Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield has told Irish teenagers to dream big and aim for the stars.

Blind Irish adventurer Mark Pollock — who was left paralysed when he fell 25ft from a bedroom window while staying with friends in England — has won his battle for damages in the High Court in London.

Laois 1-16 Antrim 2-15: Laois became the 2015 football championship’s first high profile casualty on Saturday when they failed to defend a nine-point lead against Antrim in their home venue of O’Moore Park, eventually crashing out thanks to the concession of a late goal to Antrim substitute Dermot McAleese.

Sometimes we choose our challenges. And, sometimes, challenges choose us. What we decide to do about them is what counts.

A blind adventurer who was paralysed in 2010 was described as an inspiration to the next generation of doctors alongside whom he received an honorary degree.

Cork play Kilkenny this evening in a senior hurling challenge in Páirc Uí Rinn (7pm), but the dominant narrative isn’t Cork’s preparations for the league final, or Brian Cody’s integration of new faces into the Cats’ set-up.

Adventurer unbowed despite blindness and paralysis, says Suzanne Harrington

Welcome to your Monday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Mark's story set for cinematic release.

It really is something to watch a miracle unfolding right in front of you.

Ireland’s People of the Year awards is 40 this year and, to celebrate, past winners Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Mark Pollock, Christina Noble, and Jane McKenna were joined yesterday by awards ambassador and actress Aoibhín Garrihy in Dublin to open the nominations campaign for the 2014 awards.

Just as the brake lights of rush-hour traffic began to dwindle last night, thousands more red bulbs suddenly lit up the centres of three Irish cities as thousands of runners took to the streets for a run in the dark.

On November 13, as darkness falls, thousands of people will run through Dublin, Belfast Cork, London and Manchester to raise money so that one day the paralysed might walk.

As darkness falls on Wednesday, November 13, thousands will gather, pull on their trainers and begin running in the hope of playing a part in improving the lives of paralysed people across the globe.

The public is being urged to take a trip down memory lane to mark the 50th anniversary of US president John F Kennedy’s visit to Ireland.

Blind and paralysed from the waist down, adventurer Mark Pollock continues to defy the odds by walking in a pioneering bionic suit.

On Wednesday, November 14, the Run in the Dark is due to take place in Belfast, Cork, Dublin, London and New York.

SOME people just put others to shame, their positive attitude towards dealing with — what for others would be an unthinkable burden — provides inspiration to all but the most mean-spirited. Mark Pollock is one such person.

NICHOLAS O’LEARY (Royal Cork Yacht Club) has received the Irish Sailing Association’s prestigious Achievement of the Year Award.

PULITZER prize winning US poet Jorie Graham will lead distinguished literary figures who will take part in a festival to honour Co Limerick poet, Michael Hartnett.

HE’S BEEN at Anfield man and boy, as a supporter and as a player, so if anyone knows about the quality of Mersey it’s John Aldridge.

PLANS were unveiled yesterday for a conference where business gurus from a wide variety of disciplines will address transition year students from across Leinster.

A BLIND businessman who travels the world seeking out extreme sport challenges yesterday lavished praise on his award-winning guide dog and declared: “He’s transformed my life.”

TWO visually impaired Irish canoeists will take part in the Irish Sea Kayaking Challenge 2006 and brave the Irish Sea for charity.