Colum McCann says he was devastated that Ireland lost out to France in the World Cup but that winning the National Book Award "did make up in some way for the defeat.”

Handball villain Thierry Henry has called for the controversial Ireland/France game to be replayed. The French star striker said a replay would be the "fairest solution" after his handball set up the goal which dumped Ireland out of the World Cup.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers has a busy few months coming up. In addition to saying goodbye to his popular Showtime series “The Tudors,” the Irish actor will also premiere his film with John Travolta, “From Paris With Love,” and begin shooting another project with Kevin Bacon in Belfast.

Irish golfer Padraig Harrington has slammed the French team for the way they celebrated after Thierry Henry's hand ball helped them win their World Cup clash with Ireland.

About 200,000 Irish fans from all over the world have joined a Facebook petition calling on FIFA for a replay of the France/Ireland match which ended in bitter controversy in Paris Wednesday night. France advanced to the World Cup finals through a disputed goal after star striker Thierry Henry blatantly handled the ball before setting up the winning score.

French soccer “star” Thierry Henry’s “hand of Gaul” go-ahead goal against Ireland in the World Cup qualifier has once again shown the need for the instant replay. American sports are no stranger to human error and bad calls that could have been solved by modern technology. Here’s a list of the ten of greatest blown calls in American sports history that could have been reversed with instant replay...

Zut alors! Even the French think we were robbed last night in the Stade de France. An online poll in the French newspaper Le Monde shows a staggering 80,657 French people (presumably) believe Ireland should be on their way to the World Cup.

Video replay. Two words that have come back to haunt FIFA, the international body who runs soccer. Because of the lack of it France are in the World Cup championship and Ireland are out.

Sean O'Shea: France is through to the World Cup finals after an incredible oversight by the referee, which allowed a Thierry Henry handball to go unpunished, which led to the winning French goal. With the goal, the French qualified on a 2-1 aggregate score

Sean O'Shea: Ireland is playing extra time against France after the Irish defeated the French in 90 minutes. Two periods of 15 minutes will be played followed by a penalty shoot-out if there is no further score.

France coach Raymond Domenech is pleading for players to turn out in huge numbers on Wednesday night in the second playoff game against Ireland. His side leads 1-0 after the first leg "We need the support of the fans from the first to the last minute," Domenech said. "The fans have a real part to play."

Ireland face an uphill task in Paris on Wednesday but star midfielder Damien Duff thinks the upset can be achieved. The Republic trail 1-0 on aggregate after a Nicolas Anelka goal gave France victory in Dublin on Saturday evening. But Fulham midfielder Duff believes a shock win can be pulled off at the Stade de France.

Sean O'Shea: Ireland will travel to France on Wednesday night knowing their World Cup hopes hang by a fingernail. Yet they can pull off a huge upset.

It has emerged that the DUP politician Iris Robinson, also known as the "wicked witch of the North," has 10 Catholic cousins.

Sean O'Shea: The explosive reasons behind the brawl at the end of the Irish vs. France World Cup game in Dublin on Saturday have been revealed. After the game, French player Lasanna Diarra refused to shake hands with Irish player Keith Andrews and said ' F-- off Irish pr--- to him adding '"You're out," referring to the 1-0 first leg victory for France.

Andy Lee's (20-1) beat France's Affif Belghecham (19-4-1) on points at the University Arena in Limerick on Saturday night.

Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa were dealt a cruel blow when an unlucky Sean St. Ledger own goal gave France a 1-0 win at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday night.

Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa were dealt a cruel blow when an unlucky Sean St. Ledger own goal gave France a 1-0 win at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday night.

We are just hours away from the biggest soccer match that we have seen In Ireland for many a year. Ireland take on France in the first leg of the World Cup playoff at Croke Park, and if ever there was a need for an Irish crowd to inspire our warriors then today is the day.

Giovanni Trapattoni confirms ten of his team for the first leg of Ireland’s World Cup playoff against France at Croke Park on Saturday, but must make game time decision between McGeady/Lawrence.

Central defender Richard Dunne is in defiant mood ahead of Ireland’s crunch clash against France in the World Cup Playoff this Saturday in Croke Park.

Irish coach Marco Tardelli has warned his World Cup hopefuls that they will need to be on full alert for the two legs of their playoff against France.

Ipswich manager and former Irish international Roy Keane believes the boys in green can overcome Les Bleus when Ireland take on France in the two legged World Cup playoff on November 14 and 18.

Ireland were given a timely boost ahead of their World Cup playoff against France with the news that Damien Diff played a full ninety minutes for Fulham against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Former Progressive Democrat and junior minister, Tom Parlon has denied tipping a chauffeur $2,620 while on a state trip to Atlanta as part of the St. Patrick Day celebrations in 2006.

Andy Lee's (19-1) preparations for his fight against France's Affif Belghecham (19-3-1) on November 14 at the University Arena in Limerick are going to plan in New York.

Wolves and former Irish national team manager Mick McCarthy believes Giovanni Trapattoni can inspire his old Ireland team to the World Cup finals in the forthcoming playoffs against France.

Giovanni Trapattoni has told his World Cup playoff hopefuls that France are beatable -- and he has the DVDs to prove it. Trapattoni, who has left Andy Reid and Stephen Reid out of his squad for the two games against the French, has spent hours studying Raymond Domenech’s side in their qualifying campaign.

Steven Reid and Steve Finnan have both been left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup play-off against

Brady believes that the Irish are most dangerous when counted out and have what it takes to advance to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

U2 has confirmed its tour dates for 2010. The fantastic foursome will kick off the 2010 tour on June 6 in Anaheim, California.

Irish Voice Senior Editor Debbie McGoldrick answers your immigration questions, queries and concerns. This week: passport issues.

To get started with your own literary tour of Ireland here’s a list of the 10 top annual Irish literary festivals to check out. Pick any one of them and in no time you’ll be completely absorbed by Irish culture and craic.

French soccer manager Raymond Domenech is public enemy number one in Ireland after dismissing the Irish soccer team as second-rated has-beens. "They are the England Bs,” he told an Irish journalist with a Gallic

Story / Ireland draws France in World Cup playoff / Click here Giovanni Trapattoni has pointed to his team's resilience against Italy as a benchmark of their strength and determination as they now face

Ireland have drawn France in the two legged playoff to earn a place in the World Cup in South Africa.

Andy Lee (19-1) will fight France's Affif Belghecham (19-3-1) on November 14 at the University Arena in Limerick.

The name Connolly is derived from several different roots. In Connaught and Monaghan it derives from the Gaelic O'Coingeallaigh. Both are anglicized to Connolly although the spelling form Connelly is often found in Galway.

The original Irish name is " Coimn and its variations are numerous in every part of Ireland. The name lends itself to many interpretations. Some say it comes from the Irish word cam, meaning crooked, while others incorrectly believed the name derived from the word camán, which means a hurling stick.

Ireland could face France, Portugal, Greece or Russia in next month’s World Cup play-offs -- and coach Marco Tardelli wants to stay away from the French.

April Drew: You'd think that emigrating to the U.S., Canada or Australia from Ireland would be easy. We speak the same language. Right? Think again! The Irish seem to speak a foreign language no matter where they are. Take a read and see what you think.

The Speaker of Ireland's parliament has become the first casualty of the massive recession and the anger over political spending.

Rumor has it that legendary Irish rock band U2 is planning to wrap up their epic tour with a surprise gig at Croke Park in Dublin.

Niall O'Dowd: What is the difference between Roman Polanski and a Catholic priest child abuser? A Roman collar and an extraordinary media bias, I'd say.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Dublin has been voted the friendliest city in Europe in a new poll of top tourist attractions. The Irish capital scooped the top spot ahead of

The McCain family name originated in the Gaelic as O'Cathain, and is derived from Cathain, who was a ninth century ancestor of the King of Tara. Conchobar, son of Fergal Mac Mael Duin of the O'Neills, formed the O'Cahan sept, which came to be known as the "Warrior Clan of Ulster." The O'Cahan clan served as subordinate kings to the O'Neills who granted them the titles "King of Kianaght, King of Limavaday, and King of Fir-na-Creabh.

The name Dunne is derived a color - donn, the Gaelic word for brown. This is relatively unusual since the vast majority of Gaelic names are based on relationships, i.e.

Moloney is derived from the Gaelic O Maoldhomnaigh, meaning a descendant or a servant of the church. The name is often spelled Maloney but the O'Moloney (or O'Maloney) form of the name is only rarely found. The family was originally associated with the area around Tulla, County Clare but is now commonly found in Limerick and Tipperary.

The name Malone derives from the Gaelic O'Maoileoin meaning follower of St. John. The family originally came from Ballynahown, County Offaly.