NESTLED amongst the bright lights and commotion of New York City are two little slices of old Ireland: the famine memorial in Manhattan, and Michael Grimes’s apartment on Long Island.

LORETTO Coyle's career in education spanned almost 30 years as a lecturer in sports and physical education in St Mary’s University College.

WITH a slap on his slender stomach, a broad smile on his face and a wag of his index finger, he would invariably chuckle on meeting.

JAMES Fenton was the father of the Ulster-Scots revival of recent decades as well as its outstanding poet.

BOBBY Rooney was a caring, compassionate man who inspired and touched the lives of many as a teacher, father figure and family man.

WHEN your hero dies, it hurts.

ON the occasion of the death of someone who has lived so long, with such strength and so fruitfully as Canon Brendan McGee, sorrow and joy are inseparable companions: thanksgiving for such a life; sadness at its completion.

"THE Chief" is dead and we are all definitely poorer for his passing.