Aileen Lee profiles ceramicist Helen Ennis.

Lawyers for a man found floating in the ocean next to 65 bales of cocaine have told the Court of Appeal that their client was a “bungling stevedore” in one of Ireland largest ever drugs hauls, rather than a “lieutenant”.

Family and friends today said a final farewell to globally-celebrated children's French-born author, cartoonist and illustrator Tomi Ungerer following a funeral service in West Cork, and later a cremation.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) are refusing to row back on plans to replace historic lights at the country’s most southwesterly lighthouse, reducing the power of their beams from 27 to 18 nautical miles.

If communities want to retain local post offices, they must use the service, the Tánaiste has warned.

Wandering around Horse Island, visitors must take the utmost care lest they suffer the same fate as the numerous sheep that have fallen headlong to their doom down deep mine shafts, writes Dan MacCarthy.

Kevin Markham highlights 10 of the most amusing moments he’s had on a golf course.

For some, it’s a milestone anniversary — 20 years on from one of the most notorious unsolved murders in Ireland. But to her family, it’s been an anniversary just like any other.

The son of murdered French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier has vowed to continue his family's quest for justice until his dying breath.

AFEW months ago it fell to me to organise transport to whisk a friend’s daughter to wedding. When I rang my friend to tell him I had booked a top-end Seat Alhambra for the gig, to say he was a little crestfallen would be no exaggeration.

A coroner has highlighted the need for extreme vigilance on farms after an inquest heard how a toddler died in a farmyard accident in West Cork last year.

For the past five years, she has wowed audiences in community halls and theatres all over Co Cork — now a middle-aged, control-freak housewife from West Cork is the star of a new film.

The posters say it best: “Episode VIII: A long time ago on a headland far, far away...”

He shares the same name of a famous political figure and Independent TD Michael Collins could have a lot to offer the party.

An Englishman jailed for his role in the largest drugs seizure in the history of the State has had his 30-year jail term reduced on appeal to 17 and a half years.

A flood relief candidate hopes to be Cork South West’s very first female TD, says Catherine Shanahan

A ceremony filled with music and warm words provided a moving send-off for an international singer known as ‘Black’ in his adopted home of Schull in West Cork.

A decision will be made next month in the case of an Englishman who successfully appealed his 30-year prison sentence for his role in the biggest drug seizure in the history of the State.

A British adventurer's transatlantic rowing boat, which was abandoned during a hurricane mid ocean almost two months ago, has been recovered just off the Cork coast.

Cork County Council will be asked to formally endorse an appeal to the Government to provide a commercial rates break to businesses in West Cork which suffered severely in the aftermath of recent storm damage.

More than €2.3m in damage was caused to roads and bridges in Cork county alone following last month’s storm. Some roads remain closed.

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 severe weather alert remains in place today after torrential rain destroyed roads and flooding cut off part of the Mizen peninsula in West Cork yesterday.

The Coast Guard has issued a warning after racing pigeons and a flare triggered a search operation in West Cork at the weekend.

A Cork judge erred in sentencing an Englishman to 30 years imprisonment for his role in the biggest drugs seizure in the history of the State, the Court of Criminal Appeal has found.

Gardaí have recovered a major haul of stolen marine equipment, including 10 boats, 74 outboard engines, generators, and trailers.

A multi-agency red alert initiative has been launched in a West Cork peninsula aimed at preventing expensive equipment being stolen from boats berthed locally.

Residents of a Cork suburb will be the first in the country to experience a new concept in walking which, according to its creator, a former army officer, promotes inner peace and physical wellbeing.

Traditional farmhouse on three acres comes with barn and old stone buildings but needs upgrades and money spent, says Tommy Barker.

Jellyfish are becoming more numerous but though their stings are painful, researchers are examining their tourism potential, writes Dan Buckley

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.

A new book and art collection depicting West Cork’s village vistas opens as an exhibition today in Castletownshend.

Swimming has been banned at a former blue flag beach in Co Cork due to excessive E.coli levels while the public has been warned of “potential risks” at three other bathing spots, including two current blue flag beaches.

Cork, the country’s largest coastal county, has lost four of its blue flag beaches.

Ireland played host to plenty of first-time tourists over the St Patrick's weekend - but this fella was definitely the largest.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s home village was directly affected by the closure of its three nearest AIB bank branches, which shut yesterday along with 41 others across the country.