Letters: Mark of a good student is growth, so don't let exam stress stunt your progress
She stated that 'there is also a curious liberation in the knowledge that no one other than me cares whether I complete the course or not'.
Last year I sat the TEG A2 exam in Irish in an effort to improve my líofacht sa Ghaeilge while simultaneously attending Irish classes. I obtained a result of 88pc.
Next Saturday, at the age of 60, I will be sitting the B1 exam in Irish, the next level up from last year. I found having an exam goal gave me a greater incentive to actually work at learning the language.
The mark I get is largely irrelevant, though I would like to see it reflect the work I have put in. In essence, I have already succeeded by setting this goal that encouraged me to do the work.
You don't look at exams like this when you are younger, but as Ms Crowe wrote, studying as an adult is about 'travelling inwards and affirming our limitless capacity to grow'.
Tommy Roddy
Ballybane, Co Galway
With age comes greater reliance on colour-coded tablets, but that's just life
You know you're getting old when your social calendar takes a back seat to your pill organiser.
Once it was concerts and late nights – now it's colour-coded compartments and 'Don't forget Thursday's statin'.
I've so many tablets these days that I have to arrange them like a game of medicinal Tetris just to get the lids to close.
For those unfamiliar with these nifty little boxes, fear not: your time will come, and your tablets will tell you when.
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Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Co Armagh
Car remains king in this country, so it's no surprise cyclists still feel unsafe
It's not at all surprising that safety concerns top the reasons why Irish people shun cycling ('Survey shows main reasons more people don't choose to cycle in Ireland', Irish Independent, May 12).
The country's entire transport system revolves around vehicular traffic, with the private car being king.
On my last visit home, I regularly walked the narrow 6km regional road to my nearest town, Ballaghaderreen.
Many drivers saw my presence as a nuisance, and on occasions I was forced on to the ditch, descending into a drain to avoid being clipped by cars.
Alas, many families tragically know that the real nuisance – nay, danger – are these potentially lethal pieces of motorised metal when driven recklessly.
Our roads should promote and prioritise those who use their own energy to get around. This is better for the individual and the community at large.
But no. In the car we thrust.
Brendan Corrigan, Colombia
Litany of motor offences shows we have a long way to go in educating drivers
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has called for a 'societal reset' regarding road safety following the death of Garda Kevin Flatley.
Just over a week ago, the much-advertised and flagged May Bank Holiday Weekend Road Safety Campaign brought to the fore an astonishing litany of driving offences committed over the course of five days, during which there was one fatality and 10 serious collisions: 188 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant; 81 fixed penalty (fines) for seat belt infringements; 103 unaccompanied learner drivers detected; 177 mobile phone use while driving; 354 vehicles seized for various infringements; and 2,159 speeding detections.
It is safe to assume that people didn't set out on the bank holiday weekend to commit driving offences, and these infringements are there every day, every week and every month of the year.
The time for a 'societal reset' is, unfortunately, well past.
Peter Declan O'Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan
Young people will always find a way around any ban imposed on social media
I agree with Denis Fitzgerald – banning social media for under-16s is unlikely to have the desired effect.
Casting my mind back to my teenage years, some decades ago now, I can attest to the ingenuity – some might even say deviousness – these young people can muster to circumvent even the strictest of barriers.
By all means, regulate social media companies, but real, effective protection for our children comes in the simple form of education. Let's teach them to manage, understand and filter what they see online.
Knowledge is, and has always been, power.
Bernie Linnahe, Dromahair, Co Leitrim
We should build senior citizen villages and get more people to downsize
I think there is one simple solution to getting older people to downsize from their family-sized homes long after their children have moved on.
Build senior citizen villages with all amenities and we will all be able to downsize, thus freeing up the larger houses for growing families.
Kathleen Callaghan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Starmer speech reminder of WB Yeats' great line on strangers being friends
Keir Starmer's 'Island of Strangers' speech reminds me of a line attributed to the poet WB Yeats: 'There are no strangers here; only friends who haven't yet met.'
Brendan O'Brien, London
With organ donations, out of tragedy we see selfless gestures from families
I read through tears the interview with Walter Donnelly (Farming Independent, May 13), in which he spoke about the brave decision to donate the organs of his 18-year-old son Colm after an accident ended his promising young life.
To read about a life so full of promise being prematurely ended was devastating; but to read about the hope and joy the decision to donate Colm's organs brought to four other families – as well as to the Donnellys themselves – was inspiring and joyous.
Thank you to the Donnellys and all grieving families who think of helping others in a time of such deep personal distress.
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Life Hack: How to avoid injuring yourself while doing DIY jobs at home
Sunnier days have many of us more willing to take on home improvement jobs ourselves but a few emails have landed in my inbox in recent weeks that remind Irish DIYers why it is important to be careful when it comes to property maintenance. According to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by insurance broker Gallagher, nearly half of Irish people rate their DIY abilities at two stars or less, and 12% of those surveyed admit to having zero skills. Interestingly, men were four times more likely than women to rate themselves five-star DIYers and twice as likely to consider themselves four-star. It's a statistic that caught the attention of the insurance company too. 'What's really striking here is the gender gap in self-assessed ability — nearly 60% of women rated themselves as two stars or less, compared to just 41% of men. Whether that points to a lack of confidence or ability in women is up for debate,' said Geraldine Kelly, head of personal lines at Gallagher. 'There seems to be a confidence divide at play. Whether it's exposure, education, or tradition, men are more likely to back themselves with a spanner. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're doing better jobs.' Similarly, last month, Specsavers shared research it commissioned that revealed more than two-thirds of adults in Ireland have suffered a DIY-related accident. Its survey found that more than half of Irish DIYers have suffered splinters, while others have accidentally hammered fingers, tripped over something, or dropped something on their feet. Other common accidents on the list included cutting yourself on sharp tools, superglueing fingers together, and getting an electric shock. Many years ago, my father accidentally cut his pinky finger off when an electric saw slipped out of his hand (a swift visit to A&E saw it reattached, thankfully) so I'm very aware of the risks when taking on certain projects at home. 'While minor mishaps are part of any DIY journey, the most successful projects consider proper preparation — including appropriate safety measures,' said Kerril Hickey, chairman of Specsavers Ireland. 'Taking simple precautions like wearing protective eyewear and hearing protection allows DIYers to take on their projects with total confidence.' A key consideration for all DIYers should be ensuring that they wear protective items when using power tools and sharp objects. 'Completing projects gives us such a fantastic sense of accomplishment. We just need to remember to take the necessary precautions and look after ourselves at the same time — a weekend project is never worth a trip to A&E,' Mr Hickey said, adding that Specsavers would 'strongly encourage DIY enthusiasts to put their safety first and take steps to prevent avoidable injury'. Protective items to consider include eyewear, as recommended by Specsavers. The firm has a new range of safety eyewear, which is included in the chain's two-for-one offer. With many DIYers dropping things on their feet, protective footwear is a must. Safety boots with reinforced toe caps are available in hardware shops and will protect your toes from mishaps. A face mask can help to protect your lungs when small particles are in the air, such as when sawing or spraying. Ear defenders can be worn to soften loud noises on the eardrum, while hard hats are a great option to protect your head from falling items from overhead. The Specsavers survey noted that half of us have turned to DIY to save money but experts at Gallagher warn that poor DIY can cost you in the long run. From an insurance standpoint, poor DIY work can result in damage to the property, which may not be covered by a home policy if it is linked to lack of maintenance or improper repairs. 'Homeowners should be mindful that general upkeep is their responsibility, and neglecting it can lead to serious and costly issues over time,' Ms Kelly added. 'In many cases, calling a professional may be the safer and more cost-effective option. A cautious approach is a smart one. DIY can be rewarding but knowing when to step back and call a professional could save you a lot of stress and money in the long run.' Read More Life Hack: How to deep clean a bathtub for a sparkling soak
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, June 9, 2000: Killarney explosion, Tarbert fire & Doms goes online
Killarney scene like bomb site after explosion Two fire units parked on the street with blue lights flashing, people kneeling beside a prone figure covered with a blanket, offering words of comfort, and ambulance sirens sounding in the distance. The scene outside Cronin's Restaurant in Killarney on Saturday night was for all the world like the aftermath of a bomb blast. Glass and wooden debris from the green shopfront lay scattered on the pavement but, uncannily, inside the restaurant, plates and glasses lay unscathed on the tables. The majority of those injured had been standing ion the footpath when the explosion occurred as the owner, Pat Cronin, had cleared the premises when he detected a gas leak. Five ambulances ferried 12 people to Tralee General Hospital after the explosion, which took place at 8.10pm, but just four were kept in hospital. Among those who were most seriously injured were Pat Cronin, Shirley O'Connor, who worked in the restaurant part-time, an English visitor from Nottingham who was staying at the Killarney Great Southern Hotel and an Irish woman who had injuries to her ear. Pat Cronin suffered burns while Shirley O'Connor sustained a leg injury. All those injured were Irish with the exception of the English visitor. Fire Officer in charge at the scene, Donal Grady, said the fact that the gas tanks were stored in an outside yard and that the front of the building was made of wood saved people. Mr Grady said the tank itself did not explode but it seemed as if a pipe had come loose and gas leaked. He said that in his opinion some gas leaked into the open air and some came into the building. "If it all came in, it would have blown the whole building," he said. Mr Grady, a Killarney town councillor, praised the initiative shown by Pat Cronin in clearing the building so promptly. ADVERTISEMENT Water gel was applied to the burns of the injured by the fire personnel, all of whom are trained in first aid, immediately after they arrived on the scene. The early treatment is credited with lessening the effect of the burns. The kitchen located behind the restaurant on [the ground floor in Cronin's bore the brunt of the ;damage. The force of the explosion to the rear of the building also damaged windows at the back of the Fáilte Hotel. The rear of Dan Corcoran's premises, which is next door to Cronin's, sustained some damage also. A Dublin-registered Rover car outside the restaurant had its driver's and rear windows blown in, while two cars parked near Scott's Hotel across the street were also damaged. Dr Norrie Buckley of the Arbutus Hotel in College Street was one of the first medics on the scene. Dr Buckley praised the work of a visiting doctor, who was on holidays in the area, in identifying the priority cases for the ambulances with her. "I turned around to thank him and he was gone. He was a guardian angel, The Guards, the fire service and the ambulance services were absolutely superb." she said. Dr Buckley said most people she attended were suffering from cuts and minor burns. "They were calm but quite a few were shocked, particularly the Cronin family, naturally," she said. Other doctors on the scene included Bill and Patricia Mangan, Donal Kavanagh and Jim Crehan. Fr Michael Fleming, Administrator, Killarney, attended the scene as well. Paudie O'Callaghan of the Failte, who is chairman of Killarney Vintners, was standing at his front door when the blast occurred. "My eye contact was towards Scotts and the first thing I saw was the window blown into the car," he said. "The force took a man outside the window (of Cronin's) off the pavement. I ran into the bar for help at that stage and I rang the Guards. It was just mayhem It was for all the world like a bomb scene. It was frightening. How someone wasn't killed was beyond me,' he continued. Michael Looney of San Sebastian Guest House, just two doors away from Cronin's, was at his front door also when the blast occurred. "There was just a bang and glass and rubble flying out," Mr-Looney said. "I ran out and checked to see were people OK and helped around a bit until the ambulance came. There were a lot of cuts from glass and a lot of blood. The Guards came then and cleared the street." The Gardaí evacuated nearby premises including the Fáilte, Murphy's Bar, the Jug of Punch bar, the Bombay Palace Restaurant and Scott's Hotel for a short period as well as cordoning the street off until about 9.45pm. Student escapes blaze before sitting exam Tarbert Comprehensive's 'Student of The Year' Mairead Enright got the first day of her Leaving Cert exams off to a dramatic start, when she and her family escaped from an early morning fire at their home above the family restaurant at Main Street, Tarbert. Gardai in Listowel are still investigating the cause of the fire, which broke out at 5.40am on Wednesday and which gutted the upstairs of the building where the family were sleeping. Luckily, all the Enrights escaped unscathed and Mairead, showing the strength of character which won her the recent acclaim of her peers, went ahead and sat the first paper of the English Leaving Cert exam. There was no such drama for Deirdre Twomey of Killarnev. one of the 174 students who sat the Leaving Cert at Killorglin Intermediate School. She and her classmates were very pleased with the first paper. "The essays were fine overall. I did one on 'Saving the Planet' and I just made it up as I went along. I feel it went quite well," she said. Her fellow student Brendan O'Sullivan from Killorglin was equally pleased with the first English paper, pronouncing the choice of essay titles 'grand'. Brendan, who took the higher Level paper, was keeping his fingers crossed for a question on Kavanagh or Yeats in the afternoon paper. There were smiles all round also at St Joseph's Convent of Mercy in Abbeyfeale, where Mary Anne Mulcahy from Templeglantine sat the higher level English paper. "It went fine and we got a good choice of essays. I think the prose passage suited everyone as well," she said. Mary Ellen Lane from Graigue, Abbeyfeale, was also quite pleased with the first paper. "The prose passage was nice enough but I found the essay titles a bit hard. They were different from other years. I'm hoping we'll get a nice question on Kinsella in the afternoon," she said. Both students chose the essay title.'Opening Doors' while 'Saving the Planet' was the second most popular choice among students who spoke to The Kerryman on Wednesday at lunchtime. Dominicans the latest to go online The Dominican order in Tralee has signed up to the electronic age by opening its own web site. The 'Domstralee' site has information about Masses and other services, a local history of the order, and a series of high quality images of the church and its environs. Tralee Dominican Prior Fr Ambrose O'Farrell said the order were being trained in the Internet and had felt they needed a website of their own. You can take a guided tour of the Dominican Church in Tralee, or contact the Dominicans by email. The Irish Dominican order has been quick to wmbrace the Internet and already has two national sites, one based in Tallaght and the other in Cork. "Our own site was on the one in Tallaght but we decided we would open our own here," Fr O'Farrell said. The site also contains information on Fr Thaddeus (Tadhg) Moriarty, who has been nominated for beatification. One of three Kerry people who has been entered into the process of canonisation, he is also the only Dominican. The Domstralee site was designed by a member of the Dominican congregation in Tralee, Frank Byrne, who is putting the finishing touches to the site. It can be accessed at You can also link into the Cork based site from the Tralee website, gaining access to religious resources, including a popular Jesuit site. "It's not a missionary kind of site," Fr O'Farrell said of the Tralee website, "but you can link into the national Dominican sites which have an explanation of the nature of the order and its mission."
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Model Thalia Heffernan: I feared I'd end up homeless during desperate hunt for a house in Dublin
Irish model Thalia Heffernan has described the 'hell' of searching for a place to live in Dublin during the housing crisis and said there were times when she feared she would end up homeless.
