An Post reveals locations of 159 post office closures around the country

An Post has published the location of 159 post offices set to close, where the serving postmaster has opted to retire.

A voluntary retirement package was offered earlier this month to 161 postmasters.

An Post says businesses will also transfer to neighbouring offices at a number of locations.

Irish Water extends hosepipe ban across 16 counties

Irish Water has extended its hosepipe ban in 16 counties until September 30th.

Following a meeting of the Irish Water Board, the decision was taken to lift the ban for the north west region - while extending it in other areas.

The ban will remain in place in the Greater Dublin Area - which includes Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare - and in Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Laois, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny.

Investigation launched into alleged incident of racist abuse against Rose of Tralee

An investigation has been launched into claims that the Rose of Tralee was subjected to racist abuse at a chipper.

Kirsten Mate Maher - the first ever African-Irish winner of the annual contest - says she was verbally attacked during a night out in Kilkenny on Sunday.

It's understood the abuse took place when she called into a fast-food outlet with her boyfriend.

Primark CEO 'shocked and saddened' at blaze in Belfast store

Primark says it is "deeply shocked and saddened" at a fire in its Belfast store.

A large fire broke out on the roof of the Bank Buildings at about 11.00am on Tuesday.

Some 14 appliances and 80 firefighters were at the scene in Castle Street.

Irish shoppers slow to adopt e-commerce technology, survey finds

New data has revealed Irish shoppers are slow adopters of new e-commerce technologies, compared with their global counterparts.

The findings, from Nielsen, suggest this is the case for shoppers in the UK as well.

Alongside growth of online sales is the growing demand, globally, for greater e-commerce convenience.