Javier Cercas’s new novel, ‘Lord of All the Dead’, is as preoccupied with the Spanish Civil War, the nature of heroism, and the distortions of history as his most famous, ‘Soldiers of Salamis’, says Alannah Hopkin .

In a world almost jaded by innovation, it is difficult to convey the awe, the shuddering excitement, the sense of possibility — and the victory for God-on-our-side capitalism, too —provoked by the first moon landing, 50 years ago today. It was, even on flickering, black-and-white televisions, simply jaw-dropping.

As I just wrote to friends living on a Mediterranean island: “It’s been summer here for the last few weeks, wonderful weather, 18C to 20C, but everything is very green or flowery, all the whitethorns in bloom and a procession of wildflowers in the ditches and on the old stone wall, mixes of colours and forms and vegetable constructions to take the breath away."

Spain is not the only European country trying to live in the 21st century in the shadow, albeit a fading one, of a 20th-century dictator — not all of whom were politicians or soldiers.

There are many examples that can be given to demonstrate just how talented a player Franco Mostert is.

IT’S A beautiful day and we look out on a bay full of ferries coming and going and honking and hooting and waking us up earlier than we usually wake: they are going to Barcelona, to Valencia, to the next door small island of Formentera and to Talamanca, a beach across Ibiza Bay, writes Damien Enright.

Damien Enright visited Ibiza to discuss a book he has written about the time he spent there between 1961 and 1965

On September 29, 1938, Czechoslovakia was sacrificed to Nazi Germany by the UK and France, in their catastrophic hurry to appease Hitler. That lesson is still relevant today, writes Yuriy Filatov

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It’s quite a state of affairs when Real Madrid wield the sword of righteous justice in any particular contest. This is, after all, the club of General Franco’s favour, shady training ground construction deals, and gaudy Galactico excess, writes Tommy Martin.

La Gomera offers a uniquely different ‘vibe’ from other Canary islands in one important respect. Apart from its unique cloud forests, unspoiled beaches, walking paths and absence of glitzy resorts, a distinctive laid back feeling abides, writes Damien Enright

When Catalonia went to the polls eight weeks ago there was a sense among Barcelona fans that this was a defining moment for their club as well as the country.

I have friends in Barcelona, and when we go there, a must-see with them is the traditional dances and music outside of the parliament building on the square.

Cork-born poet, Liam Ó Muirthile, was inspired by his journey along the Camino, writes Marjorie Brennan

In Catalan, Catalonia is Catalunya. Catalan sounds a lot like Spanish to the casual passerby, with its musicality and rolling rrrrrrrrs, but when you listen, you can hear the differences, writes Suzanne Harrington. 

I have to take issue with Tom Carew (“The day the Madrid regime killed Spain”, October 3). Mr Carew says the Guardia Civil was inherited from Franco. In fact, that highly-respected police organisation dates back to the 19th century.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is ready to stand down from Spain duty if he is deemed a "problem" by national team coach Julen Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Federation as a result of his support for Catalan independence.

Sometimes the best way to understand reality is to indulge in fantasy. So, try to imagine what the Irish and British governments — and Stormont if it can stir itself — might do if Sinn Féin were to organise an unofficial vote on Irish unity in the North. 

IN the 1950s, new hotels sprang up along the Costa Brava, the “wild coast”. Sleepy little fishing towns became household names overnight, as hordes of package holiday-makers descended on them. The beaches still draw the crowds but visitors nowadays want more than sea and sand.

Ulster 17 Leinster 13: Thankfully it wasn’t all about the game itself on a bright summer’s day at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday. At least two stand-out moments came from the two Ulster players who were bidding farewell to a venue they had graced on numerous occasions.

IN a world looking as if might be sliding backwards toward the division and horrors of the last century rather than embracing the bright tomorrow the hopeful among us believed was secure, history’s lessons assume a new relevance.

We're still not entirely sure what to think about actor/poet/director/person James Franco, but Bryan Cranston certainly doesn't keep his feelings to himself in the red band trailer for Why Him?

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The ashes of a War of Independence leader have been returned from the US and interred in the Republican Plot in Cork’s landmark St Finbarr’s Cemetery almost 40 years after his death.

Ulster’s South African workhorse Franco van der Merwe has signed a one-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the Kingspan Stadium until June 2017.

Barcelona and Lionel Messi are again the centre of admiration in the football world and rightly so.

With Barcelona and the Catalans on the precipice of achieving independence,

It’s not about playing well; it’s about looking good. That’s the impression given off by the latest ad for Guitar Hero Live, featuring Lenny Kravitz and James Franco.