Eden, a play by Eugene O’Brien opens at the Theatre Royal next week for four nights only, starting on Wednesday May 24th. It is directed by Ben Barnes with the same team that brought us the excellent production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane late last year. I saw Eden several years ago and while it was a hazy memory...
Nichola’s Week
A highly flawed concept
A highly flawed concept
Getting the work-life balance right seems to be one of the challenges regularly laid down by media articles. We are constantly hearing about this invisible scales and being told how important it is. The difficulty is that it is so intangible and individual that we have to rely on our own happiness gauge to decide if...
Time to grow up
Time to grow up
There was a proud Irish moment last Friday morning during the Royal Wedding coverage when one of the English television commentators drew the viewers’ attention to the beautiful Waterford Crystal chandeliers in Westminster Abbey. The chandeliers were installed in 1966 for the 900th anniversary of the dedication of...
Tracing the origins of some alcoholic drinks
Tracing the origins of some alcoholic drinks
I’m working on a particularly involved project at the moment which requires a great deal of time, attention and concentration. It is quite enjoyable but can be intense and so I find myself sometimes looking ahead to the end point when it is finished. After long periods of concentration you also find yourself getting...
We need heroes in this world
We need heroes in this world
These days it is hard to know if art reflects life or vice versa. History shows that at any given time, even if we didn’t recognise it, those with the greatest influence and ability to change things were the writers, artists, singers and storytellers. It is also thanks to these individuals, no matter how large or...
It’s My Own Fault!
It’s My Own Fault!
Almost two weeks ago I caught a head cold. It’s so long since I had one that even the Lemsip sachets in the cupboard had gone quite hard and out of date. Head colds are extremely annoying as there is no cure, just various over-the-counter drugs that will keep the symptoms in abeyance. I do believe, however, if you...
Picking virtual pockets
Picking virtual pockets
I think we sometimes have an overactive imagination that leads us to believe danger lurks around every corner. While I am all for vigilance and not taking unnecessary risks, in these modern times we have become so alert to random acts of violence, mugging and robbery that we are now more at risk of being ripped off...
Hope springs eternal
Hope springs eternal
Our problems are indeed small and insignificant when viewed through the filter of the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami. I watched the television footage early on Friday morning and then again on Saturday and by Sunday I stopped watching altogether and just listened to news bulletins on the radio instead. We’ve...
Seeds of something good
Seeds of something good
There was something quite emotional about the raising of the Tricolour on the Mall in Waterford City on Sunday afternoon last to commemorate its first public unveiling in 1848. It was out of a second floor window at 33 The Mall that Thomas Francis Meagher showed it to the assembled crowd on March 7th and John...
Let the fun begin!
Let the fun begin!
I’m still trying to decide if the country turned out last Friday to vote a new government in or to vote the old government out! I suppose whatever the motivation the result is the same. To the winners the spoils; and they will be quick to tell you it was the former and, in fact, all down to plain hard work during the...
The more you practice and observe, the luckier you get!
The more you practice and observe, the luckier you get!
I, like many people I’m sure, am given to the occasional fantasy about winning the lottery. Sometimes I allow myself to scale the ridiculous heights of the Euro millions jackpot; at least €120 million. Other times the win is more modest; a half share of a €7 million pot on a Wednesday night perhaps. Then there’s the...
Crude cuts and shortages being experienced in WRH
Crude cuts and shortages being experienced in WRH
I was in and out of WRH several times over the last week as a visitor. As many other people will vouch, the individual staff members at the hospital are remarkable. They often have to go above and beyond the call and are currently being stretched to the limit of their abilities. From the security guards and...
