Ireland number one on ‘freedom index’

WELCOME to the 17th best place in the world, according to Newsweek magazine.

If you doubt that rating in the post-Celtic Tiger impoverished state that is the 26 Counties now, well catch up on their top 10 world leaders. You will find basking at number five is Brian Cowen.

Yep, you have not been abducted by aliens and transplanted to a... Free article

ALL SPORT this month, Brian. We’ll ignore Tyrone’s premature exit, if you don’t mind. Let us talk hurling and boxing instead!

The big Poc Fada at Stormont was a huge success. Can you pass on our appreciation to your Tipperary colleague, Mattie McGrath TD, for standing in for you.

We are thinking of renaming The Royal Mile or Prince of Wales Avenue at Stormont as ‘POW Avenue’,... Free article

GERRY ADAMS, MP for West Belfast, pays tribute to a west Belfast community leader and a driver behind the Falls Community Council

THIS book pays tribute to a remarkable woman whose energy, vision and determination made a huge contribution to her community and inspired others. Eileen Howell died suddenly after a short illness in June 2004.

The launch of The Life of Eileen... Free article

TÁ athraithe móra i ndán do cheann de na hinstitiúidí Gaeilge is mó clú air sa tír - An Siopa Leabhar de chuid Chonradh na Gaeilge ar 6 Sráid Fhearchair, Baile Átha Cliath 2 - faoi stiúir an bhainisteora nua, Daragh Ó Tuama, agus an chúntóra úir aige, Cian Taaffe.

Tagann Daragh Ó Tuama sna sála ar Mháire Ní Laoi, a d’imigh ar scor i mí an Mheithimh i ndiaidh 38 mbliana a... Free article

THE pre-Budget debate is already beginning to heat up in the 26 Counties. 

Before the state’s overpaid TDs and senators have even returned from their three-month holiday, the commentariat have started to make the case for cuts to wages, social welfare and public services.

With unemployment rising and consumer spending falling, the gap between what the state spends and what it... Free article

THE month of September 1920 saw an intensification of war in Ireland with the British Army, regular Royal Irish Constabulary, Black and Tans and Auxiliaries targeting the civilian population in ‘reprisals’ that had the sanction of the British Government. 

On September 3rd, the British regime abolished coroners’ inquests in ten Irish counties, replacing them with military... Free article

YOU REALISE that you are losing the plot when you find yourself arguing with a woman sitting on top of a large horse. What used to be called a Ban Garda, to be accurate. The only excuse that I will offer is that I was in an emotional state of mind as I approached the junction of Clonliffe Road and Drumcondra just after Laois (take a bow, Maurice Deegan)  - sorry, Cork - had just... Free article

Jack Crowe

A real Dublin character and unrepentant Fenian

JACK CROWE (1929 to 2010), a republican stalwart who was the archetype of a ‘Dublin character’ passed away on the 21st of July and was laid to rest in Mount Jerome Cemetery. The service in Rathfarnham was attended by several generations of Dublin republicans, supporters and former members and activists of the... Free article

I nDíl Chuimhne

1 September 1973: Volunteer Anne Marie PETTICREW, Cumann na mBan, Belfast
4 September 1970: Volunteer Michael KANE, Belfast Brigade, 3rd Battalion
9 September 1973: Volunteer Francis DODDS, Long Kesh
9 September 1985: Volunteer Raymond McLAUGHLIN, Donegal Brigade
12 September 1989: Volunteer Seamus TWOMEY, GHQ Staff
14 September 1986: Volunteer Jim McKERNAN,... Free article

I nDíl Chuimhne

“Life springs from death and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations.” – Pádraig Mac Piarais

1 August  1981: Volunteer Kevin LYNCH (INLA), Long Kesh

2 August 1981: Volunteer Kieran DOHERTY, Long Kesh

3 August 1972: Volunteer  Robert McCRUDDEN, Belfast Brigade, 2nd Battalion

3 August 1974: Volunteer Martin SKILLEN, Belfast Brigade, 2nd... Free article