We’ve lots to look forward to in the New Year
2 018 is upon us and as we say goodbye to one year, it begs the question: what will the next one bring? With the uncertainly of Brexit and the lingering fear over what Donald Trump will do next, it’s a time to accentuate the positive instead.
From sporting to celebrity events, there will be plenty on offer in 2018.
February will bring with it the Winter Olympics. For me the ice skating holds a special place in my heart.
As a small child I would sit on my father’s knee in the early morning watching the skating while stealing sips of his sugary coffee (probably what enabled me to stay awake in the middle of the night to watch it!)
I think olympics always make you cast your mind back four years to what you were doing the last time they were on.
Although we will not participate, the FIFA World Cup will still tickle a lot of fancies. Pools will still run in offices throughout the country and will see people shouting for teams they may have never even watched play before.
In the world of the celebrity, April will hopefully see the arrival of a new British royal baby while May will probably be the style event of the year: the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
No more than Kate and William it will be the stuff of little girl’s dreams when a commoner marries a prince. Now while not a royalist, I do follow the royals and will be happy to see a second prince, who lost his mother at a young age, finding happiness.
2018 will mark the anniversary of the Armistice of World War I. No matter what your politics, November 11 will be a day to remember all those who lost their lives during the Great War.
Figures show that some 140,000 Irishmen enlisted to fight in the war. The figure of those killed varies from 35,000 to 49,400. It will also be a day to celebrate living in times of peace in this country.
Closer to home, 2018 will also mark the 200 th anniversary of the opening of Sligo Gaol.
To mark the occasion Friends of Sligo Gaol will host a weekend of events in September. These will include the launch of their children’s book, a day of historical seminars and a day of tours which will also mark the 100 years since Michael Collins was held at the jail.
In terms of music this year will see the launch of the Ireland’s Got Talent. It will be interesting to see how it goes. There is so much talent in this country, let’s hope it is able to draw it out.
On a personal note 2018 will see my oldest child making her First Holy Communion. It is a source of great excitement in our house, even at this early stage.
So as we ring out the old, let’s welcome the new and hope it’s a happy and healthy one for all.