Irish and Welsh leaders are set to meet today to discuss the ongoing disruption at Holyhead port, which has been closed since early December due to storm damage. The port’s operator, Stena Line, has announced plans to partially resume services next week. Terminal 5 at the key Irish Sea port is scheduled to reopen on … Read more
Ireland’s severe cold snap appears to be nearing its end, though temperatures still plunged to -6.6C overnight in Mount Dillion, Roscommon, with other areas like Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, and Dunsany, Co Meath also recording lows of -6.3C. Met Éireann’s Head of Forecasting Eoin Sherlock indicated that the end of the current yellow weather warning should … Read more
More than 375 motorists have been caught breaking speed limits in the past 72 hours despite repeated warnings about treacherous road conditions during Ireland’s cold snap, gardaí have revealed. Among the most serious offenders was a Dublin driver clocked at 121km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Navan Road, while in Galway, two motorists were … Read more
The average mortgage loan for house purchases exceeded €300,000 for the first time last year, according to MyHome.ie’s latest quarterly report. In the third quarter of 2024, the average residential mortgage loan stood at €308,200, marking a 7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. October saw a further rise, with average … Read more
Met Éireann has forecast that the extreme cold weather gripping Ireland will persist until tomorrow, with a Status Orange warning for low temperatures and ice issued for 13 counties. The warning covers Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Roscommon, and Tipperary, remaining in effect from 7pm this evening until 8am … Read more
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has revealed that Irish households saved 14.3 per cent of their income during the third quarter of 2024, marking an increase from 12.9 per cent in the second quarter. The saving rate represents the portion of income remaining after current consumption expenses. According to the latest figures, unadjusted household savings … Read more
Belfast’s entertainment venues are launching an ambitious scheme to eliminate single-use plastic cups, with major venues including the SSE Arena, Waterfront Hall, and Ulster Hall joining forces in a city-wide sustainability initiative. The 12-month pilot program, which aims to remove two million single-use plastic cups and 40 tons of plastic waste annually, will see venues … Read more
Met Éireann has issued a fresh Status Orange low temperature and ice warning for 13 counties, with parts of the country already recording temperatures as low as -7 degrees overnight in Athenry and Mullingar. The new warning, effective from 7pm tonight until 8am tomorrow, covers Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, … Read more
The number of students caught cheating in their Leaving Cert and Junior Cert exams more than doubled last year, according to the State Examinations Commission (SEC). A total of 86 Leaving Cert results were withheld in 2024, compared to 39 in 2023. Similarly, 24 Junior Cycle results were permanently withheld, more than twice the figure … Read more
The average price of a second-hand home in Ireland rose by 8.4 per cent last year, nearly doubling the growth rate seen in 2023, according to the latest residential market review and outlook by property advisors DNG. The DNG National Price Gauge (NPG) highlights that the annual rate of price growth strengthened in the second … Read more
The country’s unemployment rate rose to 4.2 per cent in December, up from 4.1 per cent in November, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Despite the monthly increase, the December figure represents a decline compared to the 4.5 per cent unemployment rate recorded in December 2023. The CSO highlighted that the … Read more
The effectiveness of Ireland’s vacant homes tax (VHT) is being called into question as new figures reveal a significant disconnect between the number of empty properties and actual tax payments collected. Despite an estimated 82,000 vacant properties across the country, Revenue expects to collect just €1.6 million from the tax in 2024. More concerning still, … Read more
The 61st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition kicks off today at Dublin’s RDS, showcasing Ireland’s brightest young scientific talent with 550 innovative projects from 225 schools nationwide. Selected from over 2,000 submissions, these projects will compete for the prestigious Young Scientist of the Year title, which carries a €7,500 prize, along with 200 other … Read more
Renewable energy sources supplied almost half of Ireland’s electricity needs in December, according to provisional data from grid operator EirGrid. Renewables accounted for 46.7 per cent of total electricity demand during the month, marking a significant contribution to the country’s energy mix. Wind energy was the dominant renewable source, providing over 40 per cent of … Read more
Flu cases are expected to hit their highest levels this week, but hospitals will continue to face significant strain, according to the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer. The rise in flu cases has led to a surge in hospital activity, with healthcare facilities nationwide struggling to manage the increased demand. Dr. Colm Henry reported that 758 … Read more