Bloomsday has come around again, the day (June 16) in 1904 on which all the events of James Joyce’s great novel Ulysses unfold. 1904 was an auspicious year for Joyce. It may surprise some people to know…
Children at “the Home” in Ireland, 1924 (Connaught Tribune, 21st June 1924)
@Limerick1914
Yet another horrific story of historic abuse has emerged in Ireland. In what has become a disturbing pattern, it was mostly the international media who reported that the remains of 796 children and babies…
The latest projections from the National Cancer Registry show that the number of new cancer cases being diagnosed each year in Ireland is expected to double by 2040. To understand such a dramatic rise…
Sinn Fein is expected to pick up seats after opposing the austerity program.
EPA/Paul McErlane
The Republic of Ireland will be voting in the European Parliament elections on Friday May 23 – on the same day as the country holds its local elections. Ireland’s representation in the European Parliament…
Correcting Eire: the Irish state is serious about modernising.
William Murphy/Flickr
The Republic of Ireland’s calamitous recent years of financial crisis and government dysfunction look to be coming to an end, with an economic recovery gathering pace and a new administration that seems…
D'Arcy is more than an elderly firebrand.
Niall Carson/PA
Much has been made about the power of social media to improve democratic participation. But as with medicines and drugs, no heavily used technologies are without their side effects. This is particularly…
In recent weeks there has been a spate of good economic news emanating from Ireland. The most significant was that in the latest 12-month period, employment increased by around 3%, an exceptional and surprising…
Black economy: regulating sex work is easier said than done.
Ian Britton
Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are taking steps towards new regulations for the sex work industry, principally aimed at better protecting victims of coercion and trafficking. However…
Pretty but nasty. Are they really to blame?
Stefan Siebert
Tens of thousands of farmed salmon are dead after a swarm of mauve stinger jellyfish swept through an open-ocean salmon farm in Ireland. Tourists in France and Spain must contend with these summer visitors…
A moment of truth has arrived for Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Irish Parliament. The proposed amendment to the Constitution of Ireland seeks to abolish the indirectly elected, 60-member chamber…
Seamus Heaney up close with the local environment.
Burns Library, Boston College
The sudden death on Friday of the Irish Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney has focused international minds and media on the power of poetry to affect our lives. This is especially true from an environmental…
Savitia Halappanavar was a symbol of all that is positive about cultural diversity in Ireland. A young Indian Hindu, she had embraced Irish culture, partaking in St Patrick’s day festivities and playing…
Indian activists protest the death of Savita Halappanavar, who was denied an abortion in Ireland and subsequently died of blood poisoning.
EPA
Recently, 31 year-old Savita Halappanavar died in the University Hospital Galway, Ireland, from complications that arose after being denied a timely abortion. Her tragic and highly publicised death has…
Fair contest: should we tinker with the rules in a free market?
AAP
We all know the global economy is down the toilet. Even if we overlook the financial debacle in Greece, Spain, Iceland, Ireland – and that’s not easy – the big problem is Uncle Sam. Currently, the US Government…
Ireland is still reliant on European funding as it repairs its economy. What will happen if voters reject this treaty?
EPA/Andy Rain
Later today (European time), Irish voters will be asked to vote Yes or No on the Treaty for Stability, Co-ordination and Governance. The Yes campaign, lead by Ireland’s establishment parties, claim a No…
Bankrupt former billionaire Sean Quinn accepted highly risky loans from Anglo Irish Bank before it collapsed.
AAP
The fall of the “Mighty” Sean Quinn from Ireland’s (and Forbes-listed) richest man to one of the world’s most indebted individuals is perhaps the biggest story of Ireland’s boom-to-bust recent economic…
The Irish have seen their booming economy implode. Is it a good lesson for Australia?
AAP
When Treasurer Wayne Swan finger-wagged at the recent set of G20 events, scolding his European colleagues and telling them to get their act together, he had more of a point than perhaps the Australian…
Martin McGuinness’ candidacy for the Irish Presidency calls for voters to look to the country’s history.
EPA/Paul McErlane
The critical importance of the Irish presidency was underscored by current incumbent in an address to the Global Irish Economic Forum earlier this month. President Mary MacAleese welcomed 270 delegates…
Boom to bailout: Ireland’s economic implosion shows the consequences of unfettered policy.
AAP
This year’s Economic Society of Australia conference saw a range of strong views expressed on what Australian policy makers have managed to get broadly right (carbon tax – hurrah!) and wrong (NBN – boo…