Its All-Ireland Hurling final week, and Galway is buzzing. How much of the buzz is down to hurling is anybody’s guess. I don’t blame the people, I blame the City

The UK's highest court will this autumn consider a judgment against a Christian-owned bakers in the North found to have breached equality laws by refusing to make a pro-gay marriage cake.

It is not often you see grown men cry, particularly the sort of shaven-headed burly blokes with tattooed knuckles that tend to follow West Ham, but there are plenty of tears being shed as the Hammers leave Upton Park after 112 years.

The Christian owners of a bakery who refused to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage message were not being forced to do anything against their beliefs, an Equality Commission lawyer has said.

Christian bakers who refused to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan could not sin by going against their consciences, their lawyer has told an appeal hearing.

Christian bakers found guilty of discrimination for refusing to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan have insisted their appeal has implications for freedom of expression across the UK.

Christian bakers who refused to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan are expected to return to court in Belfast today for an appeal.

Somewhere between Jordan Spieth two-putting the par-5 13 to reach five under and jamming an approach to 5 feet at the 18th to set up one more birdie and a round of 66, the first round of the 80th Masters produced a hole in the pit of your stomach.

The same-sex marriage referendum sparked an influx of calls to a support service for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as it recorded its busiest year.

A bakery in the North found to have discriminated against a gay man has been vandalised and critical letters sent to its owner.

A message in a bottle, sent from Florida in the US, arrived on a sandy west Cork beach last week, almost exactly one year after it left the Sunshine State’s shores.

A printing company which refused to print civil partnership invitations for a gay couple has said that a complaint has been made about the decision to the Equality Tribunal.

The teeth have been ungritted, the mind opened to fresh thoughts and the mood modified to optimistic but whatever Graeme McDowell tries to get the better of Wentworth’s West Course, the Irishman admits he has something of a Marmite relationship with the place.

The Christian owners of a bakery discriminated against a gay man when they refused to make a cake carrying a slogan promoting same-sex marriage.

The Christian owners of a bakery taken to court for refusing to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan have said faith is sustaining them ahead of the judgment.

The Christian owners of a bakery taken to court for refusing to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan have said faith is sustaining them ahead of the judgment.

Eh-oh! – classic TV show Teletubbies is returning to the small-screen with the addition of a must-have 21st century gadget – a mobile-style phone voiced by Jane Horrocks.

A Dublin girl, Orlaith O Scanaill, has saved her sheep Ernie from the dinner table.

Last week, your columnist rolled north on the iron horse to visit the Business of Sports Science conference in the RDS, and a rewarding trip it was, writes Michael Moynihan.

ATOP a sewage plant with the wind swirling around him, Environment Minister Alan Kelly was speaking, but it was difficult to make out exactly what he was trying to say as the enveloping stench threatened to become overwhelming.

Rory McIlroy roared back on the second day of The Barclays with a brilliant six-under-par 65, but the world number one still trails joint leaders Adam Scott and Cameron Tringale by five shots heading into the weekend.

Richard Zimler

Triple Major champion Rory McIlroy has revealed that as a youngster he almost quit the game, but put it down to being a ‘grumpy teenager.’

'EastEnders' is set to be rocked by a huge fire that tears through the Slater family's home later this year.

DID you know that Bert and Ernie were a couple? It’s amazing what can be learnt on a fair to middling July week in the throes of the silly season.

A Christian bakery owner who refused to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage, insists he should be allowed to run his business according to his religious beliefs.

The Christian bakery owner who refused to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage has said he should be allowed to run his business according to his religious beliefs.

A bakery that refused to make a cake featuring the slogan “support gay marriage” alongside a picture of Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie could end up in court, it has been reported.

Opera: The Invader

Rory McIlroy admits his Masters record is a source of disappointment and he cannot imagine ending his career without a green jacket.

Roy McIlroy is desperate to join the Masters legends for breakfast in the Champions’ Locker Room.

A minute’s applause will take place at all football matches in the Premier League, Football League and FA Cup this weekend to mark the passing of Nelson Mandela.

The European Tour has announced a comprehensive review into the Final Series after Ernie Els strongly criticised the demands on players.

Padraig Harrington, who once won three Major titles in the space of 13 months, insists he will be happy with his career if he never wins another.

Pádraig Harrington returns to Muirfield next week and the venue for this year’s British Open on a course that continues to be the “gold standard” of performance for the triple Major champion.

Lee Westwood believes he is the man to watch in today’s third round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth as he seeks the 41st win of his career.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari set the clubhouse target on a miserable day at Wentworth as Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald’s bid for a third successive BMW PGA Championship title came to a premature end.

Two top American players may have pulled out due to security concerns, but a private jet and some words of advice from Ernie Els have ensured Louis Oosthuizen heads the field for the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.

Rory McIlroy may not yet consider it a rivalry but as Tiger Woods bids to end a five-season quest for his 15th Major championship, it is the Irishman whom he believes presents the biggest obstacle to a fifth Masters victory.

Jola Wojtowitz outside her (now closed) restaurant in Lower O’Connell Street in Kinsale.

Regular Rose of Tralee viewers are used to unusual sights, with banana songs, breakfast rolls, and a contestant who decapitated Sesame Street’s Bert of Bert and Ernie fame (seriously) all taking the spotlight in recent years.

THOUGH he is not really a Muppet in the pejorative sense of the word, Enda Kenny would make a good Sesame Street character.

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN believes he will not be distracted by the imminent arrival of his second child when he defends his Africa Open title this week.