T.P. O’Mahony The Councils of the Church: A Short History, by Norman P. Tanner SJ (Herder & Herder, £14.99 / €20.00) The debate within the Catholic Church about conciliarism has waxed and waned since the 15th to the 19th centuries. The central question – where does ultimate authority in the Church reside, with…
J. Anthony Gaughan Beidh Tú Alright: An Irish Language Journey, by Joe McHugh (Red Stripe Press / Orpen Press, €19.99 / £17.99) This book is an illuminating and eventful account of a Donegal man’s journey through often conflicting aspects of Irish life, culture and language. Everyone , but especially those who are doubtful on the…
On Thursday, April 3 2025, the International Theological Commission published a statement on this anniversary entitled Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325-2025). The statement emphasises that the faith of Nicaea is the faith common to all Christians. “The year 2025 is therefore an invaluable opportunity to…
Swift Blaze of Fire – Olympian, Cleric, Brigadista: the Enigmatic Life of Robert Hilliard, by Lin Rose Clark, (Lilliput Press, €18.95 / £14.95) On February 22 1937, Reverend Robert Hilliard died of his wounds at Castellón, in eastern Spain. It was a singular end to the life of a remarkable Church of Ireland clergyman. There…
Killester: From Medieval Manor to Garden Suburb, by Joseph Brady and Ruth McManus, (Four Courts Press for Dublin City Council, €17.95 / £14.95) This book is one in a series being created under the auspices of Dublin City Council entitled ‘Shaping the Suburbs’ – the old city, say within the circle of the two canals, having…
Rathlin, Portrait of an Island and other works by Kenny McKendry, current exhibition at The Gorry Gallery Dublin, 20 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2; contact gorrygallery@icloud.com, or by phone 01-676-319. The offshore islands of Ireland have long exerted a fascination over many Irish people, with their interest being focused on the islands of our wild western coasts.…
Dancing with Time, by José María R. Olaizola SJ (€14.95 / 12.95) When this book first came into my hands, the title brought to mind at once Anthony Powell’s twelve volume novel A Dance to the Music of Time (1951-1975) concerning the continually shifting and ever interacting aspects of the life of a Welsh…
Viva la Poesia!, edited by Antonio Spadaro SJ (Edizioni Ares Rome, €18.50); an English language version for the international market is due soon. While the Pope was recovering during his recent stay in hospital yet another new book bearing his name appeared in the book shops of Rome. Entitled Long Live Poetry! it focuses on…
The Sorrow and the Loss: The Tragic Shadow Cast by the Troubles on the Lives of Women, by Martin Dillon (Merrion Press, €19.99 / £15.50). This book provides an account of the grief, sorrow, hurt and tragedy visited on women by the so-called ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. Reading it brought to mind those scenes…
Anyone wishing to understand the nature of Canada as a nation could well begin that exploration by first making a visit to our own National Museum in Dublin. There in Kildare Street there is to be seen among the select moments and events in our long island history, a lavish display dealing with the Irish…
Renata Milán Morales
Peter Costello