Cobh Low Road houses are Cork’s version of Killiney. Inver, one of 14 houses here in a line of magnificent Victorian villas, makes a precipitous stand towards the sea, and is a handsome maritime home. 

THE Pentagon yesterday proposed shutting about 180 military installations from Maine to Hawaii, including 33 major bases, triggering the first round of base closures in a decade and an intense struggle by communities to save their facilities.

President George Bush, on the eve of another face-off at the United Nations over disarming Iraq, tonight urged sceptical allies to “show backbone and courage” and stand up to Saddam Hussein.