A toy Williamite soldier takes aim at a Jacobite soldier at the site of the 1690 Battle of The Boyne near Drogheda. The Boyne Valley Drive, 225 kilometers in length and taking in 22 historic sites along the way, is a collaborative project between Failte Ireland and the local authorities in Meath and Louth which seeks to revitalise the region and promote it to overseas tourists. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

HERE’S ALL THE things we learned, loved and shared today.

THINGS WE LEARNED

#DEFICIT Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, has said that he “sees the light at the end of the tunnel” in Ireland’s journey towards eliminating its budget deficit. He made the comment after a meeting with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and his European Parliament counterpart Martin Schulz in Dublin today.

#HEALTH MINISTER Minister for Health James Reilly and Junior Minister Kathleen Lynch found themselves stuck in a lift with a number of others at the opening of a mental health facility at Grangegorman today. The news travelled quickly on Twitter, and a spokesperson for Reilly said they were stuck in the lift for around 10 minutes, but were soon freed by employees at the centre.

#ALL OVER Pope Benedict XVI has left the Vatican, travelling to a rural retreat outside Rome ahead of the end of his pontificate this evening. Following his final audience with his cardinals, he bade farewell to Vatican officials and then travelled to a helipad for the journey to Castel Gandolfo.

#CROKE PARK II Impact has said it recommends workers vote to accept the Croke Park II deal. Its members will be asked to vote on the measures in the coming weeks. Yesterday, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland and the AHCPS recommended that their members reject the deal.

#PROTEST Up to 30 activists from the Campaign Against the Household and Water Taxes occupied the lobby of Price Waterhouse Coopers in the IFSC, Dublin this afternoon, before going to the Convention Centre, where IBEC are holding their conference, to continue their protest. They said it was only the beginning of a campaign targeting financial institutions.

#AUSTRALIA An Irish man, Kieran Cahill, is recovering after being attacked while trying to protect a number of women in Sydney, Australia. He is said to be recovering well after being admitted to intensive care after being “set upon” by three men in front of a nightclub on 25 February, police said.

THINGS WE LOVED

• It has been 15 years since comedian Dermot Morgan passed away. We took a look at seven reasons why we miss him – and here’s a little bonus video of his three sons reflecting on his career during an interview last October:

(RTE/YouTube)

• What pieces of art were used in famous films, either as plot devices or otherwise? This site shows us.
• If you’re afraid of heights, DON’T LOOK at this. Wait! We said DON’T! Too late… Here’s more about these completely unafraid explorers.

(devinsupertramp/YouTube)

THINGS WE SHARED

• What is a Siberian winter like? Well, after viewing these photos on The Atlantic, it’s fair to say you’ll never complain about Irish climes again.
• Is sugar bad for you? Food writer Mark Bittman takes a look at the latest studies in the New York Times (better put down that chocolate bar while you’re reading it…).
• Want to eat the world’s most poisonous meal? This fellow did – and lived (of course) to tell the tale.
• Pope Benedict XVI resigned today. Here’s an… interesting look at one devastated ‘priest’s’ thoughts:

(John McCarthy/YouTube)

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