A glance at the week that was
We now know
Consumer prices rose by 0.4 per cent in August, the first increase since September of last year
Scientists have decoded the DNA sequence of the blight that caused the Great Famine
The Guinness Storehouse is the most visited tourist attraction in the State, just ahead of Dublin Zoo
The Numbers
205,000Number of rubber ducks floated down the River Thames – a new world record
927,000Average viewing figures for Ryan Tubridy's first Late Late Show
The height of vanity
It’s not exactly a shock to discover that Nicolas Sarkozy is a little short – but he could help himself by not being so neurotic about it. Apparently, when visiting a factory recently, the French president is alleged to have ensured that the staff surrounding him during a televised briefing were his height or shorter. It’s reported that none were allowed to be taller than 1.7m (5ft 7in) – the height the 1.65m (5ft 5in) Sarkozy reaches when in stacked heels.
Cats get the cream
It’s fair to say that the rest of the country was cheering on Tipperary during last weekend’s All-Ireland hurling final. Not because they didn’t like Kilkenny, or because they didn’t admire them as a team, but just because everyone likes an underdog. And everyone playing Kilkenny these days is that. In the end, the Cats won their fourth title in a row, and despite a controversial penalty it made them arguably the sport’s greatest team.
"We will not be going into government with them"- Labour Party leader Eamon Gimore rules out a future coalition with Fianna Fáil