Kerry gardener strikes gold again at Chelsea Flower Show

Kerry gardener strikes gold again at Chelsea Flower Show

County Kerry horticulturist Billy Alexander has secured his third gold medal at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London for his ambitious fern collection display. Alexander, who owns Kells Bay Gardens, described himself as “speechless” and “over the moon” following this morning’s announcement by the judging panel. His exhibit, titled “Wilde Kells Bay Gardens,” … Read more

Social democrats push to lower voting age to 16 in new bill

Social democrats push to lower voting age to 16 in new bill

The Social Democrats are introducing legislation that would reduce Ireland’s voting age from 18 to 16, potentially allowing younger citizens to participate in this year’s Presidential Election. TD Aidan Farrelly, the party’s spokesperson for children, equality and youth, will table the “Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025” today, marking his first proposed … Read more

Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warning for five counties as weather pattern shifts

Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warning for five counties as weather pattern shifts

A status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois and Offaly, bringing an end to the recent spell of clear blue skies and sunshine across Ireland. The alert, which came into effect shortly after 1pm Monday, warns of scattered thunderstorms with potential lightning strikes and spot flooding until 8pm this evening. … Read more

Government launches new initiative to combat rising school absenteeism

Government launches new initiative to combat rising school absenteeism

The government is implementing a series of measures to address growing concerns about student attendance rates, with a new pilot program set to launch in 60 schools nationwide. Education Minister Helen McEntee described current absenteeism figures as “really alarming” and indicated she is “determined” to tackle what has become a troubling post-pandemic trend affecting schools … Read more

Diageo launches cost-cutting plan to counter US tariff impact on Guinness

Diageo launches cost-cutting plan to counter US tariff impact on Guinness

Drinks giant Diageo has announced a $500 million cost-saving program as it prepares to absorb an estimated annual hit of €133 million from US tariffs. The maker of Guinness and Johnnie Walker revealed it expects to mitigate approximately half the impact through existing plans and is developing additional measures to offset the remaining costs. The … Read more

Warm weekend ahead before rain returns next week, Met Éireann forecasts

Warm weekend ahead before rain returns next week, Met Éireann forecasts

Ireland is set to enjoy temperatures that could exceed those in Ibiza this weekend, with parts of Connacht potentially reaching 26 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Met Éireann predicts unbroken sunshine across the entire country throughout the weekend. The fine weather is expected to continue into early next week, with most areas remaining dry and sunny … Read more

Health experts alarmed by public indifference to HHC dangers despite rising teen psychosis Cases

Health experts alarmed by public indifference to HHC dangers despite rising teen psychosis cases

Health professionals have expressed serious concern over what they describe as public “indifference” to the widespread availability of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a synthetic cannabinoid linked to psychotic episodes in teenagers that remains easily accessible in shops across Ireland. An investigation by the Irish Examiner successfully purchased HHC products—including jelly edibles and flavored vapes—from retailers in towns … Read more

Record 89 Irish beaches awarded blue flag status for 2025 season

Record 89 Irish beaches awarded blue flag status for 2025 season

A record-breaking 89 Irish beaches and 10 marinas have received prestigious Blue Flag status for the 2025 bathing season, according to environmental organization An Taisce. The new total surpasses the previous record of 85 beaches, reflecting improved coastal management across the country. County Kerry leads with 15 Blue Flag designations, followed by Donegal with 14. … Read more

Sky customers advised to restart boxes after widespread standby mode issue

Sky customers advised to restart boxes after widespread standby mode issue

Sky has issued an apology to customers after many experienced technical problems with their Sky Q boxes unexpectedly switching to standby mode during television viewing last night. The company confirmed this morning that the issues have been resolved, but is advising customers whose boxes remain stuck in standby mode to perform a simple restart procedure. … Read more

M1 motorway in Northern Ireland closed after cattle lorry overturns

M1 motorway in Northern Ireland closed after cattle lorry overturns

Northern Ireland’s M1 motorway has been closed in both directions following an incident involving an overturned lorry carrying approximately 40 cattle, causing major disruption to traffic between Belfast and Dungannon. Emergency services including firefighters and specialist animal rescue teams are currently at the scene working to safely remove the cattle from the vehicle. Two veterinarians … Read more

Rental watchdog claims rent pressure zone caps benefiting Irish tenants

Rental watchdog claims rent pressure zone caps benefiting Irish tenants

The head of Ireland’s Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has defended the effectiveness of rent control measures that could potentially be discontinued by the Government at the end of this year, stating that the regulations are delivering tangible benefits to tenants nationwide. The RTB chief confirmed that the organization has formally communicated its position on rent … Read more

Audit reveals no value for money assessment for €336,000 Leinster house bike shelter

Audit reveals no value for money assessment for €336,000 Leinster house bike shelter

A newly released internal audit has found that no value for money assessment was conducted before proceeding with the controversial €336,000 bike shelter at Leinster House, revealing significant oversight failures in the project’s management. The long-awaited report, conducted by Deloitte and published by the Office of Public Works (OPW) following a Freedom of Information appeal, … Read more

Historic Enniscorthy Bridge faces demolition in flood relief plan

Historic Enniscorthy Bridge faces demolition in flood relief plan

The Seamus Rafter Bridge in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, may be demolished as part of an extensive flood relief scheme being developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Wexford County Council. The landmark bridge, which spans the River Slaney and was opened in 1991, would be replaced with separate pedestrian and road bridges at … Read more

TD calls for free driving tests when wait times exceed 10 weeks

TD calls for free driving tests when wait times exceed 10 weeks

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has proposed that driving tests should be provided free of charge when the Road Safety Authority (RSA) fails to meet its 10-week waiting time target, similar to the financial penalties applied in the National Car Test system. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Whitmore criticized the lack of accountability within the … Read more