Would you dare take a dip in the icy waters in January? Well, Fianna Fáil leader and TD Micheál Martin did!

In just a few months it will be exactly 100 years since Henry Ford registered his company, Henry Ford & Sons in Ireland.

Ireland winger James McClean has signed a £1m (€1.17m) contract that will keep him at West Brom until at least 2019.

More than three-quarters of a million extra bus journeys were made by people in Cork in 2016 compared to the previous year.

Olympic medal-winning brothers and the creator of YouTube sensation Martin’s Life are among the bookies’ favourites to win the Cork Person of the Year award.

Any attempts to restore public workers’ pay to pre-recession levels risks dragging the country “back to the bad old days”, a junior minister has warned.

A Limerick man accused of threatening to kill another man and damaging property more than two years ago has been refused bail by the Special Criminal Court.

Laws forcing insurance firms to provide cover to flood-hit homes and businesses could be introduced next year.

The IRA was able to tap Garda telephone calls, the government was forced to admit.

Former taoiseach John Bruton has called on Britain to reverse its decision to leave the EU, insisting the vote was based on “invalid” and inaccurate promises.

Bryan Cooper is keen to “have a go” at Thistlecrack with reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Don Cossack.

After the festive feast of the last week this afternoon’s fare in Britain is less than compelling. That said, the main race of the day, the Betfred “Goals Galore” Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury looks a pretty classy affair.

The long-absent Jezki will not make his reappearance at Punchestown today and will instead be targeted at the Irish Champion Hurdle on January 29.

Health Minister Simon Harris is to meet with consultants at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) in the new year amid fears that women face delayed cancer diagnoses on foot of difficulties accessing timely gynaecological services.

A police chief investigating an alleged shoot-to-kill policy in the North confided in a diplomat he was not concerned about a cover-up but “murder, six murders”, declassified files show.

A proposal to give a giant statue of Queen Victoria, which has been placed in cold storage for almost 40 years, on loan to Australia was strongly opposed by the Minister for Finance, John Bruton.

Former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald ordered an overhaul of preparations for a mass exodus of “refugees” from Northern Ireland in the event of chaos breaking out after the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

An application to fly direct charters flights from Knock Airport to the US in 1986 was rejected by the Government over fears of the political backlash, as such a move would end the agreed Shannon stopover for all transatlantic flights from Ireland.

Anyone trying to make an online purchase worth as little as €10 could soon have to give much more security information just to have their transaction processed.

The Government has given the green light for legislation to criminalise revenge porn and to extend the law in relation to stalking and harassment.

UCC Demons will be hoping to complete 2016 on a winning note in the Men’s Super League when they travel tonight to play Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

It hasn’t been easy ride for Ulster’s Director of Rugby Les Kiss since he took over office halfway through last season.

Rassie Erasmus yesterday insisted a six month extension of Jaco Taute’s contract has still not been agreed between Munster, the IRFU and Western Province. The deal must be struck by midnight on Saturday, but it looks a near certainty to be completed.

Many might feel intimidated facing a 6 ft 8 inch, 18-stone South African boasting a thick black beard and sporting a black eye.

They fetched up in Davin Park, Carrick on Suir on the Sunday before Christmas for the South U21 hurling final. The last day out. The last match of a magical year. In the past, St Mary’s of Clonmel might have approached such a fixture hoping for the best. These days they approach such fixtures – yes, even South Tipp finals – expecting the best.

All-Star midfielder Mattie Donnelly says individual awards are no compensation for Tyrone’s failure to back up their Ulster title with a serious bid for the All-Ireland.

From the wholly unlikely, like Tiger Woods winning another Major or the Lions whitewashing the All Blacks, to the eminently probable, like Usain Bolt and Leo Messi reemphasising their credentials as wonders of the sporting world, we examine who might be rewriting the record books, month by month, in 2017.

Shane Lowry will forever remember 2016 as the year he got married and then learned he will become a father five weeks before the 2017 Masters.

Controversial star Bradley Wiggins has retired from competitive cycling after a remarkable career that saw him pick up eight Olympic medals and a Tour de France crown.

47th Castleisland Christmas Blitz - Garveys Tralee Warriors 55 Keanes SuperValu Killorglin 45: Superleague outfit Tralee Warriors inspired by the brilliance of young guard Ryan Leonard proved too strong for a brave Keanes Supervalu Killorglin who top the National League Division 1, in the final of the Premier Mens Final, played before a full house at the Castleisland Community Centre last night.

Former Cork star Charlie McCarthy believes it will be at least three years before the county return as serious All-Ireland contenders.

Clare football manager Colm Collins has lamented “the death of the dual player”, which he says has come about due to the fixture congestion brought on by the qualifier system.

Classic 1950s style stole the day at Leopardstown yesterday where a Cork woman dressed in Donegal tweed won the Ladies’ Day award.

European champion David Murphy and recent Phair Cup winner Martin Coppinger face each other today in the feature score of the RNLI annual fundraising day at Castletownbere.

The killer has not yet been apprehended.

Homelessness figures reached record highs in 2016.

There are an estimated 1,000 deaths attributed to alcohol each year in Ireland.

The Taoiseach has said he does not regret calling the incoming American President "racist and dangerous".

A woman in her 70s has been stabbed in Ballyfermot in Dublin.

The Government will start the New Year by discussing possible changes to the retirement age.

The Revenue Commissioners are set to clamp down on tax evasion by people who are self-employed.

Pope Francis has used his New Year homily to lament societies becoming "cold and calculating" and bereft of compassion.

Police in Cologne have detained hundreds of men "seemingly of African descent" as part of operations to prevent a repeat of attacks in the German city a year ago.

At least 23 people have been killed and 17 others are missing after a ferry caught fire off the coast of Indonesia's capital, officials said.

US president-elect Donald Trump has said "no computer is safe" when it comes to keeping information private, expressing new scepticism about the security of online communications.

Two boys in Dublin have taken the honour of being the first babies of 2017.

Turkish police are hunting a gunman who opened fire at an Istanbul nightclub during new year celebrations, killing at least 39 people

Limerick mother Aine Laffan cooked up a New Year's Day storm in her kitchen as she delivered her son Odhran on the kitchen floor.

The President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have conveyed their condolences to the people of Turkey following the tragic loss of life in the New Year attack on a nightclub in Istanbul.

One girl is dead and the other is fighting for her life in hospital, the family of one of the victims said.

An Italian bomb squad officer has lost an eye and hand after a suspicious package he was examining exploded.

A sumptuous strike from Olivier Giroud helped Arsenal start the new year with a victory.

Olivier Giroud has staked his claim for the goal-of-the-season award.

Snoop Dogg certainly saw the funny side.

Update 9.23pm: The mother of singer Shane MacGowan died in a road accident in co Tipperary today.

The State Department has confirmed that the 35 Russian diplomats President Barack Obama ordered out of the country have departed the United States.

Another Ireland-eligible striker is also linked with a Premier League transfer.

“He showed heart, fight – that’s as good a debut as I’ve seen,” said Ian Holloway.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that water charges will not be the issue to bring down the Government.

Leo Varadkar has promised to review retirement rules early in the new year, cutting down on age discrimination and concerns over the rising cost of State pensions.

A huge manhunt is taking place in Turkey after a gunman targeted a crowded Istanbul nightclub during New Year celebrations, killing at least 39 people before fleeing.

Van Gerwen will be bidding to prevent a three-in-a-row in the final.

Pouring rain at Cheltenham failed to dampen the spirits of Ed Chamberlin as he led a new era for televised racing as the sport returned to ITV for the first time in 32 years yesterday.

Leinster 22 Ulster 7: Hardly a chastening festive period for Leinster. but a haul of just four points from their two Guinness Pro12 derbies has served to portray their progress in a more realistic light than the afterglow of two facile victories over Northampton Saints.

Warren Gatland has put his British & Irish Lions hopefuls on notice that there will be more to selection for next summer’s showdown with the All Blacks than pure playing ability.