#column
'I was f****d mentally for a long time. That was the pressure of everything to do with racing'
Trainer Adrian Joyce has found a new lease of life since linking up with Ger O’Leary at the Curragh, writes Johnny Ward.
Donn McClean: Altior and Cyrname set for fascinating showdown this weekend
The highly-rated steeplechasers will face off in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
The Irish For: Are Irish names really that difficult to pronounce?
We should look at names we don’t understand as something exciting to be figured out, writes Darach Ó Séaghdha.
From the Garden: Making the most of polytunnel growing this winter
I feel blessed to have so much delicious, nutritious food to hand, writes Michael Kelly.
Kevin Doyle's €155,000 purchase of Altior's half-brother has grabbed headlines
There was drama involving the former Ireland and Premier League footballer at Fairyhouse this week, writes Johnny Ward.
Saoirse McHugh: We need to talk about capitalism
There will be no climate justice until we move to a different economic system, writes Saoirse McHugh.
The Irish For: Notes on the naming of a still-contentious Irish-themed cocktail
In Ireland, the Irish Car Bomb is rarely called anything at all, writes Darach Ó Séaghdha.
Lynn Ruane: Harm reduction should always come first with criminal drug policy
We should decriminalise possession of drugs for personal use, writes independent senator Lynn Ruane.
From the Garden: Food could be the biggest asset of all if climate change worsens
Growing your own food could be even more important in the future, writes Michael Kelly.
Donn McClean: Saturday's Champion Chase could send ripples through the season
One of Ireland’s top racing journalists picks out the horses worth following after Road To Respect’s victory at Down Royal.
Larry Donnelly: Biden, Sanders or Warren look set for nomination... why hasn't the Democratic primary been more competitive?
Huge support for just three Democrat front runners in the race for nomination is unusual, writes Larry Donnelly.
The Irish For: How did Irish céilí dancing end up with a waltz but no tango?
Dances and words travel between cultures in a similar way, writes Darach Ó Séaghdha.
From the Garden: Using celeriac in more than just mashed potatoes
As Winter begins, there’s no better time to pickle some chilis or cook with more root vegetables, writes Michael Kelly.
Johnny Ward: Kemboy's predicament exposes the mess that Supreme Racing has gotten itself into
As of Monday of last week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite is not allowed to race.
Donn McClean: Big names return as National Hunt season takes flight
Prepare for the seasonal debuts of Clan Des Obeaux, Road To Respect, Bristol De Mai, Envoi Allen, Delta Work and Samcro.
Saoirse McHugh: The Shannon LNG should not be considered any further by the government
The Shannon natural gas terminal could lock us into further decades of fossil fuel reliance.
The Irish For: Rings, cloth and matchsticks - the secrets of the bairín breac
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is fast approaching, which means it’s nearly time for a slice of brack.
From the Garden: Sow your garlic before Halloween to ensure a plentiful crop by next June
Although traditionally sown in December, putting the garlic in the ground now gives it the best chance of thriving in cold weather.
If you cannot afford to pay an odds compiler you shouldn't be laying bets on Irish racing
It is obvious the majority of bookmakers are copying the work of a rival’s odds-compiler, writes Johnny Ward.
Oisin Murphy's Champion Jockey win a testament to his talent and work ethic
The 24-year-old Kerry native joined a long list of racing’s greats at Ascot on Saturday, writes Donn McClean.
Rodney Edwards: How one brave man walked into our newspaper office to uncover shocking sex abuse cases
The Fermanagh journalist details how he and the victims are exposing wrongdoing and seeking the truth. It is not just his job, but his duty, he writes.
Lynn Ruane: Uniting movement groups in Ireland could lead to long-term change
There is common ground among different movement groups in Ireland, writes Lynn Ruane.
The Irish For - Doomed tales of unrequited love in Irish literature
The tale of Úna Bhán and Tomás Laidir is one of many sad stories in Irish literature, writes Darach Ó Séaghdha.
Johnny Ward: Irish racing can be proud of new horse welfare programme for prisoners
The first sod has been turned to begin work on a new facility in Castlerea.
17-year-old Sheridan still pinching himself after seizing his big opportunity at the Curragh
The talented apprentice jockey had a landmark win on the Willie Mullins-trained Royal Illusion, writes Donn McClean.
'It's going to be difficult to establish a solution to the problem that the DeSouza case creates'
The issue about more than citizenship and identity, writes Sarah Creighton.
Saoirse McHugh: Fast fashion is hard to escape, but it is damaging our environment
There is no room, environmentally or socially, for fast fashion anymore, writes Saoirse McHugh of the Green Party.
The Irish For: The varieties of cailín and the deductive Coleen Rooney
Coleen is derived from cailín, the Irish word for a girl, writes Darach Ó Séaghdha.
From the Garden: Using seaweed to compost at home before winter hibernation
Roasting root vegetables has become a staple in our house, writes Michael Kelly.
'I turned to my husband Niall and asked if we could bring the baby back to the hospital'
New mum Nicola Fallon speaks of her experience suffering from post-natal depression.
Lynn Ruane: 'We can't keep failing young people with inadequate sex education'
We are hopefully moving towards a country with a more positive attitude to sex and relationships.
Boris Johnson: 'We're walking out of the EU on 31 October'
The British PM has written a column for The Sun on Sunday underlining how his recent proposals are key.
The Irish For: Vegans, vegetarians and the battle of translating modern words
It’s easy to lose the wordplay on English words when translating into Irish.
History beckons for Enable and Dettori in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Khalid Abdullah’s mare will look to claim the race for a record third time this Sunday, writes Donn McClean.
Saoirse McHugh: Community-led rewilding could bring life back to the countryside
It is important to allow nature to do its own thing.
The Irish For: Cuddly mammals and furry predators
The Irish language has many names for different creatures in the wild.
5 ante-post Cheltenham bets to consider before prices are cut
Johnny Ward makes five super-early selections, and two more for this weekend’s racing in Ireland.
Larry Donnelly: Removing Trump from office is still a remote possibility
How one sees the state of play depends, as ever, on which side of the aisle he is on, writes Larry Donnelly.
Donn McClean: True positions in the juvenile colts' pecking order to be clearer by this weekend
Pinatubo has been rated higher than Frankel by the BHA, but there’s plenty of contemporary competition racing this weekend.
Lynn Ruane: We should all support choice in education
Parents need to have a choice over where they send their children to school, writes Lynn Ruane.
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