Gabriel Byrne is a man of many parts. The former archaelogist, novice priest, schoolteacher, cook, messenger boy and plumber — who even tried his hand at bullfighting — has long since morphed into a multi-award winning actor, film director, film producer, writer, cultural ambassador and audiobook narrator.

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin last night led tributes to renowned Irish human rights champion, Pat Rice who died this week unexpectedly, aged 64.

AMID African singing and dancing, a slightly stronger-looking Pope John Paul II yesterday canonised three men who worked as missionaries in the 19th century.

GARDAÍ in Roscommon are baffled over the reason why a local farmer shot his wife dead before committing suicide on Sunday evening.