All for a good cause.

Here's what you need to know this lunchtime. 

X Factor finalist Mary Byrne has been included as one of the contestants on this year’s Celebrity Operation Transformation.

A bank official’s back garden grew to the size of a hockey pitch when a judge told her the land she had looked after for 12 years was now hers.

All in aid of Pieta House.

UCC will host a live Q&A session to give undergraduates a chance to learn more about the Postgraduate Programmes at the university.

Danny O’Carroll A.K.A. (Buster Brady) has raised a staggering €50,000 for the victims of the Buncrana Pier Tragedy and Pieta House after an incredible fundraising night in Co Donegal.

Tennis player Novak Djokovic spoke rashly on social media. He should have followed the example of the humorous Garda road-safety Twitter feed, writes Terry Prone.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

While X Factor didn’t make her rich, Mary Byrne is happy with her lot and delighted to be starring in Menopause the Musical, writes Colette Sheridan

Every November we know it’s common to start thinking about doing a postgraduate programme in the following autumn. Are you thinking the same? If you are, join us on November 18 between 4:30pm and 6:30pm to chat online about your postgraduate options at UCC.

And who are the cast, we hear you ask?

When designing a new garden, trees really should be the first feature to be considered, but great care must be taken as some have damaging root systems and should be avoided in small gardens, says Peter Dowdall.

As the Everyman theatre celebrated one of its best summers on record, attention turned to the unveiling of its autumn bumper programme.

She beat One Direction in the TV talent show, and is now taking on the songs of Billie Holiday, writes Ed Power

It’s business as usual at the BlackrockHall Primary Care Centre on Cork’s Skehard Rd; its owners have taken over management following the liquidation of the Allied Medical business.

The entertainment firm of former Tesco check-out worker Mary Byrne earned just over €12.60 an hour in 2013, as her post X Factor career faltered, new figures show.

Identical twins George and Isaac Naughton who have a terminal illness have a major surprise in store when they celebrate their fourth today.

Tipperary woman Aoife Walsh has been crowned Miss Ireland.

From traditional music to West End stars and a tribute to a legendary guitarist — there’s an eclectic mix of music events and festivals for all tastes this weekend — with a French food festival thrown in for good measure.

Former X Factor contestant and Tesco employee Mary Byrne totted up a cash pile of over €100,000 last year, helped by her best-selling debut album.

Celebrity Bainisteoir — The Rivals

Model Rozanna Purcell has promised her GAA team she will take training sessions in her bikini if they win their first match.

SATURDAY

An extra €11 million in Government funding is needed to ensure deaf children can match the education achievements of other pupils, according to a report to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

MASS MARKETFICTION

HE could tell you how he was supposed to meet up with Michael Jordan at the Ryder Cup but business got in the way of old friends reuniting and he had to settle for a phone call.

THERE’S a photograph in Mary Byrne’s autobiography, showing Mary as a teenager.

IT was in Dublin and there was a cup at the end of it but only the most impressionable would describe it as super.

INCLUDED in the guest list on the final “Late Late Show” of 2011 were Gabriel Byrne, Diarmuid Gavin, CT Wilkinson and the RTÉ concert Orchestra. All are Irish.

REBELS were few and far between in Cork as thousands turned out in glorious sunshine to greet the woman of the week, Queen Elizabeth II.

NOT quite London’s Palladium, but Dublin’s brand new National Convention Centre came pretty close last night as it hosted an Irish-style Royal Variety Performance to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland.

The Queen's historic visit to Ireland was hailed as a spectacular diplomatic triumph tonight.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will visit the country's flagship horse breeding centre today as she continues her four-day Irish tour.

AS a rule, heads of State don’t really get to have a holiday when performing official duties overseas.

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Waterford girl has died after she was thrown from a bouncy castle that had been struck by a gust of wind.

Mary Byrne, Westlife and The Chieftains will all take part in a concert to mark Quenn Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland this monith.

TWO thousand guests have been invited to celebrate Ireland’s links with Britain at a special ceremony during the British queen’s first official visit to Ireland.

WILLIE “Big Bang” Casey has pushed his body to the limits of human endurance in preparation for next Saturday’s WBA world title fight with Guillermo Rigondeaux at Citywest Conference Centre.

Cher Lloyd has accused Cheryl Cole of deserting her following last year's 'X Factor'.

Cheryl Cole hasn't made contact with her three 'X Factor' protgees since the series finished two months ago.

The ‘X Factor’ is in disarray after it was revealed none of the judges have signed to take part in this year’s show – just weeks before auditions are scheduled to start.

Arnotts has declined to comment on speculation that 'X-Factor' sensation Mary Byrne was paid more than €20,000 to open their sale in Dublin yesterday.