In spite of the governments claim that the commemorative events it organised for the victims of violence during 1916 would be inclusive, it has not done so

As Christmas day approaches, many people will be thinking of buying a cat or a dog as a gift.

It seems, from comments in the media, that many people do not differentiate between those fleeing their country in fear of their lives, from the horrors of war and genocide, and those who just want a better quality of life.

Last Saturday tens of thousands of people marched in Dublin to protest against paying €160 per year for an adult to have running water from their taps.

An article in An Phoblacht stated that on August 1 Sinn Féin will re-enact the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa who was buried at Glasnevin in 1915.

At a demonstration in London, Martin McGuinness branded David Cameron’s government as a “cabinet of millionaire spongers”

Sepp Blatter kept bleating on about a conspiracy in the media of the EU and USA to stop him getting votes to be re-elected as President of FIFA however the truth prevailed thanks to the FBI.

Tony Moriarty’s letter (Irish Examiner, May 30) is headlined: “Why do we pretend Irish is still a popular language?” 

There are times when I find it difficult to be a proud citizen.

When watching John Waters on TV, debating the same-sex marriage referendum, I was struck by his resemblance to Jesus Christ, bearded and with long, flowing hair.

It was surprising that two protest marches were held in Dublin last Sunday. One was ‘Anti-Racism Day’; the other was anti-water charges.

I trust I’m correct in the belief that the grand marshall for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, in Dublin, is not required to deliver a speech.

As one who doesn’t want to see Sinn Féin in government, the fact that Maria Cahill was presented with the James Larkin award at the Labour Party conference is somewhat reassuring.

We all know Ireland in the 1940s and 1950s was indeed a dark and poor place to live; we exported 80% of our youth — mostly to the UK.

Like many I believe the Scots are far too canny to let their hearts rule their heads so will vote no in Thursday’s referendum for independence.

When I attended a memorial ceremony for members of the RIC and DMP in Glasnevin cemetery in 2012 a group of "republican" yahoos attempted to disrupt the event as they shouted and abuse at those present.

FIFA has banned Uruguay player Luis Suarez from all "football-related activities" for four months.

The GAA may have taken to Sky TV, but the bizarre and dreadful confrontation that took place at the Armagh /Cavan football match last Sunday was embarrassing to watch to put it mildly.

I contend daily with the danger of cyclists using footpaths and crashing red lights at pedestrian crossings.

Now that Pope Francis has canonised his Predecessors John Paul II and John XXIII it’s confirmed they have passed through the pearly gates.

When the former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan described statements made during the whistleblower controversy as “disgusting”, it brought an episode of the comedy show Fawlty Towers to mind.

Some years after his release from prison I was shocked when Nelson Mandela described the IRA as true freedom fighters for the people of Ireland.

RTÉ’s programme, Witnesses to War, was overdue. Why did it take so long to be made?

During the 1970s, on entering commercial premises with my late father, I heard members of staff uttering the ‘f-word’ like adolescents.

At the end of the Second World War, or The Emergency as Éamon de Valera preferred to call it, he signed a book of condolence in Dublin for Adolf Hitler following his death.

In the 1950s my late father, who worked as a pharmacist in a hospital, told me there were times he would hear terminally ill patients screaming in agony and asking distressed nurses to help them because a prescribed amount of pain killer could no longer ease their suffering.

Following the death of Margaret Thatcher, it’s clear Gerry Adams’s PR advisers are not for turning.

If gardaí imposed on-the-spot fines on cyclists using footpaths, it might cover the cost of garda overtime.

THE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, who I assume is fluent in the Irish language, has said it was difficult to get the agreement of some members of the EU to make Irish one of its official languages.

GIVEN the Government’s response to the most recent crisis in the peace process, I’m not surprised Sinn Féin/IRA has lost little electoral support.

I AGREE with the sentiments expressed by Tony Moriarty and Sean Ó Mochóir in relation to the anti-Bush protesters at Shannon and elsewhere (Irish Examiner, June 24).