Fianna Fáil's campaign of vilification against Sinn Féin cost Fianna Fáil the by-election seat in Meath when Sinn Féin voters plumped rather than transfered to the Government party.

His wasn't a name that was well-known in Ireland, but Ross Benson, who died last week, was without doubt one of the best journalists of his generation. Brave, funny, brilliant and always immaculately dressed, he was legendary among his colleages as he reported on wars, the Royal Family and on London society with equal aplomb.

Sifting through the hype of the Irish print media following the recent newspaper circulation and readership figures, Conor Brady paints the real picture of a shrinking market that is well past its glory days

Kelly Dougherty is a 26-year-old Irish American who served for a year with the US military in Iraq, but is now a prominent anti-war activist. Here she talks about what made her change sides, why she joined the army in the first place and Ireland's role in the conflict. Interview and photograph by William Hederman

By the time you read this I should be revived from my foetal position over the toilet bowl where I will have spent most of Friday recovering from Thursday – commonly known in these parts as St Patrick's Day. I will not have got myself into that state because of unrestrained celebrations to commemorate the national saint and his conversion of the Gaelic hordes to Christianity, because I will have hopefully escaped the bonanza of patriotic, over the top, sure-aren't-we-great revelry.

Eoin Butler browses the CD stores for cut-price bargains and discovers that great legends like Hank Williams will continue to sell records

From midday, chants of "I, I, IRA!" could be heard all over the university area of Belfast where thousands of Catholic students live. Hundreds of houses were bedecked with Tricolours and other bunting. Many occupants were already drunk and the queues in local off-licenses were breathtaking.

Suzanne Breen reports on the implications of the The Prevention of Terrorism Act for human rights in Northern Ireland, amid fears of a return to the days of interment in the 1970s

I've never regarded myself as one of those silly women who palpitate over film, rock or sports' stars.

The Eiffel Tower, The Taj Mahal, The Great Wall of China, Dundrum Town Centre. Ireland has finally produced a monument worthy of representing herself on the world stage.