There are few more stunning backdrops to an international rugby stadium than the one that greets you on your arrival at Newlands Stadium. Nestled to the rear of the imposing, rugged features that define Table Mountain, it sets the scene perfectly for what lies ahead. This is South Africa, this is Springbok rugby.

A convicted hitman allegedly hired to kill the wife of honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani said he was told to stage a hijacking-gone-wrong in which the British husband escaped unharmed.

A new guide to Dublin and Wicklow will be a failsafe companion for walkers everywhere, says Dan MacCarthy.

Delegates at the World Economic Forum on Africa will be isolated from reality on the ground, says Pascal Fletcher.

A giant Irish-knit jumper and the world’s biggest raggy doll were among the spectacular sights and sounds at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.

A giant Irish-knit jumper and the world’s biggest raggy doll were among the spectacular sights and sounds at the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.

Some of Earth’s most famous sights – including the Pyramids of Egypt and Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue – will be lit up green today.

A junior minister will see first hand how Ireland’s overseas aid programme has improved the lives of some of the world’s poorest families.

MARYBOROUGH HILL, CORK €225,000

It seems like the Vatican in Rome might be the only landmark on the planet that isn’t turning green to mark St Patrick’s Day around the world.

An 80-year-old man hitchhiked for 10,000 miles to scatter his wife's ashes.

Another global landmark is to mark St Patrick's Day next year by going green.

Fame And Glory proved himself on course for the defence of his Ascot Gold Cup crown when getting the better of gallant mare Unaccompanied in the listed Vintage Crop Stakes in Navan yesterday.

Tranquil Sea outpointed Zaarito in a dash to the line to claim the Webster Cup Chase at Navan.

Tourism organisations around the globe will be green with envy this week as many of the world’s best-known landmarks turn emerald to mark St Patrick’s Day and promote Ireland as a tourist destination.

The world’s most famous landmarks will go green next month to mark St Patrick’s Day.

The world’s most famous landmarks will go green next month to mark St Patrick’s Day.

Kieran O’Leary talks Kerry, Crokes, tactics and travelling with Fintan O’Toole

POLICE say an American who has claimed successful parachute jumps off the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge broke his legs in a failed attempt off Cape Town’s Table Mountain.

Saracens 20 Biarritz 16

The Cliffs of Moher has lost out in a long-running competition to be named as one of the world's new "seven wonders".

IRELAND football manager Giovanni Trapattoni is set to fulfil a promise to the operators of the Cliffs of Moher visitor attraction when he visits the beauty spot this week.

Iconic buildings around the world are going green for St. Patrick's Day.

TABLE Mountain in South Africa, the Empire State Building in New York and the Sky Tower in Auckland are among the iconic buildings and attractions around the world which will “go green” this year to mark St Patrick’s Day.

AN open-air dancing extravaganza featuring Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance is to take place at the Cliffs of Moher in September.

IF you manage to toss a few quid west at Navan this afternoon then you really will have only yourself to blame.

AIDAN and Joseph O’Brien dominated yesterday’s action at Navan, where Aidan notched a spectacular four-timer, only one of them ridden by stable-jockey Johnny Murtagh, while Joseph completed the first treble of his career on Fosters Cross, Eirnin and Table Mountain, the latter pair trained by his father.

HIDDEN UNIVERSE is a reasonably confident nap choice to land the two mile October Maiden at Navan this afternoon.

SOUTH AFRICA’S beautiful Garden Route is much travelled by tourists.

MORE than 700 orange balloons filled the skies at the Cliffs of Moher yesterday as a campaign with a difference took flight.

WE MIGHT as well have been on the high veldt.

Emerging Springboks 13 British and Irish Lions 13

Western Province 23 British and Irish Lions 26

England prop Phil Vickery captained the British and Irish Lions as they targeted a fifth successive South Africa tour victory.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 Manchester United 1

Gold mines were forced to stop production in South Africa today hit by nationwide power cuts.

ON A night of surprise announcements, late on Friday philanthropist Niall Mellon told his army of volunteer builders he is taking his name off the charity he founded.

Tommy Barker reports from the latest hot destination for Irish cash — South Africa.

Radio veteran John Peel is to be the MC for a live concert spanning four continents to celebrate 70 years of the BBC World Service.

An investigation into how a British teenager was killed as she abseiled down South Africa's Table Mountain has been completed.

The family of a teenage British holidaymaker watched in horror as she was crushed to death in a cable car mechanism as she prepared to abseil down a South African mountain.