EX-TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern recently issued a statement that just six months earlier would have commanded widespread news coverage and generated a national debate. Free article

I READ the Mail on Sunday last week. It wasn't by choice, but it was fascinating in the same way that celebrity reality television can be for some people I suppose. The reason was a number of very amused texts from republicans telling me the paper was claiming that the thugs running the Limerick drugs gangs were descended from the Black and Tans. Free article

LOOKING for a present that's an antidote to Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson? Here's a selection of books that can be ordered from the Sinn Féin Bookshop online or direct (see display advert). Free article

SO, finally, we have discovered who is to blame for the present recession. Not the bankers or financial speculators. Not the property developers. Not even 10 years of low tax, right-wing government. No, the blame for the fiscal and economic crisis lies with the 350,000 public sector workers. Yep, that's right. Our primary school teachers, nurses, gardaí, doctors and street cleaners have all got us into this mess. Free article

Níl a fhios agam cé mhéad gaelphoblachtanaigh amuigh ansin a léann an t-alt seo riamh ach tá mé réasúnta cinnte nach dtabharfaidh mórán agaibh buíochas domh má a thosaím ag scríobh i mBéarla. Mar sin, sula nglaonn sibh ar fhón phóca an eagarthóra bhoicht lig domh an ceann líne thuas a mhíniú: Béarla mar uirlis ar son na Gaeilge atá ann agus é mar chuid de m'iarrachtaí éascaíocht na Gaeilge féin a chur chun chinn. Free article

RHODE is possibly best known for having been the home place of Paddy 'The Iron Man' McCormack. Paddy was full back on the first Offaly team to win an All Ireland, in 1971, and on the 1972 side. His career was brought to an end by an injury to his eye. 'Teak tough' might be one description you could apply to him although those who saw him or played against him might have described him differently. Free article

'THE Great War' (the First World War) formally ended on 11 November 1918 and on 25 November the British parliament was dissolved. A general election was called and 14 December was set for polling day. It was to be the most momentous election in Irish history. Free article

An Phoblacht's famous weekly satirical column. Free article