Labour leader Brendan Howlin has accused rival left-wing parties and Independents of acting like they are part of "the United Nations" instead of trying to help their communities on local councils.

Irish crafted design by local makers is a wholesome alternative to mass-produced items, offering a unique gift-giving opportunity which might make a happy couple even happier, writes Carol O’Callaghan.

Small artisan craftspeople are joining forces to encourage shoppers to think of buying local during Black Friday.

By John Daly

The quality of Irish food is celebrated the world over. In day one of a two-part series, Marjorie Brennan meets some of the local food heroes who have turned their passion, vision, and sense of community into successful businesses

The arrival of a proposed 1,655sq metre Aldi store in Killaloe, Co Clare, would generate a turnover of €9.12m in 2018, according to the promoters.

A scheme that plans to pump €10m into county-level start-ups aims to provide funds for locals to create local jobs.

I was in the attic, looking for something else, which is the best way to find anything, says Colm O’Regan.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been accused of being a "latter day gombeen" after criticising former Fianna Fáil ministers for cashing in severance payments from their time in office.

Nothing became Alan Shatter like the manner of his leaving. Yesterday, the former minister for justice tied up some loose ends following his departure from government two weeks ago.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin believes his leadership is safe and that the results of today’s elections will demonstrate evidence of the party’s growth and renewal.

Kerry local candidates have been expanding their linguistic skills in a bid to sweet talk non-nationals.

A singing Taoiseach, samba drums, and a slightly antisocial socialist confronted bleary-eyed commuters at St Stephen’s Green Luas stop.

Up to €4bn in lending will be made available to small and medium businesses who will be given repayment holidays and up to 10 years to pay back loans.

In Russia, senior politicians demonstrate their virility by horse-riding bare-chested, shooting tigers, and annexing chunks of neighbouring states.

The ratio of virtuous to venal politicians at local level is probably no different to that ratio anywhere else on the political pyramid but by their very immediacy, by their in-your-face familiarity, their foibles are all the more easily seen and criticised.

Brotherly love is always a winner — even in elections.

Local politics along the banks of the Shannon is entering uncharted waters due to the unification of the city and county to form a united assembly.