The Tree Sparrow is Ireland's "other" sparrow species. Closely related to the well-known House Sparrow, it is much less familiar, being confined mainly to agricultural areas with a combination of dense hedgerows and cereal crops. This means that its range in Ireland is becoming ever more fragmented and it is now more or less restricted to the eastern and northern coastal regions.
Golden Eagles have had trouble breeding since their re-introduction to Ireland but they'll soon get the hang of it, says Éanna Ní Lamhna
A large seabird, around 85cm in length, the Great Northern Diver is a widespread winter visitor to the Irish coast. It is usually only to be found on the sea, though often not too far from the shore, and can sometimes be seen from piers and jetties.
The recent announcement that the HSE (government by default) is going to refuse subvention for private nursing homes for an older person living alone in a house worth more than ?500,000 in Dublin and ?300,000 outside Dublin is to be condemned by all right thinking people.
Dublin TDs feel vulnerable due to damage done to government over Bertie payments
Recently there has been a lot of media coverage regarding the financial and other costs of marriage breakdown for one high-profile father. However, the consequences are even more serious for men of more limited resources.
The oppostion's health reforms contain innovative measures which could alleviate some serious problems – if they're implemented. By Sara Burke
Our lovely autumnal oaks are being invaded by an ugly, sticky growth. There's only one course of action, says Éanna Ní Lamhna
A traditional quarry species for hunters, the Red Grouse is known to many by name if not by appearance. Confined to heather moorland and upland bogs, the Irish population has been declining recently, and hunting has been strictly limited. Whether this will enable the species to recover in this country remains to be seen, but it is still a widespread, if scarce, resident throughout.
I am absolutely delighted to hear that the UEFA Cup Final will be held in the newly refurbished Lansdowne Road stadium in 2010 and that the UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson has suggested that the Under-21 European Championship could also be staged in Ireland with a final in Lansdowne Road.