The findings show the old Irish goat is genetically differentiated from modern, commercial breeds. Photograph: Padraic FogartyThe expression “old goat”, often applied with more fondness than ire, has some basis in fact – at least as far as the old Irish goat is concerned. The findings show the old Irish goat is genetically differentiated from modern, commercial breeds and has specially adapted to the Irish landscape, possessing unique, hardy characteristics. Known historically as “an gabhar fiáin” – the wild goat – the old Irish goat is deeply rooted in Irish folklore. “This research is a huge milestone for the old Irish goat, and provides powerful scientific validation of what local communities and conservationists have long believed – that the old Irish goat represents a living piece of our ancient heritage, said Sinead Keane, from the Old Irish Goat Society.

Amid nostalgia for a simpler past, there are still voices making the case that fossil fuels and nuclear energy should form the backbone of the grid. And it is always hard to make the case for energy efficiency and demand management when fossil fuels, on paper at least, are plentiful, and there is no sign yet of the big energy producers slowing down extraction or divesting from fossil energy. As the carbon budgets start to really bite, and recent flooding reminds us of how vulnerable we are to climate change impacts in Ireland, the role of nuclear energy regularly resurfaces. The SEAI Energy in Ireland 2025 report highlights that Ireland needs proven, immediate solutions to avoid missing its second carbon budget (2026–2030). The real challenges facing Irish energy policy are managing rising demand, delivering the promised renewables and the retail cost of energy.

Darragh O'Brien says the new transport security force would be modelled on airport police. Photograph: Alan BetsonMembers of a planned new public transport security service are to be given powers of arrest and pursuit. “I intend the transport security force will have powers of arrest and pursuit,” he told Wednesday’s committee. However, he warned that the work involved in establishing the new security force for the transport sector would be “complex”. A commitment to establish a new transport security force is set out in the Programme for Government agreed last year between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

A presumed “Ur-Hamlet”, written by either Thomas Kyd (1558–1594) or by Shakespeare himself, has been dated back to 1587, but no text survives. In his last years, Lawrence wrote a book called Shakespeare’s Lost Hamlet, which he himself believed to be the best of his many works on The Bard. But when he returned to his beloved Dublin, Villiers writes, the “academic purdah” resumed. Ever the theatre man, Lawrence likened the late harvest of academic awards to “Praise from Sir Hubert”: a phrase derived from an 18th century stage character who rewarded virtue with compliments rather than cash. He survived on money orders from his old friend, the Dublin poet and businessman Thomas Keller, who had once helped fund James Joyce.

Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish TimesThe UK’s new visa waiver, the electronic travel authorisation (ETA), finally came into full operation yesterday. However, it has been effectively in place for a year in Northern Ireland, confounding widespread predictions of disaster. Northern Ireland’s tourism industry had still been expecting a calamity – a reasonable prediction, with 70 per cent of holidaymakers arriving via the Republic. There were reports early last year of Northern Ireland being removed from tour itineraries and of businesses noticing a marked drop in bookings. Nerves quickly settled and Northern Ireland’s tourism industry posted strong 6 per cent growth in 2025.

Iceland will hold a referendum "in the coming months" on restarting European Union accession talks, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said on Wednesday during a visit to Poland. "In the coming months we are going to have a referendum on opening up the negotiations, the accession negotiations for Iceland to possibly join the EU," Frostadottir told a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Iceland's centre-left government, which came to power after a snap election in 2024, had promised to hold a referendum no later than next year on restarting talks with the EU. Frostadottir said reopening the talks was about "opening an opportunity" for Iceland and pursuing better integration for the country in Europe. Iceland is already part of the EU's single market, the Schengen open-border travel zone, and the European Free Trade Association.

Yakiniku – Japanese barbecue – is precision engineering in miniature. Yakiniku Matsukawa: The grills sit within polished brass rings. Photograph: Alan BetsonThe Japanese A5 wagyu tenderloin (€92) arrives in four immaculate slices. Yakiniku Matsukawa: Clockwise, from top left, short ribs, premium tenderloin, rib finger, chuck flap and chuck flap tail. Photograph: Alan BetsonDessert is a single scoop of raspberry and blueberry sorbet (€6.50), dense and cold, tart enough to reset the mouth.

15 Irish travel experts to follow on Instagram for cheap flights, budget breaks and last-minute dealsDon’t let the winter blues get you down – instead, get planning the budget break of your dreamsThere are plenty of Irish creators that can help you plan your next trip without overspending. Photo: Getty. Saoirse Hanley Today at 06:30It’s around this time every year that the wanderlust really kicks in. We’re all sick of being rained on and it’s tempting to throw all of our money at a getaway to some far-flung land for a break.

Fears are growing in Irish rugby circles that Andy Farrell could be set to return to England to coach his old club Saracens after the World Cup, with IRFU performance director David Humphreys meeting the Ireland head coach’s representatives this week about his future plans. Rumours of the move have been bubbling under the surface for a number of weeks now, and there were reports in France over the weekend that the deal was done.

You’ll rarely hear anything encouraging about their delivery of cash services unless it is in the context of their obligations under European consumer legislation. Without fail, the emphasis in the headlines is along the lines of “contactless payments rise; cash payments fall”. Cash, it seems, is a long way from dead just yet. Of course, it suits the sector to play down demand for cash. The three banks, it said, “are fully committed to providing the relevant ATM and cash service point services as soon as possible”.

A woman in her 60s was tragically found dead in a wooded area as police and paramedics swarmed the scene. Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after 7pm following concerns for the woman's welfare. A spokesperson for the force said: "At 7.05pm on Tuesday 24 February, police were called by paramedics to concerns for the welfare of a woman on Woodside, Poynton. "Officers attended and sadly a woman in her sixties was declared dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a case file will be prepared for the coroner."

A bakery worker has been sacked after he was caught brazenly pouring cooking oil down a stormwater drain in Sydney's trendy eastern suburbs. A passerby filmed the worker outside The Grumpy Baker in Coogee on Sunday as he dumped the used oil into the waterways, and then shared the clip online. 'We were devastated to see this and have never encountered something like this before in our 24 years of running The Grumpy Baker,' Cthurmer said. It is illegal to dispose of chemicals, oils, paints and litter down stormwater drains in Australia as they connect to local waterways. 'Do not allow anything other than clean rainwater to enter the stormwater drain on or near your premises.'

Man Utd transfer theory emerges after Cole Palmer and Bruno Fernandes assessmentManchester United legend Lee Sharpe has had his say on transfer speculation surrounding Bruno Fernandes and Red Devils-linked Chelsea star Cole PalmerView 2 Images Cole Palmer has been linked with Manchester United (Image: (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))Lee Sharpe believes that Cole Palmer would prove an ideal successor to Bruno Fernandes, should the Portuguese maestro choose to depart Manchester United this summer. However, Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior moved quickly to dismiss any notion that Palmer was unhappy at Stamford Bridge. ‌Should Palmer's position shift in the coming months, United legend Sharpe is convinced he could thrive with the Red Devils. Yet he cannot envisage the talent breaking into United's starting XI whilst Fernandes remains at the club. Maybe if Bruno Fernandes leaves Old Trafford, then Palmer could be an option to replace him, but if he stays then I don't see how Palmer gets into the team.

New rules coming into force on Sunday will allow landlords to set rents at market rates for tenancies signed from that date. Landlords will be restricted on existing tenancies to rent rises of 2pc or the inflation rate, whichever is the lower. In a presentation to investors, Ires Reit said the rental changes could lead to a “plus 25pc potential rental income uplift with minimal added costs”. This sends a shiver down the spine of every renter right across the landIt is understood around 10pc of Ires Reit’s housing stock changes tenancies on an annual basis. These new tenancies can have rents set at market rates, which is likely to be beyond the 2pc cap.

Once upon a time all it took to attract top talent within the Irish market was money. Which begs the question - how do companies create, and more importantly, sustain a positive employer brand? “We believe that empowering our leaders to visibly model these behaviours supports the employer brand in becoming the lived experience. “AbbVie Ireland’s Talent Scout employee referral programme helps the company attract high-quality talent who often have greater insight into our culture, as they are connected to existing employees,” explains Gary O’Mahoney, Ireland HR director, AbbVie. Within this, we have essential statements, based on research, that serve as building blocks to guide our employer brand activations.