Local Ireland (http://local.ie) has revamped its web site with the launch of Vocal@local, a new discussion forum for rants on all things Irish. Visitors, seeking a diversion from desktop boredom, can pitch in their tuppence worth on anything from music to film to theatre. The system has three separate discussion areas, boasting 75 notice boards, with scope on each board for as many discussion threads as users can muster. General discussion areas include the arts, sport, architecture, and Local Ireland's very own online match-making system - which appears to be more a hotbed of singles' angst than a sweethearts breeding ground.

There is also a Local Posts section where visitors can check out what's happening around the State. A genealogy area has also been established following the surprising amount of genealogy-related postings on the old system. Divided on a county-by-county basis, visitors can search for distant relatives, trace family trees and track down those rich and famous cousins.