Volunteerism is the bedrock of rural communities striving to defend their services, culture, and way of life against threats from growing centralisation and urbanisation.

Bastien Peyraud has been appointed as general manager of the Imperial Hotel, Cork, part of the Flynn Hotels group.

Bandon RFC picked up an All-Ireland title at U16 level last weekend.

Bandon RFC picked up an All-Ireland title at U16 level last weekend. Such glory days are becoming a bit of a habit, says club president Dan Murphy.

Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, survived a stunning comeback from Ashbourne Community School to edge out a thrilling All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools SBFC semi-final at Waterford IT on Saturday.

Just when you think you have them cornered, Kerry find a way out.

The victory extends Kerry’s winning-run at minor level to 26 games.

A Garda was served with a book of evidence on two theft charges yesterday.

A garda was arrested yesterday for questioning and charged with 212 counts related to alleged deception, theft and receiving corrupt payments.

I am paying for my water — so far anyway.

A suspected drink-driving case was dismissed yesterday because of the handcuffing of the motorist while he was in the Garda patrol car.

Wexford Youths 0 Cork City 2: Cork City grabbed goals towards the end of each half as they ensured there was no cup fairytale for First Division Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park last night.

Junior Rugby: Focus

The setting alone of this house - called Tearmann, after the Irish word for a place of sanctuary and built to passive house standards - encourages a bit of indolence: there’s little as calming as lolling by water.

Brian O’Driscoll’s entry in the Guinness World Records 2014 may be impressive — but can it compete with the creator of the world’s largest yo-yo or the achievement of owning the longest human tongue?

Family doctors from across the West met in Galway last night as part of the continuing campaign to oppose the proposed new GP contract.

May I suggest the following possible solution to the pylons controversy.

Wing Jonny May’s late try gave Gloucester a dramatic Heineken Cup victory as Perpignan had their former Munster centre Lifeimi Mafi sent off.

Fergal Moore has to rely on what others have told him about the manner of Galway’s exit from the National League at Kilkenny’s hands last month, having departed the fray on a stretcher after an accidental clash of heads with Walter Walsh.

Bandon have drawn inspiration from all quarters ahead of an historic day for the club, writes Alan Good

A ‘CyberBuddy’ website, which allows students to report bullying to their schools in confidence, has won top prize in a competition for young entrepreneurs.

Saracens 28 Gloucester 23

Vanquished Galway boss Anthony Cunningham paid a gracious tribute to champions Kilkenny following yesterday’s All-Ireland senior hurling final replay.

Our vehicle numbering system, which has been in operation since the late 1980s, is the essence of simplicity and clarity and has attracted much favourable comment from abroad.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick caused the shock of the Irish Universities Collingwood Cup by edging out holders UCC 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final at UL after the game finished level at 1-1 after extra-time.

AN improved set piece is essential if Connacht are to have any hopes of overcoming Gloucester on the second of the back-to-back Heineken Cup fixtures and grab that elusive win.

RACING at the Royal Cork drew to a close with the culmination of the CH Marine Winter League.

In the second of a two-day series on rural Ireland, Michael Clifford reports on how community programmes are helping local people to cope with loneliness and isolation

THIEVES are now targeting churches and grottos.

A 53-YEAR-OLD garda has been presented with a bravery award for rescuing an octogenarian from a blazing house.

LIKE many Irish people I have relatives buried in France.

AT a time when banks are struggling to find funds for legitimate business projects and house purchase it seems ludicrous for the Government to allow the advancement of finance for the procurement of new cars.

REFERRING to the Government in his budget day article, Fergus Finlay said it will be many, many years before this crowd is inflicted on us again.

London Irish have recalled the twin threat of wings Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau Saturday's Heineken Cup final pool six match with Leinster at Twickenham.

London Irish coach Toby Booth has rotated his entire front row for three of the five changes he has made for tomorrow’s opening Heineken Cup fixture with Leinster in Dublin.

Captain Bob Casey will travel, but not play, with the London Irish squad to play Leinster at Donnybrook on Friday.

EAMON MOORE (Letters, April 25) raised understandable concerns about the inclusion of Irish players in what is widely known as the British Lions rugby squad.

The head of the country’s civil service union is to retire after 40 years service, it was announced today.

THE spectre of the bogeyman has re-entered Irish politics. The bogeyman is the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with which we were threatened last during the 1980s. The IMF is the lender of last resort, the place where a country goes for money when it can’t get it anywhere else.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen was forced to deny reports yesterday that he had said Ireland might have to call in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to solve the country’s financial crisis.

THE chasm between the world public and civil servants inhabit, and the one their fellow citizens live in has been brought into focus by our economic difficulties.