The word ‘sport’ is an interesting one. It is commonplace, part of the everyday conversation in the great majority of households on this island — and yet it is hard to define, writes Paul Rouse.

Suzanne Harrington and Arlene Harris debate the need of uniforms in schools today. Have your say in the poll in at the bottom of the story.

The infamous spies who infiltrated Britain in the 1950s and ‘60s came from the wealthy upper classes and went unchallenged in their roles, writes Neil Robinson.

The European Union is fuelling political disengagement by voters and driving the rise of extremist parties, Boris Johnson has warned.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to join the campaign for Britain to leave the EU.

Your guide to tonight's television.

Patrick Macnee, the British-born actor best known as dapper secret agent John Steed in the 1960s TV series The Avengers, has died. He was 93.

Back in the day when I believed that politics could improve the lot of the common man, I used to be enthralled by the British general election, writes Paddy Heaney.

Earlier this week, my boss sent me a text message enquiring about the subject matter of today’s column.

He said he preferred tinned salmon to fresh salmon because he came from an impoverished widow’s family in pre-war Leeds, where the height of posh tastiness was tinned salmon.

AND they said irony was dead? After casually waving goodbye to 10 economic emigrants an hour, Enda Kenny’s great reward may be a job overseas for himself.

Such, Such, Were the Joys An Essay

Pól Ó Conghaile's quick guide to some restaurants where you're guaranteed to get into the Christmas spirit ...

Prince Harry is the loose cannon of the royal family whose antics have regularly made headlines.

Northern Ireland is a central part of the UK’s Olympic efforts despite itsabsence from the Team GB title, British prime minister David Cameron has explained.

Richard Fitzpatrick asks Irish celebrities to name who adorned their walls as teens

Other People’s Money

Reunited Take That have revealed the title of their eagerly awaited album - Progress.

STAR of the hit TV series, The Wire, Dominic West will marry a Co Limerick woman at her family castle on the banks of the Shannon Estuary tomorrow.

WHEN the organisers contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in doing workshops at this year’s Listowel Writers’ Week, I thought about telling them I would consider it, but I was afraid they’d go off me and get someone else, so I said yes with such speed, it came close to tearing their arm off at the shoulder for the chance.

Britney Spears is set to star in a new movie.

Gordon Brown was forced to defend two more of his Cabinet ministers today as the expenses scandal showed little sign of abating.

A KENYAN judge yesterday jailed the grandson of an English baron for eight months for killing a black man on his vast estate, a significantly lower penalty than the maximum he faced of life in prison.

A Kenyan judge today jailed the grandson of an English baron for eight months for killing a black man on his vast estate, a significantly lower penalty than the maximum he faced of life in prison.

WITH his slim features, impeccable manners and winning smile, 44-year-old Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared like a boy sent to do a man’s job. The Thai prime minister was passing through Europe last month trying to reassure international investors and I was asked along to hear him speak.

IRELAND has more than 6,000 lakes and, according to author John Dunne, we don’t appreciate them. They are, he thinks, a neglected part of our heritage.

A descendant of Kenya’s most famous white settlers today went on trial for murder in the shooting dead of a black man on his vast estate, a case that has stirred simmering racial tensions in the east African nation.

ALTHOUGH they won a bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships at Dorney Lake, Eton, yesterday, the Irish men’s lightweight four were left ruing the loss of a potential second consecutive silver after being pipped on the line by France.

The Irish men's lightweight four of Gearoid Towey Eugene Coakley Richard Archibald and Paul Griffin took Bronze in the World Championship final at Eton.

The Irish men's heavyweight four of Cormac Folan, Sean O'Neill, Sean Casey, and Alan Martin rowed brilliantly to win today's thrilling B final.

ALTHOUGH not quite in the circumstances they might have expected, the Irish men’s lightweight four of Gearoid Towey, Eugene Coakley, Richard Archibald and Paul Griffin have earned themselves a place in tomorrow’s World Championship final.

The Irish men's heavyweight four of Cormac Folan, Sean O'Neill, Sean Casey and Alan Martin missed out on qualification for the final at the Rowing World Championships in Eton this afternoon, finishing fifth in a hotly-contested semi-final, which was won by the high-profile British crew.

THREE Irish crews have qualified for the semi-finals at the Rowing World Championships at Dorney Lake, Eton.

The Irish women's lightweight double of Sinéad Jennings and Niamh NiCheilleachair became the second Irish crew to advance to the semi-finals of the Rowing World Championships in Eton this morning, by defeating the defending world champions Germany to win their repechage in a time of 7.17.26.

AFTER the disappointments of the first day of the World Rowing Championships at Eton, there was much better news yesterday for the Irish team at the Dorney Lake venue.

Two of Ireland's four boats contesting today's semi-finals at the final leg of the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne impressively qualified for tomorrow's finals.

IRELAND’s lightweight four are targeting World Championship glory after their gold medal success on Saturday.

THE new Tory leader yesterday made what may be his most popular but high-risk move by bringing Conservative clown prince Boris Johnson back to frontline politics.

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell are battling it out to play suave superspy James Bond in a new movie about his teenage years.

Ireland's lightweight fours, stroked by Kerryman Paul Griffin, today eased through to their second straight World Cup regatta final, in Lucerne, Switzerland.