Rory Stewart: Britons’ view of Ireland has gone from ‘patronising superiority to complete ignorance’
Former Conservative Party MP Rory Stewart says Ireland is the UK’s 'only connection back to the European Union' for what should be the UK’s 'big strategic plan' over the next 20 years. Analysing where he went wrong, he tells The Irish Times: “I managed to convince myself that [she] would win. “We live in a world which is all about speed and productivity and efficiency and the next thing. But there is a very significant chance that Farage could replace the Conservative Party as the big party in British politics alongside Labour. It’s gone from a patronising assertion of superiority to complete ignorance and indifference.
Source:The Irish Times
June 17, 2025 01:34 UTC
The search for the ‘Greenest Places’ in Laois is on
The initiative has been launched by The Irish Times, in association with Electric Ireland. Pictured at the launch of The Irish Times Ireland's Greenest Places 2025 in association with Electric Ireland are Beth Healy (12), Laura Gargiuto Keenan (12) and Jaxon Okon (2). Photo: Julien Behal PhotographyThe Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they will be looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future. The judging panel is looking forward to a challenging summer of deliberation with every stage in the process documented on a regular basis in The Irish Times. Joining Mary Minihan, Eamon Ryan and Lisa Browne on the judging panel will be Irish Times Environment Editor Kevin O’Sullivan and Senior Features Writer Rosita Boland.
Source:The Irish Times
June 16, 2025 22:21 UTC
Tattle Life gossip website operator named after couple awarded £300,000 libel damages over posts
Photograph: Getty Images/iStockphotoA Co Antrim-based business couple have been awarded £300,000 (€352,000) libel damages as part of a landmark legal battle to uncover the operator of a controversial gossip website. Entrepreneurs Neil and Donna Sands secured the payout in a defamation and harassment lawsuit over abusive comments posted on Tattle Life. The couple claimed they had been subject to a campaign of harassment, invasion of privacy, defamation and breach of data rights. With reporting restrictions and anonymity orders lifted, further legal efforts are now expected to focus on securing enforcement of the damages award. Speaking outside court, Mr Sands stressed the case had also been taken on behalf of others who have suffered serious personal and professional harm through anonymous online attacks.
Source:The Irish Times
June 14, 2025 00:42 UTC
The search is on for Ireland’s Greenest Places!
As we head into what we hope will be a marvellous summer filled with long days in the great outdoors details of the search for Ireland’s Greenest Places 2025 have been announced - and we all know that in Waterford we have the finest green places! Four years ago The Irish Times hosted a competition entitled ‘Best Place to Live in Ireland’ and Waterford emerged the winner. The Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they will be looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future. Electric Ireland’s Lisa Browne said the company is proud to partner with The Irish Times as the sponsor of Ireland’s Greenest Places. Joining Mary Minihan, Eamon Ryan and Lisa Browne on the judging panel will be Irish Times Environment Editor Kevin O’Sullivan and Senior Features Writer Rosita Boland.
Source:The Irish Times
June 13, 2025 23:12 UTC
Win a two-night stay at the five-star Lough Erne Resort, Co Fermanagh.
Also included is a round of golf on both the Faldo Course and the Castle Hume Course, and passes for the renowned Marble Arch Caves. No trip to the Lakelands would be complete without a boat trip for two on the MV Kestrel taking in Lough Erne and a trip to Devenish Island. Discover Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland is proud to call itself home to some of the world’s most iconic courses and competitions, including the highly anticipated 153rd Open Championship in July 2025. Discover unique and memorable destinations in Northern Ireland. For your chance to win, simply fill in the form below.
Source:The Irish Times
June 12, 2025 23:22 UTC
Dart services resume after ‘major disruption’ due to overhead line damage
The fault caused knock-on delays to Dart and commuter services through the city centre due to congestion on the line. Photograph: Roman Overko/ Getty ImagesDart services between Lansdowne Road and Dún Laoghaire in Dublin have recommenced after a “major disruption” saw services suspended until 8pm. Irish Rail said the damage had caused a “major disruption to Dart services” with significant delays to wider services as crews arrived on-site to rectify the issue. READ MOREThe fault caused knock-on delays to Dart and commuter services through the city centre due to congestion on the line with Dublin Bus services honouring rail tickets throughout the disruption. A spokesman for Irish Rail said the line between Lansdowne Road and Dún Laoghaire reopened shortly before 8pm after the overhead lines were repaired.
Source:The Irish Times
June 12, 2025 01:54 UTC
Disorder in Ballymena ‘clearly racially motivated’, PSNI says
A damaged property on Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena following a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town. Photograph: Jonathan McCambridge/PA WireSignificant and sustained “disorder” in Ballymena on Monday night was “clearly racially motivated”, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said. Police and firefighters responded to public disorder in Ballymena town centre on Monday evening. This violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police,” Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said. Photograph: Jonathan McCambridge/PA WireSix properties in Clonavon Terrace were damaged after their windows were smashed during the disorder.
Source:The Irish Times
June 11, 2025 00:01 UTC
Tyler Bleyendaal hails Sam Prendergast as one of Leinster’s game drivers
“I actually thought Sam on the weekend played a good match,” said Bleyendaal. Sam Prendergast takes a kick during Leinster's semi-final victory over Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva Stadium. I think he’s getting through the season fine. I don’t look at him and think he’s getting beaten up or he’s slowing down,” said Bleyendaal. “I feel like he turns up every week, he’s got good energy and he’s young, I think he recovers well.
Source:The Irish Times
June 10, 2025 14:03 UTC
Is Currys in line for the worst customer care story of 2025?
She brought the flashing laptop into a Currys store in the middle of February and it was sent off for repair. “I contacted Currys again and spoke directly to the repair centre engineers by video call through the ‘repair live’ function on their website,” she says. “The repair centre engineer saw the fault. Almost a week passed and she got a call from the repair centre. When she sent a complaint to the Currys customer services department she got a reply that can most kindly be described as useless.
Source:The Irish Times
June 10, 2025 00:33 UTC
Leinster primed and ready to take the Bulls by the horns in URC final
Leinster's Josh van der Flier at the Aviva Stadium for the URC quarter-final match between Leinster and Scarlets on May 31st. The Lions duo missed last Saturday’s convincing 37-19 semi-final win over last season’s champions Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva Stadium due to hamstring and knee issues. Leinster secured home advantage by topping the regular-season table, with the Bulls in second place, thus leading to the first-ever final at the home of the GAA and Ireland’s most iconic sporting arena. We want to do right by that and be at our best again.”Leinster's Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and James Ryan wrap up a Glasgow player at the URC semi-final match in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. “I love the process of getting ready for a game; that’s what excites me.
Source:The Irish Times
June 09, 2025 12:01 UTC