5 THINGS LEARNED THIS WEEK

More than one in three Irish people admits that they never exercise – a rise of 8pc in just four years, according to a new Europe-wide survey.

Hotel room sales in the first quarter of this year are up a whopping 150 per cent, with positive trends set to continue in this part of the market, according to a new survey. If we get another summer like 2013 this trend should hold-up.

Wet Sahara dust may explain the appearance of mud on the cars of Irish families living on the east coast. The national forecasters say there is little point in rushing to wash it off as southerly or southeasterly winds are likely to remain in place for the coming days. It’s certainly better than any excuse I’ve ever come up with for not washing the car.

One in five drivers has had their car damaged by a friend or relative – hand over those car keys at your peril.

Michael Fassbender picks up a Best Supporting Actor gong at the Empire Awards for his role in 12 Years a Slave. He truly is the heir to Daniel Day Lewis’s throne, whenever it should be vacated.