A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, it was a time of oppression for the gamer republic.

Studios offering tattoos are mushrooming today, but there’s a long tradition behind decorating our bodies, says Robert Hume.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito, the country’s 125th, is to abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne in April, which will make him the first emperor to do so in over two centuries.

Twice a year, an international team goes to the impoverished African nation to perform transformative facial surgery on social outcasts, says Tony McNamara

Japan's Emperor Akihito will abdicate in 2019 - becoming the first emperor to step down in more than two centuries.

The meek are promised that they shall inherit the earth. That distracting, deferred consolation, though of ever more questionable value, may transpire. 

TP O’Mahony looks at the legacy of the great reformer, Martin Luther, who, on October 31, 1517, nailed his 95 theses to the door of a church in Germany 

Kya deLongchamps looks at the ancient roots and courtly early expressions of St Valentine’s Day.

The Roman Empire is a somewhat neglected part of history, but Peter H Wilson’s tome sets the record straight and reveals new secrets, writes Michael Duggan.    

Barry Geraghty was left shocked after being handed a 30-day ban by the Limerick stewards for his ride on Noble Emperor in the Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie Handicap Hurdle, ruling him out of the Punchestown Festival.

Emperor Haile Selassie, ‘the conquering lion of the tribe of Judah’ and a direct descendant of Solomon, was an animal lover. Lions were taken from the wild in Ethiopia for his private menagerie.

Frederick the Great is judged by many historians to have been an enlightened despot. Geoffrey Roberts on an  impressive, comprehensive new biography by Tim Blanning.

Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, which killed 70,000. Geoffrey Roberts looks at how and why we ushered in the age of the megaton bomb.

“The judge said there had been no denial of fair procedures by barrister Sean Guerin to Shatter, and expressed bafflement that Shatter, as a member of the government that commissioned and

An Easter Monday assignment in Cork is next on the agenda for David Marnane’s much-travelled stable star Jamesie and a successful outing could spell a trip to Singapore for the KrisFlyer Sprint.

This weekend, I will visit one of my sons in historic St Alban’s in Hertfordshire, England. 

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and its name, in the Amharic language, means ‘new flower’. 

The US military cannot project military power in the global war on terror without the use of Shannon airport as it is currently configured, says a security expert.

The 1937 Constitution removed Irish citizens’ rights to the natural resources of their nation that are enjoyed by the citizens of other countries the world over, writes Vincent Salafia

There is a recognition and growing acceptance within wider society that human sexuality is not one-dimensional, writes TP O’Mahony

A Brazilian rest home for the elderly believes it may be home to the world’s oldest person.

Marsali, an American-bred daughter of More Than Ready, looked an exciting prospect when romping to an impressive win in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden at Fairyhouse last night.

Japan today marks the third anniversary of the quake-tsunami disaster which swept away 18,000 victims, destroyed coastal communities, and sparked a nuclear emergency that forced a re-think on atomic power.

Successive taoisigh have given over €38,000 worth of state gifts to foreign dignitaries over the past 10 years, including 52 pieces of Waterford Crystal, an Aran sweater and CDs.

For our 30th wedding anniversary, we visited that most romantic emblem, the Taj Mahal, on a 12-day assault on the senses that encompassed five cities, says Anne Kearney.

The Fifth Estate (15A) is a dramatisation of the Wikileaks story, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange, the man who employed the Internet to mastermind the greatest information dump in history.

MATTHEW FOX is the archetype of the all-American leading man.

Japan is marking the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which left nearly 19,000 people dead or missing and more than 300,000 people still displaced.

China said it would lodge a complaint with Japan after it detained Chinese activists who landed on a disputed island and raised a flag yesterday, as tension between Japan and its neighbours escalated on the anniversary of the end of World War Two.

Hi Emperor gave trainer Sean Hennessy his first training success when justifying 5/4 favouritism in the Follow Fairyhouse On Twitter Maiden at Fairyhouse last night.

Prince Tomohito, a cousin of Japanese Emperor Akihito, has died after bouts with various ailments, the Imperial Household Agency said today. He was 66.

HI Emperor has a leading chance of giving Co Tipperary trainer, Sean Hennessy, a turn in the Follow Fairyhouse On Twitter Maiden at the Co Meath track tonight.

People across Japan today remembered the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the nation one year ago, killing just over 19,000 people and unleashing the world’s worst nuclear crisis in a quarter century.

Japan’s 78-year-old emperor has left hospital after heart surgery.

Japan's emperor Akihito underwent heart by-pass surgery today, intended to allow him to lead a healthier, more active life.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito will have heart bypass surgery, it was reported.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito has been taken to hospital for tests.

Matthew Fox has been offered a role in 'Emperor'.