Des Ekin’s new book is filled with all sorts of tales from Ireland’s pirate past, writes Esther McCarthy.

The Battle of Kinsale in 1601 was the highlight of a three-month siege of Spanish forces in the town and ended their hopes of conquest. Tom Hickey takes a look at a new book on this landmark moment in Irish history.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Tom Ekin, today expressed his wish that there could be inclusive St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the city centre next year, backed by the council.

A MAJOR row erupted yesterday after suggestions that the Tricolour was deliberately hidden and a copy of the Proclamation of Independence removed from Cork’s City Hall for a twinning ceremony with Belfast City Council.

The second phase of a multi-million pound facelift for Belfast was launched today.