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Have just had a nostalgic look at The Penisula, which I read every day while in Qatar. Nothing much has changed! “A criminal court in Doha last week ordered a young Arab expatriate to be deported after he was found guilty of peeping into others’ houses to watch women sleeping.The court sentenced the Peeping Tom […]

Another year ended and what a strange one. I spent six months sweltering under a Middle Eastern Sun; I may not have enjoyed it, but it has changed the way I look at the world. People everywhere simply want to get on with their lives – some wear veils, others think cows are sacred. None […]

Looking for a book that has it all – murder, romance, intrigue and adventure? Then why not invest in “Lady Icarus” as the perfect gift for family and friends. Or even for yourself – those long dark January days can really drag without a good book or two to pass the time.Available for just Eu25 […]

Good news on this one: From Mary Ryan in the Aer Lingus chief excutive’s office comes a letter dated 20 December, written in a nice friendly tone and assuring us that the money has been refunded. OK, Aer Lingus you’re back in my good books – and please, please, please don’t become Ryanair with seat […]

Imagine my surprise this morning when the Asian Games made the early morning sports report!There was the Man from the BBC huffing down a wide road with the Torch Relay people before interviewing that woman archer, who is Qatar’s most famous female sportswoman; she is also a pretty good rally driver.Am I sorry I’m not […]

No reason for putting up this image – just like it!

Some images from the first Meet and Train Women’s 2 Mile Cross-Country in Swords – the early leaders followed by the second group, with Blackrock’s Mary Butler prominent; groups including Sue Lynch, the league’s organiser and local athlete Catherine Walsh, Elaine from Blackrock, the second placer passes a graffi-decorated Portacabin and the Clonliffe team (to […]

Back in Yirgalem in the deep south of Ethiopia this week is Mick Bourke, founder of the Stride Ethiopia charity, of which I am proud to be a trustee.While there, Mick will supervise the work of the three coaches and hopefully manage to create a six-lane dirt track to allow the youngsters to train in […]

“THE writing was on the wall for Fianna Fail TD Cecilia Keaveney when she returned to her Donegal North East constituency on Sunday following the Ard Fheis. Emblazoned in blue paint across the wall at the front of the family home in the seaside town of Moville was the slogan ‘No Samon No Futcher Thanks […]