Martin Claffey enjoys a walking break in the stunning surrounds of Connemara.

It was a birthday to remember set against a backdrop of sweeping, recently harvested fields that were dotted with huge bales of straw.

On the 75th anniversary of his death, we recall the father of modern comm unication, writes Jonathan deBurca Butler

BEST view of Limerick City? From The Strand hotel’s elevator. Launching from a sleekly-styled lobby, its glass walls zoom upwards to a panorama over Sarsfield Bridge, the mighty River Shannon and Limerick Castle.

Defence giant BAE Systems today named chief operating officer Ian King as its next chief executive.

Weaker banking stocks and a reversal of recent gains for mining companies meant the FTSE 100 Index languished in negative territory today.

The company formed out of the remains of telecoms equipment giant Marconi said today it was making good progress after a number of contract wins.

Share prices in London made welcome headway today as a sunnier outlook emerged on both sides of the Atlantic.

Developments in two long-running takeover sagas caught the eye of investors during a solid session for the beleaguered London market today.

Mobile phone operator Vodafone today announced a deal to sell its own-brand phones on the consumer market for the first time.

Marconi’s successor company Telent today announced its first major deal after securing a £36m (€52.5m) contract with telecoms group O2.

Directories group Yell gave the London market little to shout about today after UK regulators warned that its dominance was hurting smaller rivals.

One of the best-known names in UK industry will disappear from the stock market today after Marconi completed the sale of most of its assets to Ericsson.

The London market failed to build on the week’s early recovery today as a flurry of corporate updates disappointed traders and sent the FTSE 100 Index into the red.

The writing was on the wall for Marconi after the loss of its contract with BT earlier this year.

Hopes that the London market could build on yesterday’s rally were dashed today as investors gave the thumbs down to updates from Whitbread and BP.

Struggling telecoms equipment group Marconi agreed to sell off the bulk of its assets to rival Ericsson today in a deal worth around £1.2bn (€1.77bn).

A surge in the value of oil and mining stocks helped propel the FTSE 100 Index back above the key 5200 barrier today.

SWEDISH telecoms equipment giant Ericsson and France’s Alcatel are neck-and-neck in the final stage of a contest to buy Marconi, according to weekend reports in the British press.

The London market began the trading week confidently today even though the exodus of investors from PartyGaming showed no sign of slowing down.

Marconi shares jumped to a five month high today amid speculation linking the UK company to a takeover approach from Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson.

PartyGaming was out of synch with a buoyant London market today as the value of the poker giant dipped below £3bn (€4.3bn) for the first time.

Record oil prices and good news from the banking sector helped the FTSE 100 Index surge to a fresh three-year high today.

Strong results from a heavyweight banking stock set the tone for another positive session by the London market today.

British telecoms equipment group Marconi today warned it faced a £50m (€72.8m) hit to revenues this year following its failure to land a major BT contract.

The FTSE 100 Index failed to move far from its opening mark today despite a boost from across the Atlantic and a string of positive corporate updates.

The collapse of MG Rover claimed more jobs today when a firm which used to supply the carmaker with body panels announced it would close, with the loss of 200 jobs.

The FTSE 100 Index was set for a positive end to the week today after the General Election result broadly met City forecasts.

Telecoms equipment group Marconi said today it was cutting 800 jobs in the UK as part of an overhaul aimed at improving its competitiveness.

Further bleak news from the retail sector sent a clutch of famous high street names into negative territory on the London market today.

A clutch of insurance stocks helped drive the London market higher today after an update from Friends Provident cheered the sector.

Takeover speculation surrounding B&Q owner Kingfisher helped lead a strong rally for the FTSE 100 Index today.

Telecoms equipment group Marconi said today it was considering “all strategic options” in the wake of its failure to land a major contract from BT.

The British government today stayed tight-lipped about claims that it had rebuffed a plea for help from struggling telecoms group Marconi.

The London market held its own above the 4800 level today following positive corporate and economic news in New York.

Shares in telecoms equipment firm Marconi slumped again today as its failure to land a lucrative contract from BT continued to alarm investors.

GlaxoSmithKline gave investors a dose of good news today as the drugs giant prevented the London market from closing in negative territory.

Drugs stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index to break back above the 4800 barrier today.

WHAT with broadband technologies and satellite phones, it is easy to overlook the excitement — and importance — of the first transatlantic cable links.

It was the boom that promised to make millions rich – yet five years to the day from the peak of the dotcom fervour, investors are still counting the cost.

Record results from BP helped the FTSE 100 Index creep even closer to the landmark 5000 barrier today.

Record results from BP ensured the FTSE 100 Index kept the landmark 5000 barrier within its sights today.