The determination of a 70-year-old Irish woman to get justice for the abuse she suffered as a child in Magdalene Laundries is likely to have far-reaching implications for survivors of such institutions all over the world.

"While I was in there I was at my lowest and I knew that I had to do something."

"I hope that his death will be a warning to other young teenagers who are been groomed by the ruthless criminals, that the promise of money and gifts will inevitably end in tragedy."

The granddaughter of assassinated lord mayor of Cork Tomás MacCurtain said she hopes the sacrifices of all involved in the struggle for Irish independence — and not just the “famous names” — will be remembered this year.

Padhraig O’Loughlin is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Mater Private, Cork.

Elizabeth Wurtzel has died aged 52. She wrote with searing honesty and narcissism, starting with the eradefining ‘Prozac Nation’, spotlighting her depression, says Suzanne Harrington.

Through the daring with which it has lifted the curtain on the British royal enterprise, Peter Morgan’s saga ‘The Crown’ has moved into in a class of its own, says Giles Harvey

As Darina Allen marks 21 years of writing for The Irish Examiner, she talks to Ciara McDonnell about her amazing career.

Bantry Blues’ legend Dr Denis Cotter, who died on Sunday, has been described as “everybody’s friend”.

Mary Morrogh, consultant general and breast surgeon, Mater Private Hospital Cork, and Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Mollie Barrow owns and runs Sheelagh na Gig bookshop on Main Street, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary.

The High Court has given two Traveller couples until 2pm tomorrow to remove their caravans from the vicinity of an unofficial halting site in Co Tipperary or face the prospect of being jailed for contempt.

The family of a grandfather who suffered a serious head injury after being involved in an accident in Portugal say they are trying to raise the funds to get him home on an air ambulance to Ireland.

Elizabeth Mulhare is preparing for her eighth winter in a house unsuitable for her needs as a cerebral palsy sufferer, says Health Correspondent Catherine Shanahan

After impressing as Turner, actor Timothy Spall now takes on the role of LS Lowry, an artist with serious mother issues, writes Laura Harding

A husband and wife passed away from cancer within minutes of each other, after 32 years of marriage.

Virgin Holidays’ decision to stop selling captive whale and dolphin activities reflects our evolving attitude towards wildlife, says Sarah Marshall.

For Aidan Turner, being cast in Poldark felt like a risk. But, as the fifth and final series airs, there’s no doubt it’s paid off. The leading man talks to Georgia Humphreys about his favourite moments

This early mezzotint portrait of Mrs Elizabeth Aldworth (1695-1775) in masonic robes comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny on July 23.

In a midsummer week that may culminate when — if — the sinister buffoon Boris Johnson becomes the 14th British prime minister of Queen Elizabeth’s near seven-decade reign, it is not hard to argue that politics have failed.

It all proved to be too much for the judge who was taken by surprise and shouted “F**k!” before covering her mouth.

Elizabeth Sugrue saved herself from the gallows by offering to hang her fellow condemned, and thus became Ireland’s only female executioner, says Robert Hume

Instead of politicians and institutions hiding and denying their mistakes, they should be honest and own up to their vulnerabilities. Then we would trust them.

There is a misunderstanding that actors want to be famous, says Clelia Murphy, who stars in the stage adaptation of Light a Penny Candle, Maeve Binchy’s first novel, published in 1982.

A Meath mortician is planning to open the first Irish facility to offer eco-friendly cremations, using water not flames.

Chat show king, radio host, agony uncle and now an accomplished author – how does Graham Norton juggle it all? It’s easy, he tells Vickie Maye, he just rocks up and does the job.

Ahead of ECHOES, a three-day event at Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre (October 5-7) to celebrate the work of Maeve Binchy and other Irish writers, Helen O’Callaghan asks six authors about their favourite Binchy book and her influence.

Teddy bears play a special part in our lives, as Esther McCarthy finds out.

“We were all slaves to the nuns and the Church, no more, no more.”

As a teenager, author Emma Healey’s depression almost resulted in her being sectioned. She draws on those dark days for her follow up to ‘Elizabeth Is Missing’, writes Rowena Walsh.

A few short years ago, Irish superstar Saoirse Ronan insisted she wouldn’t wear anything girlie. Carolyn Moore looks at her evolving fashion sense at the award ceremonies.

With ink in his veins and who once famously described himself as “a chemist by training, a shovel engineer by vocation, and a manager by desperation” is the first person in the history of the Cork Person of the Year Awards to be inducted into a Hall of Fame.

Brother and sister Rory O’Connell and Darina Allen recall their childhood Christmas memories with Marjorie Brennan

The regal has landed for a second helping of courtly intrigue, cut glass enunciation and megabucks set-pieces.

Before she moved to Kinsale in the 1960s, Elizabeth Friedlander had already fled the Nazis, designed covers for Penguin books and created her own typeface, writes Marjorie Brennan.

The family of a woman and her two nieces killed in a house fire in Co Kildare in 1987 say it took away their life's dreams.

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has paid tribute to former co-star Liz Dawn, describing her as the “matriarch” of the soap.

Thirty years to the day since she lost her two children and her sister in a fire, Elizabeth Byrne is faced with new evidence showing they were murdered.

Gardaí have made a major breakthrough in three cold case deaths in Co Kildare.

It has long been an aspiration of the Rose of Tralee International Festival but having a permanent dome could be in reach with work commencing in the next two years.

More than €32,000 has been raised online for the family of a self-employed golf pro who passed away suddenly at the age of 37, leaving behind his wife and their two young children.

As an uncompromising atheist, Roy Hattersley is an unlikely candidate to tell the story of the Catholic Church in Ireland and Britain, but he does so in masterly style, as Michael Duggan discovers 

Elizabeth Strout tells Sue Leonard about how she has created a collection of short stories which build on the world inhabited in her last novel by Lucy Barton