The An Post Rás burst into life yesterday as an Irish rider landed a first stage win of the week and the race for the yellow jersey was blown wide open.

It will be an An Post Rás full of nostalgia for one of the country’s most experienced riders next week as Eugene Moriarty lines up at the start in Dublin Castle for an incredible 20th time, writes Brian Canty.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced the creation of 20 new jobs and a €6m investment in the Marine Institute’s facility in Newport, Co Mayo.

Valentia Island in Co Kerry recorded its sunniest June in 74 years last month, with 265.0 hours of sunshine breaking the record last set in 1940, according to data from Met Éireann.