Saturday/Sunday
"ON Saturday, a huge explosion ripped the heart out of the Arndale shopping centre in the middle of Manchester, injuring more than 200 people.
The explosion was attributed to the IRA. The Taoiseach announced a review of the peace process and contact with Sinn Fein, and in the US, President Clinton and Senator Edward Kennedy expressed their impatience with the party and its leader, Mr Gerry Adams.
Meanwhile, the fall out continued from another IRA action, the murder the previous week of Garda Jerry McCabe in Adare, Co Limerick, as a 15th man was arrested.
A mother died in a house fire in Coolock, Dublin, where her three year old son was seriously injured. The weekend also saw the usual and some not so usual, Bloomsday celebrations.
On Saturday, the first Impac Dublin Literary Award went to Australian novelist David Malouf who received his award at a dinner devoted to Joycean themes. On Sunday, Bloomsday, the usual meander around the scenes of Ulysses took place.
On Sunday also, Archbishop Walton Empey was enthroned as Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland.
Monday
Following its review of its relations with Sinn Fein in the aftermath of the Manchester bombing the Government announced it would retain contact but under restricted conditions.
Specifically, Mr Bruton publicly asked Mr Adams if he had gone to the IRA to ask for a renewed ceasefire and if not, why not and did his party still support the "armed struggle" of the IRA.
Mr Adams said Sinn Fein was not responsible for the Manchester explosion, and he recognised the difficulties it presented "for all parties, including ourselves".
A 16th person was arrested in connection with the shooting of Garda Jerry McCabe.
In the beginning of a busy week in the courts, a Kilkenny parish priest pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual assaults on young boys, and the trial opened of Mr Frederick Flannery for the murder of Corkman Patrick O'Driscoll.
Tuesday
As the investigation of the Manchester bombing continues, the question of further meetings between Sinn Fein and the Government would be kept "under review" by the Government. In the light of the party's replies to Mr Bruton's questions, Mr Adams said the Government was "fully aware" of arrangements.
Security checkpoints were reinstated in the North.
Two more people were arrested in the continuing investigation of the shooting of Garda McCabe.
The Government refused permission for a casino in Phoenix Park, as part of a £350 million development of Phoenix Park racecourse.
The developers have always said the plan would not go ahead without the casino.
A consultant, Mr William Holmes, was challenged by other doctors when he wrote in the Ulster Medical Journal that the condition known as ME was essentially psychological, and overwhelmingly affected middle class females.
Bus Eireann announced it was seeking cutbacks, including 130 jobs.
In Galway, the trial opened of Mr Kevin Gillane, the brother in law of murder victim Philomena Gillane, for assault on and unlawful wounding of her brother, Mr Martin Gordon.
An advertisement for the cider, Scrumpy Jack, which was held to evoke violence against women, was withdrawn.
Wednesday
The IRA issued a statement admitting the Manchester bomb. The Manchester police issued descriptions of three men it sought in connection with the explosion.
Mr Adams said in a statement that he was surprised by the questions posed earlier by Mr Bruton and the way they were put. He also said the Government knew he had regular contact with the IRA.
Meanwhile, the peace talks continued at Stormont with more wrangling over the precise powers of the chairman, Senator George Mitchell.
The board of Bord na Mona studied a full report on the remuneration package - said to be worth £1.9 million - of its chief executive, Dr Eddie O'Connor. Dr O'Connor claims it was worth £750,000.
The secretary general of the United Nations, Dr Boutros' Boutros Ghali, announced he was seeking a second term.
The US made it clear it would oppose him, further fuelling speculation that the President, Mrs Robinson, would be supported for the job.
The Divorce Bill was published, bringing closer the legalisation of divorce in Ireland.
Thursday
An apparent bomb making factory was found at a farm at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains in Co Laois. Gardai were also searching a factory in Ballymount industrial estate in Dublin.
A 22nd person was arrested in the ongoing investigation of the shooting of Garda Jerry McCabe.
A major Dublin drug dealer, Tony Felloni, was jailed for 20 years for possession of heroin.
The inflation rate was down to 1.4 per cent for the year ending mid May, easing worries about increased interest rates.
The Department of Foreign Affairs released files on passports for children sent to the US for adoption in the 1940s and 1950s.
In the courts, a hearing began into whether Mr John Gallagher, found guilty but insane for the killing of Ms Anne and Ms Annie Gillespie, which was interpreted by the Supreme Court as an acquittal, should be released.
A court in Galway acquitted Kevin Gillane of unlawful wounding of Martin Gordon, but convicted him of assault.