Gabriel Byrne acted appropriately in emphasising the danger of valuing the Irish diaspora only as a source of ready income. His warning that Irish Americans regard next year’s major tourism initiative – The Gathering – as “a scam” may be exaggerated, but it should be taken seriously. As a former “cultural ambassador”, Byrne is well placed to judge the disconnect that exists between many of the Irish abroad and this State.

TRAVEL: I take my first steps out on to the frozen waters of the Baltic and my legs lock with fear. All that practice on the Christmas rink feels like a futile flirtation as my Swedish guide gently urges me to put my trust in the long metal “tour skating” blades and slide.

GROW Tart and sweet in equal measure, rhubarb is one of the best crops to have in your garden, so plant it now

One of the more admirable achievements of Irish writing is that it broke new ground for people with disabilities. Thanks in large part to extraordinary mothers, Christy Brown, Christopher Nolan and Davoren Hanna didn’t just find their own voices; they also gave voice to human experiences that had been shrouded in a millennia-long silence.

EAT IN: Hazelnuts appear with beetroot in a dip, and with chocolate in a dessert

A British investigation has found big-brand cough bottles are almost useless – so are Irish pharmacists still happy to sell these products?

An independent body is needed to oversee the Croke Park agreement, the chairman of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) said yesterday.

Rugby:Former Leinster player CJ van der Linde has been drafted into South Africa’s frontrow for this evening’s match against Ireland after the late withdrawal of Tendai Mtawarira due to a recurrence of mild heart palpitations.

The Mater hospital in Dublin is understood to be facing a financial deficit which, in the “worst-case scenario”, could reach €19 million this year.

They were lost for a while, but 1980s metal megastars Anthrax are back, with old frontman Joey Belladonna, a new album and a new energy. “We sell more tickets now than in 1986,” guitarist Scott Ian tells RONAN McGREEVY 

After the boom, Dublin City Council is establishing planning principles for the next upturn, says its head, John Tierney

Ireland needs a well-functioning capital city, but suburban sprawl, poor transport and weak administration are dragging Dublin down. A new series starting today examines ways to reinvent the capital

FIRST DRIVE: Jaguar, it may surprise you to learn, is no stranger to the big-booted format. It has dabbled in estates before.