can worsen and the medication can have side effects. And some don’t respond to any medication so […]
Among the different types of plantain growing in Ireland the most well-known are Plantago major or broad-leaved plantain, and Plantago lanceolata or narrow leaved plantain, also known as ribwort. Broadleaf plantain (BP; Plantago major, Plantaginaceae), also known as great plantain, is a flowering perennial, which often grows in disturbed soils, in fields […]
