Nine-time Irish flat champion jockey Pat Smullen has retired from racing on medical advice.

“When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see over the bed post is a blue and gold string. So you can imagine what it’s like in my house, can’t you?”

Kurt Cobain’s progressive politics were striking for the time but have been eclipsed by the tragedy of his suicide, writes Ed Power

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Unplug Day, which encourages us to take 24 hours out from our hyper-connected world. We challenged three of Cork’s connected people to take a digital detox. Ciara McDonnell finds out how they got on.

Mary Arrigan selects her top 10 long reads for older children in search of a good book.

The family of Darren Kearns has spoken publicly for the first time about his murder two and a half years ago.

Tributes have been paid to Cornelia Frances, the British-born actress best-known for her role in Australian soap Home and Away, who has died aged 77.

Leo Varadkar’s plans to divide the Department of Justice have been severely criticised by three former ministers at the department, one of whom said it would be a “massive mistake”.

Paschal Donohoe breaks ranks with cabinet colleagues by admitting Frances Fitzgerald made a ‘mistake’ in handling the McCabe affair, says Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

Former Tánaiste and justice minister Frances Fitzgerald “made a mistake” in her handling of the Maurice McCabe email saga and she made the right decision to resign, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe believes.

London-Irish director Martin McDonagh and leading actress Frances McDormand have been tipped for Oscar success with their new film, writes Helen Barlow.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan are under considerable pressure over their handling of the Maurice McCabe email scandal which claimed the scalp of Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald who resigned.

The Taoiseach strongly defended Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald in spite of her decision to resign over a failure to act over a Garda management strategy to discredit whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

The Taoiseach didn’t just misread the room — he wasn’t even in the same neighbourhoodas people of political experience, says Alison O’Connor.

Fine Gael ministers and TDs are demanding an early general election and have said Tuesday, December 19, is the most likely polling day.

And the kicks just keep on coming for Poor Frances, writes Daniel McConnell.

Fine Gael supporters will this weekend rally around embattled Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and encourage her to remain on, as the Government fights off the possibility of a snap election.

Planning for war but preparing for potential short-term peace, the soldiers of destiny are attempting to work two strategies to address the latest political crisis.

You know how it feels when you have to carry the can for someone else’s mistake.

Roger Federer booked his place in the second round of the US Open but serious doubts remain about his fitness after he needed five sets to defeat American teenager Frances Tiafoe.

On the eve of her visit to Cork, Sally Rooney tells Colette Sheridan about the novel that’s become the must-read book of the summer

"I wasn't aware that it was alcohol that was making me feel darker, that was making things worse."

This is one not to be missed.

The frontrunners to replace Enda Kenny as Taoiseach have failed to disclose whether they would retain Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in the Cabinet.

Acting on Seán Ó Fearghaíl’s advice would not preclude TDs from learning lessons from Donald Trump, writes Terry Prone

Roadside drug tests will be in operation by the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

For every little hatted smoothie bottle bought, Innocent donates to Age Action’s care and repair programme, writes Margaret Jennings.

The two most likely successors to Taoiseach Enda Kenny are split on how to remove him from power.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Health Minister Simon Harris, and Education Minister Richard Bruton are all still understood to be in the mix to run for leader of Fine Gael.

Joseph O’Brien has made a huge impact since making the transition from record-breaking jockey to trainer. The 23-year-old tells John O’Brien in The Irish Racing Yearbook 2017 that he wants to build a strong dual-purpose yard on The Hill and to challenge the established operations — including Ballydoyle

Part biography, part reflection of Frida Kahlo’s work, this book examines the painter’s life.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald held meetings this week to discuss allegations that senior gardaí covered up claims of sex abuse in Waterford.

A Government minister has strongly suggested Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald should take over as leader from Enda Kenny, saying she “demonstrates all of the qualities a taoiseach would need”.

The family of a deceased multi-millionaire have been told he would not be happy to see them fighting in court over his €300m estate.

His family surprised him with the trip to see his two sisters who emigrated when they were young.

What’s with everyone giving their relatives trips of a lifetime as birthday presents? You’re making the rest of us look bad.

The cabinet meeting was forced to adjourn yesterday after it descended into a “hot and heavy” row between Fine Gael and Independent Alliance ministers over proposals to liberalise the country’s abortion laws.

It feels appropriate that we’ve parked for the night in Tours, to break up our mammoth, 900km trip from Bordeaux to Lille.