John Gasson falls in love with Italy’s blissful, rustic Aeolian Islands, from the fertile soils of Panarea, through to Lipari, the largest of the archipelago, and onto Salina.

IN ancient times, people consulted soothsayers, tea leaves and the intestines of freshly slaughtered animals to see the future. These days, people believe economists can do that for us.

In its third year, the Kilkenny economics and comedy festival has attracted a host of dissident number-crunchers and academics to tackle the ongoing economic crisis.