‘Most of the ads are so terrible, it’s like Don Draper was never born’

The troublesome troubadour of truth explains why we take certain parts of Ireland for granted and how he is drawn to the energy of "giving these wilder places a chance"

Like a ‘ride through a dark carnival’, Francie Brady returns in Pat McCabe’s new play

Hundreds gather at Mansion House on Saturday morning for humanist ceremony

Friends pay tribute to the actress, best known for her extensive theatre work and film roles including The Butcher Boy and Adam and Paul

Cork’s Midsummer Festival’s centrepiece is a triumph

Corcadorca’s latest production, ‘Sacrifice at Easter’, is set in Cork’s 17th-century Elizabeth Fort and the play is as much about the site as the script

Fregoli chase one performance style with another, but when it settles, it’s an intriguing character study

Hilton Park offers history and relaxation with unspoilt views and no mini-bar in sight

Lenny Abrahamson’s Room and John Crowley’s Brooklyn vie for the best picture Oscar this weekend. They are part of a grand tradition

Wallaby unwanted by Deans now eyeing second World Cup final appearance

There is a good show in Emerald Germs and some marvellous performances. But can it shake off its lethargy?

Alan Gillis is a master of catching his reader by surprise

The utility back has been forced out of rugby after fracturing his neck for the third time

This week, to mark the end of our How to Write a Book series, we have a daily Q&A with a debut author

How to Write a Book: In the conclusion to our 12-part series, agents give advice about what they look for in a book and how to attract a publisher. An agent is not the sole route into publishing, but the experience of a good one can be pivotal

Writer laid to rest yesterday in the company of poets and artists, musicians and singers, a president and, above all, his neighbours

When asked for this series, in competition with four other bargain hunters, to pick up an old item that could turn a profit, I set out to find a decent rare volume

Unions say officials being denied site access to hide ‘exploitative pay, terms and conditions’

Hosts were 41 points up at one stage prior to a late rally from the tourists

If you doubt your characters, your readers will doubt them too, so it is important to understand characters’ motivation and make their behaviour and speech convincing

Adaptations by Pat McCabe, Donal Ryan, Eimear McBride, John Boyne and Paul Murray mark centenary of publication

Association of Garda Superintendents accept ‘mistakes were made’

RTÉ sent McCabe to Castleblayney, ‘the Nashville of Ireland’, for a month to write a play set there

Literary events can be a bit thin on the ground around Christmas. So here’s where to look

Growing up in Co Mayo helped Colin Barrett shape wild visual narratives written in local voices

Patrick McCabe’s play is a hilarious circus of the half-demented

The mouse hero of Pat McCabe’s children’s story knows how to work a crowd. It’s just as well this production comes with its own onstage audience

Wallabies coach keeps converted winger at outhalf for second match of series against the Lions

Talismanic lock was in ‘form of his life’ but management move quickly to slot in Parling

Lions outhalf admits tourists needed a bit of luck to avoid defeat in first test against Australia

Ireland winger back in full training after hand injury as injuries mount for Australia

Coach Robbie Deans set to announce his final six players this week

Johnny Ferguson