Irish Water has confirmed it is to press ahead with one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in Ireland — the pumping of water from the Shannon river all the way to Dublin to supply the capital’s taps.

AS the evenings shorten and the back-to-school advertisements fill premium viewing slots on television we all, metaphorically at least, reach for the warm fleece to stave off the first chills of autumn.

Though it’s been five years it’s hard to forget the earnest individual manning the protest line at Croke Park when the English rugby team played there in what has become to be recognised as one of the great milestones in our recent history.