In its place, a technological and AI revolution is under way, involving thermal cameras, soil microphones, drones, eDNA, acoustic recorders, remote-sensing satellites, infrared sensors and machine-learning algorithms. From the soundscape alone, the AI could predict indicators such as habitat quality and biodiversity. Across 200 field sites in Ireland, she mapped the relationship between soil geochemistry and biodiversity. Drones with thermal imaging can auto-classify habitats, and bat detectors record calls and images that a software programme can identify by species and number. During a recent bat survey, Speer recorded 47 hours of footage and used AI to extract the relevant clips.

Ryan has often quoted Samuel Beckett’s line: “Fail, fail again, fail better.”While a heavy blow, it was not the wipeout of 2011 when the Green Party lost all six of its deputies. Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman TD. During the last administration, he notes, the climate minister sat at the leaders’ meeting. Green Party Dublin city councillor Janet Horner. “It’s clear the Government is taking its foot off the pedal, with issues the Green Party championed being sidelined,” she says.

This applies to parenting, as well, although I’d love my kids to be asked that question and see what they say. One particular part of Ireland I’d always go to is the sea road, effectively, that goes from Ballyvaughan to Galway. I’m conscious that even when you’ve lost somebody, they can continue to guide and help you. [ ‘I’ve got an amazing múinteoir’: Kara Owen, the new British ambassador to IrelandOpens in new window ]When were you happiest? Every job I’ve done, I’ve got a huge amount out of, and I’ve loved every country I’ve lived in.

Sixty years have passed since Lyndon Johnson called his cabinet together and groused at them for not passing Lady Bird’s Beautification Act. There are 342 million people in the United States and as you drive you constantly wonder where everybody is. And anyhow, the film version of No Country for Old Men may have hastened the death knell for the appeal of the roadside motel. America is always rushing towards tomorrow while gaping back in amazement at its epic past. The further west you drive, the further away from the White House, the more distant and unreal Donald Trump becomes.

Fashion designer Louise Kennedy at her Merrion Square premises. Louise Kennedy designs from 2019. Fashion designer Louise Kennedy at her Merrion Square premises. Mary Robinson chose a Louise Kennedy two-piece suit in purple silk moire for her inauguration in 1990Then came “the Mary Robinson moment”. Are Lingus cabin crew members Oisin Leong, Aoife Costelloe, Victoria Elmore, David Rodgers, Eszter Dornfeld and Byron Kumbula in the uniform designed by Louise Kennedy.

Vico Baths is being closed down by the council from next Monday. Photograph: Fran VealeSouth Dublin’s Vico Baths is to close for 13 weeks of repair and reopen for the summer season. The Victorian-era baths are among the most popular in the country and loved by sea swimmers and celebrities alike. Vico Baths is being closed down by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council from next Monday. Vico Baths was originally only open to men, but now has communal changing rooms.

Minister for Finance Simon Harris is examining foreign financial models as he considers the options for a new savings and investment scheme. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA WireMinister for Finance Simon Harris is weighing options for a new savings and investment scheme, with two foreign models standing out: Canada’s Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and Sweden’s Investeringssparkonto (ISK). For most investors, Canada’s system is clearly more generous, letting you hold stocks for decades without the state touching your gains. One, it offers a steady annual tax take and may be more politically defensible, avoiding large untaxed pools of savings. Two, Sweden’s annual tax reduces the temptation to divert pension savings into a tax-free wrapper.

US president Donald Trump said the US military has launched “major combat operations” in Iran, saying the country had attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran. Photograph: Sohrab / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty ImagesIranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation. Blasts have been heard across multiple Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran and Isfahan in central Iran.

TV veteran Jonathan Ross has spoken out on his rivalry with Graham Norton ahead of Claudia Winkleman making her chat show debut. Jonathan, 65, has been interviewing A-list stars for almost four decades now, though continues to face stiff competition from Irish host Graham - and soon Claudia, 54. Continuing to speak to The Sun, Jonathan also wished former Strictly host Claudia look as she prepares to launch her new series on March 13. A first look at Claudia new BBC chat show on Friday sees the host mock her own love of fake tan - by slapping orange paint on her face and joking, 'I'm ready!'. Putting the paint of her face and pouting towards the camera, Claudia concludes before walking off screen: 'Yep, I'm ready.'

Like Myra in her story A Memory, Mary Lavin lived in a mews house behind Fitzwilliam Square in Dublin. Or it may have been when we studied a story by Mary Lavin in secondary school called The Widow’s Son. [ Mary Lavin: ‘Writing for her was a kind of need. Mary Lavin in 1976. Mary Lavin in 1984.

Video: Iran says it will attack all U.S. military bases in the Middle East as missiles target the Fifth Fleet in BahrainDonald Trump has condemned Iran's 'vicious' leaders' 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder' as he announces strikes on the country. The US President spoke via a video on Truth Social following a daylight missile attack, launched by the US and Israel on Iran. Trump vowed 'to raze [the country's] military industry to the ground as he stressed the region's terrorist proxies would be 'obliterated' and troops would face 'certain death' if they did not lay down their weapons. Iran had 'waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder', Trump said in his eight-minute-long address, while asserting his country would not tolerate 'mass terror'.

Actor Robert De Niro speaks of 'betrayal' at the ‘State of the Swamp’ event held to counter Trump’s State of the Union.

North Wales man 'wishes he knew reality' before visiting popular holiday destinationRuben Chorlton-Owen, 24, from North Wales, recently visited a popular holiday hotspot. Ruben Chorlton-Owen, 24, recently travelled to a popular destination to enjoy some sunshine and escape the routine of everyday life. ‌Ruben, who hails from North Wales, has shared his account to shed light on his experiences. View 4 Images Ruben went on holiday with his partner (Image: Ruben Chorlton-Owen)‌Their expectations of the journey were simply very different. When questioned about his reasons for visiting Morocco, Ruben stated: "It was my partner's idea, but something I've always wanted to do on my bucket list too.

Marcus Rashford transfer 'confirmed' as Man Utd star finally reaches agreementMarcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United and could see that move made permanent in the summer after impressing with the La Liga giants this termView 2 Images Marcus Rashford is set to join Barcelona permanently (Image: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto)Marcus Rashford and Barcelona have come to an agreement over his salary, should he join the club permanently this summer. The forward's financial package was said to be a stumbling block that could have stood in the way of a transfer. ‌Barcelona have an option to sign Rashford at the end of the season for £26millon from United. ‌And now, it appears the Catalan club have made a breakthrough in bringing Rashford's prospective salary in line with their parameters. ‌Rashford's current salary is said to around €15m (£13.2m) after an initial pay cut to join the club on loan.

The statue sits in the grounds of the Belfast hospital complex named after the late monarch. Criminal damage is criminal damage. “The disgraceful defacing of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism,” he said. “The Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments in their lives. “Those responsible have shown a clear disregard not just for our shared public spaces, but for the patients and staff who rely on the Royal Victoria Hospital every day.