IN 1427, the Scottish King James I had a cellar window in his palace blocked up as it was interfering with his handball game. This ancient Gaelic sport which is played similar to squash though without the racquet, has faded from popularity in Scotland though has continued with fervour in Ireland and beyond.

I'VE ALWAYS loved Dublin city. The songs and stories; the people, the history, both the distinction and the raggedness of the place. It has so much to offer the every day tourist, from Kilmainham Gaol, the Writers Museum, the Guinness, and of course the Guinness factory. The literary tours, Temple Bar and Croke Park. What’s not to love?

BEING chosen as the Edinburgh Mary 2025 has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Representing Scotland—my new home—here in Donegal, where I was born and raised, made the experience even more meaningful. It felt like everything had come full circle.

THE Consulate General of Ireland recently announced that this year’s Irish Culture and Heritage Day will take place at the Grange Cricket Club in Stockbridge on Saturday September 27.

THERE were celebrations for Dunedin Connollys and Glasgow Gaels in the Ladies Junior Championship competitions recently, albeit only the latter were able to enjoy victory on the pitch itself.

SCOTLAND’s representatives in both the Men’s and Ladies’ North of Britain competitions have been flying the flag with pride recently and look poised to reach the latter stages.

HIBERNIAN'S European adventure this season has come to an end, with the campaign not going quite to plan.

AS WE reach the international break, Dundee United have something to smile about after successfully coming out on top in the first city derby of the season.

CELTIC'S failure to complete the very achievable task of finding a way past Kairat Almaty leaves supporters with the prospect of an unappealing season in the Europa League and Sunday fixtures to contend with, but the most serious effects will come off the park.

I TOOK a dander through to the Edinburgh Fringe to see a couple of plays.

IT’S A case of all to play for in the Men’s Intermediate Championship with all five sides still in contention for a final spot.

THE grave of Celtic great Tommy McInally was among those vandalised amid a horrifying act of vandalism in St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, during which a number of headstones were attacked and a large crucifix was set on fire.

WELCOME back to a stramash in the goalmouth of Rock n Roll. This month, I’m delighted to introduce you all to my dear friend, co-writer and someone I admire greatly as both a singer and artist/performer, Glasgow’s very own rising superstar in country music, Kevin McGuire

Tánaiste SIMON HARRIS looks forward to Ireland assuming its eighth presidency of the EU in 2026.

DUNEDIN Connollys Intermediate Ladies have been showing they might well be the team to beat in the North of Britain Championship after securing the first piece of silverware in Scotland.

THE All-Britain Fleadh took place during the last weekend of June and for those attending from Scotland they weren’t just bathed in sunshine, they were bathed with medals too.

ON MARCH 12, 1925, the newly formed State police force, An Garda Síochána, launched a large-scale raid on Dublin’s notorious red-light district, the Monto, an operation ordered by Garda Commissioner William Murphy.

A LANDMARK year lies in wait for the Ceann Creige Camogie team—a first year playing Senior Camogie in the UK.

WHEN Glaswegian Paul O’Donaghue ends up in lockdown after travelling to a small village on the north coast of Donegal for his mother’s funeral, he’s not unduly worried.

THE hopes of Palestinian children planning to travel to Ireland for a summer of sport amid the destruction and devastation surrounding them have been dashed after their visa applications were rejected.