The Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht has rebuffed claims from Unesco that it should have been consulted in advance over the filming of scenes for the latest Star Wars movie on Skellig Michael — a World Heritage site.

KILKENNY is gearing up for the 15th Smithwick’s Rhythm and Roots music festival this May bank holiday weekend.

The principal of the school attended by murdered schoolgirl Michaela Davis said she was a "lovely child who had so much to give and to live for".