90 judges, drawn from the industry in Ireland and Europe, judged 282 hours of submissions from the 700 entries across 37 categories and today they announced the shortlist.

Two of Cork’s most popular attractions —  courtesy of Fáilte Ireland’s ‘New ideas in Ancient Spaces’ Capital Grants Scheme.

Ireland will see a 6-7% rise in visitor numbers next year, but could enjoy greater returns from tourism with more competitive airport charges, said Fáilte Ireland chairman Michael Cawley.

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly, has attracted some criticism for apparently overruling civil servants when deciding on spending on greenways, specifically the route along the disused rail line that links Mullingar to Athlone.

A 12-room boutique hotel in Dingle has been named the best bargain hotel in the world.

Some of the world's top 'bloggers' will attend a major conference in Dublin from today.

The PGA Championship at Wentworth usually signals the arrival of the big guns back to European soil. This week it is Ireland’s turn.

Cork’s county manager will today try to persuade Fáilte Ireland bosses to reconsider their decision to pull funding from a major tourism project in Cork harbour.

Hotel room prices in Dublin have risen by 7.8%, according to business advisory firm Deloitte.

A small Cork-based boat-building company is enjoying major international success having recently won contracts to supply pilot and rescue vessels to a number of countries worldwide.

Fáilte Ireland have announced plans to pump €3.4m into a series of high-profile sporting events being held in Ireland this year.

IT’S squeaky bum time in LA.

THE scene is set, the major trophies have been polished and golf in this country is set for a week to remember as the Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland 2011 gets under way today at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club.

COMPLAIN as we might about our dear green country, it really takes an exterior view to paint a real picture of ourselves and where we live.

WATERFORD’S hosting of the Tall Ships Races 2011 has been overwhelmingly praised for its success, which saw up to 500,000 spectators in the city over the four-day festival ending on Sunday.

IRELAND had one million fewer visitors in the past year but tourist numbers are expected to pick up over the coming 12 months.

THE Port of Cork is planning a multi-million euro upgrade of the country’s only dedicated cruise liner terminal in Cobh which could, within five years, generate up to €60 million annually for the south-west region.

AS intermittent drizzle and low clouds enveloped Killarney yesterday, the television commentators at the 3 Irish Open Golf Championship eased off a little on the superlatives.

The chief executive of Fáilte Ireland said today that he is optimistic that our tourist figures will improve.

IT is holidays at home for more Irish people than ever this year – and they can expect value for their money.

GUINNESS is good for... tourism.

DISAPPOINTMENT has been voiced in Killarney following the exclusion, yet again, of an historic, old house from Fáilte Ireland funding.

“I WANT to give you a picture of our country, it’s about struggle, it’s about resistance. So welcome to Cuba!”

THE trade union Impact has demanded the Government stop Fáilte Ireland from withdrawing from its role of inspecting 5,800 self-catering facilities and publishing a self-catering guide.

IT’S an ill wind that doesn’t blow somebody some good, as a recreational facility in Kenmare discovered this summer.

HOTELS outside Dublin are benefiting greatly from the shortage of hotel and conferencing facilities in the capital.

Bosses at Fáilte Ireland were criticised tonight for locking out striking workers from one its Dublin offices.

THE Republican Party took a beating in the mid-term American elections this week, even though the economy was possibly never better.

The Dublin Horse Show was opened in fitting style today as the Lord Mayor of Dublin rolled up to the doors in a coach drawn by four black horses.

SOME of the victims of a child sex abuser were still ‘nervous’ about him living in the area while on bail awaiting sentence next October, a court was told yesterday.

DUBLIN is one of the least popular places - and among the most favoured - in Ireland for tourists to visit according to a survey of more than 1,100 visitors from the US, Canada, Britain and Europe.

PROPOSALS to decentralise 200 jobs to Mallow could take 10 years to complete because Fáilte Ireland staff want to remain in Dublin.

A record 6.4 million people visited Ireland from abroad in 2004, according to figures released today by Fáilte Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland is targeting windsurfing fans as 40 of Europe’s leading windsurfers come to Brandon Bay, Castlegregory as part of an International Sports Tourism Initiative.

The national tourism development agency has announced a new initiative to address the cost of insurance in the sector.

THE number of tourists visiting Ireland has increased this summer despite early indications it would be a disastrous season for the industry.

A HUGE surge in tourist numbers is expected next month as one of the world’s biggest equestrian events comes to Co Kildare.

The latest tourism figures produced by Bord Fáilte make for mixed reading. The number of tourists visiting this country is up on last year, but the number of people staying here is down.

Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue has appointed Gillian Bowler chairperson of the Government's new tourism authority.

Bord Failte have announced sponsorship deals to help push Ireland as a premier golf tourism destination.

TOURISM Minister John O’Donoghue said any settlement of an internal row in a top golf club would need the approval of Bord Fáilte, a 75% shareholder in the club.

The National Women's council say they will organise a boycott of the Irish Open if it is held at Portmarnock Golf club in North Dublin.