The excitement was reaching fever pitch yesterday ahead of the St Patrick’s Day parade in Ennis, Co Clare, as a group of ‘new Irish’ Nigerians raised their voices to sing ‘Ireland’s Call’.

Ireland’s biggest traditional music and culture festival has snubbed energy giant Shell after environmentalists kicked up a storm over sponsorship from the company.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen last night defended the Government’s intention to pay above the current market value for the property loans it will take from the banks.

FLOOD waters around the country are expected to recede today as weather forecasters predict better weather for the remainder of the week after another day of intense rainfall that left many homes suffering millions of euro in flood damage.