Prolific writer lauded for groundbreaking scholarly ability ‘that brought history to life’

The vibrant Irish publishing industry has weathered many storms over the centuries

You don’t need to spend lots of money or grow a beard to appreciate birds

Derval O’Rourke: ‘If I just viewed food as fuel, that would be a boring way to live’

GAA, soccer and rugby followers certainly have lots to choose from this Christmas

‘I have discovered over the years that when my body craves salt it can be solved in one fell swoop by eating a bag of Tayto’

Marie-Clire Digby rounds up the food news from the week

Eric Dempsey’s new book, ‘Don’t Die in Autumn’, is an honest, joyous account of life as a birdwatcher

History of Irish emigration should make us vocal advocates for refugee resettlement

In his address, Tom Boland of the Higher Education Institute questioned academics on Irish universities’ commitment to Englightenment ideals

Meals that pack a punch, Serrano ham at Lidl, detox at The Finishing School, grow your own in the workplace and Mediterranean food and wine festival at Dunnes

Fully Irish in Ballsbridge; fantastic al fresco in Dún Laoghaire; glass zapable from Tesco; and all pig all day in Kilkenny

Retiring from his beat covering the capital for The Irish Times, Frank McDonald looks back on the city’s evolution from dereliction to boomtown – and finds that Dubliners still have no idea how to treat their city