What seems like a premature withering of leaves on certain trees iscausing concern to some readers. After all, we’re only just movinginto autumn and it’s early to behappening.

Gráinne McGuinness offers consumer advice on planning holidays.

Some €1.6m has been earmarked for the refurbishment of a historic house in Cork, on the site of one of Ireland’s top free visitor attractions.

Record numbers are visiting the country’s leading tourist attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse and the Cliffs of Moher.

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 

A travelling exhibition which focuses on Bronze and Iron Age settlements in the Ballyhoura Hills, which straddle the Cork/Limerick border, will open tomorrow.

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

The Guinness Storehouse, the Cliffs of Moher, and Dublin Zoo had more than 1m visitors each last year as some of the country’s top attractions showed rising interest.

Looking for somewhere novel to bring your dad this father’s day? Pól Ó Conghaile has 10 great suggestions to suit all budgets.