Paul Rouse is an accidental academic, but a fascination with history deepened into a passion when it merged with his love of sport. His new book, ‘The Hurlers’, charts the birth of the modern game in that first All-Ireland final 131 years ago. He marvels at what a few visionary hurling men gave the country, but can’t help think that hurling has since failed at least half that country

Actor Will Smith and former world heavyweight boxing champion, Lennox Lewis, will be pallbearers at legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s funeral.

Gerry Adams has said his use of the n-word in his tweet last night was "inappropriate".

If you were to believe the body politic, Irish Water is the most evil thing since Hitler and the SS. All the parties, especially Fianna Fáil, which introduced water charges in 2010, have sold out their principles for populism, writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford

Peniel E Joseph sets last week’s massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston in the context of a climate of denial in America over national issues of racial inequality

Rainbow in the Cloud

Russell Brand is to the star of his own documentary 'BRAND The Film'.

Maya Angelou was gratified, but not surprised by her extraordinary fortune.

Author and poet Maya Angelou, who rose from poverty, segregation and violence to become a force on stage, screen and the printed page, has died. She was 86.

Nicki Minaj has apologised for using a famous photo of Malcolm X with a rifle in his hands and juxtaposing it with the N-word for her new song.

Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of political activist Malcolm X, was killed in Mexico during an apparent robbery, his family’s spiritual adviser, friends and Islamic associations said.

A lost documentary of the Rolling Stones’ short Irish tour in 1965 has been uncovered, says Joe McNamee, and it makes for astonishing viewing.

A decade on from his first play, some of Tom Swift’s eclectic back catalogue has been collected for posterity, writes Alan O’Riordan

Heather Mills has compared herself to Indian human rights campaigner Gandhi, as well as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, because of the persecution they have all endured in their bid to tell the truth.

Al-Qaida released a video aimed at demeaning Barack Obama in the eyes of its supporters today.

FORMER Cuban president Fidel Castro says a “profound racism” in the United States will stop millions from voting for Barack Obama in next month’s presidential election and it is a miracle the Democratic candidate has not been assassinated.

Spike Lee's brother Christopher is furious the director will not let him sell a piece of land he is legally entitled to so he can avoid being evicted from his home.

Malcolm X director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington are still bitter their efforts were not recognised at the 1992 Academy Awards.

NEARLY 50 years ago, Rosa Parks made a simple decision that sparked a revolution. When a white man demanded she give up her seat on an Alabama, bus, the then 42-year-old seamstress said no.

A planned auction of Ku Klux Klan items was cancelled in Michigan after leaflets encouraging KKK membership were distributed in the community.

Hollywood director Spike Lee has told students that popular music portrays blacks in a negative light.