Hello and welcome
to this week’s Ireland’s Own

This week’s cover story is all about the Irishman who founded India’s first newspaper. Denis J. Hickey tells the story of Dublin-born James Augustus Hicky who established Hicky’s Bengal Gazette in 1780.
Liam Nolan profiles the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Frederic Ozanam, who had ‘Compassion for the Poor’.

In ‘Old Sayings and Superstitions’, Patrick Lambert examines the origins of some phrases in everyday use while Eugene Doyle takes a look at the ‘Spring Forward, Fall Back’ Syndrome. Eugene explains why we put the clocks forward by one hour in March and backwards by one hour in October.

Gemma Grant continues her Irish Myths and Legends series, this week bringing us The Story of Tuan Mac Cairill – Part 2. In his ‘Role of the Irish in WW2’ series, Con McGrath profiles Anita Leslie, renowned author from Monaghan, who drove an ambulance in North Africa and Europe. In ‘The Sport of Sport’, Gerry Moran takes a light-hearted look at the way in which we view sport.

Ray Cleere remembers the talented musician and singer, Nat King Cole, who died 60 years ago. In ‘Memories of Nelson’s Pillar’, Harry Warren recalls the day in March 1966 when the iconic Dublin landmark came crashing down.

Paddy Ryan bring us a piece on ‘The Prolific Pen of Maurice Walsh’, as he looks back on the life of the Kerry native now best known for his short story The Quiet Man, later made into the Oscar-winning film.

Our original short story is ‘Daylight Robbery’ by Arlene Allen, and The GAA Year of 2011 is reviewed by Aidan Grennan. In ‘The Ending of the Emergency, Part 5’, Eamonn Duggan concludes his analysis of how the country was run during WWll.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside regular favourites such as Cassidy Says, Stranger Than Fiction, What’s In A Name?, Dan Conway, Pete’s Pets, Marjorie’s Kitchen, Song Words, Classic Films – Planet of the Apes, Reflective Perspective, Irish Folklore with Eugene Daly, Readers’ Memories, Classic US TV Favourites – The Nanny, Waterways of Ireland – The Royal Canal, Part 5, Lilt of Irish Laughter. Pen Friends, Irish Wildlife – the Magpie and more.

I hope that you enjoy this week’s issue, and I will look forward to talking to you all again next week. Until then, take care.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Best wishes, Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own