Padraig Harrington: The culmination of the inaugural Race to Dubai is upon us. The top 60 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai list qualify for the final event, the Dubai World Championship.

The National Book Award for fiction for 2009 has gone to Irish author Colm McCann who lives in New York for his book "Let the Great World Spin." The book is set in New York in 1974 when a French tightrope walker Philippe Petit walked between the two towers of the Twin Towers, creating a massive publicity stunt.

Her third studio album may be on hold at the moment, but sometime-singer Lindsay Lohan is already dying to join forces with pop star Lady Gaga.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Irish coach Marco Tardelli has warned his World Cup hopefuls that they will need to be on full alert for the two legs of their playoff against France.

According to a recent study, Dublin has the highest rate of gun murder in Europe. The rate is almost as high as some cities in the U.S. like Washington D.C. So far this year, 19 gun murders, all of which were gang related, have occurred in Ireland’s capital city, which has a population of 1.2 million.

Andy Lee's (19-1) preparations for his fight against France's Affif Belghecham (19-3-1) on November 14 at the University Arena in Limerick are going to plan in New York.

The increase of bi-national marriages and relationships as a result of globalization has exacerbated the tragedy of child abduction across international borders.

Former Taoiseach (prime minister) John Bruton has returned to Ireland after his five-year stint as EU ambassador to Washington, D.C. came to an end on Friday.

April Drew: Though money makes our lives tick , at the end of the day it’s family that counts. The recession has brought people closer to each other and, after all, isn’t it the relationships we share with our family and friends the most important thing in this life?

Irish and Liverpool soccer legend Ronnie Whelan was hugely critical of Rafa Benitiez’ substitutions against Fulham in their 3-1 defeat at the weekend and suggested that the Liverpool manager was only using his position to secure another job In Europe.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Padraig Harrington: I have three more tournaments left in Europe, which means that I have a lot of work to do to get myself into contention for the Race to Dubai. The three events are big purse tournaments so I know that if I can win two of them and finish high in the other then I will have a chance.

BNY Mellon has been given the green light to setup a new banking service business in Ireland.

Authentic Ireland or the tourist haunts? Every year more and more discerning travelers to Ireland are opting to visit the real country, rather than just climbing aboard the endless bus trails with the tourist hordes and never actually meeting a local.

Facebook plans to double its staff in Ireland over the next 12 months with its new headquarters there. Facebook Chief financial officer David Ebersman said the Irish workforce was a crucial factor in the company's decision to locate the center in Dublin.

Unbeaten colt Sea the Stars will go to stud at the The Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in County Kildare.

U2 has confirmed its tour dates for 2010. The fantastic foursome will kick off the 2010 tour on June 6 in Anaheim, California.

HBO has announced that it has renewed its Emmy-winning series “In Treatment” for a third season.

Think you know everything about the Emerald Isle? Think again! Here are 10 facts that just might throw you for a loop.

It’s the concert of the year. On Thursday October 29 at 8 p.m. the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI), a group composed of musicians aged between 12 and 24, will perform at the prestigious Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in Manhattan.

He’s king of the box office yet again with his latest hit “Couples Retreat,” and Vince Vaughn is doing the rounds on a promotional victory lap in Europe. Dublin, it appears, was easily his favorite stop.

Story / Ireland draws France in World Cup playoff / Click here Giovanni Trapattoni has pointed to his team's resilience against Italy as a benchmark of their strength and determination as they now face

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has announced plans to open an operational center in Belfast that will create up to 400 jobs.

The Irish eat more chocolate per capita than any other nation in Europe. This recipe explains why they have such a taste for it.

"Finian’s Rainbow" is back for another run on Broadway. You are probably familiar with the songs – “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,” “Look to the Rainbow” – but there is more to the show than meets the ear.

Did you know that most Irish people have never eaten corned beef and cabbage (it’s an American staple) and that Irish cooking has undergone an organic and locally sourced craze that – coupled with world class chef training - has led to it becoming one of the best dining destinations in Europe?

Ireland could face France, Portugal, Greece or Russia in next month’s World Cup play-offs -- and coach Marco Tardelli wants to stay away from the French.

It's not official YET! But it looks as if our earlier story that U2 will wrap up their mega 360°Tour with in Ireland has been confirmed.

Sea The Stars, who won French Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe on October 4, has been retired. The 3-year-old colt galloped into the history books by becoming the first horse to win Europe's top three races, after winning the 2,000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby.

Comments Padraig Harrington made about the European Tour's plans to change some of its membership rules have caused a furor among the European Tour players' committee.

Rumor has it that legendary Irish rock band U2 is planning to wrap up their epic tour with a surprise gig at Croke Park in Dublin.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

It seems appropriate that Ted Kennedy and Frank McCourt share the cover with “Finian’s Rainbow,” which is back for another run on Broadway. Its combination of immigrants’ quest for the American dream, political satire, beautiful lyrics, and social message is one that Ted and Frank would have identified with.

Padraig Harrington previews the Dunhill Links Championship preview and his return to the European Tour after a busy spell on the PGA Tour.

This Friday is Leif Erikson Day, celebrating the first European to set foot in the continent now known as America. In honor of this day and this Norwegian man, Chef Gilligan teaches you how to make smoked salmon quiche.

Niall O'Dowd: What is the difference between Roman Polanski and a Catholic priest child abuser? A Roman collar and an extraordinary media bias, I'd say.

The EU and Irish government conspired to scare, mislead and threaten Irish voters to pass the Lisbon Treaty, according to an extraordinary story in the Wall Street Journal written by one of their editorial writers Anne Jolis.

Irish horse Sea The Stars, ridden by Mick Kinane, stormed to a majestic finish in the French Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe Sunday. Sea the Stars, who held off Kieran Fallon's mount Youmzain, is now Europe's champion racehorse.

Irish singing star Gavin Friday, former singer with the infamous Virgin Prunes and a close friend of U2’s Bono, has assembled some of his most famous friends for a very special one night only concert at Carnegie Hall on Sunday night.

It is difficult to think back to the Irish film “The Commitments” without remembering the stunning vocals by Andrew Strong playing lead singer Deco Cuff. Over 15 years later, Strong has proved himself already to be far more than the man behind Deco Cuff, though the label of the film was no simple task to shake.

Niall O'Dowd: There is a somber mood in Ireland these days and anarchy in the hearts of many making the vital Lisbon vote hard to call.

Welcome to Ireland’s revitalized North and Northwest! Even the hip Lonely Planet Bluelist proclaims Northern Ireland as the hot new destination, and cites Belfast as one of the top cities on the rise.

Irish winger Paddy McCourt has finally shown the Celtic fans what he can do with two breathtaking goals inside a week.

Niall O'Dowd: A "yes" vote in Friday’s referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, or “neverendum” as some wags are calling it, is vital for Ireland. A no vote will send a clear message that Ireland wants it both ways -- the benefits of European Union membership without any of the obligations that that membership implies.

The dramatic deterioration of Ireland’s economy may lead a majority of Irish voters who previously voted No in Ireland’s Lisbon Treaty referendum to reconsider and vote yes when polls open this Friday.

Slideshow / The Top 10 Natural Wonders of Ireland / Click here Ireland - like the U.S. - has some seriously stunning natural

Sean O'Shea: We know what color golf phenom Rory McIlroy prefers, and isn't the green of his homeland. No, Rory only sees gold. Olympic gold. McIlroy says he'll play for Britain if golf is brought back to the Olympics for 2016.

Peter Quinn remembers Danny Cassidy.

Rory McIlroy has been praised by his fellow European pros after he starred in last week’s Britain and Ireland win over Europe in the Vivendi trophy, and is being tipped to be a big hit at next year's Ryder Cup.