The statement by the Apprentice Boys of Derry, acknowledging that members of the Clyde Valley loyalist flute band wore a contentious British Parachute Regiment emblem during an Orange Order parade and that this “may have caused upset to many in the nationalist community”, is deeply depressing.

These are described as the financial sinews of the struggle for Independence with some accounts almost certainly written by Michael Collins.

The problem with Brexit is that it seems to restate the choice: are you Irish or are you British? says Victoria White

Over the next few years, we will find ourselves in a whirlwind of War of Independence centenary commemorations. It was a nationwide fight for freedom and here the rebel streets of Cork city heaved with revolution.

As a GAA journalist, PS O’Hegarty had a gift for being willing to say the hard thing, writes Paul Rouse.

The controversy that flowed from the GAA’s initial decision not to allow the Liam Miller testimonial be played at Páirc Uí Chaoímh is a legacy of history.

Early governments acted as if Irish independence amounted to Rome Rule. It took the revelation of the clerical sex abuse scandal to end such deference, writes Ryle Dwyer

One of the country’s oldest independent bookshops, Liam Ruiséal’s in Cork City, is set to close later this year after more than a century in business.

After suffering three days of ‘inhuman, dangerous and barbaric’ treatment, Easter Rising hero Thomas Ashe died in hospital, 100 years ago today, says Robert Hume.

Easter Rising leader Thomas Ashe was described yesterday as “a man ahead of his time” by two young pupils from the school where he once taught.

In the theatre of war of the turbulent years from 1919 to 1921, Cork was the main act, writes John Borgonovo

Paul Rouse has more than a few issues with the place of women’s sports in the heart of Irish society.

The testimony of a man aged 91, who died earlier this year, has provided an intriguing insight into the strong republican affiliations of a group of set dancers photographed at a crossroads in Ireland more than 100 years ago.

Forgotten Patriot is the story of Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland under the 1937 Constitution. He founded the Gaelic League in 1893 and was therefore responsible for the “cultural proselytising from which Irish sovereignty flowed,” according to Brian Murphy.

The family behind one of the country’s oldest independent book shops will celebrate 100 years in business today with an eye on the next chapter of their remarkable story.

Paul Rouse on the battle for the All-Ireland and an independent Irish State

A Terence MacSwiney play was watched over the weekend by his grandson — almost 80 years after his own mother played a lead role in the last Cork production.

Before he died on hunger strike, Terence MacSwiney had a made a huge contribution to the cultural life of his native Cork, writes Marjorie Brennan

Seán Hurley, from Drinagh, was Michael Collins’ brother-in-law and they were also good friends while working in the civil service in London. Hurley then got a job in the fabled Harrods store before he was called back to Dublin, alongside Collins, writes Ray Ryan

A key figure before the Rising, Thomas Hunter is hardly known outside his native north Cork, reports Niall Murray

A small printing press in the home of Joseph Plunkett was responsible for one of the most controversial documents in Irish history.

Padraig Pearse was willing to die for Ireland but his less famous brother wanted to live through his creative works, writes Róisín Ní Ghairbhí

It was not by chance that Pádraig Pearse was the first rebel court-martialled and killed, writes Ruán O’Donnell

Carlowman Miceál Ua hAnnracáin was certain only armed rebellion would see the British Empire leave, writes Conor Kostick

Leaving the Church behind him, Thomas MacDonagh found a new calling almost by accident, writes Shane Kenna

The spirit of 1798 was the inspiration for the Rising in Enniscorthy, which, despite the lack of arms proved to be one of the more remarkable episodes of the week, writes Conor McNamara

John Borgonovo explores the political landscape in Cork in the years preceding the 1916 Rising

The tactics used by the Fingal battalion foreshadowed those used in the War of Independence, writes Paul Maguire

Love/Hate actor John Connors features in I Am Traveller on RTÉ2 on Thursday.

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

Condemnation would have handed the British a propaganda weapon against Irish nationalists, and, in any case, the leaders were personally known to the clergy, says Dermot Keogh

Doctor Thorne, from Julian Fellowes, begins on UTV Ireland tomorrow at 9pm, starring Rebecca Front, Tom Hollander, Ian McShane and Stefanie Martini.

Politics at the start of 1916 in Cork City and county was overshadowed by events in Europe and the Middle East.

Literature, Gaelic games, and Irish classes were all activities in the early 1900s of the young nationalists who would later rally around the Rebellion, writes John Gibney.

ÉAMONN CEANNT is, in many ways, the ‘unknown’ man among the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, and the signatories to the proclamation of the Irish Republic.