THERE’S a lot of talk about the possibilities reintroduced golden and white-tailed eagles create for attracting tourists to the west coast, but what about animals that have been here thousands of years?

ISN’T it ironic that in a world that’s becoming truly ’’global’’ because of the communications revolution, at the same time interest in what’s local seems to be intensifying.

A BRILLIANT summer to date will reach a high point this bank holiday weekend with tens of thousands of people on holidays, and those not on holidays taking to the outdoors to enjoy beaches, forests, parks, mountains and lakes.

THAT jovial, time-honoured phrase, "one for the road", could be given an entirely new meaning if scientists working on by-products from whiskey-making have their way.

SCARCELY a week passes without news of yet another invasive species, plant or animal, reaching our shores.

"Looking through a porthole at the sea, we are surrounded on all sides by vast horizons. No one would believe the wonders and beauty that lie below in the colossal Whittard Canyon.’’

RECENTLY, for the umpteenth time, RTÉ again screened the David Lean epic, Ryan’s Daughter, filmed in the Dingle Peninsula, in 1969/’70.

THERE are regular warnings from wild deer organisations that Ireland’s deer population is declining. However, we also hear the opposite story from farmers, road users and other observers — that deer are becoming quite numerous and are now seen in areas where they have never previously been.

MANY of us will take the opportunity this bank holiday weekend to get out and enjoy Ireland in bloom, for we are now in probably the premium time of year for viewing the wonders of nature.

PEOPLE who grow potatoes are proudly taking note these days as strong stalks signal a healthy crop of "earlies’’.