Ita`s world
Father of Humanism: Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374)
I recently returned to the Eugeanean Hills in Italy to take the waters that are available in the nearby small thermal towns of Abano and Montegrotto. The hot springs that flow from I Colli Euganei to the spa centres there help to bring feelings of health and well being to body mind and soul, good for young and old.
It was also an occasion to revisit the medieval village of Arcqua Petrarca to (...)
A Man of Humanity: Abb? Pierre (1912-2007)
Abb? Pierre died in Paris on 22 January 2007 aged 94. Founder of Emmaus and one of the most popular figures in France, his death caused shock around the world, particularly for those to whom he devoted his life and work. They came with thousands of mourners to pay their respects prior to the national funeral service held at the cathedral of Notre-Dame followed by a private burial. He was laid (...)
Sergio Vieira de Mello: Resting place in Geneva
With the tragedy that continues in Iraq, the fourth anniversary of the attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad falls on 19 August 2007. It is a time to remember the brutal and unwarranted death of colleagues including one of the UN’s charismatic ambassadors of all time.
News of an explosion that hit the United Nations building in Baghdad on 19 August 2003 provoked stunned shock (...)
Cardinal Lustiger: Judaism to Catholicism
A Jewish convert to Catholicism who rose to become Archbishop of Paris and a close ally of Pope John-Paul II, Cardinal Lustiger (1926-2007) died aged eighty. He was the only Jewish convert to Roman Catholicism to become a French bishop in modern times. He summarised his own life by saying that he had been “a cardinal, a Jew and the son of an immigrant”.
Judaism to Catholicism
Born Aaron (...)
Viking Story: Ireland and Denmark
During August 2007 the replica long ship “Havhingsten fra Glendalough” or Sea Stallion from Glendalough arrived in Dublin after a six week voyage from Denmark. With the help of huge cranes it was manoeuvred into position on the square at the centre of Collins Barrack, now part of Ireland’s National Museum. The vessel is on display to the public until next summer when it will be returned to the (...)
Tribute to a Great Man: Nelson Mandela
After twenty-seven years in prison, emerging as a man of singular vision, Nelson Mandela negotiated the dismantling of the apartheid regime in South Africa, settled an agreement on universal suffrage and democratic elections and became the first black President of the country in 1994.
Tribute to a Great Man (...)
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965): World Citizen
In addition to his own intellectual and other works, many volumes have been written about Albert Schweitzer. They portray the personality and multiple facets of this exceptional man. As doctor, musician, pastor, philosopher, writer and lecturer, his medical legacy is the renowned village hospital that he founded in 1913 at Lambar?n? in Gabon.
Biography and bibliography contain numerous (...)
Gaels and Irish Identity: Past and present
The Hill of Tara, Co. Meath, is the ancient seat of power in Ireland. The remains of twenty-five monuments are visible and many more have been discovered through geophysical surveys and aerial photography. The complex is a prehistoric necropolis but has acquired the reputation in early documentary sources as seat of the so-called High Kings of Ireland.
Plans to extend a national motorway (...)
Irish Golden Age: High Crosses
The principal resources for dating events in medieval Irish history are the Annals that provide a continuous year-by-year cryptic summary of Irish political and ecclesiastical events from c.313 to A.D 1590. In the 1630s a group of four Franciscans compiled many of these texts into one enormous compendium, now known as the Annals of the Four Masters. While they sometimes modified the (...)
Thomas Crean: Irish Antarctic explorer
The ‘indestructible’ Thomas Crean (1877-1938) was born in Anascaul, Co. Kerry. He became an Antarctic explorer and a prominent figure on three major expeditions to Antarctica, on the Discovery 1901-4, Terra Nova 1910-13, and Endurance 1914-16, where he served as second officer to Ernest Shackleton. In 1912 he received the Albert Medal for Bravery. Crean is remembered in at least two place (...)
Barbary pirates in Ireland: The Sack of Baltimore, Co. Cork
The harbour side village of Baltimore in the south-west of Ireland is a favourite port of call for fishermen and yachtsmen because of its sheltered position behind Sherkin Island. Its location is of great interest to the artist, antiquary and naturalist. In McCarthy’s, one of its quayside pubs, a wall chart testifies to the marine mayhem that took place over the centuries in nearby (...)
Irish in Europe (1600-1800): Shared Histories
2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls, and of the founding of the Irish Franciscan College of St. Anthony’s, in Louvain (Leuven in Belgium). Both are part of a nationwide programme of events commemorating these milestones in Irish history. Lectures, writings and exhibitions are underway in 2007-2008. . Louvain 400 is part of the national celebration of Shared (...)
Summit of Everest Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008)
News of Sir Edmund Hillary’s death on 11 January 2008 quickly spread through the world media as did many condolences and tributes paid to ’a great man’. New Zealand’s Prime Minister characterised ’Sir Ed’ as the quintessential kiwi, a Maori word originating from the mid-nineteenth century and informally used for a New Zealander. Leading the official tribute at his State Funeral, she described him (...)
Flight of the Earls: A Bridge Between Ireland and Europe
‘Flight of the Earls’ is the popular term for the departure of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, Rory O’Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell, and their followers from Ireland in 1607. Still regarded as one of the pivotal episodes in Irish history, the period before and after has left its mark on language, literature, religion, politics and the very genetic make-up of the island of Ireland.
Lough Swilly from (...)
Irish in Europe (1600-1800): Shared Histories
2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls, and of the founding of the Irish Franciscan College of St. Anthony’s, in Louvain (Leuven in Belgium). Both are part of a nationwide programme of events commemorating these milestones in Irish history. Lectures, writings and exhibitions are underway in 2007-2008.
Louvain 400 is part of the national celebration of Shared Histories (...)
Tale of two cities: Capitals of Culture 2008
Conceived as a means of bringing citizens closer together European City of Culture was launched on 13 June 1985 by the European Council of Ministers on the initiative of Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri. That year Athens was chosen as the city for this prestigious event and a long list of others followed.
The concept, rules and title were revisited and in 1999 European City of (...)
Carnivals in Europe: Customs and traditions
During the week before Lent Roman Catholic countries traditionally hold lively carnivals of processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade. The parade is usually a riotous and colourful mixture of allegoric floats and street performers that can equally resemble a travelling fun fair or circus. Throughout history, tradition prevails to appoint a King or Queen of Carnival whose eminent (...)
Tripartism in Action: Retrospective on the ILO
Established by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, with the aim of contributing towards universal peace based on social justice, the International Labour Organization (ILO) survived the disappearance of the League of Nations.
The ILO is based on the principle, set forth in its Constitution, that there can be no universal and lasting peace without social justice. It seeks to promote (...)
Moscow and St. Petersburg: Heritage and history
The heritage and history of Moscow and St. Petersburg are recounted in literature by historians, analysts, cultural and travel writers and chroniclers on Russia. On the River Moskva, the capital city of Moscow was the cultural, economic and political centre of the Soviet Union. Russia and Russian Federation hold equal place as names in the Constitution that was adopted on 12 December 1993. (...)
Labour and Workers: Tripartism in Action
Established by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, with the aim of contributing towards universal peace based on social justice, the International Labour Organization (ILO) survived the disappearance of the League of Nations.
Its founders were convinced that peace depends upon the social well-being of all peoples, and that it was necessary to have an organisation responsible for improving (...)
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Ita`s world
In the ‘hollow’ of An Cabhan, or Cavan, the town very successfully hosted the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil from 16 to 22 August. Warm up events such as Family Day, for people of all ages, were held on Sunday, 15th. After a break of fifty-six years Ireland’s national festival returned to Cavan keeping the town alive from morning to night with a feast of traditional Celtic music, dance, poetry, concerts, exhibitions, charity events and numerous competitions for thousands of performers. In multiple venues within and around the town, music, song and craic poured forth to the thousands of visitors (...)
National Day of Commemoration: Ireland and United NationsFather of the Nation: Nelson Mandela Day
Marconi and Salvan: Dawn of wireless telegraphy
Francis Blanchard: A personal tribute