In advance of his gigs in Cork and Dublin, Ellie O’Byrne about the heady days of the 2 Tone movement, and the recent tragic stabbing of his grandson

Nicky Henderson is relieved to have finally got Altior’s season up and running – and “all is going well” for his bid to emulate Badsworth Boy in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Shaun Edwards played his only game of Rugby Union for England so long ago that Ollie Campbell’s goals had just made Ireland joint champions of the Five Nations.

An ongoing quest for secure tenure and fair rents. Demands to build more and better housing. Social deprivation and mental health problems.

Rory Best admits he was tempted by a potential move to Bristol – but put family first.

Connacht coach Andy Friend is hopeful of Bundee Aki committing his future at the Sportsground as he continues to build his squad.

Queues formed at Dublin’s GPO this morning as fans snapped up the two new stamps and special collector stamp sheets.

Thomas Cook staff left in limbo are preparing to go without their wages tomorrow – which should have been their payday – following the collapse of the travel giant.

Employees at a drugs’ manufacturer which was put into administration are hoping to make an unusual plea under the social responsibility charter of a former owner.

From Liverpool’s beat-pop to Bristol’s trip-hop, Irish writer Karl Whitney explains the distinctive musical output of individual cities in the UK, writes Marjorie Brennan.

Among Ireland’s renowned explorers, of whom there are many, one name stands out. Shackleton and Crean (Antarctic voyages), Robert O’Hara Burke (first to cross the Australian Outback) and many others achieved monumental feats of discovery but it is the figure of the fifth century St Brendan who is the true torchbearer for Irish adventure.

Here are five things that you can do during the week ahead.

Cycling shorts are the latest fashion trend for men. But are men really going to wear them away from their bikes, asks Paul McLauchlan

Corkman Edward Kenealy, a self-declared messenger of God, was disbarred for outlandishness, says Robery Hume.

A FEW weeks ago we flew from Cork Airport to Bristol, hired a car and headed for Devon and Cornwall.

Bangladesh's match with Sri Lanka in Bristol, due to be played yesterday was the third to be abandoned due to rain at this tournament - setting an unwanted record for the most ever.

The brutal sexually-motivated murder of a mother-of-two in England 35 years ago could be a step closer to being solved following a breakthrough in the investigation.

Tom Lane is back in Cork for the third instalment of his lighthearted series, writes Cathy Desmond.

A Dublin actress has been given an eight-month suspended sentence for a “relentless” online harassment campaign of a BBC children’s television presenter.

In a video she took from her bed, Scary Spice acknowledged the sound problems and thanked fans for attending the show.

A stunning new mural with a conservation theme has been unveiled on the quayside in Cork city as part of a new city placemaking initiative.

Mark McCall leans against a wall, his back to one of the many framed photos celebrating the local football club’s storied past, as he processes questions about his own club’s route towards legendary status.

In 1991, the Temple Bar Architectural Framework Plan was welcomed as a visionary approach to creating a new “cultural quarter” for Dublin in one of the most historic areas of the city.

Sorting out Cork people for ages.

From today public bodies, including schools and hospitals, are no longer allowed to purchase single-use plastics such as cups, cutlery and straws, writes Joyce Feegan.

A personal tragedy derailed the 1980s star duo's tour last year, but they're back to play gigs in Killarney and Dublin, writes Ed Power

You can hear the excitement in Ian Whitten’s voice as he described the feeling of being in an Exeter Chiefs back-line when everything comes together. The bad news for Munster is that the Ulsterman experienced that buzz only last weekend as the Chiefs put Castres to the sword to set up tomorrow’s pivotal Heineken Champions Cup pool finale at Thomond Park.

Ten years after a first appearance at Thomond Park and Alby Mathewson is keen to enjoy more magical moments at the famous Limerick ground.

Callum O’Dowda knows the score.

The drain of southern hemisphere stars to lucrative European contracts may be keeping the game’s administrators awake at night but Felipe Contepomi believes those taking the coin can sleep easy with their decisions.

Fresh from recording his best result on the Challenge Tour, Conor O’Rourke tees it up in Portugal this morning as his bid to earn a European Tour card begins at qualifying school.

As the GAA inter-county season ends and its club championships reach their final stages, it’s time to reflect on some of the key challenges that lie ahead for the GAA.

Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy this morning begins his bid to earn a European Tour card when he tees it up in Suffolk at qualifying school.

Joe Dillon enjoyed an encouraging start in his bid to earn a European Tour card with an opening round 71 at the first stage qualifying school event at The Players Club, Bristol.

Connacht’s decline after winning the PRO 12 title in 2016 started immediately in the first game of the defence of the crown when they fell to a record 41-5 loss to Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground.

Andy Friend is hoping his first pre-season as Connacht head coach has brought the clarity to his players he feels is the key to a successful PRO14 campaign.

Five of Ireland’s well-known figures discuss where they holidayed as children, whether the memories are all good, and where they’re going now. By Arlene Harris.

If the words of praise from Rugby Australia which greeted Andy Friend’s departure as their men’s sevens head coach ring true during his next venture as Connacht boss, then the Westerners really will have made a serious appointment.

More than 55,000 people are expected to attend a 10-day festival in Cork which will feature theatre, dance, music and family-friendly events at several venues around the city.

Peter Bracken, the former Munster, Connacht and Wasps prop, tells a great story about one of his first encounters playing alongside John Muldoon for Galwegians.

The mother of a personal trainer shot dead outside his home believes he was killed as revenge after helping convict a gang of rapists.