Yesterday it was announced that a referendum will be held on the laws, with the hope from securalists and the divisive group Athiest Ireland, that they'll be rescinded.

Don't hold your breath.

It wasn't too long ago that Ireland voted down the Lisbon Treaty because of fears of a loss of sovereignty on social issues- primarily regarding laws on marriage and abortion.

So on this St Patrick's Day let's say thanks to the man who brought catholocism to Ireland (and got rid of the snakes) and hope that one day the Irish will be able to say fuck you to the pope in peace. . . read more

Today Obama has been touring around the UK, trying to ensure and develop the special relationship between the two countries.

It got me thinking though; when Obama meets the Queen what will he really be thinking behind all those pleasant smiles and lame little bows?

Here is a son of a man from Kenya (a former British colony) who now stands as his country's first African American President - a position absolutely at odds with the hereditary and unelected nature of the woman he has to shake hands with. 

Her family stood idly by while his was oppressed (see his distant Irish roots for further emphasis) yet now he has infinitely more influence than the Queen's reserve powers.

So what will he be thinking?

You're time is over old lady?

This is what progress looks like?

Sucked in, you're looking at the real King?

What do you think? Will Obama's background enter his mind when he's meeting his antithesis? Tell us and remember...Disqus!   . . read more

Graham Parish, a British man celebrating his 26th birthday pretty much ticked all the boxes of what to avoid when enjoying a big night out. Breakingnews.ie reports that:

"A Tipperary court has heard that a hotel guest downed up to 10 shots of spirits in one glass for a party trick before he died from acute alcohol poisoning."

So what are the lessons for students about to hit it hard on their summer or winter holidays.... 

Are you fighting for freedom? How are you protesting and reacting against America's decline? Tell us and remember...Disqus!  . . read more

By Sean Maguire

For most young Westerners, traveling is seen as an inalienable right and a rite of passage when becoming an adult. With the story that Chinese dissident writer Liao Yiwu has been refused permission to attend an Australian literary festival - perhaps this right needs rethinking.

We need to realise that while international borders might seem more fluid and more open in this era of globalization; for the world's most dangerous thinkers their country can act as an enormous prison stopping them from leaving to learn from foreigners and spreading messages their government doesn't like.

It's time we realise that traveling is still a luxury enjoyed by a privileged few that has to be used to learn and change situations where it is still restricted.

What do you think about the story of Liao Yiwu? Has it made you rethink your ideas on travel and the responsibilities that this comes with? Tell us and remember....Disqus!

The X factor in this result was the effect of the prevailing economic catastrophism: would voters take the conservative option of voting Yes to avoid the danger of deepening the crisis with political uncertainty? In the end it was the most at-risk sections of the population who delivered the most decisive No. The problem for the Treaty was that it was all too easy for voters to connect Ireland’s present economic woes to its role in Europe.

As unemployment leaps, it calls attention to all the east-European immigrants working here; as previously astronomic house prices collapse, the president of the European Central Bank announces a coming rise in interest rates; as farmers worry about their futures, the EU negotiates at the WTO to allow more South American beef into European markets; as fishermen despairing of high fuel prices stage protest blockades at key ports, they complain about EU-imposed fishing quotas that force them to dump tons of their catches.

A No vote does nothing to address any of these issues; indeed few of them even figured prominently in the campaign. But voting No was the means at hand to complain about them. [More] . . read more