Sligo, Saturday, early afternoon. My sister and I are in the polytunnel, preparing our entries for the Boyle Summer Show, which takes place tomorrow at midday.

Wednesday, 3 pm, Gort. We are driving up to visit my sister in Sligo, and in keeping with time-honoured tradition, the sky suddenly drops out of its customary high position and lands on the bonnet.

Team Ireland’s remarkable achievement at the Special Olympics World Summer Games is testament not just to the athletes’ talents and hard work but also to the indomitable human spirit within each one of us to overcome adversity — even in the most straitened circumstances.

It's a guide. It's about tonight's telly. It's free of all spoilers.

Helen Flanagan has landed a role in 'Holby City'.

'Coronation Street's' Tyrone Dobbs’ is about to endure hell at the hands of mystery texts.

Natalie Gumede is not returning to 'Coronation Street'.

The three people who died on board a service helicopter which crashed into a crowded pub — which witnesses said dropped out of the sky like a stone — have been named by police.

Amy Willerton was chosen for 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' because she is more raunchy, says 'not jealous at all' Miss England.

It is too early to speculate on where the latest 'Crimewatch' appeal into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann will lead, Scotland Yard said today, saying there is “much ground to cover”.

The parents of Madeleine McCann have said that they are “greatly encouraged” by new information about the disappearance of their daughter.

Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher is making a good recovery from his suspected heart attack late last month, according to his daughter.

Jennie McAlpine has hinted Coronation Street's Fiz Stape and Tyrone Dobbs may get married.

Natalie Gumede has confirmed her 'Coronation Street' exit.

Kirsty Milczarek was successful yesterday in her appeal against a two-year riding ban imposed by the British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel in December.

Coronation Street's Tyrone Dobbs is to pop the question to his pregnant girlfriend.

Coronation Street's Tommy Duckworth and Tina McIntyre will find love in 2012.

IT’S the classic hit that’s widely regarded as the best Christmas song ever produced.

Kirsty Milczarek will appeal against the two-year ban imposed on her following the publication of the findings in the long-running investigation into alleged corruption by the British Horseracing Authority.

JOCKEYS Greg Fairley, Paul Doe, Jimmy Quinn and Kirsty Milczarek were all disqualified from racing yesterday following the publication of a lengthy investigation into alleged corruption by the British Horseracing Authority.

BRITISH racing is braced for another inquiry into corruption after 13 people were charged with serious breaches of the rules of racing.

Showbiz friends and fans of singer Kirsty MacColl will perform tonight to mark the 10th anniversary of her death in a freak speedboat accident and raise money for one of her favourite causes.

A TEENAGE international footballer’s career had to be put on hold following a car accident, a judge heard yesterday.

A criminology student appeared in court in Britain today charged with the murders of three prostitutes.

A former public schoolboy will appear in court in Britain today charged with the murders of three prostitutes.

OLYMPIC Council of Ireland Chief Executive Stephen Martin has described Irish performances at the Vancouver Games as ‘a success.’

A couple who broke off their engagement three days before their X Factor audition will be seen braving the judges and audience in tonight’s show.

Cheryl Cole reunited two lovebirds on 'The X Factor'.

Trainer Mark Allen finally ended a faith-testing quest for a winner as High 'N Dry came home in style at Lingfield.

Richard Collins on the growing herd at the purpose-built elephant enclosure in Dublin Zoo

Re Barolo upset the Lincoln applecart when beating two entrants for the first big turf handicap of the season at Doncaster in two weeks’ time in the feature event at Wolverhampton.

THE Roses of Tralee will be blossoming this year if the forecast from Met Éireann is anything to go by.

A lone British sailor has been rescued by the Australian Navy after his yacht ran aground on a remote reef.

Character Building put up a superb display of jumping to notch a smooth success in the Visit Warwick Artsmarket Here Sunday 10th December Beginners’ Chase.

Police hunting a man who stabbed three teenage girls as they got off a bus today raided a house as the search for the attacker continued.

IRELAND’S Kirsty McGarry is almost certain to give the Ladies Super G downhill event tomorrow a miss in order to concentrate on the Ladies Slalom events scheduled for February 22 and 24.

World number one Annika Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann contributed four birdies each to propel Sweden into a share of the lead after a seven-under-par 65 in the opening day fourballs at the Women’s World Cup at Sun City in South Africa.

Reformed Irish rockers The Pogues have stunned promoters in New York City, after selling out three of four nights at the new Nokia Theatre almost as soon as tickets went on sale.

It’s going to be an emotional farewell for Dublin Zoo’s two popular elephants when they head to a new home in Germany in a few weeks, the zoo’s assistant director said today.

England’s Kirsty Taylor followed her tour record 61 with a 68 and raced into a six-shot halfway lead at the Wales Ladies’ Championship of Europe at Machynys Peninsula near Llanelli.

Charlie Mulqueen speaks to a fit-again Ronan O’Gara, eager to show in today’s Celtic Cup final that he has a meaningful part to play in the Lions tour to New Zealand.

MIDDLE-AGE spread affects elephants too! That’s why Dublin Zoo’s two Asian elephants are now on a strict diet.

LOCAL knowledge, they say, is essential if a traditional links course is to be conquered.

Ever since beating Tiger Woods back in 1995 – one at the Walker Cup, the other at the Open – Stephen Gallacher and Steve Webster have lived with the knowledge that much is expected of them in their European Tour careers.