Farming neighbours in Co Kilkenny rushed to help a cow that had fallen into the River Nore on Monday in what turned out to be a dramatic rescue.

The way has been cleared for the development of a wind farm after the Court of Appeal rejected a challenge to planning permission centring on concerns for a “critically endangered” freshwater pearl mussel.

Kilkenny hurling supremo Brian Cody is not in the habit of co-operating with the likes of Waterford and Wexford, but has made an exception to join in the south-east region’s bid to become European Capital of Culture.

An environmental group has secured leave to appeal against the rejection of its challenge to a grant of permission for a wind farm in Co Laois.

The GAA world was plunged into shock yesterday by the death of the father of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland winning hurling captain in a fatal farm accident.

A search has resumed for a man who fell into the River Nore in Co Kilkenny overnight.

Explore the spectacular coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way, experience hot heritage in the South-East, feast on fabulous food festivals, or immerse yourself in inspiring art and design.

They might have to wait another three weeks to learn their fate on the hurling pitch, but Kilkenny folk are celebrating victory in another field after winning the national Tidy Towns contest.

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.

Kilkenny County Council has been ordered to halt the construction of two new bridges over claims the work is causing very severe and possibly irreversible environmental damage.

Cookery schools, river walks and wildlife parks — Kilkenny has a lot to offer, says John Tynan.

Lady Helen Restaurant, Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny; 056-7773000; mountjuliet.ie.

Irish Water Safety (IWS) has called for compulsory aquatic training for primary school children as part of a long-term strategy to prevent future drowning tragedies.

The search for a man missing after swimming in a quarry in Co Tipperary - has resumed this morning.

A 24-year-old man has drowned in the sea off Ardara, Co Donegal today.

Looking for somewhere novel to bring your dad this father’s day? Pól Ó Conghaile has 10 great suggestions to suit all budgets.

CASTLETOWN WALK, CO LAOIS

Seductive self-catering... in Clare & Kerry

Kilkenny is to get a €5.6m makeover to help boost visitor numbers to the popular city, it has been announced.

A €5.5m “Medieval Mile” investment which is set to “transform” Kilkenny and make it one of the most attractive city centres in the country was officially launched yesterday.

Ken Tucker, 80 years young, last week landed a fine 17.2lb salmon on Kents, at the Blackwater Lodge Fishery.

A receiver has been appointed to the five-star Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny by Bank of Scotland Ireland.

RESCUERS in nine dramatic, near-death, water accidents were honoured at an awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday.

RESIDENTS of a Co Laois town have called for the return of a monument dedicated to the memory of young people who died in tragic circumstances.

THERE are contradictory, pre- and end-of Celtic era touches to Kilkenny’s Coolmore estate, on 242 acres.

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

Gardaí are investigating a third drowning after a woman's body was recovered from the river Suir in Tipperary this morning.

Gardai in Kilkenny are appealing for the public's help in identifying the body of a man found in the River Nore yesterday.

Gardaí are investigating after a man's body was found in Kilkenny today.

SEVERE overnight flooding caused chaos for rush hour motorists yesterday as businesses and schools reopened after the Easter break.

IN his first Budget statement last December, Finance Minister Brian Cowen outlined a transport investment programme of €10.2 billion for 2005 to 2009.

A lack of specialist expertise in the civil service led to a waste of billions of euro taxpayers’ money, it emerged tonight.

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.

A MULTI-MILLION euro flood relief programme has put thousands of spawning salmon in danger.

HOMEOWNERS in Kilkenny are worried about their health because effluent has been seeping from a nearby sewage plant into the River Nore for almost 20 years.

A LOCAL authority could face fines after a salmon fishery was polluted for the second time in as many months by sewerage plant effluent.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are trying to unravel a real-life ‘lord of the rings’ puzzle.

Tommy Barker surveys a ready-to-go haven for new occupants.

GREEN activists want an independent investigation into the pollution of a city river by a county council.

A WOMAN who travelled to Ireland yesterday with one kilo of cocaine hidden in her shoes and in poetry books was arrested by customs officers.