A new Irish start-up business, Irish Food Tours, is building a network of food tourism holidays around the whole island of Ireland, north and south. Started by Donegal Town chef Zack Gallagher and his business partner Wendy Kavanagh from Kildare, the guests on these culinary tours will learn the story behind the vast array of Irish artisan food products.

Hello New York. It’s been a busy few weeks in Ireland. Since I wrote my last column we’ve been to two christenings, a confirmation, and two birthday parties. I’m worn out. I’m not able for late nights and early mornings. The early morning issue only arose in the last two years when both my kids were born. They don’t like to stay in their bed past 7 a.m. so we (my husband, John, or I) spend half an hour fighting the night before about whose turn it is to get up with the kids. We usually work it out.

English University researchers are to spend a year studying the Irish pub – in an effort to rescue the ailing industry.

The Irish company at the centre of the horse burger scandal has apologised as workers fear for their jobs after the loss of another multi-million dollar contract.

Irish government ministers have admitted to ‘difficulties’ in their bid to renegotiate the terms of the bank bailout deal with the European Central Bank.

Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates has praised Ireland’s efforts to recover from the collapse of the Celtic Tiger – and claimed the Irish economy will bounce back within two to four years.

Barack Obama is creating jobs -- in Ireland.

Fast food chain Burger King has ended their deal with Silvercrest since the company is being investigated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland as horse DNA was found in some of its beef burgers.

Christening Escape
A LIMERICK man who escaped from custody twice in 12 months absconded to attend his child’s christening, Limerick Court was told.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary, said his firm is still in talks with the European Commission about it’s bid for Aer Lingus. He believes Ryanair will get the green light from the EU to mount a takeover for Aer Lingus.

Cork will host many of Silicon Valley’s most successful entrepreneurs, senior technology executives and investors next week when the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) arrives in Ireland for the Global Technology Leaders Summit.

All five children of fallen Irish billionaire Sean Quinn, who was once Ireland's richest man, and three of their spouses will reportedly face cross-examination about their assets in the Irish High Court this week.

Several gay bars have been closing around Ireland in the past few months due to the economic recession and more liberal attitudes about homosexuality in the general population.

The US Marine Corps are seeking nearly 600 new armored personnel carriers, and have selected an Irish-developed armored vehicle for testing, according to the Independent.