April 17, 1997

Restoration of thatched cottage by Grace and Sean O Maolagains in Crolly, Ireland, described; even though thatched cottages express traditions of region and are centuries-old symbol of life in Ireland, increasing cost of maintaining them has led to use of longer-lasting materials, rather than traditional thatch; photos (M)

Upstart, independent furniture designers win the day at 36th Milan International Furniture Fair, where minimalism, retro-style refinements and use of sophisticated engineering to make unusual marriages of materials and function is theme common among many; photos (M)

Al Pirro, husband of Westchester County Dist Atty Jeanine Pirro, is most successful real estate development lawyer in county and one of state's leading Republican fund-raisers; he is subject of Federal investigation; Michael Calvi, former Yonkers planning commissioner in jail on Federal and state convictions of receiving bribes, has recently accused Pirro of paying him $5,000 bribe in 1992 for expediting approval of 10-screen movie theater; Pirro denies claim, and Mrs Pirro sees it as politically motivated attack in election year; photos (M)

Dozens of students protesting possible 9.3 percent tuition increases at Montclair State University end their demonstration without winning any concessions (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Authorities are investigating disappearance of 4-by-8-foot sign at site of Mount Laurel's newly approved low- and moderate-income housing project as act of criminal mischief (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)