An Garda Síochána received almost €1.5m from promoters and organisers to police some of the largest events held in the country last year — but received no external payment towards the cost of providing security for the Pope’s visit.

Cork County Council has spent nearly €10m in four years promoting tourism and is aiming to do more to aid the industry.

The Fota Island Resort has revealed its new owners, the Kang family, have invested €500,000 in bringing the Irish Open golf tournament to Cork — and Julie Kang has been one of the driving forces behind the event.