Patsy McGarry

3 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Patsy McGarry

Pity foreign nationals as they try to navigate their way through our version of the King’s English. For instance, how do you explain to them the meaning of the word “grand”, as we use it? “It’s a grand day” is fairly straightforward, but when you respond “grand” to a question as to how you are feeling, does that mean “... just okay? Fine? Great?” Or, at the end of an argument, when you say “grand!” before walking away, does it mean you agree or is it a total breakdown?

3 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Patsy McGarry

The Catholic Church in Ireland must review its structures “to make sure that they are appropriate to the needs of the 21st century,” said Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran at his installation as Bishop of Achonry on Sunday. This was necessary so that “we can more effectively carry out the mission that is entrusted to us by Jesus himself,” he said. “All our structures must serve that purpose,” he said.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Patsy McGarry

Heading to the US that first student summer, a friend asked me to bring her back a pack of lasagne. She was sophisticated. She had been in America the previous year and discovered Italian food. I had no idea what she was talking about and had to write down the word “Lasagne” and the brand she asked for. I had never seen pasta, pizza, spaghetti, never mind eating any of the same.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Patsy McGarry

A group of Irish pilgrims, led by Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy, were among crowds at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday when Pope Francis made his first public appearance in more than five weeks. Bishop Leahy greeted the Pope’s recovery as “a symbol of hope and a timely one”. He said it was a “special moment” for the diocesan pilgrimage that travelled to the hospital on Sunday morning. The “entire pilgrimage group of 60 people were there and truly blessed by the moment”, he said.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Patsy McGarry

It’s not easy being me. Kermit the Frog used to croon “it’s not easy being green”. He might try being Irish and named after a non-national. I was called after St Patrick, son of an official in the Roman administration of Britain, probably from Wales – a once proud rugby nation. (Let’s not go there!)Worse, he was brought to Ireland forcibly that first time, by slave traders – those damned O’Neills – and made watch sheep in Antrim for six years.