The media were on full alert. Boris Johnson, The Wizard of Brexit, was to address what was described as a fringe event at the annual Tory conference in Birmingham.

BGE Theatre Dublin until September 1

Simone Collins is an actress from Dublin. She is playing Dorothy in Cork Opera House’s summer production of The Wizard of Oz (July 19 to August 26.

For many counties, the notion of this being a month for club championship action has looked more and more like an extended April fool’s joke, writes Mike Quirke.

A blind disability rights campaigner has endorsed an east Cork heritage attraction as “the most recommendable museum for visually impaired people” he ever visited.

“If the written word could cure rheumatism I think hers might, like a dock leaf laid on a sting”

There’s no place like home, as Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz. 

Des Breen looks at the remarkable story of how black women, firmly ensconced in segregationist America, played such a pivotal role in the US space programme, a counterpoint to long-running stereotypes

Our super sleuth recognises the moaners and chancers and spoofers and stars of the season with his inaugural awards ceremony, writes The Secret Footballer.

Decades come and decades go, but Dorothy Nolan’s love for Ford cars remains undimmed.

There was a drop of 18.8% in auction sales, down to $16.9bn in 2016, reports Des O’Sullivan.

Thinking of the cinema this week. Declan Burke reviews  Fences, Hidden Figures and The Great Wall.

With the release of T2 Trainspotting later this week, Declan Burke selects a list of films he believes are superior to their literary source.

If you would like to spend one short day in the Emerald City, tickets for the Dublin dates go on sale from the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on Friday June 30 at 9am.

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The Smithsonian National Museum of American History has launched a Kickstarter campaign to save Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

Oscar Wilde was the most famous — and notorious — of his family but they were already a wild bunch long before his scandalous downfall. Mary Leland reads between the lines of a chronicle of fortune and misfortune.

American writer John Irving may have spent a career juxtaposing novels with original screenplays, but now he has turned a film script into a novel, says Sue Leonard.

What might amount to a resurgence of the Irish art market could emerge next week. Advance interest in Morgan O’Driscoll’s Irish and International art auction at the RDS next Monday at 6 pm is heavy. 

Is there an architect in any period of Irish history with as many hotels and suites to his credit, as Kerry’s James Francis Fuller? 

A new exhibition exploring our obsession with shoes opens today at the V&A. Suzanne Harrington ditches the heels and takes a look.

A tractor-loving man with intellectual disabilities has been treated to a big day out driving JCBs thanks to the kindness of radio listeners who were moved by his story.

The Rose of Tralee Festival will soon have its own headquarters, thanks to the parents of a deceased Rose contestant.

Gardaí in Dublin are continuing to search for a group of teenagers who attacked a man with an intellectual disability.

The prolific actor best known for his role as Sheriff Rosco P Coltrane in The Dukes Of Hazzard has died aged 88.

ON A CHILLY winter’s night a few weeks ago, we had our first East Cork Slow Food event of the year.

Margaret Jennings talks to twin sisters who are competing in Masters Athletics, winning competitions and accolades along the way.

Liverpool: Lessons to be learned from Real bashing

Check out our spoiler-free guide to what’s good to watch on the box tonight.

As a 3D version is released to celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Ed Power looks at the ‘curses’ surrounding the iconic film

(Edition Records) 4/5

From Michael Jackson to the Beatles, Martin Nolan has handled the world’s biggest celebrity auctions. Not bad for a man from Athlone who began his American dream working as a hotel bell man when he won a lottery visa to the states.

Rose Mary Roche looks at why we own so many pairs, covet more — and don’t even wear half of those we own.

Turning the pages in Hillary Clinton’s new book, it is clear that this is a woman not about to rest on her laurels, and it seems she has her sights firmly set on the US presidency, reports Betty Browne.

THERE can be no doubting the importance of the new 208 range to Peugeot. This is a supermini which could well contribute greatly to the future wellbeing of the great French automotive giant.

Vintage clothes are the way to go for truly on-trend fashionistas, writes Liz Dunphy.

Gardaí have asked for the public's assistance in finding 50-year-old Dorothy Healy, who has been missing from her home in Mullingar since Wednesday.

Dr Dorothy Price helped eradicate TB here, but her role as a medic to a West Cork flying column has been overlooked, writes Sharon Ní Chonchúir

From Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, to the cult of the Italian designer in the 1980s, London’s V&A is paying tribute to the glamour of Italian fashion in a new exhibition.