One of the half-forgotten, or at least half-ignored, truths of our history is that those who took part in the 1916 Rising, especially in Dublin, were excoriated by the majority of their fellow citizens until British authorities decided to execute them, making them martyrs for their cause.

What would a United Ireland look like? Would it mean the end of the Irish language? Would we see King Billy’s Day competing with dear old St Patrick?

The husband of Caitríona Lucas has said it is “a great honour” that one of her paintings has been featured on two new stamps issued in recognition of the Irish Coast Guard.

A new book celebrates the pioneering educators who founded Cork’s Scoil Mhuire, writes Ellie O’Byrne, where past pupils include actress Fiona Shaw, knitwear designer Bébhinn Marten and TV presenter Clodagh McKenna.

A much sought after original of the Irish Proclamation of the Irish Republic is to go under the auction hammer next month.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the introduction of voting rights for women and their right to stand in parliamentary elections Culture Minister Josepha Madigan singled out the legacy of Countess Markievicz.

One of the country’s oldest independent bookshops, Liam Ruiséal’s in Cork City, is set to close later this year after more than a century in business.

In Burying Peter Sutherland tomorrow, we lay to rest one of very few who rose out

Respecting everyone’s human rights means defending a person’s right to hold views even if we don’t agree with them, writes Colm O’Gorman

A bit different to last week's show.

There are allegedly paranormal activities occurring at the Canadian ambassador’s residence in Ireland.

Every third level college in Ireland keeps the points for a number of their courses artificially high, with the points system nothing more than a rationing process, writes Fergus Finlay.

The Government is being urged to purchase a unique 1916 artefact which goes up for auction today.

It is one of the busiest weeks of the year, with auctions and fairs up and down the country.

YOU don’t expect to find a poem entitled ‘Didjeridu’ in an anthology of poetry in Irish with English translations.

WHEN The Irish Press was first published in 1931 — Pádraig Pearse’s mother pressed the button to start the printing press — the paper’s founder Éamon de Valera said the paper’s purpose was: “To give the truth in the news ...” 

O’Donovan Rossa’s great grandsons have made a documentary about their ancestor. It shows at Cork Film Festival, writes Ellie O’Byrne

The family behind one of the country’s oldest independent book shops will celebrate 100 years in business today with an eye on the next chapter of their remarkable story.

Ireland’s bloody past should not be sanitised, Peadar Ó Riada tells Pet O’Connell, as he prepares for the premiere of his new work inspired by Pádraig Pearse

Your letters, your views...

WHEN mezzo-soprano Rachel Kelly steps onto the platform of the John Field Room on Friday to open a recital titled ‘Songs of Erin’, in the final week of Composing the Island, it will be very much a family affair. Accompanying her will be her mother, pianist and broadcaster Una Hunt.

Ireland north and south has two different education systems. Patrick Walsh looks at how providing free school books in the Republic could be one step in bringing them together.

The agony of the Berkeley tragedy lives on for survivors and victims’ families, says Dan Buckley

There have been numerous studies conducted into the possible health merits of coffee, but 106-year-old Elizabeth Dempsey might just be the living proof.

After playing Nidge and Padraic Pearse, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is happy to just be himslef for a chat to Clodagh Finn

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Aoibhinn McGinnity feature in Trial of the Century, on TV3 at 9.15pm tonight.

On hearing the shelling stop, the Long Fellow waved the white flag, writes Ryle Dwyer

Seán Hurley, from Drinagh, was Michael Collins’ brother-in-law and they were also good friends while working in the civil service in London. Hurley then got a job in the fabled Harrods store before he was called back to Dublin, alongside Collins, writes Ray Ryan

General John Maxwell ignored calls from the viceroy to spare the lives of those on the periphery of the Rising and instead pursued martial justice, allowing defendants little more than 10 minutes in their ‘trials’ to tell their side of the story, writes Sean Enright

The last words of Padraig Pearse should be a challenge to every generation, according to one of the country’s most senior clergymen.

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Aoibhinn McGinnity –better known as Nidge and Trish – are reuniting for a very different production: a 1916 drama. Rowena Walsh chats to the actress about life after Love/Hate.

WHEN you’re a scriptwriter whose latest TV series is an irreverent take on the 1916 Rising, it throws you a little when you meet your director for the first time and realise he’s a descendant of one of the most celebrated fighters to die at the GPO.

A small printing press in the home of Joseph Plunkett was responsible for one of the most controversial documents in Irish history.

Padraig Pearse was willing to die for Ireland but his less famous brother wanted to live through his creative works, writes Róisín Ní Ghairbhí

It was not by chance that Pádraig Pearse was the first rebel court-martialled and killed, writes Ruán O’Donnell

Bantry ICA PRO Ursula Kingston has fond memories of the massive annual carnival held in post-Second World War Cologne. 

What if Pearse and Connolly had survived? Perhaps the first item on the agenda would have been a split, writes Gerard Howlin

President Michael D Higgins and senior government ministers have led the tributes to the 1916 fallen at the Kilmainham Jail site where they were executed in an emotional reminder of the deaths of the Rising leaders.

Equality, not nationalism, was at the heart of the struggle, says Ben Philips

As commander of the Cork Brigade, Tomás MacCurtain was responsible for the success of his mission. But he had been receiving conflicting orders from the Irish Volunteer HQ in Dublin, writes Gerry White