‘Hen House Boy’: A story of neglect that shocked Ireland 

In September 1956, a schoolboy in County Down made a shocking discovery after peering into a hen house and locking eyes with a child.   Those eyes belonged to seven-year-old Kevin Halfpenny – better known ever since as ‘the hen house boy’.  Robbed of social interaction, Kevin seemed to have learn…

Behind the bailout: The rise, fall and legacy of Brian Cowen

He was the man who presided over one of the country’s most turbulent events, when Ireland’s Celtic Tiger came crashing down. Now, a new book chronicling the political life of Brian Cowen has hit the shelves. Cowen's time as taoiseach was defined by the banking crash, the recession and the fin…

Will Ed Sheeran’s career survive as Irish artists desert his tour?

Ed Sheeran has built his career on being one of music's most likeable stars. But after rapper Macklemore was dropped from his US tour over pro-Palestinian comments, the singer is facing a backlash from fans, fellow artists and even members of his own touring team. As support acts pull out and ques…

Trump's 'United States of Ireland' in focus as Martin meets Burnham 

Donald Trump may be back in the White House following his newsworthy trip to Dublin and Doonbeg, but his spirited call for a united Ireland continues to provoke intrigue.   Micheál Martin may have moved to play down the "overreaction" but the subject will surely be on the agenda when the Taoiseach…

How Westlife survived fame, bankruptcy and boyband burnout to make a fresh fortune 

Westlife are back in Dublin for a record-breaking 13-night residency at the 3Arena, 25 years after they first became Ireland's biggest musical export. ­ ­ From Sligo schoolboys to global chart stars, the band's story is one of extraordinary success, personal setbacks and remarkable longevity. ­…

The return of Seán Quinn: legacy, loss and ‘The Quinn Files’

Once Ireland's richest man, Seán Quinn has returned to tell his story once again, this time through his new podcast, The Quinn Files. On today's Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Sunday Independent’s Liam Collins and the Irish Independent’s Sean Pollock to examine Quinn's latest account of …

Indo Politics: ‘Audible gasps’ as Trump backs a united Ireland, blindsiding Taoiseach

Donald Trump has come and gone from Áras an Uachtaráin, but not without causing considerable consternation. The US president said he would “love” to see a united Ireland and suggested it “may as well happen now” because it is “going to happen eventually”. So what prompted his unexpected interventio…

Netanyahu’s grip on power in jeopardy as Britain cracks down on Israeli settlements

For almost 50 years, successive British governments have condemned Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied territories.  But condemnation never translated into action, and the settlements continued to expand.  So, why has Andy Burnham’s government finally chosen to flip the script and impose…

Trump meets Catherine Connolly: What could possibly go wrong?

Catherine Connolly has called Donald Trump volatile, a bully and a misogynist. Now, she must welcome him to Áras an Uachtaráin. So, what could possibly go wrong? ­Host: Kevin Doyle, Guests: Mary Regan and John Downing ­We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethic…

Behind the gates of Trump’s five-star Doonbeg resort

Donald Trump is returning to his west-Clare retreat and its luxury suites, championship golf and Atlantic Ocean views. But what's it really like behind the gates of Trump International, Doonbeg? Is the experience worth the eye-watering price tag? And how much of the attraction is about world-class…