Two hundred years ago, a Cork City sugar merchant attempted to take hordes of poor Irish families to a fresh life in a land of plenty, in South Africa. But things didn’t quite work out as planned, explains Robert Hume

Independence was an issue in Cork’s local elections in 1920, but a housing crisis, the cost of living, and widespread poverty also influenced the vote, writes Kieran McCarthy.

Solskjaer enjoys a wonderful return to form

A MARBLE portrait bust of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, 1st Baron Ashford, by John Henry Foley comes up at Bonhams in London on November 27.

In a speech on Wednesday, Tom Watson said a single-issue Brexit election may not break the deadlock in Parliament – something only a second referendum can achieve with certainty.

Boris Johnson’s Government has been told to publish communications connected to prorogation and no-deal Brexit planning after MPs supported an emergency Commons motion.

A legal challenge brought over British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks has been rejected by leading judges at the High Court in London.

Roy Keane has reignited a war of words with his former boss, Alex Ferguson, and questioned the almost unanimous praise which is heaped on the Scot.

Leading judges are expected to announce their decision on Friday on the latest legal attack brought over Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks.

Were Queen Elizabeth II to break her Scottish holiday and call a press conference on a Balmoral patio, corgis quartering the ground at her feet, to encourage Britain’s politicians to pause and very carefully consider the consequences of a no-deal Brexit, she would be dismissed as a project-fear agent, an EU collaborator and, worst of all, Remoaner.

Ms Swinson beat former cabinet member Sir Ed Davey to replace Sir Vince Cable at the helm of the Lib Dems.

If, as is expected, Boris Johnson becomes the new Prime Minister this week, he will find himself engaged in a political fire-fight almost before he has even got his feet under the desk at 10 Downing Street.

The Transport Minister says it is vital that lessons are learned from the deaths of five people during separate coast guard missions as a new oversight plan for search and rescue (SAR) operations in Ireland was published.

A magnificent 17th country home set in one of Ireland’s most visited parks is set to open to the public tomorrow for the first time in half a century.

Cork city is preparing to welcome visitors from 90 countries and dignitaries from over 30 countries this weekend for the SeaFest festival and the Oceans Wealth Summit.

A major review of legacy inquests will begin in September, a coroner has said.

Anthony Van Dyck provided Aidan O'Brien with a record-equalling seventh victory in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has warned that the risks of a no-deal Brexit are growing.

Aidan O’Brien believes Sir Dragonet is more likely to head for the Investec Derby than the French equivalent.

Reporting sexual violence and going through a criminal trial is arduous and challenging for many survivors and the system needs a major overhaul, writes Caroline Counihan.

The executive director of the abuse support group One in Four has welcomed the recommendations contained in the Gillen Review which calls for the banning of the public from rape trials in Northern Ireland.

Goethe wrote in 1832, “I hate all bungling like sin. but most of all bungling in state affairs, which produce nothing but mischief to thousands and millions”.

The Government is meeting this morning at City Hall, in Cork, but the symbolism of that venue would not protect it from a determined protest by farmers.

Clubs and players have been paying tribute to the captain of Celtic's 'Lisbon Lions', who died last night aged 79.

Do you have any to add to the list?

The Netflix collab presents an intimate look at her historic 2018 Coachella performance that paid homage to America's historically black colleges and universities.

Recently, an online article featured on Jezebel, entitled, ‘Jagged Little Pill is actually very bad???’

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s new-look Manchester United needed a calibration to measure how far they have come since Jose Mourinho departed then this match, despite the result, should leave them standing tall.

Virgin AtlanticVirgin Atlantic has posted its second consecutive year in the red as the airline was hit by the Brexit-hit pound, economic uncertainty and engine woes.

It is interesting to contrast the influence last year’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown had on Cheltenham, compared to this year’s renewal.

Declan Lavery has had his 10-day riding ban quashed following an appeal heard by an independent disciplinary panel at the headquarters of the British Horseracing Authority on Thursday.

My ducks, as Nicky English might have said, are drowning. The first three days have gone depressingly badly. I’ve had one or two placed horses here and there but not a single winner, not even anything that ran sufficiently well to lose by a nose or a short head. I cannot hit the woodwork, never mind put the ball over the bar.

It’s hard to recall a more open Cheltenham Gold Cup than the one that will unfold before our eyes at 3.30pm this afternoon. Of the 16 set to go to post in the Magners-sponsored Cheltenham Festival highlight, only four can be dismissed with real confidence – it really is that open.

Ireland’s belle of British broadcasting Angela Scanlon is taking a fresh tack to revel in the projects she is currently working on, says Esther McCarthy.

Looking for a day trip with a difference this Valentine’s Day? Check out Ciara McDonnell’s top suggestions.

*WARNING*: You’ll need the tissues for this.

There may now be more funerals than birthdays but at 85, Michael Caine is enjoying every moment, as Hannah Stephenson discovers Welcoming me into his penthouse flat overlooking London’s Chelsea Harbour, Michael Caine is clearly relishing life in his 80s.

Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy says the national team has become "like Roy Keane’s Ireland" after all the negative publicity around the assistant manager.

You’re too young to have seen the movie. Of course you are. 

The Taj Mahal is a wonder of the modern world, but this national and international treasure needs swift and decisive action if it is not to lose its legendary lustre.

The two-day antiques fair at the Cork International Airport Hotel today and tomorrow and Aidan Foley’s sale in aid of the RNLI in Kinsale on September 16 are certain to create a lot of interest locally.

Gary Neville had already spent the morning talking Premier League but, like any good full-back who spends the 90 minutes motoring up and down the sideline, there was no sign of him flagging come the resumption after lunch.

The three strands of Darren Hughes’ life come together to sustain the Monaghan midfielder; football, family, and farming as he shares a day in a way of life that is rapidly diminishing in rural Ireland.

Two teenagers have been arrested after former British ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer was attacked.