This week's Irish Post...
Uncategorized

This week's Irish Post...

-----  WIN €500 IN OUR LISTOWEL WRITERS' WEEK SHORT STORY COMPETITION -----

IN NEWS

Ireland's forced adoption shame

Philomena Lee has urged thousands of Irish women in Britain whose children were sold for adoption to speak out about their suffering.

The Hertfordshire-based woman, who's life story was turned into an Oscar-nominated film, said mothers who fled here after losing their children in homes for unmarried women should not feel ashamed about their past.

'Racial abuse' claim

An Irish woman has claimed that she resigned from a British factory after being "taunted" with degrading marks about her nationality.

Dublin-born Lorraine Boyle says she was sent emails with pictures of potatoes dressed as leprechauns with the subject matter 'you'.

Welcome to Britain, Mr President 

The itinerary for President Michael D Higgins' State visit to Britain is currently being planned.

The visit is expected to celebrate the strengthened relationship between two countries, but is also an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the Irish in Britain, writes Robert Mulhern.

Housing benefit axe for under-25s could lead to mass homelessness 

This was the warning from a charity serving rough sleepers this week.

Shelagh O'Connor at the New Horizon Youth Centre believes the proposed cuts would be 'disastrous' for society's most at-risk youngsters.

Befriending scheme is making a real difference

As part of a new campaign to support the older Irish community in Britain, The Irish Post highlights some of the issues the elderly face.

Niall O'Sullivan meets two emigrants from the '60s who have lived with the plight of loneliness.

IN ENTERTAINMENT

On the Fiddle

Martin Hayes is not afraid to experiment within traditional music.

The Gloaming musician talks to Geraldine Gilmartin about breaking frontiers in the genre and his latest creative project.

Kian to be looked at

King of the Jungle Kian Egan on why he's enjoying being screamed at again.

"Maybe Westlife will reunite for our 20th anniversary, in another five years... maybe," the singer tells Enda Brady.

Why is January harder when you're Irish?

That's the question posed by Ri-Ra columnist and award-winning stand-up Jarlath Regan.

Bring back those Showband days

The Showband revolution changed Ireland as romances blossomed in ballrooms and social conventions changed.

Henry Wymbs recalls the good old days of Ireland in the '50s and '60s.

Crossing the crime line

Delving into issues in her past helped propel author Claire McGowan into the world of crime fiction. She talks to Fiona Audley

IN SPORT

London must 'forget about last year'

The time for dwelling on last season's heroics is 'over' as London finalise preparations ahead of their National League opener away to Wicklow.

That's according to manager Paul Coggins, who said a number of debutants will start on Sunday in a squad buoyed by the arrival of a number of highly-rated players from counties with real All-Ireland ambitions.

Court signs for Exiles

Ireland international and British & Irish Lion Tom Court has signed a three-year deal with London Irish and will join for the 2014/15 season.

The 33-year-old loosehead prop (pictured) has played for Ulster since 2006.

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith, said: "He's a terrific signing. With David Paice and Halani Aulika extending their contracts it means we'll be able to field an all International class front row next season."

Fullen's path to final glory blocked by Creggan

A match report, plus reaction, from Fullen Gaels' 1-8 to 2-10 defeat by Kickhams Creggan in the All-Ireland JGC Semi-final.

Celtic's cricket team and Union Jack on their flag

Richard Purden looks at how the Remembrance Day poppy has been a contentious issue for a number of Celtic fans in recent times.

Why John O'Shea was wrong to leave Man United 

Columnist Garry Doyle goes against the grain of popular opinion - including the view of RTÉ pundit John Giles - to argue that the long-serving Irish international should have stayed with the Red Devils.