There’s a crane right on the doorstep of the country’s Maritime College: it’s a sign of upward trajectories for Cork harbour, at the site of UCC’s new Beaufort Research Centre, as it prepares to host a conference Friday week on the harbour’s future.

Galway opted to do it in American style last night with a spectacular late night fireworks display across Galway Bay to celebrate Independence Day.

Up to 800,000 people are expected to throng to the west this weekend and next week as the Volvo Ocean Race finishes in Galway.

KINSALE will benefit to the tune of €2.5 million as the Sovereign’s Cup Regatta gets underway today.