News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

(Source: Drogheda Independent)

MAYO

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group confirmed the sighting of a humpback whale off the Achill coast.

The giant whale was spotted by a group of surfers off Keel Beach on February 11. They observed a large whale, 30- to 60-feet long, surface on at least four occasions. The whale was creating a lot of disturbance and then several of the surfers saw it clearly lift its tail fluke vertically out of the water, before diving.

The IWDG, which monitors the movement of whales and dolphins around the Irish coast, said that from conversations with the surfers, they believed that it was too large for a minke whale and were confident it was a humpback.

The humpback whale is regularly spotted off the south and south west coast but is rarely spotted this far north.

(Source: Mayo News)

MEATH

A Navan newsagent targeted in a robbery for the second time in as many months has now closed its doors.

On a recent Wednesday morning, two raiders entered Lynch's shop at Flower Hill, threatened the owner, Michael Lynch, and stole the contents of the till, despite Lynch's best efforts to trap them in the shop.

The latest incident comes just two months after an attempted robbery at the newsagents where the brave shop-owner confronted the would-be raider, who then fled the scene empty-handed.

(Source: Meath Chronicle)

MONAGHAN

Ireland and Leinster rugby star Gordon D'arcy will marry model Aoife Cogan in what will be the sporting wedding of the year this July at Castle Leslie, Glaslough.

Castle Leslie boasts a magnificent 1,000 acre Monaghan estate, beside the picturesque cut-stone village of Glaslough, which has converted its Hunting Lodge into a luxury hotel with an organic spa and an equestrian center.

The castle is the jewel in the crown of one of the few remaining Irish castles still home to the original family, home to the Leslies for over 300 years. It is an enchanted place steeped in history yet gently refurbished to offer modern comforts and luxury. The castle is an oasis of calm with no television or telephones.

(Source: Monaghan Life)

OFFALY

Two lesbian or gay couples entered into civil partnerships in Offaly in 2011 according to gay and lesbian equality network GLEN, while a total of four couples signaled their intent to live in Offaly after entering into partnerships.

The figures for last year run from April 5, when same sex civil partnerships first became available, to year end and include 1,072 people in total.

GLEN Chair Kieran Rose said same sex civil partnerships are taking place every day across Ireland. "They are wonderful demonstrations of the love and commitment that lesbian and gay people have for each other, and of the support of their families, friends, neighbors and colleagues," he said.

(Source: Offaly Independent)

ROSCOMMON

There were 477 cases of cancer diagnosed in Roscommon last year, the gathering at the launch of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day 2012 heard.

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Nster.com