Bill Linnane is so passionate about whiskey that he decided to take up the opportunity of a two-day course at the Whiskey Academy of Dingle Distillery. He reports below...

Pop superstar Rihanna last year contributed to the coffers of one of the country’s best-known celebrity haunts, Lillie’s Bordello, in an “excellent year” for the business.

Superstars Rihanna and Niall Horan from One Direction have added to the Lillie’s Bordello coffers as the firm operating the venue recorded an increase in profits of €283,000 last year.

THERE’S a definite whiff of malt in the air, white spirit is trickling from pot stills, and students eager to learn are gathered round a Scottish whiskey legend.

Nightclub boss Oliver Hughes conceded yesterday to being “pleased” as one of the country’s best-known night venues, Lillie’s Bordello, celebrates turning 21 with a profitable year.

A newly opened distillery in Dingle, Co Kerry, has denied it is in breach of the planning laws.

As a festival of Irish craft brewing begins, Joe McNamee clinks glasses and compares tasting notes with Ireland’s new breed of quality micro-brewers.

Gardaí in Meath have named the 60-year-old pedestrian who was killed after a collision on the December 23.

Ernst & Young has announced the Irish shortlist for the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Programme.

ST KIERAN’S (Kilkenny) and Gort Community Schools (Galway) have serious injury worries ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland Colleges SHC semi-final at Boherlahan (3.30pm).