IN the 1920s, German philosopher Eugen Herrigel visited Japan to study archery and zen under the renowned Master Awa Kenzô. What he discovered surprised him. Kenzô taught him that the point of archery was not to hit the target or defeat the opponent. The point was to become so deeply absorbed in the activity itself […]

IN 1969, Francie McCloskey, a well-liked 66-year-old farmer, was batoned to death by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the door-front of Hassan’s draper’s shop on Dungiven Main Street. The joke told about suits from Hassan’s was that the trousers were so flared you had to take two strides before the trousers moved, but […]

GERMAN authorities announced on Tuesday of this week that the world famous Oktoberfest has been cancelled. It was due to begin on the September 19, roundabout when the All-Ireland football final would normally be played. The Bavarian government concluded “there is no realistic possibility that we will have a vaccine by then and without a […]

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