Almost 1,500 passengers have been hit by a ferry fault which has forced the cancellation of Brittany Ferries’ sailings from Cork to France and Spain this weekend.

The country's airports are busier than ever with a record 36.5 million passengers passing through last year.

There is “significant interest” among international mineral companies in Ireland as a gold mining region, according to prospecting firm Connemara Mining.

Catch up on the headlines this lunchtime...

Guinness PRO14: Connacht 23 - Cheetahs 15: Tiernan O’Halloran has no qualms about being left out of the Irish squad for the autumn internationals, but the 26-year-old will be keeping a bag packed over the next few weeks in case there is a call from Joe Schmidt.

Walter Pfeiffer’s fascination with Connemara has left a legacy of two stunning collections of photography, writes Marjorie Brennan

Connemara Mining, the John Teeling-chaired mineral prospector, has opened talks with potential joint-venture partners regarding two of its remaining solely owned ventures in Leinster.

Leo Varadkar took his first bold step onto the pristine furrow — time stopped, breaths were held, and ploughing matriarch Anna May McHugh put her hands to her face in shock.

A protest is being planned in Galway's Eyre Square this afternoon over ambulance cover for the West.

A Connemara campaign group claims they're being discriminated against, because of a lack of ambulance services for the region.

Shares in the John Teeling run Connemara Mining rose over 7% as international “value investor” Paul Johnson substantially increased his stake in the firm.

The second season of TG4’s widely-praised drama, An Klondike, may be set in the 19th century, but it has echoes of present day America, writes Marjorie Brennan

Irish marble’s purpose is being reinvented with the home in mind, writes Carol O’Callaghan. 

The Boys in Green may have left it until the 85th minute to score the goal that booked their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2016, but there have also been dramatic late developments for a pair of Corkmen.

While the tens of thousands of Irish here in Bordeaux are focussed on this afternoon’s crucial clash with Belgium, one group of fans was brought here by a match-up of a different kind.

The only people that seem to be happy with Budget 2016 are the craft brewers. 

Hunting and fishing accoutrements, along with a selection of Turkish rugs, are included in a Connemara collection to be auctioned by Aidan Foley at the Old Schoolhouse in Doneraile, North Cork at 1pm today. 

An average 35% reduction in funding for for community and voluntary organisations is having a detrimental impact on community development, writes Rory Hearne.

Never say never. A boy who has repeatedly tried to meet royalty will realise his dream in Galway today.

Clonmel’s domination of Munster Junior rugby has been a project years in the making.

Live music: FUAIM Opening Gala

The Government will decision on the tax regime for oil exploration next year and has admitted that 16,500 barrels of oil were removed off the Connemara coast in 1997.

Connemara Mining, the AIM-listed/Dublin-headquartered mineral exploration firm, has been awarded 10 prospecting licences in east Donegal.

Salthill-Knocknacarra remain on course for successive Galway SFC titles for the first time after holding off the challenge of a Caltra side forced to start without Michael Meehan.

Galway defender Gareth Bradshaw was sent off for the second week in a row when he received a second yellow card as his club Moycullen were defeated by Kilconly in the first round of the Galway SFC yesterday.

The High Court has rejected a bid to wind up a mining company headed by entrepreneur John Teeling over claims that it is insolvent.

AN Irish language play, written by Paul Mercier with music by his brother, Mel, is coming to UCC’s Granary Theatre on May 9-10 as part of a six-venue tour around Ireland.

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

A shareholder in a mining exploration company headed by entrepreneur John Teeling has asked the High Court to wind up the firm, alleging it is insolvent and unable to pay its debts.

Companies are paying exorbitant premiums to base their businesses in Gaeltacht areas.

Lansdowne are back on top of the Ulster Bank League following a bonus-point victory over Dolphin at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The traditional rivalry between Cork Constitution and Garryowen alone will push today’s Ulster Bank League clash at Temple Hill into the must-see category.

Tullow Oil, the Irish-founded driller, will acquire Norway’s Spring Energy AS for $372m (€286m) to add prospects in the North, Norwegian, and Barents Seas.

An Irish metal exploring company has stated that it has found evidence of gold in the Wicklow/Wexford area.

Connemara Mining — the AIM-listed mineral exploration firm chaired by businessman John Teeling — has revealed that it recently received an expression of interest in its minority stakeholding in the highly-rated Stonepark zinc and lead discovery in Co Limerick.

Connemara Mining, the Irish precious metals exploration company, has reduced its operating losses for the period ended June 30, 2012 to €178,000 from €198,000 compared to the same period last year, according to the company’s Interim Statement.

Tipperary family business Crowe’s Farm has been named overall winner of the National Organic Awards 2012.

American spirits giant Beam Inc has hired five Irish graduates to promote its Irish whiskey brands in the US market.

Irish mineral exploration firm Connemara Mining has said there is a good prospect of recoverable gold deposits at its licences on the border of counties Wicklow and Wexford, adding that it could start drilling in the coming months.

Get ready for Ireland’s answer to the Great Ocean Road — the 1400km Wild Atlantic Way, says Tommy Barker