That infuriating fixture of office life: the protected species who gets away with murder
As Disney president, Michael Ovitz developed the gesture of whispering into chairman Michael Eisner’s ear, a habit that irritated colleagues. If they were, it would be something to see what would happen to one of the most enduring and infuriating features of corporate life: the protected species. I speak here of the office colleague who, year in, year out, gets away with behaviour that would spell dire trouble for anyone else. Feathers were much ruffled in the upper ranks of the Walt Disney Company in 1995 when then chairman Michael Eisner decided to make Hollywood superagent Michael Ovitz Disney’s president. All this is a reminder that trying to build one’s protected status by invoking proximity to power can be risky.
Source:The Irish Times
March 16, 2026 15:01 UTC
Micheál Martin praises ‘enduring bond’ between Ireland and US at Washington reception
Micheál Martin has described being back in Washington, DC for St Patrick’s Day as an honour in advance of a number of high-profile engagements with the US administration. On Sunday evening, Geraldine Byrne Nason, the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, formally introduced the Taoiseach to a packed residence, with hundreds of guests including Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Byrne Nason hailed the last two days in Philadelphia with Martin, seeing “more of that green thread woven through the great tapestry of the great United States from the very, very beginning”, and the “forever romance between Ireland and the United States”. “It covers our politics, our culture, our history, our business and, most importantly, our peoples, that relationship between the United States and Ireland is enduring,” she said. Martin said celebrating St Patrick’s Day across the Atlantic carries particular resonance as the US marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Source:The Irish Times
March 16, 2026 15:00 UTC
GAA moves to defuse alarm by clarifying rules around streaming club fixtures
The GAA have clarified they will not be enforcing a national streaming black-out while games are being televised. The addendum will ease concerns for counties and streaming companies who had reacted with consternation to the original wording of the policy. What will be just as comforting to counties is clarification on the requirement that streaming requests have to be made six weeks in advance of games. The Irish Examiner also understands several counties have recently been contacted by Croke Park about their streaming contracts. But it's just we want to make sure that our counties are getting best value for money.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:59 UTC
Ireland’s ancient pilgrim paths: 14 trails to walk across the country
Pilgrim paths are having a moment. Conspicuous consumption may occupy the very core of modern life, but multitudes now reclaiming the age-old tradition of a pilgrim walk are proof of a continuing desire for higher meaning that materialism leaves unsatisfied. And each year, Pilgrim Paths Week (PPW) offers a perfect opportunity to explore the Irish paths in the company of like-minded people. Advance booking essential via Eventbrite at: St Kevin’s Way; email stkevinsway@gmail.com. Book at brigidsway.ie or email info@brigidsway.ieSt Declan’s Way, Tipperary/Waterford(April/May)St Declan's WayIf you can’t make it into the Irish countryside for Pilgrim Paths Week, fear not.
Source:The Irish Times
March 16, 2026 14:57 UTC
Why Bruno Fernandes does NOT deserve Footballer of the Year despite stellar season
It is some turnaround, another stellar season and, as a colleague wrote after the Villa game, where would United be without him? Surely an Arsenal player has to win if they win the title. It has to be about a player making an impact to help his team win a trophy. Over the course of the season, Guehi looks a great choice. Great player, has set a great example and has taken his performances to a new level.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 16, 2026 14:49 UTC
Oscars 2026: The full list of winners
A night of big wins and historic moments was celebrated at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Kerry’s Jessie Buckley picked up the Academy Award for best actress for her heart-rending performance in Hamnet. Animator Richard Baneham from Dublin was also among the winners on the night as Avatar: Fire and Ash took home the award for Best Visual Effects, marking a third Oscar for Baneham. Daniel Barrett, Eric Saindon, Richard Baneham, and Joe Letteri, winners of the Best Visual Effects award for Avatar: Fire and Ash pose with Sigourney Weaver in the press room during the 98th Oscars. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners and Amy Madigan took Best Supporting Actress for Weapons.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:47 UTC
Ireland can learn from China for MetroLink and Cork Light Rail, says Jerry Buttimer
Photograph: Liu Song/VCG via Getty ImagesIreland can learn from China’s rural transport strategy when it comes to expediting delivery of projects such as MetroLink and Cork Light Rail, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer has said. He said Ireland had been behind the curve in developing infrastructure but that China excelled at rolling out big projects. “They’ve developed a rural transport strategy. They’ve developed a light rail and a rail system that is carbon friendly, that is meeting their climate change commitments,” he told The Irish Times. “We’re now looking at our biggest transport project, the MetroLink, at €8 billion and looking at Cork Light Rail.
Source:The Irish Times
March 16, 2026 14:46 UTC
Cork in control with promotion on the line in Tyrone
There was a first-half Kildare point attempt that he confidently came off his line to catch overhead. In the half-back line, Brian O’Driscoll returned after three games absent — Cork’s running game is stronger for his involvement. The other had arrived a few minutes earlier when it was announced over the tannoy that Louth had downed Derry and Cork were back in control of their promotion push. Scorers for Cork: C Óg Jones (1-9, 2tp); S Sherlock (0-10, 2tp, tp free, 0-1 ‘45); M Cronin (0-4, tp); L Fahy (tp), D Sheedy (tp, 0-3 each); T Walsh, P Walsh (0-1 each). CORK: P Doyle; M Shanley, D O’Mahony, S Brady; B O’Driscoll, T Walsh, L Fahy; C O’Callaghan, I Maguire; P Walsh, D Sheedy, S McDonnell; M Cronin, C Óg Jones, S Sherlock.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:45 UTC
Ronan O'Gara: The Farrell factor with players is Ireland's point of difference
WE watched the Six Nations denouement as a La Rochelle squad on Saturday night, together. One mid-sized room, but if the breadth of emotion therein was a microcosm of the rugby population at large, we have ourselves some ball game. Twenty nine tries were scored on the final day alone, and 111 across the tournament. It didn’t take a diviner to detect that Maro Itoje and England were at it in the Stade de France. I got that same vibe only a couple of months ago when an under-performing Harlequins came to the Stade Deflandre in wretched form.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:43 UTC
Mikel Arteta rules two Arsenal stars out of Bayer Leverkusen clash but gets timely boost
In a boost, however, Leandro Trossard has returned to training and is set to be involved in the round-of-16 clash. Defender Timber came off injured in the first half of Arsenal's dramatic 2-0 win at home to Everton on Saturday. On Trossard, who took part in Monday's training session, the Arsenal manager added: "He's okay, he felt good." Arteta says that Odegaard is 'really pushing' while Timber's injury is a 'matter of days'. The Gunners were below par in the first leg, with Leverkusen opening the scoring early in the second half.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 16, 2026 14:42 UTC
NBA to take major step in expanding to 32 teams with two cities primed to get franchises
The NBA will hold a vote later this month to weigh up adding new teams in both Las Vegas and Seattle. A successful vote will allow the NBA to formally focus on bringing teams to Las Vegas and Seattle, as well as host a bidding process. We are looking at Seattle,' NBA commissioner Adam Silver said before the NBA Cup final in December. 'I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities. 'I don't have any doubt that Las Vegas, despite all of the other major league teams that are here now, the other entertainment properties, that this city could support an NBA team.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:38 UTC
Chelsea handed the Premier League's biggest EVER fine and a suspended transfer ban for rule breaks - but silence remains on Man City's 115 charges
Chelsea have been hit with the Premier League’s largest-ever fine as well as handed a suspended one-year transfer ban for their first team and told they cannot make academy signings for nine months after historical beaches of financial rules. Chelsea’s £10.75m fine beats the Premier League’s previous record of £5.5m issued to West Ham in 2007. Chelsea said in a statement: 'During an extensive Premier League investigation, the club proactively disclosed many thousands of documents. Also, when requests for information were made by the Premier League, the club promptly provided comprehensive responses and facilitated all lines of inquiry to support a complex and extremely thorough process. This information was immediately and proactively self-reported to the Premier League.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:38 UTC
Watch: PBC Cork gearing up for Munster Schools Senior Cup decider with St Munchin's
Video: Chani AndersonPresentation Brothers College head coach Ger Burke and players Ronan Twomey and Frankie Óg Sheahan speak to Stephen Barry ahead of their Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup final clash with St Munchin’s on Wednesday, March 18. Watch exclusive coverage of Pres v Munchin's on Wednesday -- as well as next week's girls decider -- as part of your Irish Examiner subscription. Learn more and watch the game here.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:33 UTC
‘Pintflation’ – the number of drinks the average wage can buy has gone flat
‘Pintflation’ – the number of drinks the average wage can buy has gone flatWe’re three pints of Guinness a year poorer as the Black Stuff price tops €6Why Guinness ‘pintflation’ is hitting drinkers hardCharlie Weston Today at 06:30Stout-price increases have reduced the number of pints of Guinness a person on an average salary can buy.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 14:33 UTC
'A really good feeling, compared to last year' - Ireland U20s rise from wooden spoon to Triple Crown
IRELAND U20 47 SCOTLAND U20 14From wooden spooners to Triple Crown winners, Ireland head coach Andrew Browne’s delight after this final-round Under-20 Six Nations victory focused on the trio of players who had suffered alongside him during a last-place finish in 2025. It also delivered a Triple Crown but was not quite enough to steal the trophy away from defending champions France, who had run out 50-21 winners over the Irish in Perpignan on the opening night of the 2026 championship. Just as Andy Farrell’s senior squad rebounded from a heavy loss in Paris last month, the U20s completed a trophy-winning comeback to make it a second Triple Crown of the weekend with a big victory over their Scottish counterparts aside in a dominant performance at Virgin Media Park. Seven tries, six of them converted by man of the match and Munster academy fly-half Wood, capped a ruthless performance. Head coach Browne was more than happy with the Triple Crown, though, and he told the Irish Examiner: “It's a really good feeling, compared to the feeling I had this time last year, which was probably the lowest feeling I've ever had in rugby.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:32 UTC