I notice that somme of the music by The Beach Boys (USA) is becoming increasingly popular, including the hit song 'Barbara-Ann' in the run-up to Thursday, 4th. December, the feast of Saint Barbara, observed worldwide as the patron saint of Artillery, including in Russia. youtube.com/watch?v=KnBC...

I see that world media outlets are reporting that US President Donald Trump has indicated he wants to execute six named members of his own US Congress. As a member of a number of world media bodies all I will say is: In anam Dé we live in interesting times. www.facebook.com/share/r/1DVc...

Is it me or what...? 😀

Lest we forget... 36 YEARS AGO TODAY THE BERLIN WALL CAME DOWN (1989). It was 36 years ago today (on Thursday, 9th. November, 1989) that the Berlin Wall came crashing down. It was in place for 28 years - work began building it in the early hours of Sunday, 13th. August, 1961, 64 years ago.

Today, 15th. October, is the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), one of the patrons of Spain, the first female Doctor of the Church, and a promoter of the statue of the Infant Child of Prague.

The art of being positive when all about you are doubting you or themselves, or need encouragement...! 😀

IRISH DEFENCE FORCES SPECIAL DAY Today, Wed, 1 Oct, is a special day, for many reasons. Worldwide it is the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the 'Little Flower'. It also marks - 101 years, to the day and the date (Wed, 1 Oct 1924), of the Defence Forces, and - 20 years (2005) of its Reserve (RDF).

46 YEARS AGO TODAY... "YOUNG PEOPLE OF IRELAND, I LOVE YOU!" We were the young people of Ireland back then. It was 46 years ago today - on Saturday, 29th. September, 1979 - that Pope John Paul 2 (now Saint) landed in Ireland at the start of his three-days visit...

The music and songs of the late John Count McCormack, Ireland's most famous international tenor - this Saturday evening, 27th. September, 2025, in the McCormack Room in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone - his home town - at 7pm. Tickets (€15) online and at the door (€20).

For those with an interest in these things, today, 23rd September, is the feast of Saint Padre Pio, more formally known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968). Patron Saint of Civil defense volunteers, and adolescents. He was canonised on 16th June, 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

And still they wait... 64 YEARS AGO TODAY THE SIEGE OF JADOTVILLE STARTED (Wed, 13 Sept, 1961) The Siege of Jadotville (Congo, Africa), with 155 Irish UN peacekeeping soldiers, began 64 years ago today (on Wed, 13 Sept, 1961). Over 30 bravery medals remain to be presented.

RTÉ has just now announced that Ireland will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is a participant...

Lest we forget... Tuesday, 11th. September, 2001 - 9/11 - 24 years ago today. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy today and tonight, - kiss the ones you love, - snuggle a little tighter, - and never take one second of your life for granted.

Mindful that today, 10th. September, is World Suicide Prevention Day... It was first introduced 22 years ago, in 2003.

A VERY SPECIAL SAINT... Today, 10th. September, is the feast of ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO, the patron saint of all who have died. He is known for centuries as the saint who gets those who have died out of purgatory early, and many miracles have been attributed to his intervention.

A postbox in Ireland in use continually, for 103 years, and older than the State. I could never give its location - it would be 'taken out' by someone wanting to make a fortune. It has the initials 'SÉ' on the front (Saorstát Éireann, the Irish Free State - December, 1922 to December, 1937).

Meant to put up this yesterday, 8th. September, the birthday of Our Lady. 😀

Two new saints from today...

Canonisation of Carlo Acutis (15) by Pope Leo XIV this Sunday morning, 7th. September, 2025, live on RTÉ television. UK born Italian teenager and computer whizz kid, with two miracles attributed to his intercession, now described as the patron saint of young people and of the internet.

How to write proper... 😀

SAME AGE AS WORLD WAR 2: 86 YEARS AGO TODAY... It was 86 years ago today that the solemn High Mass marking the consecration of the new Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar was concelebrated in the Cathedral, on Sunday, 3rd. September, 1939, the day World War 2 broke out.

THE ORIGINAL ELECTRIC PICNIC... An estimated 80,000 people attended the 'Electric Picnic' music and arts extravaganza in Stradbally, Co. Laois up to last Sunday. Apparently this photo shows how electric picnics used to be...! 😍

Defence Forces annual Gala Concert on Saturday night, 11th. October, 2025.

According to the weather people, 1st. September is the start of autumn - the rest of us know it started in August.

28 YEARS AGO TODAY... It was 28 years ago today, to the day, on Sunday, 31st. August, 1997, that Diana (Spensor), Princess of Wales died following a car crash in a tunnel in Paris. She was born on Saturday, 1st. July, 1961 and would now be 64 years of age.

THE GENIUS OF WORDS... Remembering acclaimed Irish poet and Nobel Prize for Literature recipient Seamus Heaney, who died 12 years ago today, on Friday, 30th. August, 2013.

86 YEARS AGO TODAY... The solemn consecration of the new Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, first in the world with that name, requested by Pope XI, took place 86 years ago today, on Wed, 30 Aug, 1939. On Sun, 3 Sep, 1939, as World War 2 broke out, there was a solemn High Mass.

UNITED IN DEATH, PERHAPS... 50th ANNIVERSARY TODAY For those with an interest in these things, today, Friday, 29th August, 2025, it is 50 years since the death in 1975 of Éamon de Valera (92). Last Fri, 22 Aug, it was 103 years since the in 1922 of General Michael Collins (31).

HEALING MASS THIS THURSDAY, 28 AUGUST, AT 8pm All are welcome this Thursday night, 28 August, to the monthly Healing Mass in the chapel in the St Camillus Nursing Centre, Killucan, Co Westmeath, N91 VF51 at 8pm. The Healing Mass will also be live on orderofstcamillus.ie .

For all with schoolgoers in the house, and especially those who are going to school for the first time...

HEALING MASS THIS THURSDAY, 28 AUGUST, AT 8pm All are welcome this Thursday night, 28 August, to the monthly Healing Mass in the chapel in the St Camillus Nursing Centre, Killucan, Co Westmeath, N91 VF51 at 8pm. The Healing Mass will also be live on www.orderofstcamillus.ie .

Didn't realise that today, 26th. August, is International Dog Day!

For all the ladies...

103 YEARS AGO TODAY... Today, Fri, 22 August, 2025, it is 103 years since the death (1922) of General Michael Collins (31), acknowledged by all as the founder of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Friday next, 29 August, it is 50 years since the death (1975) of Éamon de Valera (92).

Very best wishes to all 'Class of 2025' students receiving their Leaving Certificate exam results today...! 😀

It is 146 years this Thursday, 21 August, since the apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John in Knock, Co Mayo on a damp Thursday evening, 21 August, 1879. It is also the closing day of the annual National Novena in Knock, with sessions at 3pm and 8pm. See: www.knockshrine.ie.

HAPPY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY...! Today, Tue, 19 Aug, is World Photography Day 2025 - World Photography Week continues until Tue of next week, 26 Aug. Post your best photos on social media, using tag #WorldPhotographyDay, or on Facebook, tagging the page World Photography Day.