This week’s column is brought to you by First World Problems, because I have one. Technically, it’s not a problem, more a First World Irritation, but where better to moan than here, in my own column, where I can monetise my displeasure.

According to the Irish Embassy in Riyadh, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a welcoming and hospitable country with many unique traditions.”

I don’t know how much the Pope’s visit cost the country, but I bet it isn’t as much as my first batch of Airbnb guests have cost me, and they’re not even here yet.

I once interviewed a wealthy author of popular novels, who said the only way to finish writing a book was to lock oneself away in one’s second home with just the housekeeper — not the butler — and spend four to six weeks keyboard-bashing without distraction.

Mary Robinson said that climate change is a man-made problem that needs a feminist solution, writes Suzanne Harrington.  

I’ve been writing this column since Bill Clinton lied about a blow job in the Oval Office, spurring my sister to write her doctoral thesis about the role of the special prosecutor, then Kenneth Starr.

How we love a story of heroism, guts, sacrifice, and endurance. Already, before the mud has dried on those twelve Thai kids, a film of their rescue has been announced, writes Suzanne Harrington. 

AS ginger people explode in the street and ice cream vans are placed under garda protection, what remains unfathomable is how much effort we put into going on holiday abroad, but when ‘abroad’ temporarily turns up on our damp Irish doorstep, we lose our minds, writes Suzanne Harrington.

WE are taught that history is linear, but it’s not. It goes around and around in great big stupid circles, repeating itself like a drunk at a party. 

They’ll need to score if they want to win. That would have been a goal if it had gone in the net. To win a game, you can’t lose. They’ll want their best players on. At the end of the day. Make no mistake, mistakes will be made.