Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen has claimed Ireland bounced back from its devastating financial collapse quicker because of his spending spree; More than 400 jobseekers were interviewed for just 60 positions at the country’s newest McDonald’s restaurant; Ireland is poised to become an €8 billion ‘green energy’ hub.  Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com

Centuries of rule by outsiders have left a disconnect between citizens and the state — and in the struggle between modernism and myth, the latter triumphed, writes Adam LeBor