The triplet sister of a Limerick teenager who lost his life in a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Spain has described his death as an “absolute tragedy”.

A West Cork cleric is offering classes to people interested in becoming traditional church bell-ringers.

Cork composer Bernard Geary returns to his hometown to hear one of his pieces performed at the choral festival, writes Cathy Desmond

Gardaí investigating the death of a man who was found critically injured on the street after St Patrick’s Day celebrations questioned a man over the weekend.

It is hoped predicted Beast from the East-style low temperatures won’t have a detrimental impact on the St Patrick’s Day parades which get under way around the country tomorrow.

The Rock of Cashel and numerous other abbeys were among those to sustain damage last year, according to the Office of Public Works (OPW).

There is something magical about embarking on a boat trip into the past where for part of your journey there is almost nothing modern in the scene before you apart from the bow of the boat, writes Dan MacCarthy.

The four members of the Alexander family who were killed in a car accident in Co Wexford earlier this month were laid to rest in Illinois on Saturday.

Cork GAA is mourning the death yesterday at the age of 92 of legendary hurler Willie John Daly, who was the last surviving member of the three-in-a-row team of the 1950s who starred in the attack alongside Christy Ring.

Some of the best events for all the family this week, compiled by Colette Keane

Church bells are set to ring out in honour of legendary GAA figure Sam Maguire thanks to the Church of Ireland parish in West Cork where he is buried.

The route of the first Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon to be staged on a Sunday has been tweaked to avoid clashing with morning Masses.

Farmer Paddy Lyons will be laid to rest today when hundreds are expected to gather in his home community to say their farewells.

A priest has called on society to “wake up” to the plight of the homeless community, following the death of a mother-of-two whose body was discovered last week at a vacant building in Limerick.

Ballygunner 4-20 Passage 1-12: The memory of the late Pat Flynn was honoured in style by his Ballygunner clubmen as they claimed a thoroughly convincing third consecutive senior county title in front of a disappointing 3,811 Walsh Park crowd.

“It breaks our hearts to lose you all, you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you all, the day God called you home.”

The loss of five members of the same family in a murder-suicide is tragedy beyond comprehension, funeral mourners heard yesterday.

Some of the stranger stories from around the world

A man has become the first deacon in the Catholic Church in Ireland to perform a wedding ceremony for his daughter.

Fifteen men were yesterday arrested at the funeral of a dissident republican in Northern Ireland.

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for a new nine-storey office block overlooking the River Liffey opposite the International Financial Services Centre.

Classic vacations

A hurler, footballer, greyhound enthusiast, horseracing fan, and, most of all, a loving and proud family man.

Family, friends and politicians bade a final farewell to PJ Mara yesterday as the former government press secretary was laid to rest in Co Galway.

A scale model representing one of the country’s most historic towns as it appeared in medieval times will be unveiled today.

The children of a mother of eight, who died in suspicious circumstances in Holland, have paid tribute to their “amazing” mum who loved them all unconditionally with her “healing hugs”.

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.

The death of Bryan Whelan, whose body was discovered last Saturday trapped in a cage in the River Shannon, was the second tragedy to strike his family, it has emerged

The outcome of a probe into the deaths of two workers who drowned when carrying out repairs on Thomond Bridge in Limerick will determine whether gardaí will launch an inquiry.

Tommy Barker looks at a recently refurbished three-storey townhouse, close to amenities with all the virtues of coastal living.

“Ta-ra girl, I’ll see you on life’s highway,” comedian Paul O’Grady said, thanking Cilla Black for all the good times they shared as he said goodbye to the much-loved singer and TV presenter at her funeral.

She was a woman of many names. Also known as ‘Mary O’Connor’, ‘Mary the Shop’, and ‘Mary the Pensioner’, it was the title of ‘Mary John B’ that charmed her the most.

A plot to burgle the Buckinghamshire home of entertainer Cilla Black during her funeral has been foiled.

An historic landmark Cork city church will host an open day and garden party next weekend to showcase progress on a major restoration project.

A cancer victim who spoke out three weeks ago against health service cuts has died.

Kya deLongchamps talks to Paul McNally, a Cork architect who’s just won an RIAI Annual Award.

Mary Leland delves into the rich history which visitors can enjoy at next week’s Dromana 800 celebrations.

All that Caolán Seoige-Webster wanted out of life was to join the army, have a small house and a little piece of land for two horses.

A city has rallied to help a homeless man who was burnt out of his tent.

One of the country’s longest-lived women, 104-year-old Mary O’Leary from North Cork, will be laid to rest today.

Leanne Mc Donagh smashed sizeable barriers to get to college, writes Ellie O’Byrne. Having appeared on RTE’s Norah’s Traveller Academy, she’s hellbent on using her art to undermine stereotypes.

The funerals have taken place in Carlow of two of the victims of Tuesday’s road crash in Kildare.