Irish Examiner view: Spring equinox and shoots of hope

Prospect of a post-pandemic world is now within our sights

A spring lamb walks past daffodils in a field in County Cavan on a sunny spring day. Traditionally a time of hope and new beginnings, we can do with large servings of both after a long, hard winter which has taken such a heavy toll.

St Brigid might have us believe that spring starts on February 1, but the first official day of spring arrives this weekend with the spring equinox, which marks a time of equal daylight and darkness around the world.

Spring is traditionally a time of hope and new beginnings and we can do with large servings of both after a long, hard winter which has taken such a heavy toll. Coronavirus has claimed more than 2.7m lives worldwide and it has wreaked havoc on our daily lives, economy, and relationships in ways that are not yet fully evident.