THE outpouring of grief and the palpable mood of sadness that pervades a Polish nation in mourning for those who died in Saturday’s tragic plane crash in western Russia was reflected in Ireland over the weekend as people joined in heartfelt sympathy with the many thousands of Poles who live and work in this country.

President Mary McAleese joined the country’s Polish community today to mourn the loss of their head of state and scores of other passengers in a devastating plane crash.

Handel’s Messiah will come to life in Dublin’s historic cultural quarter where it was first performed more than 260 years ago, it was revealed today.