Ireland has 99 species of bees but one third of them are currently threatened with extinction due to a reduction in food sources (wildflowers) and safe nesting sites.

The picturesque town of Cobh has suffered many blows over the years, with the booming cruise liner business now serving as its main industry and employer, writes

Peter Dowdall reports on efforts to halt biodiversity loss to boost coastal habitats in the Cork area

A dedicated Garda fraud unit is urgently needed to tackle insurance scams, according to the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

Drug dealers are openly offering bags of heroin to young students for free, according to a Meath councillor who wants to stop small gangs from taking over a community.

The Government has defended the arrangements of a public meeting on climate change, despite complaints that the public was not told where or when it was taking place.

Two local election candidates have been accused of flouting the spirit of a town’s poster ban.

The annual Biodiversity and Councils’ All-Ireland Pollinator conference put the spotlight on local authorities’ vital role in protecting threatened pollinators, writes Ellie O’Byrne

There are many photos of Zuppy. Not Zuppy, the blue dog from The Den.

Killarney: The Killarney St Patrick’s Day parade promises to be ‘The Greatest Show’ with a showstopping circus theme. The parade, which starts at 2pm, is part of a now week-long festival. Landmarks such as Ross Castle glimpsed from Flesk Bridge and St Mary’s Cathedral will turn green for several days.

It’s a busy roundabout at the best of times, but it’s about to get a whole lot busier thanks to a new bee-friendly initiative.

New life has been breathed into one of the most historic parts of Cork City thanks to a €500,000 investment in the public realm and a cultural venue.

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a proposed Lidl supermarket in the Cork suburb of Douglas, disagreeing with the recommendation of its inspector.

Cork County Council may use grass cuttings from verges and its unused land stock as biofuel to provide power to houses.

On arriving outside the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, Co Cork, Minister Michael Ring was told that he’d brought the sunny weather with him. “We have it 52 weeks a year, so we have,” came the instant reply.

A year ago it was Ireland’s tidiest village but this year Birdhill occupies an even higher perch after winning the overall national title of the country’s tidiest town.

Sweeping brushes and spades may be the physical tools of success in the Tidy Towns but the crucial factor is partnership.

Cork City Council has moved to ease fears in areas affected by the proposed city boundary extension, insisting it will not lead to a hike in rates or insurance costs.

Kerry is open for business and tourism but there are issues around parking, traffic, dog fouling, and rubbish, writes Anne Lucey

A new book analyses our relationship with the country’s rapidly disappearing natural environment, writes Anne Lucey

A businessman who owns five supermarkets, including the biggest SuperValu in the country, is to invest nearly €9m upgrading four of them.

A small, dedicated group of people is fighting a successful battle against an invasive species which is capable of destabilising houses.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

A Tidy Towns initiative in a Cork suburb has sparked an acrimonious turf war between two neighbouring areas over the location of the local boundary.

Indiscriminate litter offenders in Co Cork may be named and shamed after a senior local authority official agreed with elected members that drastic measures are needed to crack down on roadside dumping.

Community activists in Waterford are searching for two landmarks that were stolen last week which date to the 1840s.

He shares the same name of a famous political figure and Independent TD Michael Collins could have a lot to offer the party.

Born in Australia but raised in Sligo, pianist Kieran Quinn’s footballing career with his home county included a Connacht championship medal in 2007. His second album, The Next One, is out now, and he’s currently on a tour that takes in all 32 counties. See kieranquinn.ie

A quirky historic streetscape in a West Cork town which boasts a rare 500-year-old architectural “gem” is to undergo a refurbishment project, spearheaded by locals in conjunction with Cork County Council.

It took more than a half- century of whole-hearted commitment but finally Letterkenny has won the title of the country’s Tidiest Town.

Vandals who damaged trees should be flogged with the branches they broke off, a town mayor has suggested.

Six cameras are to be placed in illegal dumping blackspots in top tourism areas in Kerry.

Cork and Kerry football fans will enjoy the banter in Killarney at this evening’s Munster final replay and many will meet at McSweeney’s Corner on their way to Fitzgerald Stadium.