A frustrated Fernando Alonso was left ruing another disappointing start to the first day of his Formula One pre-season as history repeated itself in Barcelona today.

Ireland and Spain have had many connections throughout history but one you might have overlooked is Spain’s contribution to Ireland’s most famous drink — whiskey.

This week is all about the Celtic Whiskey Shop in part to celebrate its new bar/restaurant/shop called the Irish Whiskey Experience on New Street (just off Main St) in Killarney, Co Kerry.

The obituary writers have been busy this year and the case is equally true in the wine world.

Cian O’Connor continued to demonstrate the Olympic credentials of Good Luck on Saturday, the pair finishing fourth in the five-star grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

Whenever The Menu finds himself down in his cups, gloomily pondering the future of the planet, it is invariably an encounter with youth that restores his moral equilibrium and faith in humanity.

International Sherry Week is just gone for another year and given how much wonderfully complex sherry I consumed, I’m going to try to convince you once again to explore this great drink as a food wine.

Cork Airport receives unfair criticism because there are unrealistic expectations of the service it provides, according to travel agents in the city and county.

Spanish public officials are working towards the addition of new flight routes from Ireland to the southern province of Andalucia, the region’s minister for tourism and sport has announced.

What is the best-value wine in the world? The answer I give to this question may surprise you — sherry.

At least three crew members were killed when a military transport plane crashed near Seville airport in south-western Spain today, officials said.

This column is a massive fan of the wines of Spain. In my opinion, Spain currently offers the best value (price versus quality) of any wine-producing nation.

Irish International Gary Hurley suffered heartache in the final of the Spanish Amateur Championship at Jerez yesterday, falling short in the final by the narrowest of margins.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy let his honesty shine through again, bluntly admitting he was ‘pissed off’ after the disappointment of missing the halfway cut in the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens. 

Marussia’s hopes of competing in Formula One this season appear to have been dashed after Bernie Ecclestone revealed their request to race with last year’s car had been voted down.

Lewis Hamilton hailed Mercedes’ first pre-season test ahead of the new Formula One season as "pretty special" after the team sent the lap counter into a frenzy in Jerez this week.

Sky Sports News were left looking silly when they chose the worst possible moment to cut to Niki Lauda during a live broadcast.

THERE were many wine, whiskey, beer and cider highlights at the Ballymaloe Literary Festival this year so make sure to put the third weekend of May in your diary for 2015.

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Daniel Ricciardo has backed Red Bull to put right their problems in testing because they are “the best team in the world”.

Michael Schumacher is being slowly brought out of his induced coma, his manager has said.

Lewis Hamilton described his latest test shunt as nothing more than “a hiccup” on the day he ushered in Formula One’s new turbo era with an unwanted bang.

Lewis Hamilton’s first day of pre-season testing ended with the 29-year-old putting his Mercedes into a barrier at Jerez for the second successive year.

There was a whirlwind rush of three car unveilings in the space of 30 minutes in the pitlane in Jerez ahead of the first day of pre-season testing.

Lewis Hamilton cannot wait until he finally feels at one with his Mercedes, a moment that is likely to make the rest of the Formula One world sit up and take notice.

There was a dramatic finish to the Sean Conlon Memorial Rally, round four of the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship in Mitchelstown as Lisburn’s, Philip Morrow and co-driver, Simon Morrow (Mitsubishi) edged out Cork pair, Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi) by three seconds.

SHERRY seems to be having a small revival at the moment after many years in the doldrums and my strong advice is that this is one bandwagon you need to join.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh admits to enduring one of the toughest days of his 24 years in Formula One.

These are busy times for Cork racing ace Matt Griffin.

Dozens of mounds of uncollected rubbish have been set on fire by angry residents in the Spanish tourist city of Jerez.

You know you’ve arrived when they name a street after you.

Jaime Alguersuari and Lucas di Grassi have today been confirmed as Pirelli’s new test and development drivers for this season.

Jenson Button today touched down in Australia with a smile on his face knowing he has a car to fight for this season’s Formula One world title.

Lotus will tomorrow attempt to get their second pre-season test back on track after being forced to call an early halt to today’s session.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn today boldly predicted his team’s latest car will achieve the results long demanded by the manufacturing giant.

Felipe Massa declared his new Ferrari “very ugly” and suggested its performance is also far from a thing of beauty just yet too.

Force India today unveiled an unusual concept in design for their car ahead of the new Formula One season.

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to put an end to speculation over his future sooner rather than later this season.

Williams have today confirmed Bruno Senna has signed for the team for the forthcoming Formula One season.

NEXT month, many of the world’s finest lady golfers assemble at Killeen Castle for the 12th Solheim Cup.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have both expressed concerns that McLaren are already playing catch-up this season.

Nick Heidfeld did his chances of landing the Renault drive no harm as he set the fastest time on the third day of testing in Spain.

Michael Schumacher fired a statement of intent on the second day of the pre-season Formula One test in Jerez, posting the fastest time at the wheel of the new Mercedes.