From Christmas Day swims to Christmas tree flings, there’s no excuse to be a couch potato this festive season, with lots on offer to get you and your loved ones up, out, and on the move, writes Susan O’Shea.

At the moment, my life revolves around the new book I’m writing. I have a copy of the editorial schedule taped on the wall in front of my computer — when the next draft is due for submission to the publisher, when the next round of edits will make their way back to me. Back and forth, on repeat for the next seven months.

I suffered from terrible judgment in my 30s and ended up marrying a guy from Mallow. I’m literally paying for it to this day.

I am in the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig again this week, doing a final round of edits on the first draft of my new novel before I have to submit it to my editor.

Every place likes to think it has a unique relationship with a visiting star, I guess, but there's no two ways about it, Tommy Tiernan seems to be at his outrageous best when he's in the capital of the south.

Louise O’Neill enjoys some pampering in a true home away from home in West Cork.

Far from producing 'slow-motion running' lifeguards more focused on their looks, this academy will produce a steady stream of highly-trained rookie lifeguards equipped with an internationally-recognised qualification.

Two spectacular stained glass windows depicting a series of historical and cultural ‘turning points’ over some 700 years in a West Cork town, have gone on display in the local church.

Red Lodge is in a prime setting, looking west towards Dunmore, over the main access road to Inchydoney’s beaches.

Have you heard of gratitude journals? It’s a diary where you write down everything that you’re grateful for in an attempt to focus your attention on the good things in your life, writes Louise O'Neill.

Louise O’Neill, Conal Creedon, Caroline O’Donoghue, Patricia Scanlan and Billy O’Callaghan: Five authors share their festive memories

Sharon Ní Chonchúir savours the sublime new treatment at Inchydoney Spa.

According to the Lonely Planet’s latest Ireland edition, “everything good about Ireland can be found in County Cork”. Truth or just wishful thinking? We sent Rob O’Donnell, an American living in deepest West Cork, out to play tourist for a day and give his verdict.

Highlights from the annual strand racing at Inchydoney

Tommy Barker finds a acres of land for a small home, by the expanse of West Cork’s Inchydoney beach.

Don’t want Christmas to end? Try a Twixmas staycation, writes Ciara McDonnell.

It’s a time of year for nice surprises and Margaret O’Driscoll of the Neonatal Unit at Cork University Maternity Hospital was on the receiving end when she was rewarded for her work, not least for her efforts with a premature baby boy.

While working at ELLE in New York, I had to challenge quite a few of my colleagues’ misconceptions about Ireland. 

IN the same way that Bordeaux is associated with fine wine, the name West Cork evokes the idea of wonderful food.

Today, May 25

Three popular beaches have been forced to lower their coveted Blue Flag.

Damien Enright visited an EFDA project in Ethiopia, and saw it was doing genuine good work

You’re set back just a bit from the best of the views to be had over Inchydoney Beach (often rated as one of Ireland’s most popular) at this seaside home up for sale, but while it just lacks beach and ocean views, the upside is a bit more tranquillity, and one of the larger sites to be had in the West Cork coastal setting, an hour from city and airport.

Business owners in Clonakilty say the town is recovering nicely but they want their town council back, writes Noel Baker

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has confirmed the first new species of whale in Irish waters in 25 years.

Today, May 26

The percentage of septic tanks in Cork failing inspections has increased this year, with the worst failure rate in the west of the county.

Thursday, May 19

Sunday, May 15

Ahead of the European Champions, Conor Power meets bowlers on the senior Irish road bowling team practicing on Inchydoney Beach

Saddle up to get a view of our magnificent landscape. There is simply no better way to appreciate our country says Dan MacCarthy

Patricia Messenger is the presenter of Cork Today radio show on C103. She is from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, but has been living in Cork since 1990.

West Cork’s Wild Atlantic Way may be beautiful, but according to tourists its public toilets are anything but a pretty sight.

Cork people are looking forward to welcoming visitors from the US next year following the announcement of Cork Airport’s first transatlantic flights to Boston with Norwegian Air. 

WHEN the sun is shining and skies are blue is there a nicer place to be than the beach? Even if there’s only a mild hope of a favourable weather, we flock to the seaside.

Beaches and marinas across the country are bathing in the warm waters of European approval — 86 of them have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status.