I wonder if children had a choice, would they prefer if we got our act together to tackle climate change or bought them an array of presents from a bumper toy store, asks Joyce Fegan

I remember reading so much as a child and can recall the books that I loved. I loved reading at nighttime with my parents and as I got older enjoyed books of my choice on my own. I also really loved reading during the summer.

Analysts have upgraded their earnings and revenue forecasts for Kingspan on the back of an “eye-catching” first quarter performance from the Co Cavan-based specialist building materials firm.

Book and magazine seller Eason has appointed a new managing director ahead of the current incumbent stepping down in June

Retailer Eason has agreed to donate €1,000 to charity to avoid a court conviction for selling cigarettes to a minor.

Model, author and former Miss World, Rosanna Davison has had to deal with a lot of hateful comments in the aftermath of ‘gluten-gate’ but public backlash to the “outrageous comments” is totally understandable, she said.

CRH is being linked with a second potential Asian deal in as many weeks, this one with a price tag of around $1bn (€890m).

Three Leaving Certificate pals who are juggling their studies with running a business are hoping to play their cards right when they represent Ireland at a global entrepreneur competition.

Dublin-based builders’ merchants group Grafton has broadened its presence in the UK via the purchase of niche company TG Lynes for an undisclosed sum.

Eason, the books and stationary store at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, owes its landlord €423,000 in rent arrears, the Circuit Civil Court heard yesterday.

Hundreds of Irish readers have been left disappointed after the first edition of Charlie Hebdo since the Paris massacre was not delivered to newsagents as expected.

Santa will be leaving lots of presents under the tree next week but there will also be gifts from parents and other family members, often some books, puzzles or a new board game to play together over the holidays. 

Having started its business with news stalls in train stations across Ireland in the late-1800s, the Eason chain has gone back to the future to launch the country’s first Virtual Book Shop at Connolly Station in Dublin.

The building materials group CRH yesterday announced it spent €250m on 18 acquisitions and investment initiatives over the first half of the year, although there was a marked slowdown in activity over May and June.

He’s a world class act but it wasn’t an easy ride to the top for Cork dancer John Lonergan, reports Fiona O’Donovan

Today is World Book Day. Jonathan deBurca Butler paid a visit to one of our busiest bookshops to see what people are reading these days, and how.

CAVAN-headquartered building materials group, Kingspan is considering sizing up a €300 million-plus acquisition in Germany, in a bid to expand in the country which accounts for nearly 10% of its annual revenues.

WHEN David Norris announced he was quitting his bid to be President on August 2 last, he quoted Beckett. “Fail again. Fail better.”

CRH has reached agreement to sell its Premier Periclase subsidiary to Austrian company RHI for €21 million.

BUILDERS’ merchants group Grafton is being linked with more acquisition movement as consolidation in the international merchanting sector heats up.

THE work colleagues and the family of a man left severely brain damaged by a shooting two years ago yesterday called for the withdrawal from sale of a book by a person recently arrested in relation to the incident.

KINGSPAN, the largest timber-frame building manufacturer in Ireland and Britain, had its earnings forecast for the next two years cut sharply by 22% and 28%.

Hundreds of Westlife fans are queuing in Dublin city this morning to catch a glimpse of a record-breaking boy band.

REPRESENTATIVES for shopkeepers have accused Newspread and Eason of behaving like “corporate thugs” over new charges and conditions imposed on newsagents and retailers selling their products.

BONO says it was like pulling teeth but the Dutch government will be licking its lips as the band — now based in Holland for tax purposes — launched its soon-to-be best selling autobiography to delighted fans in London yesterday.

WHAT started out as a parody of modern-day tabloid journalism turned into an international scandal yesterday when the American media went into overdrive about the fake porn pictures of Elin Nordegren.

Price-wary consumers can make major savings on popular Christmas toys and gifts by shopping online or travelling to Northern Ireland, a new survey confirmed today.

Maria Tracey

SHARES in concrete maker Readymix plummeted by more than 15% yesterday before staging a recovery to end 5% down on the day.

THINK celebrity chef and, like a slice of toast, up pops Jamie Oliver’s name.

Former US President Bill Clinton has said that Democratic candidate John Kerry would show more interest in the Irish peace process than current President George W Bush.

BUILDING materials' giant CRH's first half pre-tax profits will be ahead €100 million, according to Goodbody Stockbrokers which has upped its target price on the company's shares.

LIKE-for-like sales at IWP tumbled 12% to €170 million last year as weaker sterling and the closure of a loss-making subsidiary hurt the household products group.

KINGSPAN shares rose 3% yesterday after the Cavan-based building materials group issued an upbeat trading statement for the first half of the year.

CONSTRUCTION industry supply giant CRH's share price target has been raised by Goodbody Stockbrokers, who see a potential upside of almost 21% over the next 12 months.

CRH may bid for French building supplies firm Franz Bonhomme, following yesterday's disclosure the group had walked away from a bid for Egyptian-based Misr Beni Suef Cement (MBSC), a cement manufacturer.

THE CAME, they saw, he conquered. Welcome to Royland. The Keano Republic of Cork where King Roy rocks and loyal subjects queue for hours just to see how he signs his name.

Forget Harry Potter and Roy Keane. The Flood Report is the hottest book in town.

ROY KEANE’S autobiography has broken the record for first day sales of a hardback book in Ireland.