The recent slaughter of holidaymakers on an idyllic Tunisian beach sent shockwaves of revulsion throughout the world. 

Religion must be scandalising non-believers and believers alike, when they see the atrocities being committed by religious groups that claim the blessings of God.

Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan has revealed that it was a gift to have been cast in the iconic role of James Bond.

The events sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife outside a Sarajevo delicatessen 100 years ago this morning have had a greater impact on our lives than any other event in the last century — even the one we will mark in 2016.

In a letter by B Cotton (April 24), which addressed the recent article in the Irish Examiner (April 17) about ‘Catholics for Choice‘, your correspondent states that ”as a practicing Catholic... contraception is banned, because sex was made by God to bring children into the world and not for self-gratification”.

Syrian troops captured a famed Crusader castle near the border with Lebanon today, running the two-starred government flag high above the stone ramparts of the 12th century fortress after days of intense clashes with rebel fighters.

Lohort Castle in Mallow has survived attackers from Cromwell to the IRA

A HOLY shrine that normally contains a relic of St Brigid has been stolen from a church as worshippers prepare for the patron saint’s feast day.

SHOULD we be outraged by Alma Lopez’s depictions of the Virgin Mary at UCC?

Actor Mickey Rourke sympathises with US President George W. Bush - insisting he doesn't know how any politician could have successfully navigated America after the 9/11 attacks on New York.

RICHARD DOWLING (Letters, December 19) says we should not blame Christians for the rise of Hitler. Perhaps we should not blame Christianity, but surely the vast majority of the German people who were significantly responsible for the rise and crimes of Hitler’s regime were Christians.

Pope Benedict XVI decried the collapse of marriages, telling tens of thousands of young Catholics that he was praying a crisis in traditional family values does not become an “irreversible failure.”

The betting shop on the main street in Malahide, where I live, does a roaring trade.

YOU’D have to wonder what Pope Benedict had in mind when writing the controversial address he delivered at Regensburg last week.

Pope Benedict XVI today appealed for mutual respect for religious belief as he mourned an Italian nun murdered in Somalia in an attack some have speculated was linked to Muslim anger at his recent remarks about Islam and violence.

Turks have today demanded Pope Benedict XVI make amends over comments on Islam that enraged Muslims before visiting the predominantly Muslim country in November.

The papal trip to predominantly Muslim Turkey in late November could provide an opportunity to support dialogue and friendship between religions and people to help defuse the anger in the Islamic world triggered by remarks of Pope Benedict XVI on Islam and violence.

Lebanon’s most senior Shiite Muslim cleric denounced the Pope’s recent remarks about Muslim holy war as Egypt warned that the Pope’s comments could incite violence between Muslims and Christians.

Turkey’s ruling Islamic-rooted party joined a wave of criticism of Pope Benedict XVI today, accusing him of trying to revive the spirit of the Crusades with remarks he made about Islam.

Western-style free speech that allowed the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in Europe will lead to more violence between Muslims and Westerners, former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami warned today.

Thousands of screaming fans turned out to greet actor Orlando Bloom at the premiere of his latest film, Kingdom Of Heaven.

Pope John Paul II, who died today aged 84, will be remembered as one of the greatest communicators and most influential figures of modern times.