The Menu has long been meaning to make mention of the wonderful little Garden Café, sited in a Victorian glasshouse perched just above the heart of Blackpool, and a wonderful combination of pop-up supper and photo exhibition has given him ample reason to do so. 

Take a determined garden designer, a willing publican and an acre of land on the remote Sheep’s Head peninsula — and you’ve the makings of West Cork’s most eclectic night spot.

The Sheep’s Head Peninsula might not have the same profile as the Beara Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry, but it’s a stunning piece of the country that has an island-like existence — sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean like a microcosm of all that’s best about the coastal beauty of Ireland.

An extract from Sean Ó Sé’s new book recalls wartime in West Cork and those first steps towards a life in music.

West Cork was one of the worst damaged regions in the country during storms over the weekend, and the county council is to seek emergency government funding to deal with washed- away roads and bridges.

A West Cork town is under a virtual siege from the invasive Japanese knotweed, a plant which can destroy buildings.

A former British soldier denied before the High Court he told gardaí in 1997 he and another man were thinking of going down to journalist Ian Bailey’s house to ask him to “give himself up”.

A man has told the High Court gardai gave him cash “a few quid — 20 bucks here, 40 bucks there”, clothes and significant quantities of cannabis to befriend Ian Bailey and “loosen” his tongue.

DONERAILE PARK WALK

SHEEP’S HEAD POINT, WEST CORK

It’s a logistical nightmare but the West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival plays venues others just don’t reach, writes

There are times in The Menu’s life when a prolonged sojourn in Sheep’s Head is the only repair for his poor benighted soul.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced details of a €23m package for the repair of public owned piers, harbours and slipways damaged during the winter storms and for investment in the ongoing development of Ireland’s public harbour network.

A search for a missing Dutch walker off Sheep's Head in West Cork has again been hampered by poor weather conditions.

The search for a Dutch tourist missing since last Saturday resumes today after the body of his friend was taken from the sea off the West Cork coast yesterday.

The coastguard, who are searching for two men missing on Sheep's Head in county Cork, say a body has been sighted in the water.

Aidan Murphy beat Thomas Mackle by close to a bowl in the Mick Barry Cup semi-final at Ballincurrig to secure his place in next month’s King of the Roads.

TIP OF SHEEP’S HEAD, WEST CORK

Two popular bathing spots have been closed in West Cork after the discovery of excessive E.coli levels.

As the Ballydehob-based Fit-Up Theatre Festival gets ready to visit local towns and islands, Louise Roseingrave hears about the genesis of Ireland’s most unique - and lengthy - theatre festival.

The population has risen since 2008. Immigrants love our character and way of life, says Conor Power

Construction of a €10m Tesco outlet in Bantry, Co Cork, is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013 after An Bord Pleanála gave permission for the 25,000 sq ft facility at the weekend.

Life as we know it first began in the oceans which cover much of the earth.

BAILE na nGall means the foreigners’ town, referring to a 9th century Viking settlement at Smerwick, a Norse name meaning the butter harbour.

What I do: I am a writer and performer.

Children were in the frontline last night as they joined their mums and dads, friends and neighbours in a protest against Government cuts that will eke into the heart and soul of rural ireland.

Former Fianna Fáil Minister of State Ivor Callely has been arrested by gardaí in Dublin today.

You’ll earn your mince pies with a bracing walk on Sheep’s Head, says David Young

THOMAS MACKLE finished with three exceptional bowls to beat Eamon Bowen Jnr by well over a bowl at Carraig na bhFear on Sunday.

THE only ambulance available in west Cork last Friday night was stationed in Castletownbere, 85km from where 470 people gathered at a public meeting opposing cuts to the service.

I’ll tell you the best advice I ever got.

THE High Court has overturned a Seanad committee finding that Senator Ivor Callely misrepresented his normal place of residence to claim expenses.

Senator Ivor Callely could sue Seanad colleagues who wrongly fined and banned him over an expenses scandal.

Senator Ivor Callely should not have been suspended from the Seanad over an expenses scandal, the High Court ruled today.

A FORMER Fianna Fáil senator was still using his Dublin home for personal correspondence this summer and not the Donegal house he used to claim mileage from.

LAWYERS acting for Senator Ivor Callely have rejected claims by a Seanad Committee that the courts do not have the jurisdiction to hear his action.