Daily life in our nursing homes has been tough for residents and staff, says TERESA O’DONOVAN, activity coordinator at Cramers Court nursing home in Belgooly.

How's your memory? Trevor Laffan has been looking at some memory exercises to keep him sharp!

Does Taoiseach Micheál Martin think we can only handle the truth when it’s bad news? Asks John Dolan in his weekly column 

Should politicians really be getting a pay rise during this pandemic, asks Ailin Quinlan

Mental health awareness and promotion will form a part of Local Enterprise Week, with the Local Enterprise Cork City line-up featuring Daniel O’Mahony and Michal Sikora, of Da Silly Heads, as the duo explain here

John Arnold recalls the bravery and heroism of those who died at Clonmult, a century ago

Haven’t we already been forced to give up nearly everything that makes life worth living? So why give up something for Lent, writes Colette Sheridan

Cork Mental Health, a charity serving Cork for more than 60 years, has produced new tool kits to help 5th and 6th pupils navigate the challenges facing their age group, writes MARTINA RYAN, Education Officer, Cork Mental Health Foundation

The enormous scientific effort that led to Covid-19 vaccines may be for nothing if we fail to distribute the vaccines fairly, so says Kathriona Devereux

The public are starting to feel despair at the constant lockdowns, while messaging from the government has become shambolic, says SARAH O’DWYER

South Munster Citizens Information Service has launched a Wellness Policy and Programme designed to promote workplace wellbeing among staff, writes Information Officer and Wellness Champion George Forde

I WAS sitting in my car recently outside a hospital in Cork waiting for my wife. It was a dirty evening, pouring with rain.

A post office on Cork's northside closes for good next week, marking the end of an era, writes John Dolan

Her car insurance has gone up this year, despite months in lockdown where she's not been driving it, so says Ailin Quinlan

The pandemic has demonstrated that remote and flexile employment can work successfully, but having policies around the Right to Disconnect can help people enjoy a better work/ life balance, says Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune

In his weekly column John Arnold recalls the loss of a friend, Margaret O'Keeffe (nee) Smiddy, who died last Friday, the day her sister Gabrielle Heskin was being buried and their brother Dominic passed away just a few weeks earlier. 

We all need a bit of levity during this pandemic, so says Colette Sheridan

An estimated 1.5 billion children and young people have had disrupted access to education during the pandemic, writes Kathriona Devereux

When a loved one dies, there are many sections of the Department of Social Protection and Department of Health a family has to go through to organise their affairs, says Labour TD, Sean Sherlock, who has called for a ‘Tell us Once’ system

Trevor Laffan

The Taoiseach's annual visit to Washington on St Patrick's Day has been called off - but had he been invited by the President, he should have ignored the naysayers and gone, says John Dolan in his weekly column

As lockdown three fatigue sets in, Ailin Quinlan decides to give yeast baking a go.

Cork Counselling Services reported an unprecedented 30% increase in the number of new service users in 2020 says Betty Quinlan

In his weekly column John Arnold reflects on this time of year, traditions missed due to Covid, but brighter times ahead

As we live in these extra-ordinary times, it behoves us to reclaim what the word ‘love’ means in its broadest sense, so says Colette Sheridan

The move by the HSE to provide lactation breaks for all breastfeeding mothers returning to work after mat leave, up to their child's second birthday, is a great move, says KATHRIONA DEVEREUX

Cork social enterprises have been called on to apply for funding to address Ireland’s greatest social challenges, writes Padraic Vallely, Rethink Ireland’s Business Development and Political Engagement Manager

For mroe than 15 years Trevor Laffan visited Belarus regularly. Here he recalls 

As she navigates a gloomy February, Ailin Quinlan talks about how our police force put a smile back on her face

Recent comments by Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron about the safety and efficacy of some Covid-19 vaccines may put off large swathes of people from having the jab, fears John Dolan

Despite opposition, the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme will serve Cork, its people and businesses well, says Dr John Martin, a chartered engineer with over 15 years’ experience in the field of flood risk management

Women provide the vast majority of care — paid or unpaid — therefore, investment in care is key for women’s equality, says Director of the National Women’s Council (NWC) ORLA O’CONNOR

With a raging pandemic and an economy in freefall, President Biden has many challenges ahead. Most of all, he must undo the damage done by Donald Trump, says ANTHONY ANGELINI

In his weekly column John Arnold recalls some very eventful trips to the hospital over the years

People who dump their rubbish on the side of our roads deserve to be caught, named and shamed, fined or even jailed, so said Maurice Gubbins in his editorial

Ethics and principles must guide us, says Dr Siobhán O’Sullivan, Chief Bioethics Officer, the Department of Health, and member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET)

Kathriona Devereux talks to a new group of independent professionals who have entered the debate on the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme

Cork city based freelance writer ENYA O’CONNELL had a whirlwind of emotions after graduating, during lockdown. She noticed how unprepared she and others were for the ‘real world’

When his grandson came to visit him, Trevor Laffan was surprised when an empty box became the focus of his attention

The State can’t actually keep you safe from Covid if you choose not to listen. Only you can keep yourself safe. So says Ailin Quinlan

Is there something we could do on a personal and national level to address vaccine access iniquity, asks John Dolan in his weekly column

Transition is not always a comfortable place to be. But give yourself time to deal with change, says psychological coach, Ingrid Seim

Bishop Padraig O Donoghue died last weekend. Here John Arnold, who became acquainted with him during trips to Lourdes, pays tribute

As Helen Fielding marks the 25th anniversary of Bridget Jones's diary with a special edition, on February 4, Colette Sheridan wonders if Bridget would be cut out for this modern world

KATE RYAN of Flavour.ie celebrates another new Michelin star for Cork, thanks to the success of West Cork based chef Ahmet Dede, and reflects on a difficult year for the industry

Kathriona Devereux gives us a lesson in 'doughnut economics'

Why do we continue to tolerate this concept of the entitled few, asks Ailin Quinlan in her weekly column

Despite myriad advances in science and medicine there remains a hard core of people who are still steadfast in refusing vaccinations, says John Dolan

No matter what is going on in our lives — even a pandemic — we can take command and assert power and control over it, says Cathal O’Reilly, mental health author and campaigner

The investigation into the shameful events of the past needs to be reflected upon by all in modern society, says MICK FINN, Independent city councillor for Cork South-Central Ward

As he dips into his personal archive, JOHN ARNOLD reflects on the changes in our society

TV’s Dr Phillip Kieran offers five simple habits for lasting results when it comes to improving your health and fitness and losing weight

Young women today have no idea what life was like in Ireland as recently as the 1970s, so says Colette Sheridan in her weekly column

Karen O’Reilly Employflex, a flexible work agency, enthusiastically welcomes the Remote Work strategy announced by the government.

In her weekly column Kathriona Devereux says humans struggle to grasp the concept that current actions will have adverse consequences in the future.

In his weekly column John Dolan asks the question on everyone's lips - when will I be vaccinated against Covid-19?

In her weekly column Ailin Quinlan reflects on the Mother and Baby Homes report published this week

MARIAN RYAN, Consumer Tax Manager with Taxback.com talks about a recent survey and shares some advice for Irish workers on claiming tax back

John Arnold remembers falling in love with the study of Latin during his school days.

Budget 2021 was a missed opportunity to change the approach to public transport in rural Ireland, says Kieran English, a third year BSc Government and Political Science student in UCC

Colette Sheridan talks about the importance of minding your mental health during these times, in her weekly column

Remote working is set to continue into 2021 — but so too are online interviews. Here KAREN O’REILLY, of Employflex and Employmum, shares some advice for interviewees

A slow or faltering vaccination campaign is not an option. Real urgency is required, so says Kathriona Devereux in her weekly column

A new Youth Mental Health Foundation has been launched. Here founder of JC Foundation, ROB CONNOLLY, talks about the loss of his brother to suicide and why he, along with friends and colleagues, were propelled into action

There is a better understanding these days of the trauma that can be experienced by police officers and others in the emergency services, so says Trevor Laffan in his weekly column

In his weekly column John Dolan looks at how Micheál Martin, who only became Taoiseach 196 days ago, is handling the Covid crisis

Young people are being blamed for flouting Covid-19 restrictions - but other age groups can be blamed too, so says Ailin Quinlan in her weekly column

Facing up to your finances may seem scary, but it’s a key step towards regaining control. Vicky Shaw finds out how

MICHELLE O’SULLIVAN, Senior Public Affairs Executive and Sustainable Cork Programme Lead with Cork Chamber, shares some of the reasons for positivity for a greener, cleaner, more sustainable and healthier future for all

Focus Ireland Southwest Manager GERARD SPILLANE writes about how Covid-19 must prove to be a turning point in the battle to end the homeless crisis in Cork, and outlines why the Government must now set a deadline to end homelessness

John Arnold paid a visit to the SMA Church in Cork city and lit a few candles in thanksgiving for the arrival of a new life into his family

Colette Sheridan is full of memories as she clears out her family home.

The 10th annual First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival is currently underway. EDEL Doran explains its aims and offers a glimpse of some of the events

In her weekly column Kathriona Devereux outlines some goals for Cork city this year - like more parklets

Trevor Laffan recalls his adventures driving a truck across Europe as part of a humanitarian convoy

Cork Primary Care Physiotherapists, for North South Lee, Cork, Fiona O’Shea and Teresa Twohig, share tips for health and wellbeing in an understandable way in a new booklet called ‘Fit to Flourish’

In his weekly column John Dolan looks at reasons to be optimistic for the year ahead 

In her weekly column Ailin Quinlan reflects on 2020 and looks to 2021... the year that the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out

In his weekly column, John Arnold reflects on a very strange year

Colette Sheridan got through Christmas Day relatively smoothly, alone, with no blubbering...

UCC celebrates a special anniversary today. To mark the occasion, here’s some history about the college

A recent trip home to the U.S to see his family provided UCC student DAN JOHNSON with a chance to reflect on why he has come to love Cork so much in the short time he has known it...

Write a review of the year without mentioning a certain virus. That was the challenge for ROBERT O'SHEA, who takes a funny and whimsical sideways look at 2020

Here are a few rules and superstitions that will help us all enjoy 2021, says TREVOR LAFFAN

THANK you to everyone who has helped us to survive and cope during this terrible year.

The next 12 days will be like no other Christmas we’ve ever had, but hopefully it will still be a very special time for us all. So says John Arnold

Clinical Lead for Organ Donation, DR CATHERINE MOTHERWAY is asking people to share their views and wishes on organ donation with family and friends over Christmas and New Year

Covid-19 gave us a challenge, but also provided us with a new lens with which to consider our city, so says CE of Cork City Council, ANN DOHERTY

How am I going to get through the day, so asks Colette Sheridan, ahead of Christmas Day

Cork city Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh assesses his first six months in the role, and explains how he has tried to deliver positive messages across the community in the time of Covid

In her last column of 2020, Kathriona Devereux writes about Jupiter, Winter Solstice and her hopes for a brighter 2021

A joint Christmas message to Echo readers from Cork County Mayor Cllr Mary Linehan Foley and CEO Tim Lucey, as they review the year that’s passed

We have become slaves to technology says Trevor Laffan in his weekly column

What's happening to us as a society when we can't even give a smile or a friendly word? So asks Ailin Quinlan in her weekly column

In his weekly column, John Dolan reflects on the past nine months, since Leo Varadkar made his famous speech on Covid