In 1969, the poet Richard Murphy purchased High Island, now called Ardoileán, a small island rich with early Christian remains in the vicinity of Inishbofin off Galway, a place with which he had been associated since 1954. “I got excited at the thought of buying this inaccessible holy island, restoring the beehive cells and oratory…

In 1966, when the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, in which he had fought, was being marked, Joe McGrath, revolutionary, politician and founder of the Irish Sweep among many other businesses, died in his Co. Dublin home, Cabinteely House.  His family did not want to live in the 18th Century mansion, swathed in Virginia…

Mags Gargan visits a choir for people suffering from memory loss

Peter Costello reports from the National Archives on the release under the 30-year rule of confidential state files from 1985

The Vatican: Ireland’s diplomatic listening post In recent years the justification of Ireland maintaining an embassy in both the Vatican and Italy has been the subject of much controversy, with the Vatican legation being abolished and then re-established.  The Government seems to have taken little cognisance of the fact that the Italian State does not…

Singing sensation Nathan Carter talks to Mags Gargan about faith, country music and Christmas

Pope Francis exhibits forgiveness in a very profound way, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor tells Cathal Barry

Mags Gargan speaks to Elysha Brennan about her ‘incredible journey’ as the new Rose of Tralee

Cathal Barry visits the stunning summer residence of the Popes in Castel Gandolfo

Greg Daly explores the extent to which the Rising was a Catholic rebellion