In reflecting the changing face of Ireland the Cork 2005 St Patrick's Day Festival is centred around the theme of 'Identity'. Brian O'Connell reports from the European Capital of Culture

There's a good tea made from hawthorn and lime flowers, and the distinctive wine-red berrries, or haws, can be made into jelly or jam, as well as being an important source of food for birds in autumn and winter.

During all the brouhaha about the Travers report last week, Mary Harney must have had a sinking feeling. In a quiet moment she must have realised that, while the report she commissioned may have revealed the truth about the last 30 years in the Department of Health, it also heralded at least 30 weeks of pure working hell for her.

Exclusive: Village reveals the use of Shannon and Dublin airports by a plane used by the CIA to abduct suspects in its 'war on terror'. By Vincent Browne and Colin Murphy

Indeed, our first couple of dinner parties went tremendously well. But then my prospective father-in-law's Mercedes was broken into while they were visiting, and shortly after my own more demure Saab had a window broken and some nasty scratches put on the paintwork.

Sellafield has an excellent visitors' centre, but its security and accountancy are not up to standard. Tom Farrell reports on the state of the British nuclear industry and its impact on Ireland

Sinn Féin is on the ropes at the moment giving the SDLP a chance to make up lost ground within the nationalist community. Suzanne Breen reports

"If I had been there with her in that room overlooking the back yard in Haya and Tsvi's flat at that moment, at half past eight or a quarter to nine on that Saturday evening, I would certainly have tried my hardest to explain to her why she mustn't."

Lilting, that singular ability to imitate with the mouth the sounds and rhythms of jigs, reels and polkas, holds an honoured place in the Irish musical tradition.

IRA today are up to the same old tricks and facing same the obstacles as the old IRA did in the 1920s and 1930s. Conor Brady reports