![Tough times and hard decision for Ireland’s economy during COVID](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/4/138873/OConnell_Street_empty_Covid19_Easter_RollingNews.jpeg?t=1588328524)
![](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/author/33/resized_MI_John_Spain_Howth_photo.jpg)
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
![Tough times and hard decision for Ireland’s economy during COVID](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/4/138873/OConnell_Street_empty_Covid19_Easter_RollingNews.jpeg?t=1588328524)
![Ireland has let down its elderly in the COVID-19 fight](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/4/138719/thumb_old_elderly_nursing_homes_RollingNews.jpg?t=1587586259)
Ireland has let down its elderly in the COVID-19 fight
![After this coronavirus pandemic, China must be held accountable](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/4/138549/thumb_coronavirus_wuhan_china_ireland___getty.jpg?t=1587027886)
After this coronavirus pandemic, China must be held accountable
![COVID-19 virus’ unexpected side effects in Ireland](https://www.irishcentral.com/static/IC-default-800x500-2022.jpg?t=1586771481)
COVID-19 virus’ unexpected side effects in Ireland
![Irish life on Covid-19 lockdown, Trump's reaction and the "Chinese virus"](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/4/138233/thumb_Covid19_mural_off_camden_street_Dont_be_afraid_RollingNews.jpg?t=1585822493)
Irish life on Covid-19 lockdown, Trump's reaction and the "Chinese virus"
![Signs of hope for Ireland battling covid-19](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/3/138083/thumb_Mask_women_St_Stephen_s_Green_RollingNews.jpg?t=1585217851)
Signs of hope for Ireland battling covid-19
![Ireland on the verge of a COVID-19 surge - a scary new world](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/3/137940/thumb_OConnell_Bridge_St_Patricks_Day_RollingNews_.jpg?t=1584611057)
Ireland on the verge of a COVID-19 surge - a scary new world
![Coronavirus is Ireland’s greatest challenge since the Famine](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/3/137796/thumb_Simon_Harris_Simon_Coveney_RollingNews.jpg?t=1584121115)
Coronavirus is Ireland’s greatest challenge since the Famine
![Populism drove Sinn Féin to surge](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/3/137657/thumb_Pearse_Doherty__Michelle_O_Neill__Mary_Lou_McDonald__Eoin_O_Broin_and_Louise_O_Reilly_as_Sinn_Fein_RollingNews.jpg?t=1583437582)
Populism drove Sinn Féin to surge
![Fianna Fail’s Micheál Martin speaks the Sinn Féin truth](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/2/137555/thumb_micheal_martin_ff___rollingnews.jpg?t=1582878907)
Fianna Fail’s Micheál Martin speaks the Sinn Féin truth
Most read
- 1 "Life in Donegal is truly magical"- This couple are raffling a dream home in Ireland
- 2 These hilarious gravestone epitaphs prove Irish dark wit is unmatched
- 3 Experiencing Titanic's last port of call in Cobh, Ireland
- 4 Ireland's most popular surnames and their meanings
- 5 On This Day: Christy Brown of "My Left Foot" died
- 6 Best Irish castles to get married in 2023 revealed
- 7 Tracing your Irish ancestry - The O'Reilly Clan
- 8 Irish famine emigrant's emotional letter home to Mom and Dad in 1850
- 9 Find out the meaning behind your Irish surname - Part III