Leo Varadkar became Ireland’s 14th different head of government earlier this month. Here, Ryle Dwyer assesses the legacies left behind by the Taoiseach’s predecessors.

Justin Keating was Minister for Industry and Commerce in the early 1970s and a man of strong convictions, never afraid to voice his opinions. Ryle Dwyer reads between the lines of his collection of writings. 

Surgeon Liam Kirwan has taken an historical look at the role of religion on Ireland’s healthcare system. He talks about where we are today to Colette Sheridan.

Bishop Eamonn Casey fathered a child, but at least he seemed human, and, subsequent to his resignation, the hierarchy became answerable, says Ryle Dwyer.

When Minister for Health Noel Browne attempted to introduce free medical care for expectant mothers and children under 16 he was left alone to face the full might of the Catholic church, writes Ryle Dwyer.

Fr Paul Connell’s address can be interpreted as offensive, writes Michael Clifford

Ahead of today’s President’s Cup match in Cork, President Michael D Higgins sits down to talk football with Liam Mackey and the result is a conversation encompassing the League of Ireland, Fifa, Roy Keane, Jose Mourinho and Kofi Annan, as well as Seamus Coleman meeting the Duke of Edinburgh, that Jon Walters selfie and how he’d like to see Ireland play at Euro 2016.

The Gain Cup 2016 is dominating proceedings at Curraheen Park at the moment and, keeping up the tradition of the Guinness Trophy, which it has replaced, it is a very competitive stake.

Now that we are paying for water as well as private property tax, would it be unreasonable for the residents of Cork City and county to expect to have access to a published annual schedule of road and street drain cleaning?

I HAVE no intention of going anywhere. I’m grand. Fit as a fiddle. I’ve passed that point where, as comedian Billy Connolly says, every movement is accompanied by an involuntary groan, writes Fergus Finlay

For generations the Irish Examiner has recorded the major events in the life of our nation, tracking its triumphs and disasters since the newspaper was first launched in 1841.

Chinese New Year is of particular significance to the thousands of adopted Chinese children living in Ireland and their parents writes 

An arrogant Church hierarchy has a long history of scapegoating and trying to cover up serious scandals, says Ryle Dwyer

An investigation is underway into how six people got stuck 50ft above the ground on a fairground ride in Co Waterford last night after a mechanical fault.

THE Ryan and Cloyne reports into child abuse in the Catholic Church could be seen in simple black and white terms: It was easy to loathe the abusers and the parish priests and bishops who colluded to protect them, to shudder at how bereft and powerless the child victims were, and at the torment of parents when they learned what had gone on around them.

Dr Dorothy Price helped eradicate TB here, but her role as a medic to a West Cork flying column has been overlooked, writes Sharon Ní Chonchúir

Former Kerry hurling trainer Tom Howard has cited a lack of commitment by some players as the reason for his sudden departure.

Kerry delegates were informed by chairman Patrick O’Sullivan at last night’s county committee meeting that senior hurling manager Tom Howard and his management team have stepped down after just one year in charge.

I urge readers to go to the Robert Ballagh Exhibition at the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork.

SEVEN decades are celebrated in Robert Ballagh’s exhibition ‘Seven’, which opens next weekend at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. UCD recently presented Ballagh with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature to celebrate his lifetime’s achievements in the arts, and the exhibition of 14 portraits coincides with his 70th birthday later this month.

Endurance swimmer Steve Redmond says he may consider a second crack at the 80km Ireland-Wales swim after abandoning yesterday’s attempt for medical reasons.

Former Offaly great Ciarán McManus played a leading role in Tubber’s victory over Ferbane in the crucial final round robin stage of the county senior football championship last night.

Richard Fitzpatrick on two powerful men, operating on both sides of the Atlantic, who admired each other’s methods.

No new entity has challenged the political hegemony for long without imploding, so it is hard to see where an alternative to Civil War politics will come from, writes Michael Clifford

Though I was only in my late teens when David Thornley announced that he was joining the Labour Party, I can still remember the excitement.

Monday marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis. Ryle Dwyer examines a tense fortnight when the world was on the brink of nuclear war

Sheer grit, hard work and the unwavering support of the people of West Cork helped Steve Redmond achieve his Oceans Seven dream, says Eoin English

Irishman Steve Redmond, 47, became the first person in the world on Jul 14 to do the Oceans 7, modelled on the Seven Summits — climbing the highest mountain on each continent. He swam all 7 toughest channels of the world’s oceans from 2009 and it took 3 years to complete.

The fact that Dr James Reilly is in breach of a High Court judgment is, unquestionably, a serious issue.

We are coming off a terrific weekend that yielded three winners, with six of the other seven runners all finishing in the first four.

Team boss David Power counted 53 people on the Tipp minor footballers’ bus to the All-Ireland final, but no passengers. He spoke to Fintan O’Toole about the Premier’s historic win.

Allianz Sciath na Scoil roundup

IN the official polling notice published in the national press at the outset of the presidential campaign, all the candidates list their names, addresses and occupations.

HERE IN this corner of the paper we don’t claim to have a monopoly of wisdom on any subject, apart from what is now an uncomfortable level of expertise on Martin Amis’ sex life (has anyone who ever met this man NOT written a book about his “legendary” intimacies?).

MANDELA, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi make the list. So too do Bill Clinton, John F Kennedy and Franklin D Roosevelt. Aung San Suu Kyi and Mary Robinson are cited, as is Hillary Clinton.

PUPPY OAKS champion Droopys Twirl, is the likely favourite for the Sporting Press Irish Oaks which starts at Shelbourne tomorrow night.

IT WAS after 10pm on April 11, 1951 when Taoiseach John A Costello made the shock announcement that Health Minister Noel Browne had resigned and President Seán T O’Kelly had accepted the resignation on the recommendation of the Taoiseach.

THE father and son team of Willie and Patrick Mullins can combine with Pickapocketortwo to land the Lisronagh Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.

VICTORY in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle at Naas yesterday, in which Ruby Walsh was lucky to walk away from a nasty fall (see page 25), went to longshot First Impressions, ridden by Tim Carroll and trained by Mick Mulvany.

AS the woman opened the bedroom door to let the two young doctors in to see her sick husband, one of them put his arm out to halt the other.