Stolen skulls finally come home to the island community of Inishbofin off the Galway coast after 133 years for a poignant reburial ceremony at St. Colman’s Abbey. Alfred Haddon a researcher with Trinity College and Andrew Dixon had in 1890 travelled to the island and stolen the skulls to further research in a popular contemporary study ‘craniometry’.

Oscar winning Actor James Martin (Academy Award for best short feature, An Irish Goodbye) during a visit to the Down Syndrome Centre in Sandyford, Dublin pictured with 2-year-old Orla Murray from Kilmacanogue, Wicklow, whilst meeting some of the service users including children, young adults and their families.

Hozier during his performance in the 3Arena, Dublin.

Michelle O’Neill, Vice President of Sinn Féin and MLA for the Mid Ulster Constituency since 2007.

Tánaiste and party leader Micheál Martin after addressing Fianna Fáil’s Ard Fheis 2023 in Dublin.

A common blue butterfly ready for lift off at the Shelly Banks Beach, a part of the Irishtown and Ringsend nature reserve, along the Poolbeg Peninsula, Dublin City.

A Cormorant whilst preening at Dublin’s Grand Canal Basin.

Mary Duffy, artist, sailor and thalidomide survivor – “my barstool is like an extension of my body, I take it everywhere”.

David Keohan lifting ‘An Cloch Corchra’ the purple stone at Stage Cove, Copper Coast, Waterford. David is from Waterford City and on a mission to re-popularise the ancient tradition of stone lifting. He is also known as “Indiana Stones” and holds a world record in kettlebell lifting.

The Red Arrows perform a flypast at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, ahead of the Bray Air Show

Michelle Ward and Patrick McDonagh, parents of 12-year-old suicide victim Pat McDonagh, with a recent photograph of their son as the National Traveller Mental Health Network calls on the Taoiseach to take immediate political action to end the mental health crisis that is devastating Irish Travellers.

US President Joe Biden visited the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, as well as holding a round of political meetings and calling to his ancestral homelands in Co. Louth and Co. Mayo.

Heron being chased by a mallard after snatching her duckling on the Upper Lake, UCD. This site is a biodiversity hub where you can see wildlife in action.

The pandemic offered photographers an opportunity to look beyond their normal remit, allowing the capturing of these wildlife images all within Dublin City boundaries.

Mikey Gerbola, owner of Circus Gerbola, in the circus wagon where he was born and raised. Mikey and his team were parked up awaiting news of reopening after Covid-19 restrictions.

A brown booby shakes off the rain drops as he rests. Normally found in the tropics, this one strayed off-course all the way to Ireland’s East coast to become the first brown booby found on the island.

Shane MacGowan and his partner Victoria Mary Clarke greet President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins on the red carpet before the premier of the film Citizens of Boomtown.

Cattle on the outskirts of Kilkenny

Magdalene Laundry survivor Diane Croghan at an exhibition in Collins’ Barracks, Dublin

A heron with a brown trout in the Dodder River, Milltown

Cast getting ready for “Bloodlines”, a Rohingya live performance in the VISUAL Gallery and Theatre, Carlow

Dermot O’Neill (9), from Clontarf in Dublin, reaches for master flyer Andrew Beattie’s giant whale kite on Dollymount Strand in June, during The Dublin Kite Festival

A Michael D. Higgins tea-cosy spotted on the campaign trail

Model in a headpiece created with recycled 'junk' for the National Junk Kouture Fashion Show and Awards

Super Garden mentor Monica Alvarez losing her hat as she stumbled across a gravity defying Shane Houlihan enjoying the upside down garden at Bord Bia’s Bloom Festival in the Phoenix Park, Dublin

BOWING OUT - GERRY ADAMS

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern leaving the Banking Enquiry via the back door to Leinster House

Liam Lambert and 'Judge' of the renowned Lambert Puppet Theatre showing the obvious Fire damage after an arson attack at the Thretre

International judge Aline Noel, from Canada, with Sphynx Haven Queen Elizabeth, a four-month-old, Sphynx female

The Floods that hit Dublin and Wicklow resulted from 'monster rain' a phenomenon that is increasing in Europe

A sandpiper forrages with the ESB thermal station chimney's reflected in the tide on Sandymount Strand

6th. class Pupils from St. Patrick's boys School Ringsend Dublin went to the GPO to ‘take the GPO' in costume for their 1916 Rising reenactment. Pictures include Classmates Paul Kobus Rhys Ennis Evan Kelch Darragh Ryan Leinard Regalado Sean McPeake Josh King (Padraig Pearse) Sean Ebbs (O'Rahilly) Lee Eager Alex Eager and Jake Bui

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a major address on global human rights in Dublin

Conor Casby's three works 'Denis O'Brien; Enda Kenny and Joan Burton on display prior to ehhibition

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD at the parties Ard Fheis in Dublin

Lord Trimble, former First Minister for Northern Ireland, gowning prior to his acceptance of an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy at Dublin City University

8 year Old Ronan Woodhouse walked to the Dail, he was appealing to the Taoiseach for the return of his Medical Card

A Cat enjoying the shelter/Cover offered by a bird table !

Wide Open Opera kicks off MusicTown 2015, the Capital’s newest festival, by bringing contemporary opera to the streets with an animated and lively performance - Just Sell My Bananas will feature ‘Banana Lady’ selling her bananas from an old pram while three relentlessly cheerful bananas come to life singing with a jazzy Latin pazzaz

Formerly, and until recently, they would light a large, midnight fire at a high vantage point close to the cliffs north of An Baile Thiar – another spectacular rocky height known as Móraid

Robbie Redmond in his BOEING STEARMAN, This vintage biplane was built in 1942 in the US and was renamed the ‘Spirit of Tipperary’ when it came to Ireland

93 year old former WW2 pilot Ted Veal and friend Ann Colfer on the front row of Tayto Parks Rollercoaster' The Cú Chulainn Coaster amongst Family and friends "The last time I felt like that I was upside down in a Tigermoth"

NEWS - 'National Hunger strike Commemoration March' Family Members of those who died during the hunger strikes who carried photographic portraits of the strikers at the commemoration march.

Baldonnel Airport where family wait in the rain to greet loved ones returning from active duty abroad

Mary Banotti and Nora Owen sharing a laugh

Picture shows the Swiss Air Force Aerobatic Team in extreme close formation during the show which attracted in excess of 90,000 spectators

Young preformers waiting patiently for their turn to preform for Chinese New Year in Dublin

Wicklow 200 Cycle Ride. Its a 200 Km's Non Competitive Ride which takes place around the roads of Wicklow and attracted 3000 entrants

As Pro-Life group march Pro-choice supporters held a counter-demonstration at the Spire. Pro-choice supporters show their dissatisfaction as the parade passes by on O'Connell Street

Onboard with Eddie Goggins - Glad to have had the experience but, wont need to do it again !

AUTHOR JOHN BANVILLE