Prayer candles burned brightly in the church where Maeve Binchy’s funeral took place yesterday — a poignant reminder of the writer’s first book, Light a Penny Candle.

The life, love, talent and generosity of acclaimed best-selling novelist Maeve Binchy have been remembered at her funeral.

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of Maeve Binchy in Dublin.

THE €1 million-plus bill incurred by schools on building work applications that were never considered by the department has sparked outrage among school manager organisations and principals, who have said they would rather have spent the money on classroom resources.