Justine McCarthy

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Justine McCarthy

Sun-bathers lolling in their swimwear on Derrynane Beach occasionally witness the incongruous sight of funeral mourners walking behind a lofted coffin along the water’s edge. The procession terminates on Abbey Island, a small, sandy burial ground that can only be reached when the tide permits. Here lie the mortal remains of Mary O’Connell in a tomb of cracking stone slabs and invading weeds. The words inscribed on the top are no longer legible to the visiting eye.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Justine McCarthy

A Dutch historian has established an incubator for idealistic leadership that he calls the School for Moral Ambition. Rutger Bregman, who confesses to being an indomitable optimist, is the author of a book entitled Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference. His non-profit school’s mission is to put that message into practice by redirecting the careers of “high achievers” motivated by money and status towards making the world a better place.

3 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Justine McCarthy

On Saturday night, while Eurovision fans in Switzerland flick their feather boas in disapproval at Israel‘s participation, principled gestures will make no difference to children scavenging for crumbs in Gaza. Virtue signalling will not put food in their stomachs. They cannot eat words of condemnation. Gaza’s starving children are not fake news. The Israeli government and its cheerleaders want to pretend they do not exist. But we see them on our screens.

4 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Justine McCarthy

It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining and it’s raining “per-person-sharing” offers. Hotels up and down the country are showering twosomes with invitations to come and stay at a rate of two for the price of one. “Spring sale: 20% off – €179 pps”, chirrup the ads on the back pages of newspapers. “Weekend madness, bubbles on arrival – per couple”. Anyone not coupled up gets the message – no dogs or singletons need apply.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Justine McCarthy

Have you heard the one about Michael the Irishman, Denis the Irishman and Ben the Irishman? Ireland spent 15 years and more than €83 million to expose them as suspect beneficiaries of the State only for its ruling class to lionise them. This is not a joke. Less than five years after the State awarded Denis the Irishman’s consortium a mobile phone licence when he was a tender 37 years old, he sold the phone company for €2.4 billion, netting €317m for himself.