The HSE says it is investigating a confirmed case of measles in someone who spends time in Dublin and Kerry.

The Irish Open has joined forces with operatic pop vocal group Il Divo for a ticket promotion for fans of sport and music. For the May Bank Holiday weekend only, packages to both events are available at a discount of over 20%, offering €25 off the combined ticket price.

Gardaí say almost 1,200 fixed charge notices were issued as part of their blitz on drivers who used their mobiles phones over the past weekend.

TO SAY that Westport House has been in the family for generations doesn’t quite capture Lady Sheelyn Browne’s impressive lineage — her connection to the 400-acre Co Mayo estate goes right back to her 14th great-grandmother, the “most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland”, pirate queen Grace O’Malley.

Brass Monkey, 12 West Pier, Howth, Co Dublin; tel: 01-8063746; brassmonkey.ie

HERE in Ballymaloe we are so excited about the first ever Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine taking place in Ballymaloe House; at the Grain store and Ballymaloe Cookery School.

The new ‘Nicolas Roche Performance Cycling Team’ has announced its roster for the coming season with an eight-man line-up comprising some of the most talented underage riders in the country.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has appealed for the tens of thousands of Irish fans heading to Poland to take extreme care amid concern over the huge number of road deaths in Poland over the May Bank Holiday.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Mahoney said today though drink driving is not as big a problem now as it was five years ago, it is still a concern.

Gardaí and road safety chiefs say they are considering a suggestion to introduce speed limiters on cars being driven by young people.

WELSH ace Mel Evans (Subaru WRC) has already made Irish rallying history by becoming the first ever overseas driver to win the national rally series.

All road users are being today asked to take extra care this May Bank Holiday, which is a very high-risk period for accidents.

NEXT weekend, the May Bank Holiday, there is to be a Walking-Talking Festival on Cape Clear Island, Oileán Chléire, in Roaring Water Bay in West Cork.

VOLUNTEERS setting up a museum in an ancient city fort have promised to bring history to life.

The Labour Party is proposing to introduce two new public holidays if it forms part of the Government after the upcoming election.

More than 310,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport during the May Bank Holiday – one of the busiest weekends of the year.

LEARNER drivers could be banned from the roads if they fail their driving tests, Transport Minister Martin Cullen warned yesterday.

Learner drivers could be banned from the roads if they fail their driving tests in the future, Transport Minister Martin Cullen warned today.

GARDA stations around the country could be left with skeleton crews incapable of dealing with major emergencies, as up to 3,000 members of the force are drafted into Dublin for the May Day march.

AROUND 250 people will be killed on Irish roads between now and the end of the year.

The British and Irish governments were urged today to standardise public holidays in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Three people have died in overnight road accidents, bringing the total death toll over the May Bank Holiday weekend to nine.

STRIKING public health doctors have disputed claims by the Department of Health that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the country against the SARS epidemic.

Fatboy Slim is to play his first major outdoor show in almost a year headlining a May Bank Holiday event at Brighton Racecourse.

IF new legislation aimed at increasing garda accountability is to work, it is vital Justice Minister Michael McDowell should give it teeth.

The National Safety Council has launched a campaign encouraging motorists to wear a seatbelt.

The White Stripes are to play this year's Heineken Green Energy Festival in Dublin.