It’s National Biodiversity Week and there’s hardly a better time for enjoying the outdoors. The Irish Environmental Network has helped organise over 50 free events across the country over nine days, May 19-27. All about encouraging people to connect with nature and celebrate the wildlife, plants and habitats on our doorsteps.

No 9, Jamesmont, in Cork’s salubrious Rochestown, is exceptionally opulent and, quirkily, has an astro turf lawn, says Tommy Barker

Donncha Ó Dúlaing, widely known for his hugely popular radio shows Three-O-One, Highways and Byways and Fáilte Isteach, remembers his time in the accounts department at Henry Ford & Son.

World leaders meeting tomorrow to discuss rocketing food prices need to concentrate on long-term shortages if they are to solve the problem, experts said today.