When I was a kid, there were occasional TV shows that everyone watched. Every week The Irish Times – and most other newspapers (if we can still call them that) – publishes the details of forthcoming TV shows. You had to watch it, straight away, and love it: if you didn’t, you were dead inside and possibly homophobic. Yet, contradictorily, social media provided enough information about the show to save you the bother of watching it at all. But the massive production of popular culture increasingly resembles scrolling through social media.

Heavy JD Vance vibes still hung in the air of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Saturday when US chief diplomat Marco Rubio decided to spare the transatlantic relationship a Valentine’s Day massacre. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she – and others in Europe – praised Rubio as “a good friend, a strong ally ... and very reassuring to listen to”. In a final pitch to his Munich audience, unlikely to be taken to heart by all, was that China and Europe are “partners, not rivals”. Risking the wrath of the British opposition and right-wing press, Starmer insisted there was “no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain”. At the Munich Security Conference, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine's president, expressed frustration at how some promised European arms deliveries took 'months' or 'years' to arrive.

My name is Celine Mary Brigid, and I love my middle names because I’m a woman of faith. I’m not making it up, and I’m not trying to please anyone, but it’s here, it’s home. I’m the middle of five siblings, and I would be the typical middle child, the peacekeeper. You know, trying to make sure that everybody’s okay and everybody’s happy, and being very good at masking my feelings for the sake of somebody else. !”Celine Byrne performs with the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland at the NCH, Dublin, on Friday, February 20th.

It’s a result, according to meteorologists, of our prevailing weather system, which is normally dominated by the North Atlantic jet stream being challenged by cold air pushed down by something called the “polar vortex”. And so, the recent horrendous weather has been a reminder of the fragility and contingency of the weather system dynamics by which this country is afforded its comparatively benign climate. If I understand this matter correctly, it is the Gulf Stream and prevailing westerly winds that primarily distinguishes us from our frigid latitudinal fellows. The Gulf Stream forms a kind of underwater conveyor belt that consistently moves warm water northward through the Atlantic from the tropics, and colder water back down south. As with that corporate tax rate, the Gulf Stream (or as it could well soon be renamed, the Trump Stream) and our beneficial arrangement with it are highly vulnerable to powerful global forces beyond our control.

So, to help you get ready, here’s what you need to know about financing a new home in Ireland this spring. Take the Help to Buy scheme. Current rates are 4 per cent, fixed for 25 years, increasing to 4.05 per cent for loans fixed for between 25 to 30 years. “First-time buyers do like the security of the fixed rate,” says McMahon. Bear in mind, however, that finding the best mortgage for you may not mean finding one at the lowest cost.

She first tried online dating because she was a single parent. She began using dating apps in her 40s, and her first experience was a culture shock. The online dating experience as a man in his 40s is “incredibly odd”, he says. Claire Treacy only experienced dating apps for six weeks, but even in that brief time she encountered unpleasant and explicit messages. Elaine*, in her mid-50s, has been trying online dating “on and off for years” since her marriage breakdown.

Almost 16 years ago, Jon Burrows, now leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), stood with the crowds in Derry’s Guildhall Square as the Saville report on Bloody Sunday was published. “I would love Ireland to say that some of their conduct during the Troubles was unjustified and unjustifiable. Burrows joined the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), saying: “I 100 per cent wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps”. But he also emphasises the need for Ireland “to address … their conduct” during the Troubles, particularly over the extradition of suspects to the UK. He advocates making “the rational case for the union … for those people who are disinterested or just see themselves as Northern Irish or who are nationalist but persuadable”.

Actor Rex Ryan and Gerry Hutch ahead of the theatre production of The Monk, in the Ambassador Theatre, Dublin. Ryan (35) and Hutch (62) this week spoke to reporters at the Ambassador in advance the play’s run from this Monday to Saturday. Gerry Hutch leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice after his 2023 acquittal for the murder of David Byrne. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins“Gerry bears witness to his lifetime of alleged crimes, triumphs and misdemeanours,” the blurb states. Ryan said he consulted Hutch on aspects of the script but added the protagonist would not financially benefit from the production.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may well follow, and there could be demand. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas notes existing Catholic ETFs have “held up pretty well”, with the Global X S&P 500 Catholic Values ETF currently holding more than $1 billion (€840 million) in assets. Backtested over the past decade, the results look more than respectable, with the US and European Catholic indices generating annualised returns of 18 and 10 per cent, respectively. One reason for this is that the US index is less papal portfolio than plain vanilla mega-cap growth. Excluding too many companies risks chronic underperformance, and underperformance kills ETFs far faster than ethical misgivings.

What happens when free speech becomes hate speech? This is at least partly because of the effect of the Republic’s media regulator on US social media companies operating in the State. The French national assembly passed a Bill last month banning social media for under-15s. Irrespective of any ban, access to devices is critical. How would Irish parents feel about a licensing law for under-16s for phones and devices that access social platforms, whereby a parent or guardian would identify themselves and take responsibility for their child’s online activity?

Trent Alexander-Arnold facing £30m problem as Real Madrid issues grow after exit claimThe former Liverpool captain Trent Alexander-Arnold left Anfield to join the Spanish champions for £9 million last summerView 2 Images Wesley Franca has emerged as a potential replacement for Carvajal at Real MadridTrent Alexander-Arnold has endured a turbulent spell at Real Madrid since leaving Liverpool last summer and could now be facing a fresh £30 million problem. According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Madrid are considering signing a new right-back this summer, with Dani Carvajal's contract set to expire at the end of the season. ‌AS Roma's Wesley Franca is said to be a strong option to replace Carvajal, with early movement already taking place ahead of the summer. It's also noted that Madrid would be willing to put around €35 million (£30m) on the table to sign the Brazilian. ‌View 2 Images Dani Carvajal has seen his role reduced at Real Madrid this season (Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE!

Steven Davis, from Kentucky, faces charges of first-degree criminal abuse of a child aged 12 or younger, according to Madison County jail records. He was taken into custody at the Madison County Detention Center on Thursday. An arrest citation obtained by local media reveals that on 4 February, Davis was at Baptist Health Richmond hospital in Richmond, roughly 30 miles southeast of Lexington, with his one year old son. According to the document, Davis tried to give the child a bottle, but when the toddler cried, he allegedly hurled the bottle across the room, Law and Crime reports. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, as per the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

According to Tusla’s latest available figures, 146 people aged 18-22 moved from State care into homelessness, as of the third quarter of 2025. Privatisation is not just affecting residential care but also foster care, echoing a trend in England. The total value of the country’s foster care market is estimated at nearly £2.2 billion. Children’s residential and foster care services must be provided exclusively by local authorities, charities or not-for-profit organisations. Many in foster and residential care thrive, and more may do so since the new educational partnership at third level.

Ex-Liverpool star Jordon Ibe arrested after landing back in the UKThe former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe, who once cost £15million, was arrested at Luton Airport last month and charged on suspicion of causing actual bodily harmView 2 Images Jordon Ibe, who now plays in Bulgaria, was arrested in the UK recently (Image: Ebbsfleet United)Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after stepping off a plane in the UK recently. Ibe, 30, was arrested at Luton Airport on January 30 after flying back from Bulgaria, where he now plays for Lokomotiv Sofia. A Met spokesperson told The Sun: “Jordon Ibe has been charged with actual bodily harm. “He was arrested at Luton Airport on Friday January 30 and taken into custody.”The alleged offence is said to have taken place in December. The management of Lokomotiv wishes Jordon Ibe much health, happiness and success with the red and black jersey."

Coronation Street fire horror as villain takes revenge ahead of a brutal deathCoronation Street spoilers have teased a catastrophic fire could hit the cobbles in upcoming episode of the ITV soap, as a villain takes a fiery revenge against a relativeView 3 Images Coronation Street spoilers have teased a catastrophic fire could hit the cobbles (Image: ITV)There's a dark and deadly revenge plan by one Coronation Street villain that could see a fire tear through the street. ‌New spoilers have revealed one villain takes dangerous action after recent events. ‌Now he's about to spark chaos, as he plans a fire at the hotel Debbie owns. View 3 Images There's a dark and deadly revenge plan by one Coronation Street villain (Image: ITV)By get rid, he means burn it down. Jez takes photos of the fire exits and the cameras when Ronnie isn't looking.