Relics of an ascendancy which once humoured and bestowed comfort to the Earls of Dunraven over several centuries are destined for new homes after a marathon two-day auction in the Adare Manor hotel.

More than half of Irish software companies expect to increase their employment and 75% forecast higher revenues in 2002.

The Irish Software Association and other industry bodies have indicated that the technology, communications and telecommunications [TMT] sector has not been favoured in the proposed budget and much of what has been put forward is ‘smoke and mirrors’.