Independence was an issue in Cork’s local elections in 1920, but a housing crisis, the cost of living, and widespread poverty also influenced the vote, writes Kieran McCarthy.

Unique drawings by Quentin Blake, one of Britain’s best-loved illustrators, are available at a Christie’s online auction which runs until December 17.

Peter Dowdall looks at a trio of plants which provide fantastic colour and ground cover

The Cork Puppetry Festival returns this weekend. Siobhan Howe meets the man behind it – Dowtcha founder, Cliff Dolliver.

The €1.7m repair and restoration of the famous Shakey bridge in Cork is set to start within days.

From puppet festivals to must have hayfever remedies, there's something for everyone in this week's selection of things to do, see and buy.

School’s out for summer – but keeping the kids entertained doesn’t have to cost a fortune, or indeed anything at all, writes Ciara McDonnell.

The property supplement to a recent issue of the Irish Examiner contained a piece by Tommy Barker about the sale of Monkstown Castle House — ‘House of the week’ (June 8) — home of the late Charlie Hennessey and Abby Scott.

Fitzgerald Park will transform into Cork’s first Carnival of Science this weekend. Aoife and Maria aka Strong Women Science, tell us the magic they have in store, writes Helen O’Callaghan

While there’s much to be done in making Cork a safer place for cyclists, Bike Week aims to show people of all ages the benefits of pedal-power, writes Caroline Delaney

A mini heatwave is expected to hit Ireland this weekend, and it's the perfect opportunity to get outdoors.

A school principal has spoken of his relief that nobody was killed or injured when the roof was ripped off its gym before slamming into nearby homes.

A Cork resident wrote to me about Cork city planners apparent shortsightedness in asphalting over the city’s green spaces, writes Damien Enright

"WE DOWNSIZED too early,” quip the owners of 6 Lisin, a high-end, first floor super comfortable two-bed apartment, in this niche development of just a dozen units along Cork city’s Strawberry Hill.

The Cork LGBT Pride Festival kicked off today with a family fun day at Fitzgerald Park.

"There’s a yearning for live performance that’s absent from gaming and animation, and ultimately there’s an opportunity for puppetry there.”

WHILE illusion is a key part of being a magician, being a natural performer can also cast a spell on the audience.

Fancy a festival or a day out that won’t break the bank? We’ve got 50 of them. Ciara McDonnell reports

The Cork Midsummer Festival saw plenty of activities over the weekend, with Cork's Fitzgerald Park hosting some of them.

All together now … 5, 6, 7, 8.

It tested the patience of residents and the resilience of traders but the trade-off for Blackrock village after months of inconvenience is a €2m facelift, to be officially unveiled today.

They once had over 400 families and even two local soccer teams but the decline of Cork’s native orthodox Jewish community does not mean it will be forgotten forever.

A TRIO of terraced 1890s-built villa buildings, facing the UCC campus and main entry gates on Cork city’s Western Road is up for sale in one lot for €2.35 million, pitched for student accommodation, residential, offices or academic/medical-related uses, with possible further development to rear.

Gardaí are investigating a brutal street assault by a gang armed with iron bars, bottles, and knives which left an amateur MMA fighter fighting for his life.

Proud Corkonians might be a little baffled by new signs popping up around the city and county telling them they are in Ireland’s Ancient East.

A Macroom man who was caught masturbating in bushes near a playground in Cork city said in court yesterday: “I was sightseeing, watching the wildlife.”

A picnic in Fitzgerald Park was interrupted today by two football-loving turkeys.

Tickets are selling out fast for the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland’s Bicentenery Gala Celebration at the RDS on Friday, September 30. 

Do take a look at the West Cork Garden Trail’s websiteas they are suggesting a number of interesting trip combinations for viewing of the various Gulf Stream gardens dotted all over the coast of West Cork. 

Don’t forget the West Cork Garden Trail which offers the best of 15 gardens in sublime locations for the viewing public. Opening times are available on www.westcorkgardentrain.com 

An tIonad Glas, The Organic College in Dromcollogher, Co Limerick, holds its Annual Open Day on tomorrow, Sunday July 17 from 2-5pm.

SPECTACULAR EVENT: The free festival which brought you 14,000 people dressed as Where’s Wally, 1,500 bouncing on space hoppers, a custard pie throwing championship, a rainbow disco and hundreds of street performers from all over the world, celebrates its 10th Birthday this July. 

A pioneer of puppetry and visual street theatre in Ireland will be remembered as puppets take over Cork next month.

My biggest asset is also my biggest liability. I’m green with a sharped tongue and horns.

MUSIC NEWS: After Body & Soul and Castlepalooza, the muddy fields of the midlands take a break from festival season this weekend. Probably for the best as Beyonce gets her Beyhive in Formation for a show that’s not quite sold out at Croke Park tomorrow.

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Five fun things to do around Ireland this weekend.

It’s the world championship of gardening and Ireland has just won gold.

Irish designer Diarmuid Gavin has backed a black Chelsea Flower Show designer who complained that gardening is filled with “double-barrelled” people.

More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the Cork Midsummer Festival, which features a diverse range of events from opera to comedy.

The battle for promotion from Division 1B has turned into a money race with favourites Clare, Limerick, and Wexford desperate for a more substantial slice of the €1m-plus Allianz League gate receipt cake.

Newcastle West 2-10 Dromcollogher- Broadford 0-9: The wait is over for Newcastle West after they lifted the Fr Casey Cup yesterday in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock. They ended a 23-year drought, emerging worthy winners of the Limerick SFC following agonising defeats in 2011 and 2012.