The histories of governments are in the main chronicles of recklessness and stupidity, redeemed every now and again by moments of genius and sheer good fortune.

Racing 92-bound Simon Zebo is not giving up hope of being called up by Joe Schmidt for next month's Six Nations Championship.

Ireland’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after Serbia ended the Republic’s unbeaten record last night at the Aviva to take firm control of Group D.

It can only be a matter of time before British prime minster Theresa May accuses some dark European force of trying to influence the UK’s general election by hacking the Conservative party’s computers.

Liberals have taken heart from Emmanuel Macron’s early showing in the French presidential elections, but they shouldn’t get carried away, writes Mark J Roe.

The wall of worry is a term used in investing circles to describe a set of concerns faced by anyone deploying risk capital.

France is at the forefront of a global movement away from traditional politics and towards individuals free from party ties, writes John Lloyd.

The prospects for the Government securing more than €3bn from its sale of AIB shares could brighten this weekend if French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen polls poorly in the first round of presidential elections, according to analysts.

Regardless of who wins the French election, European stocks are headed for a correction, according to Deutsche Bank. That’s a view at odds with many of the region’s strategists who expect relief if they lose.

The eurozone’s accelerating economy is translating into faster job creation and stronger inflation pressures as a key gauge of activity yesterday rose to a near six-year high in March, and employment increased the most since July 2007, with hiring picking up in services and manufacturing. 

The longest-standing foreign affairs minister in Europe has hit out at the prospect of hard-right politician Marine le Pen gaining power in France, insisting “we don’t need” her in a Europe she wants to “destroy”.

An eyewitness account of the failed French invasion at Bantry dated December 31, 1796, comes up at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector sale in Dublin on January 21.

French government bonds will be under close scrutiny this week amid concerns that the election of Donald Trump will help boost the chances of a victory of the far-right Marine Le Pen at the French elections next year. 

Peter Dowdall visits the famed island in West Cork and marvels at the range of plants on offer.

Two Irish sport stars have been named in Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s highest paid athletes in the world.

Roger Federer has announced he will not be playing at the French Open as a result of a back injury. The 34-year-old Swiss delivered the news on his official Facebook page, bringing to an end a remarkable run of 65 successive grand slam appearances.

Ryanair is battling lower fares in the first months of its financial year, weighed down by French air-traffic controller strikes and by travellers’ concerns about a future terrorist incident following last month’s bombings in Brussels.

The UK must remain in the EU to reduce the number of strikes by air traffic controllers (ATC) on the continent, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said.

While a limited playing schedule this season has him well outside of qualifying for the Ryder Cup, Graeme McDowell is quietly confident five events in the next six weeks will lift him into Paul McGinley’s team.

Pádraig Harrington went into the weekend of the Irish Open admitting he badly needed momentum and to feel seriously nervous coming down the stretch in the final round.

For a moment there, Paul McGinley had the cream of European golf within arm’s reach as the European Tour staged its flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, on home turf at Wentworth.

For fans of Rory McIlroy, it was difficult to know what to make of the mixed messages coming from the world number two during his unfortunately brief appearance at the Irish Open.

Shane Lowry today carried home hopes into the third round of the Irish Open after Ireland’s four major champions all missed the halfway cut at Carton House.

Rory McIlroy will head into the Open Championship at Muirfield on the back of a missed cut at the Irish Open – and was joined in making an early exit by fellow major winners Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.

The 10-time champion trainer has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 70.

After months of speculation, the Lion is out of the bag.

The absence of Johnny Sexton from the Irish ranks on Saturday may not be mourned by a France side looking for their first win of this Six Nations but his arrival at Racing Metro next season has been warmly welcomed by one of his new team-mates, Maxime Machenaud.

On a weekend when defeat for all four Irish sides in Europe was not beyond the bounds of possibility, a return of three from four with a losing bonus point procured from the only defeat was exceptional considering the quality of opposition faced.

As post-election euphoria wanes, French President François Hollande returns from holiday under pressure to show that beyond dismantling the legacy of his predecessor he can act decisively at home while grappling with recession in Europe.

Brilliantly led from the front by Kevin Phelan, Munster got their Interprovincial Championship campaign off to the best possible start when beating holders Connacht with two matches to spare at Royal Co Down yesterday.

Major winner Keegan Bradley’s first-ever tournament in Europe lasted only two days, but the American believes he is now better equipped for The Open at Royal Lytham in three weeks.

There’s hardly a conflict in history that has not been driven by nationalism or religion.

In a French election subplot, prominent Socialist Segolene Royal – the mother of Francois Hollande’s four children and the runner-up to Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential vote – lost her race in western France and her bid to become Parliament speaker.

Tomorrow is the start of a critical few weeks forEurope when the fate of Greece, the euro and the weaker eurozone countries could well change for ever.

The Government has come under pressure to provide clarity on what progress, if any, is being made in seeking a deal to reduce the burden of bank debt on taxpayers.

Rafael Nadal powered past fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro to reach the semi-finals and continue his bid for a seventh French Open title.

The move towards greater integration of euro financial affairs is gathering momentum but there is sure to be resistance, writes Noah Barkin and Daniel Flynn

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to address the nation on the fiscal treaty referendum on Sunday evening.

The Government insists it will proceed with the fiscal treaty referendum even though Germany is delaying its ratification as the fallout from the French and Greek elections continues.

The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso is dismissing claims the French and Greek election results represent a rejection of EU policies.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the election of François Hollande as French president would make no difference to the referendum on the fiscal treaty and the vote will go ahead as planned.