This is how the men and women who would be involved in the looming rebellion spent this week 100 years ago — some deeply involved in its planning, others still oblivious.

IRISH exiles in the US knew about the Easter Rising before the news reached most of their relatives back home, writes Ray Ryan.

Seán MacDiarmada overcame polio to produce a masterplan for the 1916 Rising , writes historian Brian Feeney

How this week 100 years ago was spent by the men and women behind the Rising

When Eleanor Burke eventually asked her grandmother why she never spoke about her membership of Cumann na mBan in Kerry, Ellie Rice replied: “We learned not to speak or say anything because one idle word during that period could cause somebody’s death.”

Details of what was being done this week 100 years ago by those planning the Rising, and how it was observed by British authorities in Ireland.

Pension details released by the military archives shows women played a wider role in the Rising than previously thought, says Sinead McCoole

Ned Daly always wanted to be a soldier so when the Irish Volunteers were founded he seized his chance, says Helen Litton

We still underestimate the crucial role played by veteran Fenians in the United States including O’Donovan Rossa and, in particular, John Devoy, writes Terry Golway

Thomas Clarke was one of the architect’s of the Easter Rising, his nationalism hardened by 15

Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice believes a win over Mayo tomorrow would throw his side right back into contention for the Allianz Football League Division 1 title.

For many of the players honoured in Croke Park yesterday as ‘Stars of the 80s,’ an All-Ireland senior football medal simply eluded them, while for a few of them it was never more than a dream.

Diarmuid Lynch: A Forgotten Irish Patriot

If there was an 11th commandment which forbid us from coveting our neighbouring county, then I would be a serial sinner every time I visited Healy Park.

Former Arsenal and German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann’s powers of oration remain as impressive as ever, according to a Louth GAA club.

Louth referees are threatening to withdraw services if the county board goes ahead with a re-fixed minor football semi-final tomorrow evening.

The Dream of the Celt

IT’S hardly surprising, given their preeminence in hurling, that Kilkenny supplied the first father-and-son combination in the GAA All Stars scheme.

WEXFORD side St Martin’s sit top of Group A in Division 3 of the Féile Peil na nÓg, going into today’s deciding fixtures, having registered two victories in the opening round of matches at Whitechurch yesterday.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, son of manager Peter Fitzpatrick, has been drafted into the Louth team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Meath at Kingspan Breffni Park (throw-in 7pm).

THE Mayo County Board are set to delay appointing John O’Mahony’s replacement as county senior football boss until after they have undertaken a review that will look into root and branch reform of football in the county.

Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick praised his side's character as they withstood Westmeath's late rally to claim a place in their first Leinster Senior Football Championship final since 1960.

All-Ireland champions Tyrone received a timely boost last night as captain Brian Dooher returned to action.

The draw for the 2008 oneills.com Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Football Sevens was announced today at the launch at Croke Park.

Armagh's Ronan Austin is facing a number of months on the sidelines after he broke his leg in Wednesday night's Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup defeat to Fermanagh.

Dermot Carlin and Colm Cavanagh have been drafted back into the Tyrone team for Sunday's must-win NFL Division 1A match against Mayo (Omagh, throw-in 3.30pm).

KERRY and Tyrone will be strongly represented at this year’s Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland football sevens in Dublin on Saturday week.

Armagh star Diarmuid Marsden broke his leg yesterday in a club football match, just days after announcing his inter-county retirement.

FORMER star forward Joe McKenna was last night elected interim manager of the Limerick senior hurling team by his fellow selectors.

In Dunloy, they speak of the teams who almost made it — and vow not to be one of them.Mark Gallagher visited the Antrim village where hurling is king.

Former Dublin goalkeeper Davy Byrne has transferred from the Ballymun Kickhams club to Ratoath in Meath.