There should be more dancing at funerals. And as I wiggled my fingers and stamped my feet in the church for Manchán I thought to myself: we need more dancing at funerals. The next day I went to Manchán’s month’s mind at the Hill of Uisneach. If anybody wants advice or inspiration for dancing at funerals, Michael says he’s delighted to help and if anyone has advice for him on this subject, he is all ears. There will be more dancing at Irish funerals in the months and years to come.
The IEA the body said if the world continued on its present trajectory, oil and gas demand would continue to rise and there would be no meaningful fall in CO₂ emissions. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesGlobal oil and gas demand will rise for the next 25 years if the world does not change course, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said, in a new scenario that reflects governments’ fading commitment to climate change. But in its latest World Energy Outlook, published on Wednesday, the body, whose research helps to shape global energy policies, said if the world continued on its present trajectory, oil and gas demand would continue to rise and there would be no meaningful fall in CO₂ emissions. The IEA said this demand growth was driven by the increasing penetration of white goods and air conditioners, as well as advanced manufacturing and data centres. Representatives of the renewable energy industry noted all of the scenarios the IEA suggested show continuing huge growth in clean energy.
European healthcare stocks added 1.1 per cent, while energy stocks fell 0.6 per cent. Back in the UK, investment banking stocks fell 1.7 per cent with 3i Group in the lead with 3.3 per cent losses. Taylor Wimpey’s shares fell nearly 4 per cent after reporting a softer autumn selling season as British buyers hesitated ahead of the budget announcement. Energy shares fell 1 per cent as oil prices dipped, with oil majors BP and Shell dropping 1.7 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively. Most big tech stocks fell with Alphabet, Tesla and Meta Platforms down between 2.3 per cent and 2.6 per cent.
President Catherine Connolly waves to students from St Michael's Primary School before visiting Trim Resource Centre in Co Meath. First, though, was the céad míle fáilte from the 220 pupils, their teachers and dozens of proud parents. President Connolly, speaking during a visit to a Dublin gaelscoil, has vowed to advance the Irish language during her presidency. “Catherine Conn-olly, Catherine Conn-olly”, they chanted in a cacophony of noise which would not have been out of place at Croke Park. Four transition-year students from Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Rathfarnham (all former pupils) were there to help coach the pupils.
European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath at a press conference on Wednesday. Photograph: EPAEurope is looking to online platforms and influencers to help fight disinformation and promote democracy, according to a European Commission strategy. It was presented by Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath on Wednesday amid concerns over interference by foreign governments in national elections. “The Democracy Shield connects the dots, making sure Europe’s tools and actors work together effectively in defence of our shared values. Users of online platforms will also be informed when algorithms are being used to promote political content.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and then-New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt before the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris. It’s worth pointing out that the two groups of Ireland players involved in those matches are worlds apart. There’s a lovely symmetry about Farrell and Schmidt standing in opposite coaching boxes this week. Under Schmidt, Ireland learned the value of precision, of clarity in roles and execution. The challenge now is for Ireland to combine both – the detail of Schmidt with the resilience of Farrell.
the company last year recorded average post-tax profits of more than €11,000 per week in a record year for the businessThe family-owned firm that operates well-known Dingle restaurant and takeaway, The Fish Box, last year recorded average post-tax profits of more than €11,000 a week in a record year for the business. Accounts show that The Fish Box Restaurant Ltd recorded post-tax profits of €597,910 for 2024 – which works out at an average of €11,492 per week. The post-tax profits of €597,910 for the sea-to-fork business last year are more than a fourfold increase on the post tax profits of €137,576 for 2023. The 2024 profits are also a multiple of the post-tax profits of €107,144 for 2022 and €105,179 for 2021. The Fish Box firm has used the investment to put a food truck on the road, introduce a fresh fish counter and add solar panels.
Ruth Lawrence has been found guilty of murdering two men 11 years after their bodies were found in the midlands. The prosecution contended Anthony Keegan (33) was shot by van der Westhuizen. Van der Westhuizen is serving a 15-year sentence in Durban for murder, attempted murder and kidnapping in a separate case. The jury could have returned any of three verdicts in relation to each of the two murder charges against Lawrence: guilty of murder; not guilty of murder but guilty of assisting an offender; or not guilty. Ms Symes said Lawrence told her she had shot Mr O’Connor “but it went wrong”, so van der Westhuizen “took over”.
An artist's song blew up on social media thanks to a reference to actress Sydney Sweeney. Photograph: Frazer Harrison/Variety via Getty Images
Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish TimesSally Hayden of The Irish Times has been named Irish Journalist of the Year 2025 at the Irish Journalism Awards, in Dublin on Wednesday. The awards programme celebrates the best of Irish journalism across 23 categories, ranging from podcasts and political coverage, to opinion, news reports, sports, and video journalism. In all, The Irish Times won eight awards at the competition, the highest number of any news publisher. Sally Hayden speaks onscreen from abroad to accept the 2025 Irish Journalism Awards Journalist of the Year award. The Irish Sun won the award for best front page while the Irish Sun on Sunday won the award for best headline.
One in five young people view period-tracking technology as an effective method of contraception, a survey has found, raising concerns among health officials about an increased risk of unplanned pregnancies. A HSE survey of 1,134 adults aged 18 to 30 found a significant minority believed the contraception methods such as the Pill could prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In response to the findings, the HSE said there was a need to normalise having an STI test – just as people regularly got dental check-ups or eye tests. The report highlighted a number of what public health officials said were “concerning” trends relating to sexual health in younger people. The HSE published the survey on Wednesday about young people’s sexual health in Ireland.
Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy made an unbeaten 169 on the second day of the first Test against Ireland in Sylhet. Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s unbeaten 169 helped put Bangladesh in a commanding position after day two of the first Test against Ireland in Sylhet. After Ireland were bowled out for 286 on the second morning, Mahmudul put the tourists’ bowlers to the sword as Bangladesh closed on 338 for one, a 52-run lead with nine wickets remaining. Mahmudul and fellow opener Shadman Islam (80) put on 168 for the first wicket at the Sylhet Stadium and Mominul Haque’s unbeaten 80 then helped add another 170 runs without further loss before the close. Ireland had resumed on 270 for eight, but they were only able to add another 16 runs with Barry McCarthy the last man out after making 31.
View of Brazil's stand at the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Para State, Brazil, on November 11, 2025. He was referring to the Círio de Nazaré, one of the world’s largest religious processions honouring Our Lady of Nazareth, which took place in the Brazilian host city Belém just weeks before the world’s largest climate talks came to town. Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via GettyThe good news is that the world’s richest country, the United States, is attending Cop30 although not with top-level representation. While president Donald Trump sent not one official delegate, the US Climate Alliance, a coalition of 24 governors continuing climate action at state level, is represented. The good news for climate is that the enormous state and economy of California still believes in climate action.
Chopping boardsThe chopping action is releasing tiny plastic shards from the board on to our food - if you're using a plastic chopping board. Photograph: Getty ImagesThat we ingest plastics from food when we prepare it on plastic chopping boards makes sense. So get rid of your plastic chopping board, chop chop. “If possible, avoid plastic water bottles. Switch your plastic chopping board and kettle, ditch the microwavable tray dinners and bring that old pan to a civic amenity site today.
That panel was set up to replace another which Mr Burke had successfully challenged in the CoA over alleged bias of one of its members, who Mr Burke claimed was a supporter of transgender rights. The new panel hearing had to be postponed when Mr Burke said he had submitted an “intended review application” of a CoA decision related to his case. All this means that Mr Burke continues to be paid his teacher’s salary, counsel said. Since the beginning of this month, Mr Burke had tried to enter the school but was successfully stopped on most occasions. There is “nothing that will convince him to stop” and now a further jailing for contempt of court is sought, she said.
