IT WAS A FESTIVAL of sport yesterday on television in Ireland.

Premiership soccer live from England and Scotland. La Liga live through Sky Sport's red button, as well as golf and cricket. The United States' NFL had the Chicago Bears playing the Dallas Cowboys and, in the mid-afternoon, live on RTÉ came the GAA football final between Cork and Down.

For someone who dipped in... Free article

SIX HUNDRED people braved the lashing rain on Saturday to voice their support for Navan Hospital, the third in a series of mass meetings to protest against cuts in services at Navan Hospital.

The crowd was addressed by Councillor Phil Brennan, journalist and health analyst Máire O'Connor, local doctor Niall Maguire, and campaign organiser Navan Deputy Mayor Councillor Peadar... Free article

A SINN FÉIN delegation led by Gerry Adams joined relatives of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising on Friday when they visited the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street, site of the last meeting of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic in 1916.

The Sinn Féin delegation included Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald, Dublin City... Free article

MAYBE we have always had celebrity politicians and it's not just a 21^st century phenomena, but it seems that you just can’t get away from them (and no I don’t mean George Lee).

The end of Britain's New Labour in government has heralded a flurry of publishing launches from our nearest neighbour as several former party insiders have rushed texts into print.

Former Director of... Free article

“BEAN COUNTERS” in the Health Service Executive have been blamed by Limerick City Councillor Maurice Quinlivan for calls by the HSE for the public to try and avoid Limerick Regional Hospital A&E because it is over-stretched after the closure of A&E units in Nenagh and Ennis.

The INMO nurses’ and midwives’ union has called for health safety body HIQA to carry out an urgent... Free article

SINN FÉIN spokesperson on Education Senator Pearse Doherty has called on Minister for Education and Skills Mary Coughlan to act immediately to alleviate what is likely to be another grants crisis.

The senator said that, in the Donegal County Council area alone, of the 650 first-time applicants the vast majority have not yet been processed, meaning that the majority of new... Free article

SPEAKING at the opening of a GUE/NGL conference on the European Citizens' Initiative* with Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Irish MEP Bairbre de Brún said that mobilising people to engage in decision-making should be at the heart of the Citizens' Initiative.

She said:

It is extremely important that the Citizens' Initiative is as accessible as possible.... Free article

BASQUE FESTIVAL & CONCERT

This Saturday 18^th September 13:00 to 23:30

Institiúd na hÉireann, Teach An Phiarsaigh,

27 Sráid An Phiarsaigh, Baile Átha Cliath 2.

Organised by the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee. Email [email protected]

To promote understanding of Basque culture and struggle. Basque food, music, exhibition short videos and feature films. Irish and Basque music... Free article

COMMENTING after today's publication of the IMC report into the murder of Shankill loyalist Bobby Moffett, which blamed the UVF for the killing, Sinn Féin Assembly member for West Belfast Paul Maskey said:

While the murder of Bobby Moffett was clearly a tragedy for his family and friends, the IMC today, after spending weeks inquiring into the murder, told us what... Free article

OVER 46,400 adults and children are waiting for hospital treatment, according to new figures from the Health Service Executive.

RTÉ report: http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0914/health.html