An Irish student has warned her fellow J1 travellers to beware of a widespread rental scam in the US that cost her and her friends almost $5,000 (€4,000).

President Mary McAleese will leave for a week-long trip to the west coast of the United States today to strengthen trade, business and cultural links.

President Mary McAleese will begin a week-long trip to the west coast of the United States tomorrow to strengthen trade, business and cultural links.

Almost €30,000 is to be ploughed into projects researching the needs of Irish emigrants living in the US, it was announced today.