MONDAY

Let's stick together, is the positive response from Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Martin McGuinness. He's commenting on the pizza delivery murders by Republican dissidents in Antrim: "The people responsible are clearly signalling that they want to resume that war. Well, I deny their right to do that."

Warren Buffett is in battle mode – against the recession. "We're in a big war and we're going to use money to fight it."

All we need is the Will – and it looks like he's been here all the time. An expert says the 1610 portrait of a man with a lace collar and rosy cheeks, discovered languishing in an Irish country house, is the only surviving image of Shakespeare.

There's much ado about something with that other bunch of bards. U2 (below) concert tickets at €30 a pop appear on the horizon for the band's July Croke Park concerts. It's unsure just how many cheapies will be available. Let's hope those reports don't turn out to be a comedy of errors.

tuesDAY

Tragedy in Craigavon focuses minds on precious peace with extraordinary images and words. Former IRA leader Martin McGuinness stands beside chief constable Hugh Orde and the DUP's Peter Robinson and firmly declares Republican dissidents as: "Traitors ... They have betrayed the political desires, hopes and aspirations of all the people who live on this island."

An Irish invasion of England will take our minds off our troubles, says Jonjo. The famous jockey enthuses about the Cheltenham Festival. "It's just a magical place," says O'Neill. " It'll take your mind off losing all your money – off everything."

The going is good near the Curragh. Hewlett Packard announces the creation of 500 jobs at its base in Leixlip, Co Kildare. The company says it's attracted by Ireland's highly skilled and talented pool of workers.

Talented Bridie Jones is awarded an MBE from the Queen of England for her sterling work. Bridie's a traveller activist, originally from Moate in Co Westmeath, now living in Kent.

The Irish remain so well-fancied by the English –especially when it comes to the gee gees at Cheltenham. Forpadydeplasterer is the Arkle Trophy winner, and like his human namesake, he obliges with a dig-out to his Irish pals.

Other animals in the news include the chimpanzee who has been pelting visitors to Furuvik Zoo in Sweden with stones and lumps of concrete. Thrilled scientists claim Santino's stockpiling of ammunition proves that animals can plan the future - a skill formerly only attributed to humans. They're remaining tight-lipped as to whether that includes bankers and finance ministers.

wednesDAY

Don't stop till you get enough – Michael Jackson announces more "last ever" concerts for London's 02, bringing the previous "last ever" 10 gigs announced last week to a new total of 45.

Let's hear it once more for the cheap seats – Ryanair's cheeky ad offering 1,000 free seats is for every €1m Aer Lingus admits losing in its annual report.

But Questions and Answers is grounded. Can you hear the sighs of relief from Leinster House?

Earth Hour, a green initiative, is launched to promote the turning off of lights in thousands of public buildings across the world for one hour next Saturday. Government Buildings is just one Dublin location. Shouldn't affect them too much – they're in the dark a lot in there these days anyway.

thursDAY

Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google and potential Parkinson's sufferer, announces a $1m funded genetic study of the incurable neurological disorder.

Irish racegoers may not get it right on the third day at Cheltenham as bookmakers rake in almost €13m, but Irish jockeys know their horseflesh, totalling 17 of the 19 winners so far.

friDAY

Can you beat it? Michael Jackson's London gigs now total 50 concerts. A staggering one million tickets sell out in a matter of hours.

Who wants to be a millionaire? Or a movie extra even? The writers behind Slumdog Millionaire are in Dublin to audition 1,300 extras for new film Leap Year.

Another historic leaping year for Ruby Walsh, jumping to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second time on Kauto Star – a great chaser to a great Irish racing week.