The club, which is the oldest yacht club in the world, will celebrate its anniversary with an exciting series of events on and off the water across Cork harbour next summer.

Thousands of VIPs, including some 120 national leaders, will jet into London for Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony, with guests ranging from Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama to the king of Swaziland.

The Queen described her historic state visit to Ireland as a “brilliant” experience tonight as she was presented with a rare orchid named in her honour.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has arrived in Ireland at the start of a three-day state visit.

Prince Albert of Monaco has acknowledged having fathered an illegitimate child with a former Air France flight attendant from Togo, his lawyer said today.