Looking back at 2016, it is hard not to think that there were tectonic shifts in the western economic and political system, even allowing for the tendency of us all to overweight recent events.

Robert Harris never meant to write novels. A political journalist, who, at 30, moved from the BBC to become political editor of the Observer, he enjoyed writing longer pieces; and between 1982 and 1990, he penned five works of non-fiction.

Good guy, Donal Lenihan, and a fine analyst both in print and on TV, but don’t ever ask him if you’re looking well — and if you do and he tells you you’re the picture of health, then depart rapidly in several directions, writes Enda McEvoy.

With winter nights closing in, ease toddlers into bed with a story.

SAM WARBURTON believes Wales are turning around their RBS 6 Nations campaign after the “doom and gloom” of an opening day defeat against Grand Slam-chasing England.

My Flirtation with International Socialism

IN THE 1920s, the Irish Free State was, if not wholly independent, then at least democratic.

YOUR columnist Matt Cooper (May 22) says he received “quite a few letters of complaint” following publication last year of an article on the Christian Brothers.

BY describing the kerfuffle on the prospect of a property tax as “speculation” Taoiseach Brian Cowen, speaking in Davros, is either firmly focussed on the long game or, as his detractors suggest, is once again dodging the hard question; once again freezing in the headlights.

YOU don’t have to be Cicero to work out that Taoiseach Cowen’s government has more than enough on their plate without making unnecessary trouble for themselves.

A RARE book written by one of the world’s finest minds lay undiscovered in the Law Library for almost 200 years, it has emerged.

THE RDS woodwork twice denied St Patrick’s Athletic last night, as the League of Ireland side gave it everything but ultimately came up short in their efforts to turn around a 2-0 deficit against Hertha Berlin and reach the promised land of the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

St. Patrick's Athletic 0 Hertha Berlin 0 (Hertha win 2-0 on aggregate)

Hertha Berlin 2 St Patrick's Athletic 0

THE intimidating atmosphere of Turner’s Cross can help Ireland’s Under-21 side to victory over Portugal in their European Championship qualifier tonight (kick off 7.30pm).

Barbarians 19 New Zealand 47