The city of Cork will grow to nearly five times its size and increase its population by some 85,000 to 210,000 overnight as its historic boundary extension - the first since 1965 - takes effect at midnight.

Some of Ireland’s greatest writers who left its shores by sea were today used to attract holidaymakers on to the waves.

Tributes to murdered music icon John Lennon will be attached to balloons and released today as his birth city marks the 25th anniversary of his death.