Two oil firms have released encouraging news about oil prospects off the coast of Ireland.

TRADITIONAL fishermen, anglers and sailors, bed and breakfast-owners, hoteliers, harbour commissioners and environmentalists along with peninsula residents — it’s a disparate bunch.

THE first phase of the white-tailed sea eagle reintroduction programme came to a close in Killarney National Park in recent weeks with the release of an additional 23 young eagles, bringing to 100 the number of birds set loose in the wild through this unique project.

SAILING: David Branigan

JEAN DE VILLIERS cannot see himself playing for any other South African except the Stormers, following his revelation last week that he will quit Munster in favour of a return to his homeland.

Jean de Villiers cannot see himself playing for any other South African except the Stormers, following his revelation last week that he will quit Munster in favour of a return to his homeland.

THE media interests of billionaire entrepreneur Denis O’Brien are not enough to create competition concerns in the Irish market, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has ruled.

THE man planning to re-launch the Cork-Swansea sea route is flying to Finland today where he hopes to conclude a deal to acquire a new €10 million ferry.

A LANDOWNER has been freed from jail after promising not to trespass on or interfere with one of the most strategic communications sites in south-west Ireland.

Martin Corry saluted an “incredibly special” Leicester performance after the Tigers made Heineken Cup history.

Munster 6 Leicester 13

Leicester 34 Cardiff Blues 0

The Jeanie Johnston, a nostalgic replica of a 19th century “famine ship” making its way slowly from Ireland to America, has docked at the Portuguese island of Madeira, her wave-battered sailors reported.