Taoiseach Enda Kenny was among the substantial crowd of mourners who last night attended the removal of Margaret Barry, wife of former tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs, Peter Barry.

THE announcement by Sarah Palin that she will not seek the Republican nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in America’s presidential election next year, will provoke relief and disappointment in equal measure.

REPUBLICAN presidential candidates used their first big televised debate to lash out at President Barack Obama — but not each other.

FORMER Alaska governor Sarah Palin said her recent hiring of a chief of staff for her political action committee did not signal a decision to run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

TEA PARTY favourite Sarah Palin gave the strongest indication yet she is preparing a 2012 White House bid, saying she would run for president “if there is nobody else to do it”.

ELDER statesman Peter Barry is to be made a freeman of Cork.

Not content with saddling the two favourites for the Gold Cup later in the week, Paul Nicholls is in the enviable position of having two live chances in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

AN ASTRONAUT with strong family ties to Cork sent best wishes from space yesterday to mark the official opening of the country’s newest and most advanced observatory and space education centre.

Premier Foods added a new ingredient to its portfolio of brands today by snapping up the maker of meat alternative Quorn for £172m (€255m).