Thinking Anew – The beginning of beginnings

Ravenna rendezvous – Frank McNally visits the tomb of Dante, who died 700 years ago

An Irishman’s Diary

Shellshocked Laschet has five months to retool CDU

Berlin Letter: Election candidate must battle rivals in chancellery bid to succeed Merkel

In-season asparagus is a treat worth waiting for

This asparagus and goat’s cheese tart would work wonderfully with elderflower

The rules of engagement rings: know your diamond’s cut and carat

A small, beautiful single carat diamond is much better than lots of tiny little diamonds

Maureen Dowd: Democratic puritanism ruining 2020 hopes

Mueller hearings shamed Republicans and failed Democrats thirsting for impeachment

EIB funding hit by Brexit, corporation tax backlog, and wind energy projects at risk

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from ‘The Irish Times’ business desk

In a Word: Beard

Facial hair on chin and cheeks survives fashion changes but purpose remains elusive

Thinking Anew – For richer, for poorer

MEPs get ready for post-Brexit parliament shake-up

Europe Letter: Ireland should get two additional seats as a result of UK departure

Chester Beatty honoured 50 years after his death with new stamps

Former mining magnate left the ‘greatest gift by any individual to this country’

The mystery of the library book that went missing for a century

An intriguing real life puzzle at Dublin's Marsh’s Library is at the heart of a new children’s story book

Had there been no Reformation would England have been spared Brexit?

Ireland’s image as rebel nation where each Catholic suspected of treason persisted for hundreds of years

Trump: guardian of democratic values or the new Caligula?

Coping: when the democratic system fails to spit out bad apples we’re all in trouble