Garrett Fitzgerald, the straight-talking Munster-to-the-core rugby man, who oversaw the province’s greatest days as coach and CEO, has passed away.

Ruth O’Connor catches up with Ireland’s most famous tailor, Louis Copeland, when he visits Cork to survey progress on the new Louis Copeland & Sons shop, which opens this month.

Controversial, we know.

As the beloved 88-year-old actor/director releases another film, avowed fan John Daly selects 10 of his favourites

Richard Harris’s former home could make an outstanding family residence, writes Trish Dromey

As scandal began to swirl around Kevin Spacey, director Ridley Scott moved to replace him on an almost-finished film. It was one of the best decisions he ever made, writes Gemma Dunn.

A memorial will be unveiled today just off America’s iconic Route 66 in memory of a Cork woman who became one of the most celebrated trade unionists in US history.

Production crews from the UK arrived in Limerick yesterday to prepare to start filming a new TV blockbuster Nightflyers, whose creator, George RR Martin has also been responsible for Game of Thrones.

Broadcasting legend Terry Wogan, has been immortalised in bronze in his native Limerick, a year after he died of cancer.

If the big matches are confined to Thomond Park then a sense of detachment is encouraged, particularly if a larger facility is available in Cork, writes Michael Moynihan.

Michael Gambon who connected with young and not so young Harry Potter fans worldwide as their beloved Albus Dumbledore is to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Film and Television Academy.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

The promoters of a film festival which celebrates Richard Harris in his native Limerick, has accused the city’s cultural establishment of snubbing the event after the city council gave it just €200.

Millions of euros worth of Irish property was sold at two separate auctions yesterday, each streamed live online from Cork and Dublin, and they followed on from a further €12.5 million netted at the inaugural Allsop Private auction last week of 20 properties, at average sale prices of €625,000.

Hiding cash on their wives’ bodies and concocting incredible, and often multiple, claims about the origins of the money are among the tactics used by people smuggling proceeds of crime out of the country.

Peter O’Toole was as eccentric as the characters he played on screen and on stage. He loved playing the drunken Irishman even though he wasn’t one, as JP O’Malley learns.

Shannon Airport’s celebration of 70 years since the first commercial transatlantic flight into an Irish airport has been marked with a photographic exhibition featuring the many famous people who passed through — and the one who didn’t.

Inspired by the Richard Harris Film Festival in Limerick, UL’s Glucksman Library has decided to put on an exhibition of Richard Harris photographs from the collection of Fr. John Leonard.

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

The Limerick pub where Russell Crowe flew thousands of miles to toast his late friend Richard Harris is to commemorate the great Limerick actor.

The late, great film actor Richard Harris must surely be smiling from above at the thought of his native city becoming a Hollywood hub.

AN interesting report recently landed on my desk about how much time modern fathers spend with their children. Well OK, it was a piece that I saw online while having some Maccheroni fired at me by a one-foot human but you get the drift, and in the end research is research.

 

Veteran Limerick rugby broadcaster Len Dineen will embark on a contrasting double assignment on this evening when he contends with the raucous roar of Thomond Park followed by the serene sounds of Perry Como during a marathon stint at the microphone.

What's on the tellybox tonight? These gems, for starters.

Bull McCabe: "No Government will send a bill to me for my water."

The Richard Harris clan gathered in Limerick last night to celebrate the Oscar nominated actor in his home town.

Headwinds and foul tides on the Irish Sea yesterday performed their typical deciding role in the Round Ireland Race as the main fleet reached the Wicklow finishing line.

David Kenefick delivered on his goal of improving on his rookie year in the gruelling Solitaire du Figaro single-handed event yesterday when he crossed the finishing of the final stage of the event in 20th place.

The sound of grinding teeth could almost be heard along the west coast over the past 24 hours as the fleet in the Round Ireland Race battled light winds that has upturned the standings in the 704-mile event.

‘Harry Potter’ star Michael Gambon has signed up for another JK Rowling adaptation after he was cast in the small-screen adaptation of her novel ‘The Casual Vacancy’.

LYNN Barber has just published a memoir, A Curious Career, about her days as Fleet Street’s greatest interviewer. Nobody can get to the nub of a celebrity like "the demon Barber".

Toulouse prop Census Johnston has been ruled out of Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster.

Hollywood star Russell Crowe only made a flying visit to Ireland on Saturday for the premiere of his new movie Noah — but he still managed to slot in a couple of occasions to sample the black stuff.

Moving to West Cork proved a creative renewal for artist John Kingerlee, one which went hand in hand with his spiritual awakening, writes Arts Editor Marc O’Sullivan

BRENDA Fricker first heard she’d been shortlisted for an Oscar in 1989 for her role as Mrs Brown in My Left Foot when a friend phoned over a crackling line from the United States.

Back in the year dot, St Munchin was building his church in Limerick and locals refused to help. Strangers who were passing came to his rescue and the church was built.

Actor Peter O’Toole, who achieved stardom in the Oscar-winning epic Lawrence Of Arabia, has died at the age of 81, his agent has confirmed.

LIMERICK’s designation as the country’s first National City of Culture in 2014 will see it host over 200 performances and exhibitions, spanning all arts forms.

With his family’s staunch republican background and his posh “West Brit” like tones that have proven a hit with BBC listeners, Ryan Tubridy is in many ways the perfect choice for chronicling the lives of Irish people who have made it big in Britain.