WHEN eight British soldiers were arrested by the gardaí in the middle of the night in May 1976, it was one of the most embarrassing diplomatic incidents of the Troubles.

In 2011, the ascension of Enda Kenny from opposition leader to Taoiseach and the possibilities this offered his county was for some people in Mayo, home of the Knock shrine, like the second coming of Christ.

Anyone who sheltered from the rain over the weekend and just watched Notting Hill instead would have got none of the carnival vibes.

So it’s finally out in the open – Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Martin have consciously coupled and deservedly earn the title of the world’s most bizarre couple of the year.

Highlights include Who’s Buying Ireland? and a discussion of pre-nups on Ear To The Ground

ALTHOUGH virtually ignored in the market, the Ruby Walsh ridden Sulwaan made a successful debut for Dermot Weld when proving too strong for Tavern Times and Princeton Plains in the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Hurdle in Sligo yesterday.

POOR visibility and slippery conditions resulted in up to 20 people suffering injuries on the annual Croagh Patrick climb, with half of them having to be stretchered down the mountain.

Pilgrims on the annual Croagh Patrick climb faced poor visibility and slippery conditions today with the summit shrouded in mist.

First-round scores from the Disney Golf Classic, Disney Magnolia and Disney Palm Course, Lake Buena Vista, Florida (par 72, US unless stated)