National What would happen without a Leap Day? In the past 500 years, there was no leap day in 1700, 1800 and 1900, but 2000 had one. In the next 500 years, if the practice is followed, there will be no leap day in 2100, 2200, 2300 and 2500. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT A LEAP DAY? Being born in a leap year on a leap day certainly is a talking point.

Funding of €21m has been allocated for improving and maintaining the county’s regional and local roads in 2024. The funding was announced by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan as part of an investment programme of €658m for the country’s regional and local roads in 2024. In Roscommon, €11.95m will go towards restoration improvement, €3.16m has been provided for discretionary grants while more than €1.63m will be spent on restoration maintenance. "This investment will allow us to repair, strengthen and maintain our roads across the region, ensuring they are fit for purpose. These roads are imperative for children getting to school and people getting to work safely,” said the Senator.

Offaly County Council wins LAMA Award for Best Communications Initiative/Innovation. Council stresses role of STEAM in Offaly's futureOffaly County Council has said that STEAM is key to unlocking a better, smarter, and more resilient future for Offaly. The award was presented to Offaly County Council for ‘STEAMing Ahead: How Offaly’s Kids are Shaping our Rural Future’. Offaly County Council is investing in future generations by giving them the skills required for jobs, which may not be considered yet. Ms Delaney added: "Offaly County Council is future proofing the county and its students in an exciting and engaging way.

Benny Safdie, Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Josh Hartnett, Alden Ehrenreich, Casey Affleck, Emily Blunt and Kenneth Branagh, winner of the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award for 'Oppenheimer' pose in the press room during the 30th Annual SAG Awards. Photo: Getty

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The Springbok Sevens lost their final Pool C match 22-10 against Ireland on Saturday at BC Place in Vancouver, hence missing the quarterfinals of the HSBC SVNS series for the first time this season. They did recover some pride later in the day, beating Canada 20-14 to stay in the hunt for some valuable series points. The Blitzboks face Australia on Sunday at (9.21pm SA time) in the 9th/10th place match in what turned out to be a disappointing tournament for the team. The defeat against Ireland meant South Africa finished last in their pool for the first time this season also. Ireland did well to control the aerial battle and kickoffs, while some poor defence by individuals in the Blitzboks jersey handed the Irish good momentum when needed.

Gorey Community School are starting a monthly draw on Friday, February 23 to raise money for their new school theatre and dining hall. The school is hoping that the whole community will support this project to improve the quality of life for the students and to leave a legacy for the future generations of the young people of Gorey. Each month there will be a first place prize of €300 and a second place prize of €200. To enter the draw or to make a donation, go to http://www.goreycs.ie/ then press Theater Hall Fundraiser or go to https://platform.payzone.ie/customer/10970/product-list. For the recurring payments, register by clicking sign up and then enter your details, email and choose a password for future login.

Margaret crosses the line in her 100th parkrunMargaret marks milestone 100! Margaret Bennett completed her 100th parkrun at Mountlucas parkrun on Saturday. Margaret completed her 100th parkrun in a superb time of 23:30. She has built Mountlucas parkrun into her health and wellbeing regime and has, in fact, completed all 100 of her parkruns at Mountlucas parkrun. Mountlucas Parkrun is based at Bord na Móna Mountlucas Wind farm outside Daingean.

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Last Thursday Japanese shares finally pushed through their previous peak, reached more than 34 years ago. The Nikkei 225 share index closed at 39,098.68, against 38,915.87 reached on December 29, 1989. Japanese investors also helped underpin US equities after the share crash on Black Monday in October 1987. The Ministry of Finance tried to slow any decline in Japan by getting institutional investors to buy shares. Not only did the Japanese market have furthest to fall, the decline went on for longer than anywhere else.

Wales, despite trailing 17-0 by the halftime whistle, showed moments of resurgence with a penalty try that saw Beirne sin-binned. The victory marks a historic 18th consecutive win for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium and ties the record for an 11th successive Six Nations Test win, a testament to their continued excellence and a milestone shared with England’s streak from 2015 to 2017. Despite a penalty try awarded to Wales, Ireland’s control and execution remained unshaken, with their defence repelling Welsh advances effectively. “I thought we were a bit passive in the first half but I thought Wales were tenacious in defence. We are on a journey.”Try-scorer Ciaran Frawley after his first Test start said added: “Look, it was a bit of clunky in the first half.

Ireland is halfway to the Grand Slam after putting down a spirited Wales by a harder-than-expected 31-7 in Six Nations rugby this morning (NZT). But they couldn’t grab the bonus-point fourth try until the 81st minute. An utterly dominated Wales used the halftime break to regather its wits and rally with a penalty try. A ruck penalty against Wales was kicked to the corner again by Ireland for another lineout but Ireland opted for 11 pick-and-goes. By halftime, Wales had conceded nine penalties, equal to what it conceded in total against Scotland and England.

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Six NationsIreland have edged closer to another Six Nations Grand Slam with a 31-7 victory over Wales. Ciaran Frawley was among the tries on his first Test start, as Andy Farrell's side made it three wins from three in the competition. England's Grand Slam ambitions for 2024 are over. Aston Villa got a 4-2 victory at home to Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Everton played out a 1-1 draw. FootballThe heavyweight clash of Dublin and Kerry headlines this evening’s action in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League.