WILL the Ming Dynasty continue to rule in Roscommon, and if so, is the by-election to be remembered as Micheál Martin’s last stand — the beginning of the end for his leadership?

The state banquet in his honour was more than lavish, but still Enda craved the Chinese takeaway of his dreams.

THEY met near the Temple of Heaven, for Brian Cowen it was an encounter worth flying halfway across the globe for, for his Chinese host it was just another diplomatic speed date.