“Time me gentlemen.”– Robert Liston If you needed surgery in the 19th century, the pace at which it could be performed was paramount to the patient. The reason being that anaesthetic, antibiotics and antiseptics had all not yet been invented. Therefore, if you needed an operation such as amputation, mastectomy, […]
Columnists
One of the earliest ‘Scandals’ in Ireland in the 1920s centred around a demand by the then Minister of Finance, Ernest Blythe. He pursued other government minsters to reimburse the government the paltry sum of four pounds, nine shillings and 6d. The politicians in question were forced to use public […]
I don’t know if it’s just me but it’s hard to believe it’s August already. What is proving to be one of the strangest years of our lifetime seems to be progressing at speed. At home, the majority of the silage is cut at this stage and the breeding season is coming […]
Before I get started, I want to address a pet peeve. I know that I am a bit of a Pedantic Pat, but I make no excuses. Words have meanings and disregarding that is to encourage confusion and miscommunication. Until this year my pet peeve was the word Recession. Up […]
One of the greatest historical lessons I learnt as a student was from a simple cartoon. The title was: ‘History is a matter of perspective’. In the cartoon, a Native American had returned to shore to his tribal chief. Lingering in the background were the three caravels of the Columbus […]
I’m so excited to be back in print. I hope this column finds you and yours well. While we can’t know what the future will bring, the new precaution measures makes it easier to get out of the house and fortunately the season is with us. It’s time to get […]