The first World Cup event of the rowing season began yesterday in Belgrade. Having wintered together in Australia and New Zealand, two Skibbereen double-acts now face very different challenges. Gary and Paul O’Donovan are on top of the world to be shot down, while Shane O’Driscoll and Mark O’Donovan must summon the appetite to survive the biggest test of their careers.

When the drive to go west hit Europe in the 19th century, it was not uncommon for fathers to cross the ocean ahead of their wives and children in search of work and a place to live.

Cork football coach Ronan McCarthy says there was never any likelihood of Ciarán Sheehan returning to the Rebels fold for the coming season.

The water of the Taiscumar Reservoir behind Farran Wood attracted crowds on Saturday as the Irish Rowing Championships took place.

If last weekend’s Cork Regatta is a reliable barometer, the National Championships next month (July 14-16) will draw unprecedented entries to the National Rowing Centre at Farran, Cork.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to a Cork student attacked in the US.

Paul and Gary O’Donovan remain the two fastest lightweight scullers in the country. 

Larry Cummins went to Farran to catch a gang of fundraisers rowing and running in the local gym for a great cause; Pieta House.

A Cork town is in line for a €5m economic boost from major competitions due to take place at Ireland’s elite rowing centre over the next 18 months.

Olympic medallists Paul and Gary O’Donovan’s rowing club has revealed ambitious expansion plans to ensure a conveyor belt of champions.

BACK on the market, after a change of selling agent and a modest-enough price drop, is the family home called Shelby, out west of Cork city and Ballincollig, at Farran.

The sum of €400,000 will now buy you ‘only’ a certain size and type of home around Cork’s Ballincollig, or Blarney, but, it will get you twice the property if you go up along the scenic Lee Valley, towards Dripsey.

Food can travel from farm to fork, or - in the case of this family home west of Cork City - from Ovens to Stanley range cooker.

Go up and over the hill at Farran, above the Cork/Macroom road past Ovens, and you are almost into a different world.

Trish Dromey sees huge potential in this small holding at Roovesbeg, Coachford which has 11 private acres.

Two best friends who share a unique connection to two survivors of the Lusitania disaster are set to play a key role in the centenary commemorations.

Limerick bananas with spider eggs attached, the Sinn Féin MEP convicted of speeding, an insight into Roy Keane's management style, a maths quiz and a new Ed Sheeran song. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime

They were best friends who set sail together from Queenstown, Co Cork, in 1911, hoping to build a new life in America.

Ten years on from one of the biggest bank robberies in British and Irish history the IRA gang responsible may still be struggling to spend some of the £26.5 million plundered in the Northern Bank heist, an expert in combating money laundering has said.

Criminal gangs have targeted members of the Irish Olympic rowing team, stealing outboard engines from support boats and attempting to sell them abroad.

A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a Cork financial advisor accused of laundering money arising out of the notorious robbery of the Northern Bank in Belfast in 2004.

Flood waters swept over Cork city centre again last night after another Atlantic storm battered the city and the city was subject to a status orange wind warning.

Size: 100 sq m (1,070 sq ft)

It’s been on the market since late summer, but now this property at Kneeves, Kilmichael, Macroom, is garnering strong interest.

Moneylender Ted Cunningham, who is facing a second trial on laundering charges, has rejoined his troubled subprime loan company as a director.

Price: €440,000

River vistas enhance these two Lee valley homes. Tommy Barker reports

In 2004, Kathryn Nelson was a high-flying property advisor. But then the Northern Bank robbery occurred and she was wrongly implicated in money laundering. Caroline O’Doherty reports on her efforts to clear her name

Six years ago Sanita Puspure was working as a shop assistant in Dublin.

There were global family ties at a weekend gathering where an extended clan celebrated the anniversary of their shared ancestors’ wedding almost 150 years earlier.

MONTENOTTE, CORK €325,000

The Garda Ombudsman is set to probe the force’s investigation into Cork moneylender Ted Cunningham, whose conviction for laundering £3m from the Northern Bank raid was quashed last week.

Financier Ted Cunningham is facing a retrial on charges of laundering money stolen in the Northern Bank raid.

The Court of Criminal Appeal has reserved judgement in the case of the only person convicted in relation to the Northern Bank robbery, who has brought the first appeal on the basis of a recent Supreme Court ruling on search warrants issued under a key piece of anti-terrorist legislation.

New legislation regarding powers of search for gardaí are being drafted after a court ruled previous search warrants were unconstitutional.

A quality, one-off family home built with the best of materials. Tommy Barker reports

SIX competition rowing boats worth a total of €32,000 were used as firewood on a Good Friday bonfire by a group of youths drinking by the River Lee.

UP for sale by auction on September 30 is a 55-acre drystock farm at Farran, Castlelyons, selling through joint agents, Christy Buckley Auctioneer and Daniel Fleming and Co, Blarney.

The reduced price of these homes includes furniture and appliances, Tommy Barker reports

Tommy Barker finds a mix of timeless solidity and contemporary flair in a five-bed home with stunning views in all directions.

SIX Cork students are in the running for the title of Ireland’s top young volunteer.