Kevin Toolis waked his father in the traditional manner on Achill Island, and the resulting book has been adapted into a stage show at Skibbereen Arts Festival, writes Ellie O’Byrne

Some might call it a ewe-turn - an 85-year-old sheep farmer who was found guilty of allowing her sheep to wander from commonage in west Cork has had the case dismissed under the Probation Act.

Some might call it a ewe-turn — an 85-year-old sheep farmer who was found guilty of allowing her sheep to wander from commonage in West Cork has had the case dismissed under the Probation Act.

With these novels, Pat Barker and Michael Hughes revive the long and fertile tradition of retelling Homer’s great epic poems. The Silence of The Girls and Country deliver new and original recitations of ‘The Iliad’ — the final weeks of the Trojan War — in two different but very satisfying and successful ways.

Written for the party goers of the 1639 Venice Carnivale, Monteverdi’s The Return of Ulysses was said by one scholar to have enough sex, gore and elements of the supernatural to satisfy the most jaded Venetian palate.

Eoghan O’Sullivan shares the latest from the entertainment world

SOME novelists expect their readers to learn a new language. Clockwork Orange is challenging, and so, more recently, is Trainspotting. The Gringo Champion is equally demanding.

Spanish authorities are hopeful that dropping temperatures and favourable winds will help firefighters battling to extinguish a major forest fire on the fringes of one of Europe's most celebrated conservation wetlands.

We bring you a round-up of all the latest news and reviews from the world of entertainment. 

Plants such as gorse and nettle look sun-shiny and tempting and yes, they can be fermented into tasty tipples, says Valerie O’Connor.

WHAT do Homer Simpson and Enda Kenny have in common, apart, that is, from celebrating anniversaries? The Simpsons is 30 years in the making and Mr Kenny is today the longest surviving Fine Gael Taoiseach.

“Before, before! You’re living in the past, Marge, quit living in the past!”

Writer Emmanuel Carrére states that ‘things of the soul, the things involving God embarrass me’ but, according to Josephine Fenton, there’s more embarrassment to come ...

From President Trump to smart watches, Ed Power is floored by The Simpsons eerie knack for predictions

It’s not just Donald Trump. The USA has a long history of jokers, eccentrics, and megalomaniacs running for the top office, from immortals to the king of the world, reports Robert Hume

Literature doesn’t get much stranger — nor more fun — than this. 

After 27 long years on TV it’s hard to find something The Simpsons haven’t done, but at the weekend they found a new first even for them.

Salt, Victoria Road, Cork, 021 2390430  

MICHAEL LONGLEY is one of the most popular Irish poets of the modern era. 

Putting a value on things we take for granted may save humanity argues Dieter Helm. Noel Baker is impressed by his powerful, commonsense arguments.

A quiet Saturday in. Perfect.

Only half of GPs sign up for U-6s scheme; One man is still critical after an industrial accident which killed another in Dublin; and travellers are refusing to move in to a €5m facility in Cork. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

The Department of Agriculture has identified a suspected case of BSE in Co Louth; Lord of the Rings actor Cristopher Lee has died at the age of 93; Traveller families are refusing to move 200 yards from their old cramped halting site to a new purpose-built €5m housing scheme in Cork. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

It’s not the first time that the Simpsons have faced marital difficulties but this time it appears to be serious as it has emerged that Homer and Marge are to “legally separate” in the new series.

I don’t know if I could handle ‘epic everything’. There are times you just want to sit down and put on your slippers writes Colm O’Regan.

YouTuber CinemaRaven put together a brilliant video of one of The Simpsons most memorable scenes.

Wayfaring Stranger

It might be exciting that first Christmas but after a year or two, buying a present for the man in your life can become an annual nightmare. Richard Fitzpatrick offers up his wisdom on the dos and don’ts of Christmas present buying for men

The makers of the Simpsons are being urged to make Homer healthier, by eating fruit instead of just beer and donuts.

Bill Murray says wanting an Oscar feels "like a virus."

Ajax Penumbra 1969

The makers of the Simpsons followed through on their promise to kill off a character last night.

D'oh!

Green:The History of a Color

The Griffins meet the Simpsons in this long-awaited crossover episode.

This guy really loves the Simpsons.

And Mr. Burns and Principal Skinner. Smithers is probably coming too.

War reporter Tim Butcher and Irish nomad Manchán Magan are among those telling their tales at the Immrama festival in Lismore, writes Orlagh Ní Arrachtáin

Kya deLongchamps takes a look at early 20th century statuary, particularly, daring Art Deco figures in ivory.

Insert Lego-themed pun here.