Marching to the Barricades
The arts community in Northern Ireland has been poorly served by its politicians, argues Brian McAvera who issues a clarion call for more public funding for the arts in Northern Ireland

CIAS at IMMA
Brian Fallon reviews some highlights from the Contemporary Irish Artists Collection, currently on view at IMMA

Reflections on Beckett
On the eve of Samuel Beckett’s centenary, Gerry Dukes pays tribute to the man as captured on film by photographer John Minihan

Design Portfolio
Award winners, design trends and Christmas gift ideas are reviewed by Eleanor Flegg

Under the Hammer
Thomas Frye at Adam’s; An auction record for Kingerlee at Whyte’s; A successful debut at Adam’s; Roy Davids’ collection at Bonhams; A family aesthetic at Adam’s; Basil Rakoczi at Whyte’s; Portraits by Hugh Douglas Hamilton at Adam’s; Commemorative Irish silver tray at Mealy’s

A Loving Embrace
Eileen Black highlights a jewel from the collection of the Ulster Museum, a 16th-century example of the School of Bruges, known locally as the ‘Carrickfergus Madonna’

Tableau Vivant
The work of Deborah Brown has moved from abstraction to figuration and from painting to sculpture; Marianne O’Kane reviews the creative journey

Irish Lives
Marianne Hartigan assesses Maeve McCarthy's portrait of Maeve Binchy, the latest addition to the Irish Life and Permanent-sponsored portrait series in the National Gallery

Cabinet Curioso
Currently exhibiting at the Peppercanister Gallery in Dublin, Graham Gingles reveals a little about the iconography in his work and much about his influences and background to Brian McAvera

Conflicting Histories
Many artists who choose to produce work relating to The Troubles in Northern Ireland were largely ignored by both buyers and curators alike, writes Rachel Hewson

What Now for Russborough House
Desmond FitzGerald ponders the future for Russborough in the context of Alfred Beit’s ambitions for this great country house

Iron in the soul
Hilary Pyle considers the work and personality of Evie Hone, who overcame significant physical adversity to produce her finest stained glass designs and abstracts, a selection of which is on view this winter at the National Gallery

The Athassel Tomb
Conleth Manning presents new research drawn from previously unknown
fragments from the de Burgh Tomb at Athassel, County Tipperary

Luggala
Patrick Bowe visits Garech Browne’s enchanting 19th-century hunting lodge in County Wicklow and reports on the renovations at the house

A Perfect Cut
Kim Mawhinney selects some rare pieces from the current exhibition of historic Irish glass at the Ulster Museum, Belfast

Designing Ireland 1963-1988
Curator Joanna Quinn outlines the history and creative ambit of Kilkenny Design Workshops, the first State design agency in the world

A neighbourly manner
Eleanor Flegg views a domestic project by architects A & D Wejchert, where a judicious combination of materials and design has resulted in a house that harmonises with its natural surroundings