Almost a secret location, the Model Farm Road niche called Birchley only comes to the fore once in a blue moon, when a house arrives here for sale.

No 9, Jamesmont, in Cork’s salubrious Rochestown, is exceptionally opulent and, quirkily, has an astro turf lawn, says Tommy Barker

Soccer legend Roy Keane has praised schoolchildren whose heroic fundraising efforts for the Irish Guide Dogs (IGD) have helped transform lives.

Researchers are developing sensors to track how guide dogs react to potentially stressful situations, writes Helen O’Callaghan.

When a big white retriever called Toby bounded into Conor Lynch’s life, it found a lost little boy.

An assistance dogs programme specifically for children with autism reached its full capacity within one hour of Irish Guide Dogs reopening the service to new applicants for the first time since 2013.

President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina yesterday visited the headquarters and training centre of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in Cork to mark the organisation’s 40th anniversary year.

Golden retriever Zane is one of a kind: he works as a trained guide dog but he’s also able to alert his diabetes-suffering owner when her blood-sugar levels are low.

Lena Gourley said: "It was like having my sight taken away."

The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind are celebrating 40 years and to mark the occasion, they've put on a show.

A Cork woman is hoping to have her “eyes” back soon after her guide dog’s weight forced a charity to remove her for intensive training.

And the story has gone viral.

After four decades of outstanding service to the visually impaired community and over a decade working with families of children with autism Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is set to launch their most important fundraising campaign since they first began in 1976.

More than 45,000 people in Ireland have a form of autism and the figure may be as high as 50,000, a study shows.

Derval O’Rourke, former Olympic athlete, was joined today by her own trusty labradoodle Berlino to unveil the Irish Guide Dogs #GoWalkies Christmas campaign.

Classic entertainment

Meet marathon man Alex O’ Shea from Ballineen, Cork. Alex is not your normal long-distance runner.

They say never to work with children or animals but I think the impeccably behaved dogs at the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind National Headquarters and Training Centre are certainly the exception to that rule. 

Cork County Council is teaming up with a village to host a family fun day aimed at keeping footpaths free from dog fouling.

Roy Keane was back in Cork lately to help promote the great work done by Irish Guide Dogs.

Few will raise an eyebrow to hear that Roy Keane’s dogs knew how a match had gone by his body language — it speaks volumes at the best of times.

The Menu is delighted to hear the revised format for the San Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 means it is now a truly global competition open to some of the aforementioned young gustatory gaels. 

Guide dog owners have spoken movingly about how the unique partnership with their dogs has given them a new lease of life.

Men cross-dressing, runners of both sexes, charities jumping for joy — the Evening Echo Women’s mini- marathon attracted it’s usual quota of outrageous outfits, pink wigs and big hearts, all out for a good cause.

An tIonad Glas, The Organic College in Dromcollogher, Limerick,is hosting an open day tomorrow, Sunday, July 20, from 2pm to 5pm.

Two out of three Irish charities have seen public donations plummet by as much as 10% since the Rehab and Central Remedial Clinic scandals emerged.

It’s the tuggable, huggable softness that gets him every time — when it comes to guide dogs, even Roy Keane admits he’s a sucker for the pups that ultimately act as eyes for the blind.

A visually impaired woman is set to tackle her first mini-marathon later this year to raise funds for the Irish Guide Dogs charity which has supported her for more than 20 years.

With today being World Autism Awareness Day, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind have started a #deflie or dog selfie campaign.

Irish Guide Dogs has been forced to close the waiting list for its autism assistance dog programme for a second time because of massive over-subscription.

So just how much does eyesight determine the flavour of food? Pól Ó Conghaile pulls on a blindfold for a tasting menu with a difference.

It’s fully Christmas now and Esther N McCarthy rides to the rescue of the those who’ve left it a little late in the gift-getting stakes with some fab suggestions.

MANY perennial plants, herbaceous and evergreen, can benefit from some attention now.

Tourism officials in Cobh, Co Cork, are planning to erect a life-size sculpture of local athlete and Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan.

Football’s most famous dog has taken her final bow wow.

WE’VE known him as a midfield enforcer, an up-and-coming manager, a yoga enthusiast and even the inspiration for a long-running stage play but once a year we get to see Roy Keane the comedian as well.

THE Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind organisation unveiled a €5 million service expansion plan yesterday, aimed at reaching out to more people.

Guide-dog owners have been urged to remain indoors today as preparations for Hallowe’en and bonfire night get underway.

Cork-based concert organisers, Viva Cork, are exhausting all avenues to get Irish rockers U2 to come to Cork for a major charity music festival later this year.

The Manchester United skipper reveals that his plans for retirement next year may be shelved — by Alex Ferguson. Liam Mackey listened.

ROY KEANE proved his bark is worse than his bite yesterday as he hinted at regrets over his decision to quit international football.