THE mindset of a Kerry club footballer shifts a gear in February when the start date and fixtures are confirmed for the county's super-competitive League programme. It kicks off this weekend with a host of fresh football talking points - Jack Barry is flying with Na Gaeil, is Kerry back on the radar? How will All-Irelands champions Gaeltacht (Intermediate) and Ballymacelligott (Junior) fare in Division 2 this season? Intriguingly, they meet on Sunday in a first round game in Ballymac. Quiz question: when last, if ever, did two All-Ireland club champions face each other in Division 2 of their County League?

East Lothian collision 'like something out of a film' as drivers watched in horror'It was terrifying'East Lothian collision 'like something out of a film'A collision in East Lothian was 'like something out of a film' as drivers watched in horror on Wednesday afternoon. The incident saw emergency services called to the scene on the A1 near Haddington, at around 3.50pm on March 11. ‌The incident happened between the Thistly Cross roundabout and Haddington turn off. ‌"I got my van into a safe position, and by that point that was a few bystanders and other drivers helping. A1, Haddington.

St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 17. When did St. Patrick's Day move beyond a religious celebration? Up until the mid-20th century, St. Patrick’s Day was “modest and grounded in religion,” according to the Smithsonian. “It was not until the 1960s that in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day came to even resemble what we, here in the USA, celebrate today,” according to the Smithsonian. In 1991, Congress designated March as Irish American Heritage month, but celebrations of St. Patrick's Day date back to the 1600s.

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, a time when everyone gets to be Irish. St. Patrick's Day dinners in Greater Fall River602 Third St., Fall RiverThose in need of a healthy helping of Irish luck — or just a delicious meal and fellowship — need look no further than Fall River’s Corky Row neighborhood, where a popular St. Patrick’s Day tradition is turning 90. 310 Shove St., Fall RiverGrab your best green garb and join McGovern’s Family Restaurant for St. Patrick's Day. Their annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Dinner is made in-house from start to finish and only comes around once a year. 1082 Davol St., Fall RiverThe gluten-free eatery located in Commonwealth Landing is serving up Irish-inspired specials through St. Patrick’s Day.

ETThe Clear Spring Historical Association is hosting an event to celebrate the contributions of the Irish community in the 19th century. Musicians Bill and Joyce Weaver will perform “Tunes and Legends from the Emerald Isle” at 2 p.m. March 15 at Plumb Grove Mansion, 12654 Broadfording Road, Clear Spring, according to a community announcement. The Clear Spring Historical Association’s March newsletter features an article by David Wiles about the contributions of the Irish during the 19th century. The Irish in Clear SpringThe construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal brought many Irish immigrants to the Clear Spring area. There was a huge outbreak of the disease among canal workers around 1832.

The President’s decision to inject herself into the debate over the legality of the conflict in the Gulf should surprise no one. Catherine Connolly made it clear during her election campaign that she would use the platform to speak truth to power as she sees it. Some will feel she did not go far enough, and others will be relieved that her criticism was measured. It is also worth noting that her comments are in tune with those expressed by many other heads of state, not least the Pope. It is notable in this regard that Connolly did not identify who she believed to have broken international law.

There will be both dry, sunny spells and rain in the mix for the days ahead. Photo: Brian Lawless/PAMet Éireann has issued Status Yellow rain warning for 21 counties on Thursday and a nationwide wind warning. A Status Yellow rain warning will be in place for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Connacht. There will be both dry, sunny spells and rain in the mix for the days ahead. There will be both dry, sunny spells and rain in the mix for the days ahead.

Bayer Leverkusen 1 Arsenal 1Kai Havertz climbed off the bench to score a last-gasp equaliser against the club where he began his career to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Gunners, who had topped the league phase having won all eight games, were trailing to Robert Andrich’s goal – from a corner, of all things – with a minute of normal time remaining. But Havertz kept his nerve after fellow substitute Noni Madueke was brought down in the area to snatch a draw and leave Arsenal as favourites to reach a third-consecutive quarter-final. Andrich was arguably lucky to have still been on the pitch, earning a booking in the opening seconds for pulling down Viktor Gyokeres after the Sweden international had rolled him on the edge of the box. Moments later Andrich body-checked Gyokeres near the touchline but escaped a second yellow from referee Halil Umut Meler.

Rise in illegal use of scooters in GalwayGardai are concernedGALWAY Gardaí have seen a significant rise in the illegal e-scooters around the city in recent months. They are reminding the public that there are laws governing the use of the vehicles that must be abided by. The gardaí are concerned about the safety of those using the scooters and that of other road users and pedestrians. The public are reminded that e-scooters aren’t to be used by anyone under 16 years of age. Users cannot hold or use a mobile phone, have a seat on the scooter or carry passengers of goods.

Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAEuropean shares declined on Wednesday as investors weighed the economic fallout ‌of the Middle East conflict as it entered its Twelfth day and digested a U.S. inflation reading. The pan-European benchmark STOXX 600 closed 0.6 per cent lower, with most regional ​bourses also in negative territory. The energy index gained 2.1 per cent, with oil majors Shell and BP up 1.9 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively. The International Energy Agency agreed to release an unprecedented amount of crude oil reserves in an attempt to temper soaring energy prices. However, crude prices jumped 4 per cent as shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz is likely to be halted for a while.

After leaving EastEnders in 2023, he has seen his career explode, bagging Male Performance in a Comedy BAFTA for his role in Mr. Bigstuff last year. But Danny admitted that he has struggled to wrap his head around his new critical acclaim, having been viewed for so long as 'a bit of a laughing stock'. 'I’m not claiming to be Marlon Brando; I’m just providing for my family, and as an actor that’s a really difficult thing to do. Danny explained he made out it was no big deal, but secretly he was overjoyed by the career-saving offer. 'Now, I'm at a stage where I have loads of offers that I've got the power to say no to.

Fundraiser to boost Ability West servicesLeo Moran helped launch drawABILITY West has launched a major fundraising campaign in a bid to increase its respite service, enhance equipment and provide better supports. The car draw was launched amid a day of music, song and craic at its Croílár Day Service on the Tuam Road in Galway. Ability West note that while the overall operation of their services is funded by the HSE, the additional supports offered require significant funding. The draw will help expand summer respite for children with intellectual disabilities and autism, enhance sensory equipment across Day Services, enhance sensory garden developments, and investment in assistive technology. “The funds will help support a wide range of needs that directly improve quality of life for the children and adults in our care,” said a spokesperson for Ability West.

Ireland's new rent reforms are already backfiringPROPERTYBy Johnny Gannon, Fair Deal PropertyIreland's private rental market entered a new legislative era on 1 March 2026 with the Residential Tenancies Act. The reforms promise greater security for tenants whilst offering landlords a clearer rent reset pathway at the end of each six-year cycle. In Dublin and other urban centres, where tenant turnover is frequent, institutional landlords expect rents to rise consistently over time. Many regional landlords own a single property as a long-term investment. Yet by making conditions unattractive for small regional landlords, they will reduce the rental stock in smaller towns and villages.

CSO figures show the median income in Ireland rose by 4.7 per cent (€2,744) to €61,666 last year. Photograph: iStockThe median household income in Ireland has topped €60,000 for the first time. Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicate that the median (or middle value) household disposable income in Ireland last year rose by 4.7 per cent (€2,744) to €61,666. When adjusted for inflation, the increase in real household income was 2.4 per cent. The 10 per cent of households with the lowest disposable income had average nominal disposable income of €329 per week, compared with €3,496 per week for the 10 per cent of households with the highest disposable income.

From baby boom to bust: Why women in Ireland are having fewer children and what it means for the futureBirth rate collapses from almost four in 70s just 1.47 nowIreland has dropped well below replacement birth rate levels. Stock image: GettyEilish O'Regan Today at 06:30The average number of children born to a woman in Ireland in her lifetime has dropped to 1.47 – the lowest in more than 50 years.