Offaly’s first game in Division 2A of the National Hurling League for over a decade turned out to be a nervous affair as they had to hold off a strong fightback from Meath in Birr.

It’s been another stunning year for the Townends, with Paul reaching Gold Cup nirvana and Jody battling back bravely to the winner’s enclosure after overcoming a broken back. Though little sister won’t easily let big brother forget he missed her big moment in Galway

Teagasc has appointed two new cattle specialists, Martina Harrington to cover the South East and Catherine Egan in the West and Midlands region.

Gardaí investigating a fatal road traffic collision in Co Offaly on Monday are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Samara Ward gave it another go and won the 2019 National Brown Bread Baking Competition, having been runner-up last year.

Irish scientist Mary Ward died on August 31, 1869, in Birr, Co Offaly.

Robert Hume unveils the Irishwoman who became the world’s first car accident fatality.

Lidl has confirmed plans for the roll-out of a further 50 stores across the island of Ireland.

A group of ‘green-fingered’ students from Gurteen Agricultural College in Co Tipperary recently gave a full day of their time to help transform the exterior and gardens at St. Cronan’s Association in Roscrea.

Whether it’s indoor or outdoor items you’re crushing on, Esther N McCarthy offers some intriguing items to choose from this week.

The next Sunday Songbook singalong show at the Everyman features the tunes of Vera Lynn, writes Cathy Desmond.

Revenue officers seized 31,480 unstamped cigarettes in Co Offaly yesterday.

Thomas McCarthy grew up in the culture of bothántaíocht, when people would go from house to house, singing and storytelling.

A majestic performance by Anne Dalton gave Kilkenny a 0-12 to 0-9 victory over rivals Cork in the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 semi-final in Carriganore.

Limerick have plenty of incentive to qualify for the Littlewoods Ireland camogie league Division 1 final when they make the journey to St Brendan’s Park in Birr tomorrow.

Connacht 47 Leinster 10: On a day when Connacht bade farewell to their talisman from Portumna, along comes another farmer’s son from a few miles away on the other side of the River Shannon to lay down a marker and offer hope for the future with hooker Shane Delahunt producing a remarkable display on a day of celebration in Galway.

Kevin Markham looks at the clubs celebrating anniversaries in 2018.

The Hurling League final will be delayed by a week.

‘Everybody knew Gaybo the length and breadth of the country and beyond’ - Gabriel Howard, a legendary figure in Irish cycling, passed away earlier this month following a farm accident, writes Paul Fitzpatrick

More than 100 extra staff are needed to avoid driving test waiting times doubling to 55 weeks because of new learner driver sanctions, says public service union Fórsa.

The court heard that Mr Hoare married William Naylor's mother in the 1980s. Mr Naylor had always believed another man - his mother's first husband - was his father.

A 70-year-old pedestrian has been pronounced dead following a collision with an articulated lorry this morning.

Many tears of joy and a surprise proposal were among the reactions as the crew of a naval ship returned home just in time for Christmas.

A farmer who was beaten and bound by a gang of men will not be able to return to his home when he leaves hospital due to the damage caused by the attackers.

The IFA is seeking more gardaí and patrol cars in rural Ireland in the wake of a weekend attack.

There was a time Ireland’s raised bogs were considered to be of little worth but now their value as a refuge for rare and beautiful plant and animal species is recognised across the world, writes Donal Hickey

After a series of outstanding matches throughout the provinces, the way has now been largely paved for the national finals of the AIG Irish Cups and Shields at the O’Meara Course, Carton House, Kildare next month, (September 20-23).

The largest radio telescope in the world was turned on for the first time at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly yesterday.

Since breaking through as a 16-year-old with Offaly in 2007, Siobhán Flannery has taken on many roles but has largely controlled games from midfield or especially centre-back.

CORK rubber-stamped their place in the semi-finals of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship as Group 2 winners with a hard-earned victory over Offaly, while Wexford took a big step towards securing a place in the quarters by holding off Tipperary.

AFTER an entrepreneurial career spanning 66 years, businessman Michael Bowes has decided to retire from his current employment, heading up the Fernhill Hotel, on the edge of Carrigaline and 100 metres from where the new N28 road to Ringaskiddy is set to run.

Kevin Markham selects Ireland’s Top 20 value courses...

Leona Archibold scored 1-6 and claimed the player-of-the-match award as Westmeath saw off Cavan by 13 points in Sunday’s Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 final replay.

Peter Dowdall reports on an initiative in the grounds of Birr Castle demesne that will see massive redwood trees tower over the midlands like they once did in the stone age

A man has died in a road accident in Co Tipperary today.

The annual congress of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation heard how teachers are being lured abroad with attractive packages and parents are acting as cleaners to save costs. Joyce Fegan reports 

Des Keogh, 81, was born in Birr, Co Offaly, and worked for Guinness for three years before becoming a fulltime actor and presenter in 1963. He’s currently touring in the The Quiet Land by Malachy McKenna, which will run at Cork Arts Theatre from Tuesday, April 11 to Thursday 13.

Two men died in accidents involving farm vehicles in counties Wexford and Offaly yesterday. Four people have been killed in farm-related deaths so far this year after a fatality in Co Roscommon at the weekend.

Slaughtneil’s bid to reach three All-Ireland finals this spring begins tomorrow, with the club’s senior camogie team squaring off against Burgess-Duharra in the All-Ireland semi-final (Inniskeen, 2pm).

A 21-year-old man has has been released on conditional bail after he was charged over a stabbing in Birr, Co. Offaly which left a man in critical condition.