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This is straight fear and distrust of women

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Can you imagine if Brigid, not Patrick, were our lead saint? We’d have a lot less crozier certainty and a lot more compassionate doubt.

A clever woman, practical in her ways, she would, of course, have dismissed as risible nonsense that equation 35 years ago between a mature woman and an egg.

Would any man have stood for having a clause inserted into the constitution of a modern country that he was only worth a sperm with potential?

I am sure Brigid would have got a fit of laughing at the idea.

Now, of course, even those who supported that ridiculous, divisive and, let’s face it, insulting amendment, suddenly see it for what it is and want it thrown out. That it has taken this long for the veil to fall is astonishing.

Curiously, it was also Brigid’s month of February, in 1918, when women, after a hard fight – what have women got easily – got the right to vote.

And it is only four years since gender quotas were mooted here, much to the chagrin of many of the same men who are now leading the charge against the Repeal of the Eighth, I have no doubt.

There is some evidence in legend that Patrick feared Brigid and those old stories encapsulate that fear of a clever woman. One legend, as the Irish Independent reminds us this week, even tells of how she made a pregnancy disappear after being appealed to. A strong woman, she oversaw cures for cattle and doubtless she knew how to oversee a garden and manage what grows.

And then, of course, the stern Armagh took over the gentler Kildare and the rest, as they say, is history as far as women were concerned. What followed was a remarkable reign and a reining in of women that is still not over.

Does that fear persist?

Let’s face it: a lot of what is going on here is straight fear and distrust of women.   I bet you some of the same people who are out against the vaccination for young girls to prevent them getting cervical cancer when they grow up are involved in whipping up sanctimonious and pseudo-scientific arguments against the repeal. And they will be stoutly against what follows it, regardless how limited and restrained

It may be worth looking beyond ourselves a bit here. Because there are huge and emotive and even moral arguments being advanced for preserving Ireland’s status as a place which outlaws abortion altogether.

So who is this country being asked to align itself with in this crusade?

Between 1950 and 1985, almost all developed countries liberalized their abortion laws for reasons of human rights and safety of women.

That includes our European partners like France, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries. And Germany. And the UK.

And while we want England’s money, and regret Brexit, we are, of course, far superior to them on moral grounds, aren’t we? And while we salivate over the US  and its money, we would never dream of telling that country to take away their Apples because of what Eve is allowed to get away with, now would we?

So then, who are we like? In fact we are like a lot of the most corrupt countries where there are often ruling elites, huge poverty, media restrictions and where women are very downtrodden.

In Europe we are aligned with Malta. This is where a female journalist was murdered recently, her car blown up.

Our other twins are from Sub-Saharan Africa and then there’s Yemen in the Middle East. And let us not forget Bangladesh. We are right up there with El Salvador, Nicaragua and Venezuela. In fact we are most like Venezuela in our restrictive laws.

In Venezuela, any woman suspected of abortion and who can’t explain a miscarriage is jailed. I was listening to Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent recently and it is frightening what happens to women when the letter of laws like the one we have is pursued - and any country that has laws like ours holds the potential for that kind of pursuit of a woman.

 

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New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong […]

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Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong anecdotal evidence that the great American wordsmith had Kerry roots.

There has been suggestions that Fitzgerald’s family can traced to Horse Island off Ballinskelligs and research is ongoing to determine if the famous novelist, essayist and short story writer gave any indication of his Kerry connection during his lifetime.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, formerly of New Street, Killarney and now residing in Beaufort, is the author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman which was released in March to coincide with the 100th anniversary of publication of Fitzgerald’s most famous work.
O’Sullivan Greene’s research found that Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was initially deeply ashamed of his Irish connection but his views softened when he took an interest in revolutionary politics.
The Killarney man’s book guides the reader through F Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the socio-political climate of early 20th-century America and the careless jazz era excesses portrayed in The Great Gatsby.
The book peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald’s character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk on the life and times of F Scott Fitzgerald in the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre in Killarney on Thursday, July 3 at 6.45pm.
Part of the Celebration of Irish and American Friendship programme, the free lecture is titled Revolution, Rejection and Revival and it will mark a celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby.
The event will also include a glamorous 1920’s dance spectacular, tuition on how to dance the Charleston and a live performance by Killarney’s own Liberace, Jack Patrick Healy. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller.
The author will also share the story of how F Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Thomas Manhan, came to Ireland to learn Irish following his graduation in 1964.

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U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC. The ceremonies took place on Monday and […]

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U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC.

The ceremonies took place on Monday and Tuesday this week
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland are making a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens.
Seven ceremonies were held over the two days. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is joined by Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins.
“Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together. I moved to Ireland with my parents as a baby, so it’s not a stretch to say that this is long overdue! I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” said The Edge.
Ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said:: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society.”
Minister Brophy congratulated the new citizens, adding: “Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”
Judge Paddy McMahon was the Presiding Officer for the ceremonies. administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, where new citizens commit to observing Irish laws and respecting its democratic values.
The Citizenship Division has seen a significant increase in applications, processing over 20,000 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024, up from around 12,000 annually just over two years ago.

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