In 2011, we have seen the explosive fallout from incidences of clerical child sex abuse in the diocese of Cloyne, the eradication of Fianna Fáil as an electoral force, a controversial and at times bizarre presidential election campaign and the appointment of Ireland’s first female Chief Justice. It has been a year of upheaval, writes Luke O’Neill.
As attention turns to Ireland’s new President, Michael D Higgins, after his official inauguration last Friday as Ireland’s ninth head of state, it is worth reflecting on the legacy of the woman who has vacated the role, Mary McAleese.
Emigration can be a tragedy for those who have no desire to leave. For most Irish, however, the urge to go is simply satisfying an innate and often irresistible desire to leave the nest.
The Queen arrives in Australia this week for what many observers believe will be the last time. The lack of media coverage and interest ahead of the sovereign’s visit underlines, once again, the peculiarity and absurdity of Australia’s constitutional arrangements.
Australia should be making it easy for temporary residents to become permanent. That process remains too costly both in terms of time and money, writes Billy Cantwell.
The problem with dog-whistle politics is that, while your message may reach those for whom it is intended, it may also serve to inspire those who are prone to extremism and violence.
COMMENT: The appalling litany of crimes against children by ordained ministers of the Catholic Church in Ireland – outlined in all of their nauseating detail in a series of recent reports — constructs a tragic tapestry of pain and suffering. More recent revelations about the Church’s efforts to obstruct the paths of justice and protect serial offenders adds insult to the injuries that have been inflicted on the innocent. Just 32 years after the papal visit, the Irish Catholic Church is in crisis.
COMMENT: Over the past month, the Irish Echo has noted a number of negative references to Ireland and the Irish in Australia. Representations of the Irish as stupid or as hopeless drunks are, sadly, the slings and arrows that we must suffer from those who know no better.
For the first time in almost two decades, the number of Irish nationals overstaying their Australian visas has increased sharply. At the end of June 2009, there were fewer than 450 Irish ‘illegals’. The most recent figure is 1,075 and growing. There are both push and pull factors. Ireland’s economic woes and Australia’s buoyant jobs [...]
Australia is often referred to as a nation that has struggled to let go of its colonial heritage. Certainly, one facet of it was much in evidence before the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (although it must be said that just as many Irish mammies as Aussie mums watched the event). But Ireland [...]
