The successful laying 150 years ago of the undersea cable connecting the old world of Europe with the new world of America is being celebrated this week on Valentia Island.

Blazing sunshine brought a sea of colour to Killarney Races for Ladies’ Day, with large numbers of fashionable women turning out.

Direct descendants of the men whose vision helped bring the transatlantic cable to Valentia Island, Co Kerry, in 1866 will meet for the first time this weekend on the Co Kerry site of the historic achievement.

Over €1.2m in fines was doled out to some 420 taxpayers for failing to file returns, cigarette smuggling and selling, and for pub licensing offences.