Today’s general election may well signal stormy weather ahead for incumbent TDs, but today’s weather warning has sparked concerns that wind and rain could dampen voter turnout.

It is hard to believe today but the former island of Ringarogy in West Cork was once home to around 800 people.

The Government has announced that Cork is to receive an investment of €290 million to deliver fibre broadband to almost 75,000 homes in the Intervention Area (IA).

The threat of bacterial epidemics is something that threatens all countries, island or not.

Baltimore RNLI carried out a medical evacuation last night from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork.

One of the more surprising facts about Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay is the size of its population in the 19th century.

Overlooking Roaringwaterbay in West Cork is a house on a hill. A couple of Scots pine trees stand by the house as if on guard. The setting is majestic — the island of East Skeam. The views are otherworldly, writes Dan MacCarthy.

Residents of Sherkin Island off the Cork coast have been without a landline phone service since Storm Ophelia — and have now been rebuffed after calling on the Government to consider laying broadband cable instead.

West Cork islanders Olive and Sean O’Neill have been forced to put their home up for sale and are moving to the mainland so their children can attend school.

West Cork islanders Olive and Sean O’Neill have been forced to put their home up for sale and are moving to the mainland so their children can attend school.

The up-market Peninsula House, at Lisheen outside of Skibbereen, is an unusual mix, says Tommy Barker.

Jo Kerrigan picks her absolute favourite five places in West Cork.

 

A man broke into two houses on Sherkin Island and stole alcohol before being arrested after landing back on the mainland by ferry.

An ocean version of the highly successful community bike-rental scheme — but using kayaks — is being planned for the seven inhabited islands of West Cork.

Residents of Sherkin Islandin West Cork enjoyed the warmest weather in the country last month.

I WAS gratified to hear that my grandson and his girlfriend, visiting our West Cork home from the UK, were fortunate enough to witness spectacular whale behaviour when they went on a whale watch trip with Colin Barnes from Reen Pier, near Castletownshend.

In day four of our special report on rural Ireland we visit Ballydehob, Co. Cork. From Danno to fests, this village has history, writes Michael Clifford

All the latest news and events from the worlds of music, comedy and film.

Vital funding for Ireland’s non-Gaeltacht islands has been secured for the year.

It was surprising to read that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government plan to end funding from December 31 for five community development offices for the non-gaeltacht islands of Bere, Clare, Whiddy, Sherkin, Dursey, Long, Heir, Inishturk and Inishbofin. 

Communities on nine non-Gaeltacht islands have expressed concern at the news that the Department of the Environment, Community, and Local Government is to terminate funding to their five community development company offices from the end of next month.

Two hospitality establishments given a makeover by John and Francis Brennan of RTÉ’s At Your Service programme open their doors this weekend with high hopes for the future.

EVEN if the neighbour at Kilcoe doesn’t come out of his castle keep to buy Mannin Island, estate agent Eoin Ryan of DTZ Sherry FitzGerald has other irons in the fire when it come to this Roaring Water Bay property offer.

WE set off up the steep road from the pier, past the ruined friary.

A long way away from the rest of the world.

Specialist divers were brought in to repair a broken pipe which supplies water to islanders living off the south-west coast.

OLD WORKHOUSE AND RATHCOOL WALK

Tranquil Cluain Áilinn, complete with pontoon and privacy, will be a stretch for most, writes Tommy Barker

A GP representative body has described a key part of HSE plans to reconfigure the ambulance service in West Cork as “dangerous and unworkable”.

Meet the Leaving Cert student who sailed to, and through, his first exam.

An alligator was once presented to the people of Cape Clear in West Cork by the captain of a ship that ran into a local boat, killing four men.

Cash-stricken Cork County Council cannot afford to fix some of the “appalling” and “impassable” roads on its seven inhabited islands.

Silver Strand, Sherkin Island, Co Cork

ISLANDERS in west Cork are trying to encourage more people to visit and, ultimately, live among them.

A 10-YEAR strategy to enhance life for about 500 inhabitants on the seven islands off West Cork has been launched.

A MAJOR blueprint for the future of Cork’s seven inhabited islands will include promoting them as tourist destinations.

DEMOLITION work is due to start next week to clear a site for West Cork’s new €4.5 million arts centre.

EVEN in a drenching summer in Ireland, there’s no shortage of things to do if you wish to enjoy our natural heritage.

SHAGS, despite their prejudicial name, are elegant birds, much more attractive than their cousins, the cormorants.