The words of the French poet, novelist, and dramatist Victor Hugo — “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come” —are not something you call to mind when doing the weekly grocery shop.

I have wanted to write this article since I was a few hours into the care of my 18-year-old and the penny dropped with an almighty clang that caring for him was the hardest work I’d ever done.

Will this year’s Academy Award winners use their moment at the microphone to talk politics? Suzanne Harrington provides some inspiration and takes a look at the best – and worst – protest speeches.

Des O’Sullivan finds movie props from Penny Dreadful at Punchestown.

Peacekeepers — The Irish in South Lebanon is on RTÉ One at 9.35pm on Tuesday.

By using the theme of ‘weeds’, the curator of a major new art exhibition at Lismore Castle has touched on such issues as the refugee crisis, writes Alan O’Riordan

Harbour pilot Ciaran Monks helps guide the Royal Princess into Cobh on the new series of Cork Mega Port on TV3.

Is Richard Fitzpatrick having an early midlife crisis? He can’t resist trying out the internet tools that put an age on different parts of your body and mind

‘Waterloo’ meticulously recalls the events of four days in June 200 years ago when 200,000 men were engaged in a struggle which laid the foundations of contemporary Europe, writes Allan Prosser.

Susan Fletcher

Hoping to surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Pól Ó Conghaile suggests a raft of romantic breaks at home and abroad.

“Skin in the game”; “What’s the playbook like?”; “The donkey in the room”; “We need the moolah”.

Gerard Howlin on a book that looks at the synergy of history, politics and the ideas that has brought the European Union to life and sustained it through succeeding crises.

Hollywood bad boy Quentin Tarantino was celebrating today after his controversial screenplay for the western 'Django Unchained' was awarded a Bafta.

The ceremony saw Ben Affleck get some vindication and Jodie Foster make a revelation as Hollywood’s awards season kicked off.

The Iran hostage thriller 'Argo' was a surprise best-drama winner at the Golden Globes, beating out the Civil War epic 'Lincoln', which had emerged as an awards-season favourite.

Adapted from the musical of the same name (which was itself adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel) and set in 19th century France, Les Miserables (12A) follows the fortunes of former convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) as he struggles to fulfil his destiny, despite being foiled by fate at every turn.

The American Civil War saga Lincoln leads the Academy Awards with 12 nominations, including best picture, director for Steven Spielberg and acting honours for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Landing their lead roles in Les Mis was like a wish coming true for its stars, they tell Will Lawrence

Hollywood hasn’t diminished the magic of Les Miserables, says Marjorie Brennan

Steven Spielberg’s US Civil War epic Lincoln led the Golden Globes with seven nominations, among them best drama, best director for Spielberg, and acting honours for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Steven Spielberg’s civil war epic Lincoln leads the race for honours at the Golden Globes.

Anne Hathaway said being cast as tragic heroine Fantine in the film adaptation of Les Miserable was her “dream” job as she attended the movie’s world premiere last night.

Anne Hathaway said being cast as tragic heroine Fantine in the film adaptation of ‘Les Miserable’ was her “dream” job as she attended the movie’s world premiere tonight.

Justin Bieber has been offered a role in 'Les Miserables'.

WHAT is it about Irish governments and overseas funding?

'The King's Speech' director Tom Hooper will take on a new movie version of 'Les Miserables'.

WHILE in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum.

IT GRIPPED millions who read it, causing uproar and profiteering, and now its creator has all but dismissed its factual core.

A COLOMBIAN rider claimed the yellow jersey for the first time in Tour de France history yesterday as Lance Armstrong’s US Postal team took a firm grip on the centenary running of the world’s most famous cycling race.

Long-running musical Les Miserables bade an emotional “au revoir” to Broadway today after 16 years and over 6,500 performances.