Around 19,000 people have had their holiday plans left in chaos after Irish Ferries cancelled all sailings to France on the WB Yeats vessel this summer.

Here's your morning news bulletin...

"It takes time and confidence to come up with your own vision, but your eyes must be wide open enough to see how it could be realised commercially," says jewellery designer Martina Hamilton.

The Canadian prime minister’s aide manoeuvred across the Farmleigh lawn laden down with bodhráns, hurleys, a GAA geansaí, a pair of socks and a poetry book.

US President Donald Trump intends to visit Ireland before the end of 2020, sparking a wave of criticism from opposition parties who claim Ireland has sold out on its values.

The leaves underfoot are dry as potato crisps, lighter and every shade from pastel yellow to blood red. They crunch underfoot; they blow around the yard in eddies and whirlpools, writes Damien Enright

Your letters, your views...

David Puttnam was greeted by a familiar soundtrack as he arrived yesterday at the place of learning of one of his own heroes, Michael Collins.

‘Home of the Year’ begins a new series on RTÉ One on Thursday, with new judge Deirdre Whelan joining Hugh Wallace, and Declan O’ Donnell.

President Michael D Higgins led tributes to his friend, playwright Brian Friel who died yesterday at his home in Greencastle, Co Donegal, at the age of 86.

Even bigger crowds are expected to attend this year’s Skibbereen Arts Festival as it grows in popularity with its impressive line-up of musicians, actors and artists from home and abroad.

Friends of Van Morrison have said he is the WB Yeats of the music world after he was honoured by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth for services to the industry.

Ireland’s great festival of scents, colours, and flavours was officially opened by President Michael D Higgins yesterday.

Des O’Sullivan looks ahead to a jam-packed, varied and hugely anticipated sale in Limerick this weekend.

This week is National Tree Week, so holistic gardener Fiann Ó Nualláin has been looking at what varieties are best for you and your garden

The owners of the historic Lissadell Estate have won an appeal against a finding that rights of way exist on the property.

It’s been a hectic year for Blue Raincoat theatre company.

MICHAEL Noonan boasted he was “handing Ireland her purse back” — but not before letting Brendan Howlin riffle through it to snatch what cash young mothers and old ladies had left in it.

On Ireland’s emptiest major shopping street, butcher Keith Clarke is mourning a loss of business.

Tourism Ireland has described American Vogue’s decision to shoot part of its iconic September issue in Kerry as “invaluable publicity”.

American Vogue’s iconic September issue will include a nine-page shoot in Ireland by acclaimed photographer, Annie Leibovitz.

Patrick Cooney spent a decade “dropping in and out” of the lives of four members of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy for his documentary, The Raj in the Rain, which will be screened on Sunday during the Kinsale Arts Festival.

IN DUBLIN, the curtain has fallen on another Absolut Fringe festival.

It’s a diversion, nothing more.

Adrian Frazier does a fine job in bringing to life John Ford and others involved in the remarkable links between the Abbey and Hollywood, says Val Nolan

EAVAN BOLAND’S appearance in the poetry section of the higher level English Paper 2 brought smiles in most Leaving Certificate exam centres yesterday.

IRELAND’S cultural ambassador, actor Gabriel Byrne, has launched the largest-ever promotion of Irish arts events across the United States.

THE money spent on renovating a derelict house and the construction of an underground chamber to protect bats at Coole Park along the route of the next phase of the Atlantic Corridor is to come to €90,000.

Human Chain

An original signed version of Ireland's Proclamation of Independence has fetched a record-breaking €360,000 when auctioned last night at a Dublin showroom.

A Dublin-based publisher distributed more than 200 free books across the capital this weekend to encourage more children to read.

A daring theft of National Wax Museum figures will not stop next month’s re-opening of the tourist attraction, it emerged today.

Oysters with cognac dressing - from Irish Oyster Cuisine.

AFTER 12 months of high drama - as much off-stage as on - the Abbey Theatre lightened up yesterday with a day-long programme of events to celebrate its 100th birthday.

The owner of Lissadell House in Co Sligo has revealed that he is on the verge of selling the property.