I AM researching a project about Irish freshwater fish species. The other day I set off in search of dace. The dace has an interesting story in this country which is quoted in all the scientific papers and popular articles about them.

Listed jointly with Sherry-Fitzgerald Country Homes and Roscrea agents Sherry Fitzgerald Fogarty, the stunning Tulach Nore near Portlaoise (28km from the town) is a 255-acre residential farm of impressive dimensions.

The effects of Storm Frank are still being felt following the latest severe weather event to lash the country.

THE history of the Norman conquest is threaded through the forthcoming New Ross Piano Festival. The Ros Tapestry shows how the Normans were invited by Dermot MacMurrough, whose daughter Aoife married Strongbow.

A campaign is under way in the Kilkenny area to contain an outbreak of giant hogweed — an invasive plant which can result in injuries when it comes into contact with people.

Trish Dromey on a holiday home that makes a splash.

Having three fine sisters himself, The Menu is a great man to hymn the praises of supportive female siblings so reckons the alliance of ‘Three Sisters’ from the South-East, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny.

Cormac O’Keeffe spends an adventure-filled weekend in the child-friendly, Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny.

A new book offer unrivalled insight into life in the 9th century. Clodagh Finn turns the clock back.

The High Court has ordered that construction work on two bridges, one of which has been the scene of protests by local people, in Kilkenny City be halted.

Inland Fisheries Ireland yesterday approved €230,000 for a number of projects aimed at enhancing some of the country’s top salmon habitats.

Met Éireann has warned of a major flooding risk both from expected stormy weather from Wednesday onwards and from heavy rainfall which will swell rivers already near capacity.

There's no end in sight to the wet weather.

Clare County Council is reporting that all river systems throughout the county are “very elevated” following continued heavy rainfall in recent weeks.

The Army and Civil Defence are on stand-by as more serious flooding is expected in the coming days with a number of rivers already very high across the country.

The National Emergency Coordination Centre is warning of a further risk of flooding this weekend.

Communities living next to rivers are on high alert amid warnings that the country’s major waterways could burst their banks today or over the weekend with the forecast of heavy rain.

The National Coordination group said the risk of tidal flooding will recede in coming days.

CASTLETOWN WALK, CO LAOIS

THE solstice is a time to take stock and make new resolutions.

GATHERING his hurleys in the Kilkenny dressing room after his sixth All-Ireland final triumph, Tommy Walsh was offered a helping hand.

With a reduced price River Cottage is an attractive double offering near beautiful Inistioge, writes Tommy Barker.

THE invasive Asian clam has just been discovered in Lough Derg where it is likely to have serious impact on the biology of the lake, an expert has warned.

THE 18th century house Fairymount, in Co Waterford’s Cheekpoint had not so much a starring role as a supporting one in the 1995 TV mini-series, Jake’s Progress.

ONE of the world’s most dangerous invasive species is threatening to devastate top salmon rivers, experts have warned.

SO much of the landscape we imagine as natural is manmade. There’s hardly a corner or vista in Ireland — much less Europe — that does not in some way reveal man’s presence or ambitions.

One of the world’s most dangerous invasive species is threatening to devastate top salmon rivers, experts warned today.

An angler has caught the largest salmon for almost 20 years on a river almost decimated by falling stocks.

A man and a woman have drowned after getting into difficulty while swimming in separate rivers in Kilkenny.

AT a time when planning authorities elsewhere are trying to keep traffic out of city centres, Kilkenny’s application to An Bord Pleanála for permission to construct and inner relief road which will funnel heavy traffic through the ancient centre of the city is worryingly out of step with the rest of the world.

FUNDING for five regional artisan food study tours, which will be held as part of the Terra Madre (Mother Earth) food festival in Waterford next month, was announced yesterday by Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív.

The Government faces a General Election backlash from salmon fishermen after approving an EU ban on drift netting, it was warned today.

The Government has approved proposals for a ban on drift-netting and angling for salmon in an effort to reverse declining stocks of the species in Irish rivers.

RESTRICTIONS are being introduced among salmon and sea trout fishermen in the Waterford area in a desperate bid to preserve stocks.

Tommy Barker says activity in country houses is low key.

FISHERIES board staff yesterday began work on temporary modifications to a weir which local fishermen claim is damaging one of the country’s most popular salmon rivers because it is too high for the fish.

Nature has lent a helping hand in ensuring salmon stuck at a troublesome weir reached their traditional spawning grounds, it emerged today.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS excavating the Woodstown Viking site in Waterford believe that a number of other such settlements exist at riverside locations in the south-east.