Kathy Sheridan

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Kathy Sheridan

A few weeks ago I barely made it on to a crowded commuter train where the only empty seat was beside a man whose numerous devices and cables were sprawled all over it and the table. Apart from that, one of the devices was blaring music loud enough to drown out a small city – which probably explained the generally uneasy atmosphere. I gestured at the seat; he immediately cleared the space. Encouraged, I leaned over and asked if he could use headphones.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Kathy Sheridan

On Easter Sunday morning, social media posters happily confirmed that Pope Francis had declined a meeting with US vice-president JD Vance. Social media got it wrong of course. On the most crowded weekend of the church’s Jubilee Year, the US vice-president managed to organise a brief, awkward meeting with a visibly struggling pope who had repeatedly criticised his policies and rhetoric. No fewer than 40 4x4s were considered necessary for the 17-minute visit to Vatican City.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Kathy Sheridan

Back in the mists of 2004 the Dublin Chamber of Commerce had a vision. They published it in a brochure and set it in the far-off year of 2020 in which happy Dubliners reflected on a triumphant seven years for the first directly elected “mayor of Greater Dublin”, a creature represented as a youngish Dub whose CV in no other way resembled Conor McGregor’s.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Kathy Sheridan

My love affair with America began at 19 when a missionary uncle took joy in welcoming stray young relatives who pitched up on his Los Angeles doorstep. I still recall our first drive up the sun-drenched coast to San Francisco, wondering why Americans bothered to schlep to Ireland when they had such staggering natural majesty on their own doorstep.

2 months ago | irishtimes.com | Kathy Sheridan

The exit of Primark‘s boss on Monday following an investigation into his behaviour towards a woman “in a social environment” was swift and clinical. Paul Marchant was a successful chief executive of 16 years’ standing and Primark (trading here as Penneys) accounts for roughly half of Associated British Foods’ profits, yet ABF’s chief executive George Weston addressed the problem in terms of culture. “Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity.