THERE is a growing consensus among a motley crew of Irish politicians and trade unions to bar the US presidential candidate Donald Trump from entering Ireland on a planned trip by him later this month.

There’s the big show in Dublin tomorrow, but you know all about that. Michael Moynihan caught just one of the thousands of other games on this weekend to give another snapshot of the GAA...

I CAN’T remember much from my formal education — just useful snippets: “Stony grey soil of Monaghan you burgled my bank of youth”; the stages of development of an oxbow lake; how long it takes for an oven to cool if the oven-door is left open; and the Hardness Index.

Frederick the Great is judged by many historians to have been an enlightened despot. Geoffrey Roberts on an  impressive, comprehensive new biography by Tim Blanning.

In her new book, Ayaan Hirsi Ali breaks with centuries of political orthodoxy and says Islam must adapt and divorce itself from acts of terrorism. TP O’Mahony reports

Voltaire said “to discover who rules over you, you must first find out who you are not permitted to criticise”.

A man named Ambrose Bierce once published a volume called The Devil’s Dictionary, filled with unorthodox definitions of terms common to late 19th century America, writes Terry Prone.

Around a million people and more than 40 world leaders - including the Taoiseach Enda Kenny - are expected to take part in a rally in Paris, after 3 days of terror, that left 17 people dead.

Social media users showed their support for satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo following the bloody attack in France.

Richard Kiel, the towering actor best known for portraying steel-toothed villain Jaws in a pair of James Bond films, has died.

Richard Kiel, the towering actor best known for portraying steel-toothed villain Jaws in a pair of James Bond films, has died. He was 74.

And then there were seven.

One of Ireland’s most unusual libraries is set to open this week – with the world being asked what should be in its collection.

Since setting up in 2006, Galway theatre company Mephisto have rapidly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

I have read the proposed ‘Protection of Life’ bill.

It is important for all decent people on this island in both jurisdictions — the Republic, and in Northern Ireland

How To Dress Well’s new album Total Loss is infused with singer and songwriter Tom Krell’s grief for a friend who died, says Ed Power

 The Potter’s Hand

From a Catholic perspective, it was most gratifying to observe that Maeve Binchy died with the great satisfaction of a Catholic requiem mass.

Police investigating the murder of Michaela McAreavey have diced with justice and risked the reputation of Mauritius by accusing a man who could not have physically committed the crime, his trial was warned.

Looking directly at the jurors, Rama Valayden raised his right hand and slapped himself hard on both cheeks.

Police investigating the murder of Michaela McAreavey have diced with justice and risked the reputation of Mauritius by accusing a man who could not have physically committed the crime, his trial was warned.

The chairman of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, which owns the Irish Examiner, has called on the Government to consider giving newspapers some of the proposed broadcasting charge which is due to replace the TV licence fee.

AS WE go to press, the state troopers and the cops are moving, in Los Angeles, to take out the Occupy LA folks. “Take them out” doesn’t mean shoot them.

WHEN does life end?

REGIME change in hurling?

AS the election campaign nears the end of a second week, it offers an opportunity to step back for a moment and reflect on matters more general.

SENATOR Joe O’Toole has demanded that the Minister for Foreign Affairs send a cable of protest to Cardinal Brady in Armagh.

IF A picture paints a thousand words, replace this column with a shot of Kenny Dalglish at the Europa Cup draw.

Anyone who thought we might get past an exhilarating game like Sunday's All

Anyone who thought we might get past an exhilarating game like Sunday’s All Ireland senior hurling final without controversy was sadly mistaken.

The comforting news is, however, that the Irish population, like that of Britain, France, Scandinavia and the US, is projected to keep on growing. For a country to reproduce itself, it requires the average woman to have 2.1 babies. Iceland is the only European country meeting that threshold, but Ireland is very close behind

“FORGET Electric Picnic, go to Knock”. The appeal to the young people of Ireland in a Catholic publication last week was about as worthwhile as asking Archbishop Sean Brady to have his tarot cards read by Irish Psychics Live.

REMEMBER Bill Clinton’s horrible gaffe? No, not the blatant lies he spun about his affair with Monica Lewinsky, but the joke he made about the Irish during an address to the United Nations.

Police said today an explosive device was found in a Madrid theatre moments before the start of religious satire show by an Italian comedian who has come under attack from conservative Roman Catholic groups in recent weeks.

ALL this freedom of speech and freedom of expression stuff we've been hearing about lately. I'm up for that.

There are certain well-meaning people who decry all talk of ‘a clash of civilisations’ where relations between Islam and the west are concerned.