Solar energy is perfect for Dublin and it quickly pays for itself, says report

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge report concludes that Dublin is a good location to produce solar energy because of the amount of daylight the city enjoys. But the report says that solar power can deliver on its potential only if it benefits from the same incentives that have helped other renewable energy sources in Ireland

The report says that as solar power can be produced and used in the same location it increases our energy security. "Solar can play an important role in helping Ireland meet an EU requirement to provide 16pc of energy from renewable sources by 2020," it says.

To mark the publication of the first comprehensive study of solar energy production and its use in the capital, the city council will install solar panels on the Civic Offices on Wood Quay and four public library buildings in 2015.

AA meetings return to Monkstown

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are taking place again at Monkstown Community Centre, Monkstown Grove, Dun Laoghaire. Meetings take place twice daily, seven days a week. On Monday to Friday at 1pm and 6.30pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 6.30pm. The only requirement for membership of AA is a desire to stop drinking, and newcomers are most welcome.

Claudia to hit high notes in 'Pirates'

Dublin Soprano Claudia Boyle has cemented her reputation as Ireland's leading international soprano by being confirmed for the lead female role of Mabel in Mike Leigh's The Pirates of Penzance, to be broadcast live from The Coliseum in London in cinematic HD on May 19.

The ENO production will be broadcast live in cinemas across Ireland and Britain and selected cinemas worldwide.

A hot one in Ireland eases Baltic blues

Ireland is opening up as a tourist destination for the Baltic States for the first time, as Eastern European visitors embark on Irish whiskey tours to escape the winter blues back home.

North-east coach firm Matthews.ie has spent two years forging links in Eastern Europe and have recently welcomed their first tours from Latvia to Ireland.

And tourists from Estonia, Lithuania and Russia are also booked to travel to Ireland in the next month, as Ireland is being seen as a cultural oasis for tourists to escape the harsh winters and icy springs in Eastern Europe.

Matthews has been involved in planning and education around the cross-border tours for the last two years, and this weekend it will be the first-ever Irish exhibitors at Balttour 2015 in Latvia.

Civil Defence homeless help praised

Civil Defence volunteers who have been caring for the homeless in Dublin since early December received the personal thanks of Government last week. Minister of State Paul Kehoe met volunteers and praised their dedication in helping the homeless.

Since December 12 last, Dublin Civil Defence, with support from Civil Defence units in other areas around the country, have provided emergency accommodation for up to 20 homeless men at their centre at Wolfe Tone Quay. The centre opens each night at nine and stays open until nine the following morning.

Wear a gold ribbon for child cancer

OVER 200 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Ireland, while 34 youngsters across the country die from the killer disease annually.

That's according to the Childhood Cancer Foundation, which is marking its first anniversary today.

The organisation, which is headed by parents of children with cancer, has called on the Irish public to wear gold ribbons today, which is also International Childhood Cancer Day, to help raise awareness of the disease.

Volunteers with the charity will be selling gold ribbon pins for €3 at awareness stands in shopping centres across the country.

For more information, see www.childhoodcancer.ie.