Overcoming a phobia is the ultimate new year’s resolution. Vickie Maye, Pat Fitzpatrick and Breda Graham tell how they beat their fears of water, heights and flying.

Bríd Cranitch is retiring from her 17-year tenure at the helm of the thriving cultural centre in Baile Mhúirne, writes Pet O’Connell

They’re a formidable duo who have literally pooled their talents to make Cork the Hollywood of open water swimming, and with a bit of help, could win the global recognition they deserve.

Colm Tóibín will address the themes of emigration and exile at the upcoming Immrama festival of travel writing, says Marjorie Brennan.

Slaughtneil (Derry) 1-10 - Sarsfields (Galway) 0-11: A record attendance witnessed an Ulster team winning the AIB All-Ireland Camogie Senior Club Championship for only the second time as Slaughtneil proved strongest on the home straight after a ding-dong battle with a resolute Sarsfields.

Age is no barrier for Joe Gough. The 63-year-old Waterford athlete is a World and European Masters champion. And he isn’t ready to hang up his spikes anytime soon.

Eilis Barrett has just released her debut novel, having decided at age 12 that writing would be her career, writes Rita deBrun

Inventions from two Irish students have made the shortlist for this year’s prestigious James Dyson award.

A period romantic drama starring Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson, Brooklyn will be coming to Irish cinemas in November 2015

Throughout his life and his new book Anthony Daly has found himself staring at the ceiling or out at the sea or over his wife’s head trying to fathom what just happened to his team, what did he do wrong, what does he and they do next?

The Story of Before

A young disabled mother who had her car stolen by thieves says she feels independent again after a donor presented her with a new car.

You wait decades for a wedding — then two come along at once.

Increasing numbers of ordinary Irish women are reaping the physical and social benefits of fitness challenges such as marathons and triathlons, writes Sharon Ní Chonchúir

SEAN LACEY of the Edge Racing cycling team did what many deemed improbable when he claimed a sensational overall win at the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan in Killorglin yesterday.

THERE’S no smoke without ire, it seems.

HURLING legend Donal Óg Cusack has given his full support to gay athletes who came out yesterday ahead of their participation in the Gay Games this summer.

THE annual income of a top west Cork secondary school will plummet by €39,000 this year as a result of grant cutbacks, while subject choice and some teaching jobs will be affected, the headmistress has warned.

A MAN who devoted his entire working life to a college was honoured with an honorary masters degree yesterday.

A YOUNG man was flung from his car and killed after a high-speed crash on a treacherous bridge in Cork, an inquest heard yesterday.

A GRIM warning awaits relatives who travel to Thailand in search of loved ones caught up in last week’s tsunami disaster.

AN up-and-coming Irish designer has been signed by the exclusive Harvey Nichols store in what has been a successful few days for the Irish at London Fashion Week.

OFFICIALLY they queued from eight in the morning but for some, the journey to bid farewell to Charlie began a day before.

Tommy Barker says unrivalled scenery enhances this unique home.

It has been confirmed that the body of Eilis Finnegan will be brought home to Ireland on Friday.

THE body of a missing Irish woman has been identified in Thailand after her boyfriend and family searched through thousands of decomposing bodies in numerous make-shift morgues.

The body of the first Irish victim of the Asian tsunami was found in Thailand today.

TEARS of joy were shed at Dublin Airport yesterday when four young Irishwomen caught up in the weekend earthquake in Thailand were reunited with their families.