A British tabloid announced a few days ago that Michael Jackson wants to build a Disneyland-style theme park in Ireland called the Leprechaun land. Reportedly, Jackson `loves the whole idea of leprechauns and the magic and myths of Ireland`.

Ireland`s Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, will present President George W. Bush with a shamrock bowl to kick-start St. Patrick?s Day celebrations in both the United States, and worldwide, on March 17.

The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland revealed that it suspects 102 of its priests sexually or physically abused at least 350 children in the last 66 years. Church authorities said there may be "a possible further 40 persons who may have been abused but who it is not yet possible to identify or trace."

ESB Telecoms and Magnet Networks have signed an aggreement for the rights to use, for a ten year period, the company`s national fiber optic network. The cities of Galway, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Portlaoise will be provided with connectivity between them by ESBT.

Blacknight Solutions, an Irish hosting company, has developed a hosting plan targeted specifically at blogging. Clients can obtain a tailored hosting plan for 42.99 Euros per year, tax free, which will provide them with their own website in a matter of minutes.

With training camp opening yesterday, who are the players least likely to stay with their current team by the start of the season? The number one candidate would have to be Paul Pierce. Even though Danny Ainge insists that there is no truth to the rumors that Pierce is on the trading block, numerous GM?s claim that he is.