In the field of entertainment, we said farewell to some of the giants who have graced us with their talent. This month’s funeral of Shane MacGowan was a vivid reminder, and celebration, of a particular kind of Irishness.

His death was preceded by that of the iconic Sinéad O’Connor, bringing thousands of mourning fans to Bray in August.

Another popular star, Christy Dignam, lead singer of Aslan and writer of their best-known hit ‘Crazy World’, died in June and the Script guitarist Mark Sheehan passed in April, aged 46.

The stage lost two very different stalwarts. Frank Twomey, the popular Cork-born TV presenter who appeared on the Irish children’s afternoon show Bosco, died a fortnight ago, aged 68. Michael Gambon, the Cabra-born character actor, who achieved fame through his performances as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise, died from pneumonia at the age of 82 in September.

In the wider world entertainers who left us included Matthew Perry, the much-loved star of Friends, victim of a decades-long relationship with drugs; Barry Humphries, whose creation of Dame Edna Everage, housewife superstar, was for many the pinnacle of Australian humour went at 89; Paul O’Grady, whose heritage county was Roscommon, and who brought us Lily Savage, was 67; soul goddess and stadium diva Tina Turner died in May at the age of 83, and the Strictly Come Dancing legend ‘Ten from Len’ Goodman died at 78, a year younger than the groundbreaking reality TV host Jerry Springer. 

Michael Parkinson, the TV and radio presenter was 88. The veteran crooner Tony Bennet made it to 96. The redoubtable actress and politician Glenda Jackson was 87.

The world of sport lost big names with the passing of Bobby Charlton, aged 86; the influential Irish and Lions player and coach and manager Syd Millar at 89; John Motson, for many the voice of football, died at 77. Francis ‘Franny’ Lee, one-time chairman of Manchester City, died from cancer at 79, the same disease that took Everton’s chairman Bill Kenwright, aged 78, and Gianluca Vialli at 56 years of age.

The GAA mourned the passing of former dual star Teddy McCarthy aged 58.

In public life, Jonathan Irwin — who founded the Jack and Jill Foundation in Ireland with his wife Mary Ann O’Brien in 1997 to provide respite care for severely ill children — died at the age of 82. Mohamed Al-Fayed, owner of Harrods and Fulham Football Club, whose story has been retold in The Crown died at 93 in August. International diplomat and friend of the powerful Henry Kissinger reached 100 before leaving the congress of the mighty.

On Ireland’s roads, more than 165 people have lost their lives. The author AS Byatt, who died at 87, had endured the death of her 11-year-old son, Charles, knocked down and killed by a car. She said that never a day passed without her seeing him walk away from her along the street where he died.

This is a moment to remember all who have gone. To reflect. And give thanks for how they enriched our lives.

Time running out for seasons in the sun

The hiatus between Christmas and the new year is often occupied by thoughts of sunnier climes and a yearning to find some sun. And, in a simultaneous dreamtime, making some “must do better” pledges to ourselves.

As 2023 melds into 2024 and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan warns that Ireland will require an “incredible level of delivery” if it is to reach emissions targets, focus on international travel is increasing.

A startling new report from strategic consultants The Future Laboratory warns that the industry is at a nexus coping with climate change, the possible disappearance of highly popular destinations because of rising oceans and over-tourism.

The archipelago of Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is creating a virtual reality version of itself in anticipation of the day that it disappears under the waters of the South Pacific. The Bahamas and the Maldives face a similar threat. Some hotspot cities — Dubrovnik, Barcelona, Venice — have already acted to reduce footfall.

Australian climate pioneer Dr Susanne Etti says that the global travel business, worth €6.4 trillion annually, faces two choices: “One where climate breakdown and tourism restrictions curb the pursuit of wanderlust, and one where regenerative breakthroughs change the future of travel — and the world — for the better.”

This sounds optimistic, but hope is pinned on the new and increasingly influential Gen Z — people aged between 11 and 26 — and the upcoming Generation Alpha possessing a greater sense of community responsibility and a less frivolous approach to life.

One travel boss says that many Gen Z and Millennials, people born between 1981 and 1996, already make holiday choices based on the impact their activity has on the environment.

Another company suggests that by 2040 use of carbon footprint trackers on smartphones will be common.

And it’s a short hop from there for zealous governments to contemplate systems where everyone is provided with a carbon “budget” in much the same way that a tax code has become a standard feature in the life of every citizen.

While such constraints on personal mobility might have seemed far-fetched five years ago, we can contemplate them now from the other side of a pandemic lockdown which was widely observed for prolonged periods. And in the early years of such a scheme there would, no doubt, be workarounds — the ability to trade allowances, for example. Or to pay a sliding scale for additional credits through a progressive tax system.

If we are to meet Mr Ryan’s “incredible” levels of delivery to achieve Ireland’s legal commitment to 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050 we can expect more draconian ideas to emerge.

Current performance lags the target significantly.

More politically challenging suggestions will come onto the table. And two big areas which will be under ever more scrutiny will be agriculture. And personal mobility.

Neither of these fall into the category of low-hanging fruit, but it may be that the hunt for heat will soon be off for future holiday-seekers.