Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Ireland’s Own.

They’ve been a part of our coastline since time immemorial, wonderful structures that in themselves are great feats of engineering and construction. This week, in our cover story, Mary Rose McCarthy gives a brief glimpse into twelve great lighthouses of Ireland.

Shaun Ivory recalls the remarkable life of controversial Larne novelist, Amanda Ros, and Patricia Roche looks back at the introduction of the state pension 110 years ago and the difference it has made to people’s lives.

In his Role of the Irish in WW2 Series, Con McGrath tells the story of Paddy the Pigeon, the Irish hero of the D-Day landings who was awarded The Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

January is a new month with lots of old traditions. John Corbett with a selection of memories of life in the Irish countryside.

In his Plants That Changed Our Lives series, Martyn Baguely takes a look at the onion. Our Great Obelisks of the World series continues with Cleopatra’s Needle, London.

The book under review this month is ‘Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, while our original short story is Daddy’s Cardigan, by Wyn Cave.

St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, carries within its walls the traditions of thirteen centuries of the Diocese of Cloyne. Dedicated to St. Colman who founded the diocese in 560 A.D., it is an exquisite gem of neo-Gothic architecture that took 47 years to build, starting in 1868. The centenary of the consecration of St. Colman’s will be celebrated in 2019, writes Ray Cleere.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside your weekly favourites including Cassidy, Pete’s Pets, Dan Conway, jokes, songs, puzzles, memories and much much more. Enjoy the read and I will look forward to talking to you again next week.

                                                                                                              Best wishes,

Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own