In a post election reflection for the island of Ireland, Church of Ireland Primate, Rt Rev Dr Michael Jackson says "politicians owe it to their citizens to ensure peace and to build flourishing societies.”

Depaul saw a particularly large increase in families accessing its services in both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“I think John McCrea would be horrified to think that this symbol could become a symbol of division, or national identity, or even a fashion statement. It is quite simply a symbol of memorial, of the grim reality of the terrible loss of life.”

Bishop Noel Treanor addresses autumn plenary assembly of the 27 bishops’ conferences of COMECE in Brussels on the possible impact of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

With 4,000 events scheduled for 2016 to commemorate the Rising, the “danger is that a future focus will be lost in the minutiae of ‘Risingology’."

Implementation Plan entitled ‘A Fresh Start’, involving political parties in Northern Ireland and the governments of the UK and Ireland, welcomed.

Republic of Ireland left-winger, James McClean, “is a special person" and "one of the most popular in the dressing-room".