James Plunkett described the Irish people of 1914 as the “Risen People”.

She may have enjoyed it, but the mum who leapt into a pool with two alligators says she plans to stay firmly on dry land now.

RELAXING into the ritual of a soft-boiled egg on Sunday morning I was astonished, actually envious, to read in several newspapers that RTÉ paid out €85,000 to named people ostensibly libelled when called homophobic by Rory O’Neill aka the drag-artist Panti Bliss on the Saturday Night Show.

A large part of the acting business is living in hope that the phone is going to ring or someone will come looking for you.

In honour of the centenary of the 1913 Lockout, the Abbey Theatre is closing out the year with a rare revival of James Plunkett’s play The Risen People.

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MUSIC NEWS: It’s been far too long since we’ve seen a new video from the Rubberbandits, and we’re glad to confirm that new track ‘Hey Mister’ reinforces the Limerick duo’s reputation as the sharpest social commentators in Irish music.

SLIM and trim, actor Bryan Murray seems an unlikely poster boy for the Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Month. Despite the 64-year-old Fair City star’s healthy lifestyle and regular medical check-ups, he was diagnosed with high cholesterol four years ago.

SATURDAY

THE organisers of the Dublin: One City, One Book Festival, which is the focal point for a month of literary events in April, have chosen well with this year’s selection, James Plunkett’s Strumpet City.

AT HIS address on the opening night of RTÉ, 50 years ago today, President Éamon de Valera worried that TV might “lead through demoralisation to decadence and disillusion”.

The economic recovery in the UK is unlikely to benefit ordinary workers, who could see their pay continue to flatline until 2015, a report suggested today.

WHEN the organisers contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in doing workshops at this year’s Listowel Writers’ Week, I thought about telling them I would consider it, but I was afraid they’d go off me and get someone else, so I said yes with such speed, it came close to tearing their arm off at the shoulder for the chance.

The award-winning playwright Hugh Leonard has died in Dublin at the age of 82.

RTÉ managing director Cathal Goan promises an autumn schedule of more new home-produced drama, more factual programming and several new entertainment strands — as well as more programming for young people.

JAMES PLUNKETT, acclaimed author of the epic Strumpet City and lifelong labour activist, was yesterday remembered as a gentleman of incredible talent, following his death.

Dublin author James Plunkett - best known for his epic novel 'Strumpet City' - passed away in a nursing home today at the age of 83.