Eager-beaver hacks from all media have been burrowing their way through the State Papers for 1971 at a sneak preview in advance of publication in the New Year. Quidnunc's spies say that while there is nothing on a par with last year's sensations dealing with the Arms Crisis of 1970, some tasty items have emerged.
Honest Jack Lynch was trying to stay ahead of the game on Northern Ireland and much background material has emerged about his contacts with the British government at the time. While there is nothing new on Charlie Haughey and the Arms Crisis, there are fascinating sidelights on the attitude the Laird of Kinsealy took towards the manner in which his activities were reported by what was then called the Montrose studios. The continuing preparations of the defence forces for any one of a range of emergencies are another major highlight.
On a lighter note, there's the full story of Ireland's presentation of an Aberdeen Angus bull called Shamrock to the Pope. A sort of "papal bull" in reverse, to service the pontifical heifers. Read all about it in the first Irish Times of 2002.