The composer spends his free time watching sport on television or walking the beach with family

We are celebrating the start of the summer holidays with our big KidzZone Summer Quiz

Madeleine D’Arcy will be appearing at the West Cork Literary Festival on Thursday, July 15, in Bantry Library, alongside Nithy Kasa. See www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie

Kinsale Arts Weekend runs from July 7. Among the exhibitions is ‘Through Ukrainian Eyes’ - featuring photos taken by refugees who have recently arrived to the town, writes JENNIFER HORGAN

It is a great time to sow biennials like foxgloves, honesty, wallflowers and sweet william, says Olive Ryan in her weekly column.

After two years of pandemic restrictions, Lissarda Scouts are back doing activities and are sending out an invitation for new recruits, says DAVID FORYSTHE

Established in Cork city in 1872, St Luke’s Home has just celebrated 150 years of caring for the older person. CHRIS DUNNE traces the history of the Mahon centre

Violin maker Bertrand Galen moved to Cork in 1999 and operates a workshop on Maylor Street. COLETTE SHERIDAN talks to him about his career, his move to Ireland, and recording with Glen Hansard

The TV series covers trails from County Kerry, Northern Ireland, County Wicklow and around Lough Derg

CHRIS DUNNE catches up with Paul Foley, owner of Mick Finns in Clonakilty, to talk about the challenges of the past few years

A new six-part series meets different families in some of Ireland's most stunning locations, in a new property show

Ciara Moloney and Maria Collins, who live in Carrigtwohill wed recently at Triskel Arts Centre

Pet O’Connell previews events for young readers at the West Cork Literary Festival and also looks at what made the ‘Pride Reading Guide’ launched by Children’s Books Ireland and An Post featuring LGBTQIA+ inclusive stories

Tadhg Coakley, whose latest book of nonfiction, The Game, has just been published, will be at the West Cork Literary Festival for an Evening of Sporting Fiction and Nonfiction alongside Ashley Hickson-Lovence, author of Your Show, in the Maritime Hotel on Tuesday, July 12, at 8.30pm. See www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie

The creative juices are flowing again this year at Doneraile Arts FesT, writes AISLING MEATH, who finds out what is in store this year at the event, running from June 30 to July 3

Actor Seamus O’Rourke is thrilling audiences, with Cork actor and playwright Irene Kelleher, in her play ‘A Safe Passage’ running at the Firkin Crane this month

For the days you want to bake something really easy and slightly healthy, these muffins might just be the answer, says Mercy Fenton

Blood supplies can dip in summer - AISLING MEATH tells us why it’s vital that we keep a safe and sustainable flow, as she talks to a number of regular donors and the National Donor Service manager

The White Rabbit is a hugely popular bar and restaurant on MacCurtain Street, run by Stephen and Sarah Vaughan, writes KATE RYAN

Cork history buff Amanda Clarke tells NOEL SWEENEY abut her fascination for the Holy Wells dotted around our landscape - and why they still have relevance for us today

Corcadorca’s adaptation of ‘Guests of the Nation’ is currently running as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival. COLETTE SHERIDAN caught up with a Youghal woman who features in the production

Couple Angela Ritchie and Eoin O'Dwyer were married at Blackwater Castle in County Cork

In the latest of our series on Cork’s pubs, CHRIS DUNNE catches up with the owner of the South County bar in Douglas

Baz Ashmawy and his mum Nancy are back together on our screens this week in a new TV show.

In her weekly column, Mercy Fenton shares a delicious recipe for Ginger and Pear Cake

Megan Chan will be appearing as part of the Allora Quartet in the Young Musicians Series at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, which runs in Bantry from June 24 to July 3.

Cristín Leach’s new book, part essay, part memoir, is about writing, about art, about the unreliability of perception, and about the rebuilding of a sense of self after the unravelling of a marriage. She talks with Donal O’Keeffe about her literary debut.

County council plans to close a pier in Union Hall and upgrade another in Glandore have met with strong opposition, says DAVID FORSYTHE

The Echo Boys have entered the fabric of Cork culture, by their presence and their trademark call, says JOHN DOLAN

As this week marks Carers Week, CHRIS DUNNE talks to Cork woman Marion O’Sullivan, who has been caring for her brother Stephen for the past 15 years

Sadhbh Barrett Coakley is the Stage Manager on Irene Kelleher’s new play A Safe Passage, running at The Firkin Crane on June 17, as part of Cork Midsummer Festival

An exhibition featuring work by children with medical conditions and special needs runs at Tory Top Library this month. COLETTE SHERIDAN talks to a mum whose son is involved, and one of the artists from Helium Arts

Cork artist Tobias Hodson tells CHRIS DUNNE how he tries to bring the great outdoors indoors in his work, which can currently be seen in Ballymaloe Grainstore

On June 14, 1892, a new newspaper hit the streets of Cork - and it’s still going strong, says John Dolan.

The new book by Tadhg Coakley delves deep into his mind and memories, and asks: What is sport for, what does it do to us, and why does it connect so many people? He tells GRAINNE McGUINNESS some of his conclusions, and explains how the book came about

It’s more than 20 years since Carmel Muir (nee Nyhan) purchased a bar in Bandon. CHRIS DUNNE catches up with her

Mark Lynch lost his father during the first lockdown. He tells CARA O’DOHERTY how he coped with the grief by making a documentary about him, revolving around his father’s car, which has now won awards

A book on the grassroots of the GAA proved such a success, a second one is now being planned. Do you have a contribution for it?

Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear airs on RTÉ 1 this week

On The Roads With Simon Delaney airs on Sunday

Sinéad Walsh, from Cork, and Anthony Sergeant, from Belfast, got wed recently

This is a fantastic moist almond cake full of blueberries, writes Mercy Fenton

Emma Bowell of Framework Films will be running a free film-making workshop tomorrow in Blackpool library as part of Cruinniú na nÓg.

Pet O’Connell travels back in time with two debut novels from children’s authors

Isabella Dogliani from Cork Circus tells us about her life and work - and their upcoming workshops this weekend as part of Cruinniú na nÓg

As research suggests infertile men are twice as likely to get breast cancer, we outlines signs of the disease and risk factors for men

A regular contributor to The Echo and columnist with WoW! ,KATE RYAN reflects on the 10th anniversary of her business Flavour.ie - the highs, the lows and where she’s at today

There were big lessons at Chelsea Flower Show this year, says Olive Ryan

Playwright Jody O’Neill, who grew up in Cobh, is a new Theatre Artist in Residence for Cork Opera House and UCC. JENNIFER HORGAN caught up with her

Geraldine and Mick Dunne met when they were both working on the buses in Cork city, and recently celebrated their ruby anniversary. Geraldine tells CHRIS DUNNE about their journey

The Rock bar in Cloyne is a new venture - but is steeped with lots of history, as CHRIS DUNNE finds out when she pays a visit

West-Cork based sisters Hannah and Rachel Dare tell KATE RYAN that organic wholefoods are not necessarily more expensive - as they strive to provide customers with healthy choices, within their budgets

A seven-part series adapted from Dolly Alderton's memoir begins this week

Love Island is back on our TV screens from Monday

Zoo Live begins on RTÉ 1 this week

Sarah Murphy and Malcom O'Brien share their special day with us.

"Light as a feather on a crunchy chewy base - this mousse is so light it barely holds the raspberries," so says Mercy Fenton in her weekly column.

An Rás Mór — the Ocean to City race — takes place tomorrow as part of Cork Harbour Festival. Eddie English will be among the volunteers involved in running the event, which features up to 500 rowers and paddlers.

A newly-published book from Irish historian Eve Morrison offers a comprehensive account of the ambush and the intense debates that followed.

Cork Harbour Festival returns from today and continues until June 13 - with more than 50 events - including a talk by Karen Weekes. COLETTE SHERIDAN caught up with Karen, the first Irish woman to row solo across the Atlantic

Bloom takes place this weekend in Phoenix Park. Olive Ryan looks ahead to the 

What's on Cork's stages this week? Jo Kerrigan finds out in her Theatre Nights column

Edel Carmody who is Marketing, PR and Programme coordinator for Cork Harbour Festival, talks about her life and loves

A retro dairy farm giving a glimpse of the past is being shown at Bloom. COLETTE SHERIDAN talks to its Cork creator

The winner of Super Garden will be crowned this week. We look at the finalists

The woman behind Dogs for the Disabled, Jennifer Dowler, who set up the charity back in 2007, has issued an urgent appeal for individuals and families to foster a puppy for 12 to 14 months, writes MARY HASSETT

The Wibbly Wobbly Wonders running group took a break due to the pandemic - now they’re back and ready for their next challengem writes COLETTE SHERIDAN

The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival gets underway this week, we talk to Cork woman Shauna McCullough, who will be taking part

CHRIS DUNNE visits The Blackbird in Ballycotton as part of her series on Cork’s pubs, and finds out about its special atmosphere

Married couple Dylan Kennedy and Jenny Fennessy produce, direct and act in a comedy, called ‘The Flags’ which opens at the Cork Arts Theatre tomorrow, writes COLETTE SHERIDAN

Cow parsley is a sight associated with the start of summer, says Olive Ryan in her weekly column

Great Lighthouses of Ireland continues tonight and there's a lovely Cork flavour to this week's episode

Male mental health ambassadors share with ABI JACKSON their solutions that have helped them to recover their equilibrium in troubled times

Shaynah Faul of Youghal and Niall O'Leary recently wed. Here they recall their special day

Weekends are busy for singer songwriter Fiona Kennedy, who tells us about her upcoming gigs and how she spends her downtime

After a record-breaking eight-hour book-signing in Waterstone’s last weekend, Skulduggery Pleasant author Derek Landy talks to Donal O’Keeffe about the fans who have fallen in love in his queues, how Cork Spider-Man artist Will Sliney is just plain sound, and whether there will be another Skulduggery book.

When dog Lucy came into the lives of Vimal Kumar and his wife Lekha Menon Margassery, it was meant to be for two weeks - but she is still with them, writes NICOLA DEPUIS

Ardal O’Hanlon - Tomb Raider starts on RTÉ1 tonight (Thursday)

On May 31, 1622, Cork city was all but wiped off the map by a great fire. PAT POLAND recounts the events of 400 years ago

This recipe by Mercy Fenton is a real caffeine hit

Vulnerable adults will have substantial protections under new legislation, says Colm Burke, TD, as the Assisted Decision-Making Act takes effect from June. Deputy Burke tells us what this means

The TV show goes behind the headlines to meet the patients, health workers and innovators at the cutting edge of medical science

Art students co-operated with islanders on Sherkin to stage an exhibition, reveals COLETTE SHERIDAN, and a flavour of it can now be seen in Skibbereen

A Cork-based harpist is walking to Jerusalem, more than 6,000 km on foot - her third such pilgrimage, writes COLETTE SHERIDAN

May is a busy month in the garden, as Olive Ryan explains in her weekly column

MARY ROSE MCCARTHY catches up with Pat Ronan, of Ronan Engineering, who is involved in restoring gates that were removed from the city after the Burning of Cork

CHRIS DUNNE chats to the owners of Buckley’s Bar in Whitechurch, which has been in the same family for 200 years

A Cork-born author’s gritty Young Adult novel tackles themes of suicide, loss, and mental illness, writes Pet O’Connell

Ciara O'Donovan and Beau Roberts started their romance at The West Cork Rally in Clonakilty

This excerpt from the expanded new edition of The Broken Boy, the memoir by renowned journalist Patrick Cockburn, recalls his days as a polio sufferer in Cork in 1956

Co-founders of food business Currabinny, William Murray and James Kavanagh, have a cat called Diana - who has 9,000 followers on Instagram. NICOLA DEPUIS found out more

64,000 people have dementia in Ireland. There is no cure, but there are ways to ease its symptoms

What shows, gigs, concerts are on the stages at Cork's theatre venues this week Jo Kerrigan finds out

In her weekly column Mercy Fenton shares a recipe for a simple cake

Conversations with Friends airs on RTE tonight. We preview the first episode, which features Cork actress Alison Oliver