The week that was - at a glance
Shiny happy people
According to a European Commission survey, the Irish are the second happiest Europeans. Three-quarters of us said we were rarely or never down in the dumps, although only 30 per cent said they rarely or never felt tired or worn out. Only the Dutch are happier, said the survey, although their laws do give them an advantage in the giddiness department.
But for how long...
We're keeping up our jollity despite the weather which has recently descended to apocalyptic levels. The past week saw flooding and storm damage across the country. A windmill in Skerries, Co Dublin, lost two sails to the gales - a somewhat ironic turn. More wind and rain is forecast, with one scientist predicting three storms this month. A happiness survey might get a different result after that.
We now know...
More than a quarter of prisoners are back in jail within a year of their release, according to a UCD survey.
Only the Japanese spend more on mobile phone and fixed lines than the Irish, said a British survey.
Left-handers think quicker, say Australian researchers.
The numbers
€607,000 -price paid at Christie's for a dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's
$250- price paid at Sotheby's for signed copy of James Joyce's Dubliners
€103, 400- price paid at same auction for review of Sophocles's Antigone, written by Britney Spears as a high school project
You've heard of a smoking gun; this is what we call a squirting gun"
Scientist Ken Edgett on new evidence of water on Mars, which may indicate life