Ryle Dwyer looks at the legacy of destruction and chaos left behind by former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger and the lessons it has for us today 

****

In 1916, Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins were members of the original Sinn Féin.

Kya deLongchamps speaks to photographer and passionate historian Tarquin Blake, about his new book Abandoned Churches of Ireland.  

On the 40th anniversary of Éamon de Valera’s death, his biographer Ryle Dwyer examines the changing perceptions of the long fellow including why he was called a spy.

If apologists for 1916 and Fenian terrorism can remove the scales from their eyes, they will perceive Westminster had wanted to remove itself from any form of direct rule in Ireland from as early as 1913 if not earlier.

Clonakilty, West Cork  €185,000

IT’S A LONG way from the Arctic that Cormac James was reared. Born and raised in Ballincollig in Cork — when he was still Cormac McCarthy — Cormac James has lived in Montpellier in France for the past 12 years.

The council is painstakingly restoring the house in Emmet Square, Clonakilty, where Collins once worked.

Cormac James

Ken Loach and Paul Laverty tell Padraic Killeen about the incredible story of Jimmy Gralton and how his dancehall became a source of conflict with conservative forces.

A lost era of Irish census records could yield treasures for one half of Geordie double act Ant and Dec.

One of Ireland’s oldest travel agencies will celebrate 90 years in business today by spreading some sunshine.

In book format for 244 years, Britannica is downsizing to an internet presence, its hefty print edition no longer viable, says Richard Fitzpatrick

In the first of three articles on the history of the presidency, Ryle Dwyer highlights the early importance of the office. It was not the partition but the head of state issue that led to the Civil War.

Ciarán Hinds, star of film and TV, returns to the Abbey after 20 years, in Juno and the Paycock, says Pádraic Killeen.

THE Scannal programme on the 1970 Arms Crisis on RTÉ television this week began with me proclaiming that the whole thing was the most serious crisis since the civil war. It has never been properly investigated but then no one should be surprised because the civil war was largely ignored, too.

ONCE a month the Irish Cancer Society charity shop on Castle Street, Cork, puts on sale the books and other items they have been displaying in the window.

Kenny, in effect, was trying to hurt Fianna Fáil by helping Mary Lou McDonald when he criticised Garret FitzGerald for suggesting Fine Gael should transfer votes to Eoin Ryan. At the same time he was trying to have us believe that he would not deal with Sinn Féin. He can’t have it both ways

NOT all had the shock of dark hair — and far fewer had the imposing stature of the Big Fella.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen will lead the annual General Liam Lynch national commemoration today.

Director Ken Loach and Spanish star Penelope Cruz were among the big winners at the climax of the Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue tonight hailed the Irish civil war film which scooped the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival as a masterpiece.

RADICAL British filmmaker Ken Loach brought politics to the Cannes Film Festival yesterday when he used the showcasing of his new film, set around the Irish Civil War, to attack the Government over the Iraq conflict.

Radical British filmmaker Ken Loach brought politics to the Cannes Film Festival today when he used the showcasing of his new film, set around the Irish Civil War, to attack the British government over the Iraq conflict.

The competition for the Palme d’Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, will begin today with the Irish Civil War movie by radical British director Ken Loach.

Controversial British director Ken Loach is expecting fireworks when his film about the Irish Civil War drama, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, shows in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

The world premiere of the controversial movie The Da Vinci Code will open the 59th Cannes Film Festival today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s plans for Northern Ireland Assembly members to attend 1916 Easter Rising and Battle of the Somme commemorations were dealt a blow today after they were rejected by the Ulster Unionists.

SO, FAREWELL then, Roy Keane. Again. The man who twice retired from international football has now parted company with Manchester United, and this time we can say with certainty that there will be no second coming. At least not at Old Trafford.

Ken Loach’s Irish Civil War drama has been awarded essential funds for its Co Cork shoot under a new scheme to aid films made in Ireland, it was confirmed today.

IT’S only two days to the opening of Snugabheen’s Christmas “Wander Land”. The excitement really is only massive and this year, so is the park.