I was the school hippy. I grew my hair long and was into debating. I didn’t necessarily follow any of the other dictates of being a hippy.

IT WAS a successful run of auctions for Kerry’s Tom Spillane last week — at readjusted, ‘new-market’ values.

WHATEVER one thought of the Queen’s visit to Ireland, it was a resounding success from Bord Fáilte’s point of view.

A MAN who was found suspended in his bathroom and who died of ligature strangulation was experimenting and did not intend to take his own life, an inquest has heard.

One of the most famous events in Irish motorsport, the Circuit of Ireland Rally, has a new sponsor.

FOLLOWING last evening’s Super Special in Oslo, Rally Norway begins in earnest today.

RTÉ presenters Michael Ryan and Mary Kennedy were among four people recognised in Killarney for their contribution to tourism locally.

WESTPORT yesterday bridged a five-year gap to take the title as Ireland’s tidiest town for 2006.

HOW to be mean to a millionaire: Quote his €687,000 salary and recall how he was accused of employing a Filipino beautician on €1 an hour.

SHE forged a path on the National Roads Authority, broke through the clouds over Aer Lingus and is now battling stormy seas with Irish Ferries. There seems no terrain Patricia King can’t navigate.

IF A holiday home within easy drive of 12 golf courses doesn't fit you to a tee, how about a woodland hideaway by one of western Europe's finest salmon angling rivers?

POOR Bord Fáilte. Ireland now faces the further stigma of being overpriced — thanks to Bertie Ahern. He is inadvertently exporting happiness, with his clampdown on “happy hour”.

Ireland’s status as one of Europe’s premier windsurfing destinations will be confirmed this weekend when the UKWA Triple Crown Wave Sailing Championship is staged in Co Kerry.

A FRIEND recently asked me if a €500 budget would stretch to a decent weekend away. It will, but of course one has to be careful and plan ahead.

EVER since the EU introduced the euro a blatant rip-off has been going on in virtually every facet of Irish life.

PORTMARNOCK Golf Club, Nissan Ireland, Bord Fáilte and the European Tour came together in Dublin yesterday to triumphantly announce that the future of the Irish Open is secure for at least the next two years.

BORD FÁILTE has offered an all-expenses-paid holiday to nine Israelis who were refused accommodation in a four-star holiday home because of their government’s treatment of Palestinians.

The majority of tourists visiting Ireland are satisfied with their holiday, despite high prices, according to a survey conducted for Bord Failte.

THERE will be a lot more to catch the eye in the waters off Dingle this week than a certain dolphin when Brandon Bay plays host to windsurfing’s 2002 PWA Irish Wave Grand Prix.

HERE was a time when few soccer internationals in Dublin were televised, because it would interfere with the gate at the game.

Bord Failte is launching a campaign to reassure holidaymakers that Ireland is a safe place to visit.

Bord Fáilte has launched its annual drive for the upcoming tourist season. It is predicting a bumper year for holidays in Ireland.