The minister responsible for the OPW Brian Hayes has said planning permission will be lodged within the next two weeks to refurbish and open the ground floor of a Georgian mansion in north Cork which is hoped will one day rival Muckross House as a tourist attraction.

One man can make a difference – he can make predictable, half-baked hokum like 'Lockout' almost watchable.

Luc Besson has produced Stephen St Leger and James Mather’s debut feature, hard-man flick Lockout, starring Guy Pearce, says Pádraic Killeen

THE Office of Public Works (OPW) is set to carry out €500,000 of restoration work on a park in north Cork in a bid to increase visitor numbers to 300,000 per year within the next five years.

JOHN Gosden’s impressive St Leger winner Masked Marvel has been added to the field for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at a cost of €100,000.

A €10 MILLION plan to turn a stately mansion and its extensive grounds into a major tourist attraction rivalling the Rock of Cashel and Muckross House is to be discussed next month by Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Ladbrokes St Leger hero Conduit could emerge as a fascinating middle-distance prospect in 2009 after outstaying his rivals in the final Classic of the season at Doncaster on Saturday.

Four Carlow players will get their first taste of championship action tomorrow after Paul Bealin named them in his team for the Leinster SFC first round tussle with Meath at Croke Park (throw-in 3.50pm).

TODAY has long been earmarked as a landmark day for maternity services in Cork.

Mick Kinane is hoping St Leger hero Scorpion can sting Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Hurricane Run when the pair clash at Longchamp on Sunday.

Quiff, a leading candidate for this Saturday’s betfair.com St Leger, could miss the Doncaster showpiece should the ground on Town Moor ride too fast.

Godolphin’s unbeaten colt Into The Dark has been ruled out of a tilt at Classic glory in the betfair.com St Leger at Doncaster tomorrow week.

Godolphin’s Rule Of Law heads the 19 horses remaining in the betfair.com St Leger at the latest forfeit stage.

Ante-post favourite Brian Boru heads a total of 15 horses left in the Seabiscuit St Leger at today’s confirmation stage ahead of the final Classic of the season at Doncaster on Saturday.

High Accolade may try and resurrect his St Leger claims in the Peugeot Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on Tuesday.