Runaway yacht

RAIN & SHINE : Yachtsman Rory O'Connor couldn't believe his luck when he tracked down his runaway vessel, writes Paddy Clancy…

RAIN & SHINE: Yachtsman Rory O'Connor couldn't believe his luck when he tracked down his runaway vessel, writes Paddy Clancy. The 22-ft yacht broke its moorings in Mullaghmore Harbour, Co Sligo, and was swept unmanned out to sea by a heavy swell.

O'Connor dashed to the scene from his Sligo home when alerted by friends that his pride and joy had disappeared over the horizon. Despair turned to joy on Saturday, however, when the craft was found washed up 5km (three miles) away across the sea on Tullan Strand, Bundoran, Co Donegal.

Tiny town

Irishman Jim Allen, who left Youghal in Co Cork more than 50 years ago, has recreated a piece of his homeland as a tourist hotspot. Allen, a painter and plasterer by trade, spent his retirement building a colourful miniature replica of Youghal in the grounds of his home in the town of Terrace, British Columbia.

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Dubbed "Tiny Town", it includes the fashionable home of 16th-century landowner Sir Walter Raleigh and attracts thousands of visitors every summer.

Sun in small doses

British chemist chain Boots has introduced a 75ml pouch of Soltan sun protection cream, ideal for reducing the weight of your luggage and not lingering at the back of the drawer year after year.

Seek out or avoid: share your holiday tip by e-mail: august@irish-times.ie ...

TO DO TODAY: The World Fleadh starts its week-long run today in a custom-built festival village in Portlaoise. See www.theworldfleadh.com

For more events listings see: www.ireland.com/theticket/summerevents/