Ireland - Comfortably Numb

Book review: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

A dirge for our times The political becomes the intensely personal in this brilliant book which has just won the Booker Prize for 2023. The dark allegorical story shows us a dystopian version of Ireland in the near future with a populist right-wing government at the helm. While set in Ireland, it reflects multiple political…

Travel: Waterford, Ireland

Chasing crystals For all its chequered past, Waterford Crystal still holds all the magic you expect from a legend, writes Sheila Kumar, after a tour of the crystal factory in Ireland. “Why Waterford,” asks Bryan, mine host. “They have fallen on bad times. Most of the products are now made in eastern Europe.” In…

Travel: Mysterious Ireland

ON THE EMERALD ISLE The entrance to the Newgrange chamber and (below) the Round Tower at Glendalough PHOTOS: SHEILA KUMAR This history is mystery! Ireland’s fascinating ancient monuments conceal more than they reveal, says SHEILA KUMAR W e stand before the large mounds containing the monolithic graves of the Bru na Boinne. Up…

Travel: Ireland

Demystifying the misty isles of Ireland Ireland makes for the prettiest montage ever, that much is certain. Imagine peaty boglands, still lakes, fields of golden gorse, the enigmatic Round Towers. Cottages with thatched roofs, pubs with parquet floors, wainscoting and old ladies in tweed devouring scones with clotted cream, complete this picture. However, not everything you…