Leaving The Atocha Station

The Big Barn Dance, by Jenny Arthur (Caterpillar; €11.50), is the bees’ knees. The spreads in this sturdy board book each focus on a farm animal. Press the button on the strip panel and the animal will moo, baa, quack, etc. Excellent entertainment for age 18 months and upwards.

SPEAKING at two public sector conferences last week, I was struck by a palpable wave of incoming nostalgia. It was like being at an emigrant wake. All present had the sense of saying goodbye — to each other and to the possibility of a similar conference next year.

NOEL Dempsey couldn’t slump down much further into his chair as the Dáil chamber erupted.

The Dow Jones industrials closed above 10,000 today, a milestone not seen in 18 months.