IN THIS WEEK’S IRISH POST (OUT NOW)
IN NEWS
Vote at home to time out after 15 years.
The Constitutional Convention was hailed this weekend for telling the Irish Government that the Irish abroad must be allowed to vote for their President.
But the specifics of the powerful forum’s verdict may come as a disappointment to Britain’s huge Irish community.
New analysis by The Irish Post shows that the vast majority of the Irish in Britain are likely to have been here too long to be able to cast a ballot for the President under the Convention’s proposals.
Unionist attacks proposals to let Irish in the North the right to elect their President
DUP politician Alastair Ross has lashed out at the Constitutional Convention’s proposal to give Irish people in the North a say in Ireland’s Presidential elections.
The East Antrim MLA, who claimed such a move “will not benefit either Northern Ireland or the Republic”, also accused an SDLP politician who backed the move of pushing “a narrow nationalist agenda”.
Love/Hate – coming to a pub near you
For years, the Irish in Britain have flocked to their local pub to watch the GAA, but starting this weekend they will also be huddling around screens showing RTÉ’s hit crime drama Love/Hate.
This is Ireland
In a special double-page feature, The Irish Post breaks down a landmark study of Ireland’s most recent mass exodus.
Ireland is suffering a brain drain, the research shows, as the majority of recent emigrants hold a degree-level qualification. But it is not those who are leaving that will suffer.
While three-quarters of Irish people believe emigration is harming society at home, the emigrants themselves say their lives have been significantly improved by their decision to leave home.
Final rest for the boy with a “big heart”
Family and friends said an emotional final farewell to tragic teen Conor Boyle this weekend, filling the streets in west Donegal as he was laid to rest.
NAMA redeems €7bn from sale of British properties
Eighty per cent of the €9billion work of properties Nama has sold to date are in Britain, The Irish Post reveals.
Atheism to be taught in Irish schools
Up to 16,000 boys and girls in Ireland will be taught that God does not exit after atheists secured the right to teach their beliefs in schools.
The news is the latest in a series of developments as the Irish state tries to distance itself from the Church.
Meanwhile, Irish Post columnist Sharon Ní Chonchúir says: “The Church had too much control for too long and it abused that power far too often.”
IN ENTERTAINMENT
Who are the real London Irish?
Niall O 'Sullivan hits the town to find out whether the young London Irish are anything like Channel 4's new TV show.
'The Pogues are not an Irish band, they're a Glasgow band'
In an exclusive extract from his book, Faithful Through and Through, Richard Purden examines The Pogues' links with Glasgow Celtic Football Club and Scotland's Irish Diaspora.
Mario's rising stock
Irish Impressionist Mario Rosenstock tells Rí-Rá about the challenges of aping famous faces while raising a young family.
The Mario Rosenstock Show returns to RTÉ Two this month with new characters as well as old favourites, including Gay Byrne and Ming Flanagan.
Maeve Higgins' weekly column
In this week's installment of her hilarious column about life in Britain, Maeve waxes about her ludicrous friend 'Kev' and maintains that insults, abuse and humiliation are very Irish forms of flattery.
'Who cares about upsetting people... we just want to be funny'
Ahead of the London Irish Comedy Festival, Katy Harrington quizzes three comedians - Andrew Maxwell, Aisling Bea and PJ Gallagher - who are performing on this year's bill to find out what makes them tick. Hecklers, nudity and 'crossing the line', mainly.
Ralph McTell interview
As the folk legend Ralph McTell approaches his 50th year performing, he tells Joe Giltrap about his career, big influences and why he's hoping to find a long-lost Irish great grandmother.
IN SPORT
President launches plans for Ruislip redevelopment
The president of the GAA, Liam O'Neill launched ambitious plans to redevelop the Emerald Grounds in Ruislip, incorporating a seated strand, dressing rooms and a new playing surface.
"We want London to be strong; we want Ruislip to be a centre for all Irish activities," he said.
Clare shine brightest
Sports Editor Ronan Early and columnist Shane Stapleton review The Banner County's performance after they surged to their fourth All-Ireland title after defeating Cork 5-16 to 3-16 in a pulsating final replay at Croke Park on Saturday evening.
King for a day
Ireland's caretaker manager Noel King may find his rein short but his considerable influence on Irish soccer will continue after he abdicates, argues Garry Doyle.
The Irish Post Sport's columnist caught up with the new boss.
Gaelic games
Five pages full of coverage of what was an action-packed weekend of GAA matches from all around Britain.
Rugby round-up
Catch up with all the latest scores and performances from London Irish, the Wild Geese as well as all the key results from the RaboDirect PRO12.
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