Holger Smyth part-owns and runs Inanna Rare Books, which has recently opened a ‘rare book lounge’ at the former Hawthorn creamery near Drimoleague, Co Cork.

At this stage, it’s probably a rite of passage for one of Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, Ciarán Kilkenny, Kevin McManamon, or Paddy Andrews to haze new recruits with tales of the bad old days.

The Westport facility is responsible for manufacturing the global supply of Botox.

With EU regulatory approval in the bag and US regulatory scrutiny expected to clear in the coming weeks, the €55bn AbbVie and Allergan merger should start in earnest in February or March.

Saltwater will take place on the grounds of Westport House over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Saltwater Festival will take place on the grounds of Westport House in Mayo on the June Bank Holiday weekend.

"Strategic marine activity zones" may be designated in coastal and offshore waters as part of the Government's new approach to marine planning.

Some time back, The Menu eagerly took delivery of what purported to be a definitive tome on vegan cuisine from one of the world’s premier cookbook publishers.

Proposals to ban passengers from some peak-time rail services unless they have pre-booked seats have been slammed as "absolutely unacceptable" by the chair of the Dáil's transport committee.

The Cabinet has given the green light for a €280m upgrade of the N22 Cork-Kerry road, including the long-awaited Macroom bypass.

A minister says a new investment in rural Ireland will bring more tourism and stag parties to the west of Ireland.

The outstanding Tramore course once again proved a happy hunting ground for Limerick Golf Club over the weekend when they pulled off a highly impressive double in the Munster finals of the AIG Irish Senior Cup-Barton Shield and so qualified for the national finals to take place at Westport on September 20-22.

Seasonal or year-round activities at your home could boost your bank balance and even help pay off the mortgage, says Kya deLongchamps.

Bríd Conroy owns the recently-opened Tertulia Bookshop in Westport, Co Mayo, along with her husband, Neil Paul.

Irish Rail has received several complaints of harassment and abuse towards passengers on the Dublin-Westport railway line.

The State’s pricing deal with the pharmaceutical industry ends this year, and the funding of innovation must become a priority, if patients here are to have the early access that patients elsewhere in western Europe have, says Bernard Mallee

Drugmaker Allergan has said it remains "committed to Ireland" despite agreeing to be bought by US rival AbbVie in a $63bn (€55.3bn) deal.

The IDA has insisted regional job growth is a main priority but conceded it is "extraordinarily difficult" to persuade foreign firms to choose smaller towns as a base.

A Dublin-based car dealership dismissed a car salesman after he recorded zero car sales after seven weeks in the job during the busiest time of year for car sales.

Her body was discovered yesterday morning at a house in the Westport area.

Gardaí are questioning a man in his 40s after the death of a woman in County Mayo.

The body of a woman has been found in Co Mayo.

A group representing the families of murder and manslaughter victims has called on the Government to bring about changes that would mean killers are not eligible for parole until their minimum sentence has been served.

A Cork engineering and software firm has said it will create up to 180 new jobs after opening a new customer innovation centre.

Not one for watching recorded sport, especially if the result is known in advance, but an exception was made for this year’s Division One football league final between Mayo and Kerry.

The pharmaceutical company is to invest €65m in its operations in Ireland.

Mayo manager James Horan has cut six players from his panel ahead of their Connacht championship opener in New York on May 5.

The Menu is delighted to bring further detail to an item alluded to in last weekend’s column, news of what promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s culinary calendar, a fundraising dinner (April 29) in aid of two Leeside charities, Cork Penny Dinners, recent recipients of the prestigious Irish Food Writers’ Guild social responsibility award, and Cork Simon.