The amount of space allocated in our social memory to historical events is strangely uneven. Pandemics seem more than usually susceptible to social...

10.11.2024 4

Breda O&x27Brien

Men are suffering a crisis of meaning. And some are finding answers in orthodox religion

Decades ago, when I studied theology in college, the female-to-male ratio was about nine women to every man. I think I half-ironically took it as a...

03.11.2024 1

Breda O&x27Brien

Students from Republic missing out on UK places because of junior cycle marking

After a recent article I wrote questioning why it is so hard to achieve high marks in junior cycle (JC) exams, a reader contacted me to point out a...

27.10.2024 2

Breda O&x27Brien

Meet the two Irish women with voting rights at the Synod of Bishops in Rome

Having two Irish women with voting rights at the Synod of Bishops currently under way in Rome would once have been a source of celebration for many...

20.10.2024 10

Breda O&x27Brien

Is inexplicably hard marking at Junior Cycle meant to prove a point to teachers?

Yet again, students in an allegedly low-stakes Junior Cycle exam failed to achieve a fraction of the high grades awarded in the Leaving Cert. Yes,...

13.10.2024 6

Breda O&x27Brien

Stop framing breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding as a question of mothers at war

Breastfeeding inspires strong feelings, including at times vicious exchanges between mothers. Those who feed their children with formula often feel...

06.10.2024 3

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What is the justice system for if we don’t believe in rehabilitation?

Breda O&x27Brien

One day we will have redress schemes for the children failed by Ireland’s care system

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Blocking Maria Steen from running for the presidency will backfire

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We need to have a conversation about babies born alive after abortion

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Nobody can claim the decline of Catholic influence has led to a happier or healthier society

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Carlo Acutis, the millennial saint, could not be more different to the influencers of the manosphere

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Interest in Jim Gavin says little for Micheál Martin’s faith in his party colleagues

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Taking teachers seriously as professionals would solve some big problems in Irish education

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ChatGPT is wearing the skin of something it can never be for vulnerable people

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Ireland is in an adolescent stage where everything that smacks of Old Ireland is embarrassing

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Let’s stop glorifying motherhood and glorify parenthood instead

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Parents facilitating a 16-year-old’s ‘prinks’ is a sign of our weird relationship with alcohol

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As abortions triple, when will we admit that reluctant repealers were profoundly wrong?

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Some schools are relying on deposit return scheme to stop them going broke

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Oliver Plunkett’s story would make a great film – it’s a shame modern, secular Ireland has forgotten him

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My friend finally has a diagnosis of lipoedema, but she still feels judged when she explains it

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Reformed Leaving Cert would allow too many opportunities to cheat using AI

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Something has gone wrong in our culture when people opt for ‘fur babies’ over real babies

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Why are people in their late 20s and 30s so disillusioned with religion?

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Teachers are being bullied into accepting reforms that will damage education

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Pope Leo XIV in Ireland: Unassuming and personable, he answered emails on the friary stairs

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Special classes need more support, not spending curbs

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Why the next Pope should be ... Leo

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How is a school with €8,000 supposed to pay €10,000 worth of bills?

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Why is mental health so much worse among Irish youths than adults?

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Leaving Cert Oral English exam a potentially great idea but piling assessments on stressed students and teachers is not

Breda O&x27Brien

A year on from the failed referendums, has anything changed for carers and families?

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Is it wrong to treat Lent as purely a time for self-improvement?

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Don’t be fooled by the movie poster - Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a committed pacifist

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As Pope Francis battled against ill health this week, the Catholic community in Ireland lost two great leaders

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A lot is written about great leaders, but what the world needs now is great followers

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Why do religious people tend to have more children? Because they value different things

Breda O&x27Brien

Big tech is bullying teachers into premature adoption of AI. We need to slow down

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The school’s electricity bill was €3,000 – and some of that was during the holidays

Breda O&x27Brien

Nicole Kidman’s Babygirl isn’t the ‘hottest film this year’. It might be among the most depressing

Breda O&x27Brien

As UK grapples with Elon Musk’s interventions, there’s no room for complacency here on child protection

Breda O&x27Brien

Jimmy Carter went to Mass in Waterford in 1995 - a sign of a deep faith that was often overlooked

Breda O&x27Brien

Don’t be so cynical. It’s bad for your health

Breda O&x27Brien

It’s a pity more of us don’t identify with Scrooge, the skinflint who was capable of change