Finding Jews in Ireland is not an easy task. Of Ireland’s 4.4 million people, only 2,000 or so are Jewish. But finding a menorah, the eight branched candle that celebrates Hanukkah – that’s a cinch.

Former Taoiseach (prime minister) John Bruton has returned to Ireland after his five-year stint as EU ambassador to Washington, D.C. came to an end on Friday.

Planning a trip to Dublin but strapped for cash? There’s no end to the free fun to be had all over the nation’s capital with museums, visitors centers, scenic attractions and tourists trails.

Hillary Clinton met with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Brian Cowen and President Mary McAleese and discussed the situation of Irish undocumented in the U.S. as well as Northern Ireland and global economic issues.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Dublin today and Belfast tomorrow amid speculation that she can help ensure a dramatic breakthrough in the current impasse in Northern Ireland.

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

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

Tributes to the late Ted Kennedy have started pouring in from Ireland and America from President Barack Obama, Taoiseach Brian Cowen, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney and Irish President Mary McAleese.

Tributes have poured in from Ireland after the passing of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of JFK and founder of the Special Olympics movement.

Toronto is among cities such as New York and Montreal that have established a memorial park of its own to honor the Irish Famine immigrants. Ireland Park, dedicated to the Irish Famine Immigrants of 1847, was completed in the summer of 2007 in a spot on Toronto’s serene waterfront.

Irish President Mary McAleese today paid tribute to the volunteer community at the heart of the GAA. McAleese was speaking at a garden party hosted at Áras an Uachtaráin today to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association. "From Derry to Dingle, from Dublin to Dubai, from San Francisco to Hong Kong day after day, week after week, an army of volunteers cares for this organization and keeps it full of effort and imagination," she said.

U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney has revealed that President Barack Obama “definitely” plans on traveling to Ireland in the near future.

      DOZENS of victims of child abuse in institutions run by religious orders wept openly and with joy when President Mary McAleese apologized profusely to them on behalf of the people of Ireland for the suffering they had endured. In one of the most emotional occasions in the history of

The 27th U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney has arrived in the Emerald Isle today to take up his post and move into his residence at Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Tanaiste Brian Lenihan and President Mary McAleese will meet a group of U.S. Congressmen led by Richie Neal Monday to discuss undocumented Irish workers in the United States, Northern Ireland and the global economic crisis.

Victims of Church child abuse wept yesterday as Irish President Mary McAleese apologized for their suffering on behalf of the people of the Republic. “For so long, your suffering seemed to make strangers of you in your own land.”

The Ulster Volunteer Forc and the Red Hand Commando in Northern Ireland have decommissioned their weapons ahead of an August deadline which would have seen an end to the amnesty they currently enjoy on the handling of illegal weapons. The secretary of state for Northern Ireland had warned the three groups that he was tired of their "foot-dragging" on the issue.

Irish victims of abuse in Church-run institutions have inundated abuse helplines with phone calls since the publication of the Ryan Commission report of clerical abuse of children in Ireland.

With photo gallery: Thousands took part in a silent march through the streets of Dublin on Wednesday to express their solidarity with those who were abused by Church-run institutions.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese and Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen led a string of tributes to the memory of the three young doctors, all friends and one a former Riverdance star, who are missing feared dead in the Air France trans-Atlantic disaster. McAleese said, “My thoughts and prayers, and the thoughts of everyone, are with the Irish families and the families of everyone on board at this very difficult time.”

Irish President Mary McAleese addressed the 2009 graduating class at Mount Holyoke, the prestigious women’s liberal arts college in Massachusetts, this past weekend. McAleese, who was awarded an honorary degree from the College, pointed to the combined efforts of men and women in the Northern Ireland Peace Process as an example of how the world should function – as “a bird flying on two wings,” which “has a better chance of getting somewhere that a bird flying on one.”

Queen Elizabeth slipped into Northern Ireland this week and met the Irish rugby team and President Mary McAleese during her stay. It may seem rather silly really that she can come to Northern Ireland, but dare not cross the border because of the old antagonisms of history and fears that Dublin will riot. But I think it is right. As long as the British head of state can only be from the Church of England then they should steer clear of Ireland.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin will launch The Senior Help Line USA at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City, Queens on Thursday.

The cousin of famous Irish “Dracula” author Bram Stoker was commemorated in Australia on ANZAC Day this past weekend.

The dissident Republican group, the Real IRA has claimed responsibiity for the murder of British spy three years ago

The Irish president is to give the commencement address at a prestigious women's college.

Check out our St. Patrick's Day, Dublin photo galleries: part 1 and

On a whistle stop tour of the West Coast in early December, which included stops in California, Oregon, and Arizona, President Mary McAleese met representatives of local Irish and Irish-American organizations to strengthen cultural, trade and business links between the two countries. On December 11, The University of San Francisco (USF) awarded President McAleese an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in a special ceremony at the McLaren Conference Center on the USF campus. In a gathering of almost 700 people, USF President Stephen A.

UCD’s Irish Studies Institute is the perfect center for the Irish diaspora interested in seeing and experiencing all things Irish. UCD is already home to the world’s leading scholars in Irish history, archaeology, literature, culture, drama and film, political and economic studies.

Disident Republicans are the chief suspects in the murder of a policeman in Craigavon, Co. Armagh, 48 hours after two unarmed British soldiers were shot dead as they accepted a pizza delivery at Massereene barracks near Antrim on Saturday

Every year since 1901, the international Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. There is an elite group of Irish and Northern Irish scholars and activists who have won this prestigious award.

There are parties, and then there are parties the American Ireland Fund's 32nd annual gala last Thursday evening at the fabulous Park Avenue Armory in New York definitely qualifies for the extra special emphasis, as more than 1,500 guests from the worlds of entertainment, business, politics and every other walk of life would undoubtedly agree.

In no particular order, guests were treated to a live performance from cast members of the Broadway musical The Pirate Queen, a speech by Irish President Mary McAleese, entertainment from the Irish Cross Border Orchestra and, last but most certainly not least, homespun words from one of the world's most beloved actors and philanthropists, Paul Newman, who accepted a check from the AIF for $1 million for his Barretstown Gang Camp in Co. Kildare for seriously ill children.

Noel Pearson, the legendary Dublin born film and theater producer, will arrive in New York this month for the opening of his latest feel good film How About You, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Brenda Fricker, Imelda Staunton and Hayley Atwell. This week he talks to CAHIR O'DOHERTY about the making of the film in Ireland, and it's forthcoming U.S.

Hugh Leonard, the Irish playwright and commentator whose father-and-son drama "Da" won critical acclaim on Broadway and was the basis of a 1988 film starring Martin Sheen, died on Thursday, February 12 at the age of 82. Leonard had been receiving hospital treatment for some time. Over the course of his and long and prolific career Leonard wrote and adapted several screenplays and books for television, including his adaptation of the James Plunkett novel "Strumpet City" for RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster.

Silicon Valley's top innovators and business leaders have some strong advice for Ireland's emerging technology sector.

In a conference at Trinity College in Dublin last week Silicon Valley's Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) told the audience that Irish technology start-ups need to develop global ambitions if they want to attract overseas investors.

While in Ireland the group met with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen and President Mary McAleese, and stressed that Ireland needs to invest more in the technology sector.

DUBLIN - Over 400 delegates attended the second annual U.S.-Ireland Forum hosted at University College Dublin this year which was yet another extraordinary success.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese led a stream of tributes to a team of intrepid Irish explorers when they arrived at the South Pole last week.Adventurers Pat Falvey, 50, from Kerry, Dr. Clare O'Leary, 35, from Bandon, Co.

BRIAN Cowen will this Wednesday, April 9, officially become leader of Fianna Fail - he was the only nomination as Bertie Ahern's successor - and on May 6th he will become taoiseach (prime minister).Despite the growing clamor for Ahern's resignation, when he eventually and without prior warning announced it last April 2 it still took most of Ireland by surprise.He made the an-nouncement at Leinster House just minutes after confirming his intention to his Cabinet colleagues and bringing tears to their eyes, a display of emotion on the part of the male ministers as well as the women that prompted a parting comment from Ahern as he left the room: "Jaysus, I don't need any more of this, get me out of here.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese led a forest of tributes to the memory of former President Dr. Patrick Hillery after his death at the age of 84 on Saturday.His state funeral this Wednesday, with ceremonial burial at St.

IAN Paisley said he hopes former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern will be next president of Ireland. The North's first minister said Ahern deserved the honor for all he had done for his country. Paisley's warm tribute came as the pair prepared to meet on the historic site of the Battle of the Boyne on Ahern's last day as taoiseach.

SIX prominent Irish artists short-listed to compete in the 2007 Irish American Arts Awards in New York have withdrawn their names from the competition. On Monday Noel Kelly, the director of Visual Artists Ireland in Dublin, stated that all six short-listed artists are no longer participating and are now seeking the return of their submissions.The six artists are Cecily Brennan, Noel Brennan, Mark Garry, Conor McFeely, Corban Walker and Lee Welch.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen led a host of tributes to the life and political career of former Cabinet minister Seamus Brennan, who died on Wednesday, July 9, aged 60, at his home in Churchtown, Dublin.He had been fighting cancer for some time. While political colleagues were aware of the battle, most Irish people only learned of his illness when he said he wasn't making himself available for a position in Cowen's Cabinet reshuffle earlier this year.

President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen led a stream of tributes to the memory of legendary folk singer Ronnie Drew, who died on Saturday at the age of 73 after a lengthy illness.

McAleese said of the man who founded the world-famous Dubliners singing group before launching a solo career in his sixties, "Ronnie re-energized and refreshed our unique musical heritage. He brought great pleasure to the people of Ireland and yet more around the world.

A senior loyalist paramilitary whose organization was responsible for the murder of hundreds of Catholics during the Troubles has revealed his special "friendship" with Irish President Mary McAleese.

Jackie McDonald is regarded as the leader of the outlawed Ulster Defense Association (UDA), which was responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the Troubles.

However, in recent years McDonald has emerged as a moderating influence within militant loyalism, openly meeting with McAleese and her husband Martin.

Irish President Mary McAleese launched New York's first helpline for Irish seniors last Thursday at the Irish Consulate in New York.

Speaking to an audience of Irish immigrants via a live video link from Galway, where she was attending the 10th anniversary of the Galway Senior Helpline, McAleese told the U.S.

The Irish government is preparing an intense lobbying campaign to persuade President-elect Barack Obama to keep almost 100,000 jobs in U.S. multinationals in Ireland.

Irish President Mary McAleese made a heartfelt plea on behalf of the Irish undocumented living in the U.S. during a visit to San Francisco last week.

New England boss Martin Johnson believes Declan Kidney can lead Ireland to a first Six Nations championship this season - but he still wants to spoil the party in Dublin this Saturday. Six years after he insulted President Mary McAleese and the nation at Lansdowne Road, Johnson will be back in town again with an English rugby team. Captain in 2003 when he refused to move the England team down the red carpet and stood his ground in Dublin 4, Johnson will doubtless come in for stick from the home crowd this weekend.

Hard times are falling on communities across the country, and even in the affluent San Francisco area, belts are tightening and the economy is in decline. But on a recent December afternoon, Ireland's 2007 and 2008 Gaelic football All-Stars faced off against each other in front of over 2,000 fans, and San Francisco's Gaelic Athletic Association (SFGAA) had formally opened three new world-class fields.

The back page of Monday night's Evening Herald put the tin hat on a quite bizarre week in the history of the Irish football team. It was a week that began with Giovanni Trapattoni claiming that Andy Reid was too sad to have around the place, a claim later refuted by Liam Brady. It was the week when Team Ireland, minus Andy or Steven Reid as well as Lee Carsley and Stephen Ireland, were quite pathetic in a 3-2 Croke Park defeat to Poland.