Ireland is now one of the world’s top 10 gin-drinking nations, writes John Daly

When it comes to the All-Ireland Sailing Championships, much of the narrative in recent years has surrounded the quest for hat-tricks.

The expectations of Ireland’s sailors have been raised by Annalise Murphy’s fourth-place finish at the 2012 Olympics but the Irish Sailing Association’s performance director has described medal hopes at Rio next month as an outside shot.

Ireland’s fortunes could hardly have been more mixed in the two Laser single-handed classes on the opening day of the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander yesterday, as the hunt for a place at Rio 2016 heats up.

Cork sailor Séafra Guilfoyle won a silver medal at the 44th ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships in Portugal yesterday.

A former chief executive of a suicide awareness charity will be sentenced next month for stealing over €36,000 from the organisation.

The Government will part finance a €125m fund aimed at medium-sized companies mainly in the food, manufacturing and technology sectors.

Minister Noonan's announcement of a capital gains tax relief for entrepreneurs who re-invest the sale of assets in new ventures has been welcomed by the software industry.

IT MIGHT seem bit of paradox, but the best way to see Ireland’s raw, elemental natural beauty is to leave the place behind you, in your wake.

It was his first time at sea but he’d do it all again.

The Irish Sailing Association believe a “malicious campaign” against sailor Peter O’Leary cost the country a medal at the Olympic Games.

To mark National Stammering Awareness Day, Patrick Hanlon tells Claire Droney how he overcame the debilitating condition

Karl Flannery, chairman of the Irish Software Association, talks to Vincent Ryan about his busy working day

Ireland’s best remaining hope of a sailing medal, Annalise Murphy, goes into her final two Laser Radial fleet races today in second place.

After four races on Weymouth Bay, Annalise Murphy remains the only unbeaten sailor at the 2012 Olympic Regatta.

Denis Lynch has Lantinus and All Inclusive to choose from in the first round of tomorrow’s Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar, though yesterday he had yet to decide which horse to use.

ANNALISE MURPHY yesterday secured Olympic qualification at the ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Annalise Murphy has officially qualified Ireland for the 2012 Olympics in the Laser Radial sailing discipline.

IRELAND’S elite Olympic sailors are amongst the favourites at the third multi-class ISAF Sailing World Championships which start this weekend at Perth, Australia.

UP to 2,000 coastal jobs and a potential €150 million in exports are on hold due to the Government’s slow processing of 600 aquaculture licences, according to the Irish Shellfish Association.

ISA NACEWA capped a glittering night for Leinster as he became the first overseas player to be named Bord Gáis Energy Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) Players’ Player of the Year.

THE Irish Software Association is encouraging Irish SMEs to bid for more public sector IT contracts.

CONTENTIOUS plans to construct a €6 million pier at Doolin yesterday received the unanimous approval of Clare’s councillors in spite of concerns expressed by surfers.

CLARE’S county manager, Tom Coughlan, will recommend to councillors today plans for a contentious €6 million pier at Doolin.

NICHOLAS O’LEARY (Royal Cork Yacht Club) has received the Irish Sailing Association’s prestigious Achievement of the Year Award.

The Labour party’s enterprise document pledges €500m to create jobs, but puts emphasis on task forces rather than strategy, writes Tom O’Connor

Israel and Fatah Palestinian forces worked together when rival Hamas militants overran the Gaza strip, according to WikiLeaks documents released today.

MUSSEL farmers have warned the Government that a decade-long delay in processing 500 aquaculture licence applications is preventing the creation of much needed jobs.

ALMOST 50 objections, including a number from surf clubs across the country, have been lodged against Clare County Council’s plan to construct a €6 million pier at Doolin.

THE celebrated Virginia Show, home of the prestigious Baileys cow championship, will be held this year on a new date – Saturday, July 31.

Dublin: Six ambitious Software start-ups and SMEs met six of the countries biggest venture capitalists at the Software Investment Forum.

The Irish Spirits Association has said that the spirits market in Ireland is suffering a severe downturn, following publication of the latest excise revenue data by the Revenue Commissioners.

Police broke up Malaysia’s biggest street protest in nearly two years today, firing tear gas and chemical-laced water at thousands of opposition supporters demanding an end to a law that allows detention without trial.

Google and the Irish Software Association (ISA) have set up a scheme to help small companies better exploit the potential of the internet in marketing their business.

THE role that shows play in rural life has been praised by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith, when he officially launched the Irish Shows Association 2009 Year Book in Roscommon town.

THE Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) have set up a special tribunal to hear appeals resulting from the nomination of Star Class sailors Peter O'Leary and Stephen Milne by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) for the Beijing Games.

THE shellfish industry employs 1,500 people and is worth more than €60 million a year to coastal communities, a conference was told in Westport, Co Mayo, yesterday.

THE Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) is not prepared to consider the selection of Star class sailors Peter O’Leary and Stephen Milne for this year’s Games pending the outcome of an appeal against their nomination lodged by Max Treacy and Anthony Shanks.

SHOWS are an important part of the fabric of Irish life, according to John Browne, the new chairman of their national umbrella body, the Irish Shows Association.