1. Computer science graduates in demand, but arts earn least
Computer science students are in high demand and most likely to earn most after graduation, new research shows. Overall, employment opportunities for graduates of Irish universities have improved significantly over recent years, the number emigrating has fallen, while starting salaries have climbed slightly. However, arts and humanities graduates were most likely to earn less, and say their education was of little relevance to their employment. More than 25 per cent of arts graduates were earning less than €13,000 in their starting salaries. All of which beggars the question: Is it really worth your while going to college? After all the living expenses, the registration fees and hard academic slog, does it really pay to have a higher standard of education?
2. Coalition talks tackle mortgage arrears and banking reform
Negotiators from both sides reported good progress in talks between Fine Gael and Independent TDs on the formation of a new government yesterday where significant progress was achieved in the area of banking reform and mortgage arrears. Ministers remain optimistic that a deal can be agreed in the coming days. The talks will recommence at Government Buildings this morning. While both parties have insisted that they were observing a media blackout, the mood music from the latest round of talks on government formation last night was cautiously optimistic. Under the agreement between Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil Irish Water will become increasingly dependent on State funding in the coming months when income from domestic water charges ceases. Fintan O'Toole writes: Election of taoiseach will give us a do-nothing government.
3. 1916 court martials and executions: Sound reasons to be wary of ‘official’ records
Countess Markievicz avoided execution "solely on account of her sex" wrote Gen Maxwell. It says much about the prejudices of the age that while Markievicz was saved by her gender; Casement's appeal for clemency would founder on his sexual orientation. Some of the decisions to execute were capricious even by the standards of the time. O'Hanrahan was executed but his senior officer at Jacobs Factory was not. Colbert, a junior officer at Marrowbone Lane was executed but not his commanding officer or most of the senior officers in his battalion. Willie Pearse, who held the rank of captain, was executed but not de Valera, whose men had inflicted heavy casualties on the Foresters at Mount Street Bridge. Thomas Ashe and his men had inflicted heavy losses at Ashbourne but Ashe was spared. Just after the Easter Rising finished and the executions started, The Irish Times prophesised that the rebellion would "pass into history with the equally unsuccessful insurrections of the past".
4. The Leicester Supremacy – a triumph that was never supposed to happen?
Do not adjust your reality: this really is happening. For the last three months Leicester City's gloriously bold progress towards a first English top-flight title has unfurled like a slow breaking wave. A draw against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon left Claudio Ranieri's collection of off-cuts and rising talents a step closer. Tottenham's failure to beat Chelsea on Monday night was the final nudge. Leicester City completed one of the most remarkable stories in the history of English football by winning the Premier League title. The team began the season as 5,000-1 outsiders and finish it as Premier League champions. The charismatic Claudio Ranieri got his just reward.
5. Take your pick
College Street toilets demolished to make way for Luas: No fixed public toilets in city after clause in bike bike scheme dropped from final draft
Council confirms dwelling move at site of Carrickmines blaze: Surviving family say units less than one metre apart, having been 20m away
Evictions more likely with arrival of vulture funds, report says: Funds that have bought property will eye 'big yields' which means 'squeezing debtors hard'
Asylum system: Government fails to deliver on promised reform: Refugees still in limbo as landmark review of the direct provision system gathers dust
We left Ireland because we couldn't afford the rent: Tired of overpriced accommodation in Dublin, we moved our family to France
