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May 22, 2013 Although scientists have known that a funguslike organism caused the potato blight that triggered the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s, they didn't know which strain was the culprit. But they do now, thanks to the genes in some 19th century potato samples.

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April 11, 2013 The Irish Central Bank announced the launch of a limited-edition coin to honor the Irish writer. When the error was pointed out, the bank put it down to "artistic representation," and said it would continue with the sale of the coin.

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December 5, 2012 Reformers of the 19th century warned that taking a tea break would steer Irish peasant women to thoughts of revolution. The warnings largely went unheeded. Still, it gives us pause to think about our modern-day food obsessions and how they might look to others in the future.

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November 15, 2012 The 31-year-old Indian dentist was denied an abortion last month when she began to miscarry her 17-week-old fetus. She died three days later. The case is prompting the predominantly Catholic country to examine the conditions under which abortions can be permitted.

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April 2, 2012 Up to now, Ireland has been the "poster child of austerity" for the way its people have accepted some tough remedies. But thousands protested over the weekend and about half of households didn't register to pay a new tax.

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October 14, 2011 For first time since the 17th century, judges there can go without their traditional tops. It's part of a modernization and cost-saving effort.

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May 23, 2011 The trip to Ireland was a subtle way for the president to remind white voters that he has many people who look like them in his family. Indeed, his mother was one of them. It also allowed him to make the point that his American roots are far deeper than those of some critics who questioned his.

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December 30, 2010 Pipes burst after a sudden thaw. Thousands are without water in Northern Ireland and there are limits on water use in the Republic.

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December 17, 2010 House passes tax legislation; Senate tables budget bill; Ireland credit lowered; EU adopts financial rescue plan

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November 19, 2010 New Zealand mine accident; Obama in Lisbon; Ireland money woes

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November 17, 2010 Ireland faces financial crisis; Rangel punishment; cholera

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October 2, 2010 It will cost Ireland almost $70 billion to bail out the country's banks. Now, as the country grapples with that cost, many Irish are upset about how far their economy has fallen.

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August 28, 2008 Patrick Tracey went to Ireland to dig up the roots of the schizophrenia wrapped around his family tree.

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