“Hugely significant” finds of a rare French structure and medieval pottery have been found during recent archaeological excavations in Co Meath, supporting a long-held belief that the site was once home to Cistercian monks from Normandy.

THE best honey to buy is a conundrum. Unless locally produced, it’s difficult to have confidence in where exactly it comes from and this can matter.

The discovery over the summer of a passage tomb dating back 5,500 years in the Boyne Valley area has been described as the “find of a lifetime”. In fact, it is the find of several lifetimes as it reveals that a sophisticated and artistic culture thrived in the region during the Neolithic period, far removed from the savage ancient peoples of popular imagination.

A 5,500-year-old passage tomb, described as the ‘find of a lifetime’ was only discovered because of stringent planning laws.

The National Monuments Service has confirmed it has been contacted about another Meath archaeological find uncovered by the heatwave — the possible childhood home of St Oliver Plunkett.

The National Monuments Service has been notified of a possible Bronze Age cemetery and settlement near Duleek in Co Meath.

Fáilte Ireland and the OPW have teamed up to give everyone an opportunity to watch the winter Solstice effect within the passage tomb at Newgrange.

West Cork has been named as Ireland’s premier “foodie” destination for 2017.

Valentia Island’s telecommunications history is “of outstanding universal value” and it should be inscribed as a Unesco world heritage site, 200 delegates at a convention will hear this weekend.

Richard Collins has discivered an educational comic book with a millenia’s old story and he’s here to tell you all about it.

Dick Warner takes a look at the importance of the Winter Solstice to nature and its wildlife.

The North's only representative in the search for The Restaurants Association of Ireland's Foodie Destination of the Year received a massive shot in the arm recently with ringing endorsements from a multi award winning Michelin starred chef and a Coronation Street favourite.

Whenever mention is made of Valentia Island, a guilty Menu reverts yet again to that much-scored spot on his mental checklist.

Investment by food and drink companies In Ireland has accelerated this year, but there are concerns it is too narrowly based and that there are too few ‘scalable’ companies in the sector.

The first spirits of the newly- established Boann Distillery in Drogheda which is to create 80 jobs will flow in late 2015 marking the realisation of a €20m investment in the facility.

One of the great ironies of the ‘Edible Erin’ calendar is that the arrival once more of a new school year coincides with the busiest time of the year for food festivals, the season really beginning around now.

Having three fine sisters himself, The Menu is a great man to hymn the praises of supportive female siblings so reckons the alliance of ‘Three Sisters’ from the South-East, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny.

SUMMER is the perfect time to have a large selection of oils to dip into with raw vegetables or to add to hot dishes. A hint of flavour is often just what we need to lift a meal.

Tourism in East Cork received a boost yesterday when Michael Ring, the junior tourism minister, advocated Youghal as a likely “capital of the Ancient East”.

Four cities in the south of Ireland are vying for the title of European Capital of Culture, with three of them making a unique joint bid.

Fáilte Ireland have released the promo video for their new venture, Ireland’s Ancient East and it promises magic, myth and history for future visitors.

A new tourism campaign promoting Ireland’s diverse 5,000-year-old historical heritage could bring 600,000 more visitors to the south and east by 2020 — helping to grow the local economy by almost €1bn.

Declan O’Donnell, Helen James and Hugh Wallace are the judges on Home Of The Year on RTÉ One on Thursday.

Explore the spectacular coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way, experience hot heritage in the South-East, feast on fabulous food festivals, or immerse yourself in inspiring art and design.

Twixtmas, you say? What’s that when it’s at home tucked up with a hot water bottle and a hot whiskey?

From Monday October 27 to Friday October 31 the children are off school. This can mean one and one thing only: you need to keep them busy. Very busy.

Marie Toft enjoys an adventurous blast from the past in the historic surroundings of the Royal County.

When stressed, upset or angry, many reach for a treat. Clodagh Finn talks to Dr Jane McCarthy about finding an alternative response.

An Irish artist and author has created an image of Jesus that is two acres in size and, in doing so, believes he has uncovered how our ancestors created large images on the landscape such as the White Horse in Uffington in England, which dates from the Bronze Age.

A new tourism route through the Boyne Valley has been launched to draw “culturally curious” visitors into the area.

In 1999 the Irish people passed the 20th Amendment to the Irish Constitution, the purpose of which was to recognise the constitutional importance of local democracy in the form of local councils and& local government.

Kilkenny is to get a €5.6m makeover to help boost visitor numbers to the popular city, it has been announced.

Former Attorney General John Rogers has found a new career — as a rapeseed oil farmer, writes Margaret Carragher

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the start of excavations at Knowth in the Boyne Valley and the OPW has confirmed it hopes to create a virtual tour of its chambers that would allow the public to view the treasures inside.

Heritage is as much about where we’re going as where we’ve come from. So why not spend Heritage Week getting in touch with our past – and having fun in the process?

LADIES Irish Open boss Roddy Carr avoided some Chinese torture to deliver a world class field at Killeen Castle next month.

THE Government’s action in taking the side of landowners and vested interests in planning legislation could cost the country several million euro in fines, warned An Taisce.

THE number of tourists visiting the Newgrange burial chamber in the Boyne Valley has fallen drastically in two years and may be partly due to a cut in public transport to the monument.

IN a time of huge economic crisis, it’s somewhat bemusing to note that the NRA are beavering away on plans for an outer orbital ring road to join up Drogheda, Navan, Kells, Kilcock and Naas.

GOOD to see the two old boys are looking after the Boyne Valley, but what about the Tara Valley?

THE first warning shots were fired last April but the real battle begins today.

The president of Finland is paying a state visit to Ireland next month, it emerged today.