Saturday/Sunday
President Clinton left Shannon Airport on Saturday night after his Irish visit. In a speech in Limerick, he pledged the United States would stand by the Irish people every step of the way on the path to peace. But the Irish cheers faded fast as the visit was overshadowed by mounting disquiet among his own Democrats in Washington over the Monica Lewinsky affair. A retired businessman, Mr Sean McGrath (61), became the 29th victim of the Omagh bomb atrocity when he died at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
Northern Ireland's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, reiterated his stance that decommissioning of IRA weapons was essential before his Ulster Unionist Party could enter government with Sinn Fein. That party's president, Mr Gerry Adams, said there was nothing in the Belfast Agreement excluding the immediate establishment of a Northern Executive which would include Sinn Fein members as of right.
The Republic's soccer squad dispatched Croatia, which finished third in the World Cup, by two goals to nil.
Monday
The "Real IRA" announced a "complete cessation" of its campaign of violence. The group was responsible for the Omagh bomb and a number of other bomb attacks. The only paramilitary organisation still active, the Continuity IRA, said it would not be declaring a ceasefire.
The UUP leader, Mr Trimble, and the Sinn Fein president, Mr Adams, had their first tentative exchanges during a round-table meeting of the North's party leaders at Stormont.
The former bishop of Galway, Dr Eamonn Casey, announced that he is not seeking any public pastoral ministry in the church. Dr Casey said he was living in England with relatives and requested privacy. Several Catholic bishops were understood to have been anxious that the former bishop should return to retirement rather than active ministry.
The High Court judge, Mr Justice Peter Shanley (52), died suddenly after a heart attack in Portugal.
Tuesday
Aer Lingus was given the goahead by the Government to seek a strategic alliance partner.
The Irish Times Asia Correspondent, Conor O'Clery, was prevented by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Mary Robinson, from travelling to Tibet with her to cover her visit there. RTE's Special Correspondent, Charlie Bird, was given permission to travel. Mrs Robinson said Mr O'Clery's presence on the trip, along with Mr Bird, would "send the wrong message". The Irish Times editor, Conor Brady, said it was ironic that Mrs Robinson was going to China to address human rights issues "and the first thing she does is block our resident correspondent from reporting her visit to Tibet".
Wednesday
A United Nations report said the Republic has the highest concentration of poverty among Western countries outside the US. The Human Development Report 1998 revealed wide disparities in the distribution of wealth throughout the State and the world, including the fact that Irish women are worse off economically than in any other industrialised country.
Fruit of the Loom, which employs 2,800 workers in Donegal and Derry, announced that 1,100 of its employees would be put on a three-day week and said it was considering closing some of its T-shirt sewing facilities. Among fears that 700 to 800 jobs will be lost, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, voiced "serious concern" about the situation. She will meet the company chairman, Mr Bill Farley, in Dublin on Monday.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was among the many Manchester United supporters reeling from the announcement that the club had been bought for £625 million by BSkyB. He promised legislation to stop the same thing happening to major Irish sporting events.
The Southampton-born artist, Mr Derek Hill, who is best known for his work on Tory Island, declared he was thrilled at a decision to make him an honorary Irish citizen.
Thursday
New figures from the Central Statistics Office showed inflation running at its highest level for six years.
Mr David Trimble and Mr Gerry Adams held historic face-to-face talks in private in Belfast. Mr Adams said Mr Trimble was a man he could do business with; the UUP leader said he was satisfied Mr Adams recognised the need for progress on all fronts.
The peace process further advanced with an announcement by the RUC Chief Constable that British army patrols in Belfast would cease from this weekend because of the reduced threat from paramilitaries. Seven paramilitary prisoners prepared to be the first group to be released under the Belfast Agreement.
Talks to resolve the Ballymun lifts dispute, more than 70 days old, failed and Dublin Corporation said it was in preliminary discussions with community activists about the possibility of offering the £1 million-a-year maintenance contract to a co-operative of tenants who would be trained by FAS.
After a week of carnage on the roads, the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, described the number of deaths as outrageous. He urged the introduction of a penalty points system for road traffic offences and random breath testing of motorists.
More than 300 people have been killed on the roads so far this year. The week's fatalities included several young men, among them Mr Darren O'Connor (17), the son of golfer Christy O'Connor jnr, and Mr Martin Beckett (18), a member of this year's All-Ireland winning Under-21 Kerry football team.
The Dublin City Coroner ruled that gardai (though they will not be named) must give evidence at an inquest into the death of Mr John Morris (26), of Sundale Close, Tallaght, who was shot dead during an armed raid in Inchicore last year. The inquest was told of a death threat, purporting to come from the INLA, against the garda who fired the shot.
