The marriage referendum is a deeply personal issue for many men and women who, up to now, have been denied full rights as citizens of Ireland, writes Michael ‘Babs’ Keating.

A new short documentary by Ireland’s rugby sponsors 3 takes a unique look at the career of Johnny Sexton from his schoolboy days.

Colette Sheridan talk to writer Billy Keane about his latest novel and his life’s influences

The Ennis Book Club Festival (March 7-9) is a reader’s delight. “Other literary festivals are about writing skills and getting published. Our workshops are different. One of our really popular events is called ‘Ten Books You Should Read’,” says chairperson, Ciana Campbell.

As John B Keane’s classic tragedy Sive returns to the Abbey stage, his family hope that two of his unseen plays will also be produced, writes Pádraic Killeen

He may have helped to make certain the Sam Maguire would be under no Kerry Christmas tree this year, but Dublin GAA star Bernard Brogan paved the way for Santa Claus in the great footballing town of Listowel last night by switching on the Christmas lights.

As Australian rugby still smoulders, Lions' hero Jonathan Sexton stepped into the cloistered calm of Adare’s 13th century Holy Trinity Church to marry his schooldays sweetheart, Laura Priestley.

Irish rugby ace Johnny Sexton admitted yesterday he’s got the jitters ahead of his wedding today.

The stars and stripes blended easily into a sea of green in tourist-haven Killarney as early American visitors, some dressed like overgrown leprechauns, joined in St Patrick’s Day festivities.

It’s the bonanza week that helps pay the rates and keeps bank managers at bay for businesses in Listowel.

While not quite a scene from Father Ted, ‘Nunday’ had all the hallmarks.

John B Keane’s pub in Listowel remains the haunt of poets, storytellers and musicians, writes Dónal Hickey

A BIG funeral for a giant of a man.

DRAMA groups from Co Cork towns Kilmeen and Charleville are set to compete for All-Ireland honours in a theatre of golden dreams.

MUNSTER’s Heineken Cup victory looms large in the longlist of entries for the 2006 Boylesports Irish Sports Book of the Year Award.

ONE of Kerry’s best-known literary figures will be honoured at a festival, which opened in his home village last night.

LEADING figures in the literary world, such as Roddy Doyle, Colm Toibín, Fergal Keane and Michael Longley, will be among the personalities attending Listowel Writers’ Week, which opened last night.

LEADING figures in the literary world, such as Roddy Doyle, Colm Toibín, Fergal Keane and Michael Longley, will be among the personalities attending Listowel Writers’ Week, which opened last night.

THE poets of the land have been challenged to look at an oyster and produce pearls of inspiring words.

RAIN didn’t dampen spirits on the second day of Listowel Writers’ Week yesterday, as people scurried from reading to reading, clutching an umbrella and with the inevitable book under the arm, got it signed by their favourite author.

NEIL JORDAN has won the E10,000 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Prize for his novel Shade.

LEADING figures in the literary world, such as Roddy Doyle, Colm Tóibín, Fergal Keane and Michael Longley, will be among the personalities attending Listowel Writers’ Week, which opens tomorrow night.

Colm O'Connor looks at the enduring appeal of the last GAA championship final of the year. ON SUNDAY, sports followers of all persuasions will speed past a golfing wonder of the world to get a ringside seat on an hour of local squabbling in Ballybunion.

A 26-YEAR-OLD Co Meath farmer was yesterday crowned King of the Culchies in Lisselton, Co Kerry.