John Spain
John is a veteran Dublin journalist who has worked in senior editorial positions in national newspapers in Ireland for 40 years. He has been writing his weekly Ireland Calling column for the Irish Voice newspaper in New York since its foundation. The column now also appears on IrishCentral.
A graduate in Economics and Politics from Trinity College Dublin, John started his career in the early 1970s in the Irish Press, where he worked in News and Features and was Assistant Editor of the paper for over ten years. He joined the Irish Independent group in 1987 and worked in News and News Analysis and as an editorial writer. He also worked as Features Editor and Supplements Editor, developing new sections for the paper like the Weekend magazine and starting the educational supplements which are now a regular part of Irish newspapers.
Now semi-retired, in recent years he has been Literary Editor of the Irish Independent. When his now adult children ask him why he doesn't write books he points out that his weekly Irish Voice column has been running for 29 years and that adds up to a small library!
Latest Stories
Winston Churchill was responsible by inaction for tragic Lusitania sinking
A deep dive into the reality of Ireland’s unity poll
Sinn Féin still can’t say sorry
Coping with COVID in Ireland is still tough but better days are ahead
Northern Ireland’s violence is no surprise
Joe Biden’s tax plan will hurt Ireland’s economy
The reality? It's a long road to a United Ireland
Look around, Ireland’s vaccine rollout is a disaster
Brit-bashing - from the Northern Ireland Protocol to Meghan Markle
Most read
- 1 Ireland in spring - your guide to bucket list travel and spectacular festivals
- 2 WWII ship where five brave Sullivan brothers died discovered on St. Patrick's Day
- 3 The intersection of Saint Patrick and paganism in Ireland
- 4 TUNE IN: St. Patrick’s Day Parade LIVE from Dublin today!
- 5 US leprechauns versus Irish fairies - a St. Patrick’s Day death match
- 6 NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade announces line of march ahead of March 16
- 7 St Patrick's Festival is here! Your guide to the Dublin City celebrations
- 8 Sober St. Patrick’s Day to “reclaim the day” today in NYC
- 9 “Walking in the footsteps” of your Irish ancestors