Francis’ visit to Ireland in August is said to include a visit by him to the Capuchin homeless shelter in Bow St, Dublin.

The 18th century apostle of temperance Fr Mathew is as relevant in today’s alcohol-soaked Ireland as he ever was, several leading historians have suggested.

END-OF-YEAR performance reports on each Cabinet minister will be made public after they are individually called into the Taoiseach’s office to explain what they have achieved to date.

THE funeral will take place today of the founder of Threshold, the country’s main non-profit housing advisory organisation.