As oil prices surge, experts say renewables could shield Ireland from future shocks
Surging oil and gas prices triggered by the war in the Middle East have renewed calls from policymakers and energy experts to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Ireland. The war has created what the International Energy Agency (IEA) described as the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”, sending crude prices above $100 per barrel (up from around $70 before the war) and sharply raising fuel prices in Ireland. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman and the United Arab Emirates, which carries around a fifth of the world’s daily oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, has slowed dramatically since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, with the conflict spreading across the region and disrupting production in several Gulf states. Last Thursday, Climate Minister Darragh O’Brien said expanding domestic renewable energy capacity would be critical to protecting Irish consumers from volatile global fuel markets.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 13:24 UTC
Letters: Some eulogies may go too far, but they can still fulfil an important function
Having read Lorraine Courtney’s article on eulogies and why they should be banned (‘It’s time to ban eulogies outright – funerals are not an open-mic night’, Irish Independent, March 13), I feel compelled to respond. I have no doubt Ms Connolly was speaking for the vast majority of people in what she said in her International Women’s Day statement. However, I have to agree with Ms Carey when she says it was not Ms Connolly’s role to say it. I totally agree with Ms Connolly highlighting the importance of international law, but I would like to ask her: Is the Irish Constitution not important? She goes on to say that Ms Connolly has made that job harder.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 13:20 UTC
Oscars 2026 in pictures: Stars on the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards
Nominees and stars dazzle on Oscars red carpetFor Hollywood’s biggest night, celebrities pay as much attention to their red-carpet attire as their speeches. It’s a night to leave a mark not just on Hollywood but on best-dressed lists and even make fashion history. Renate Reinsve in a classic red Louis Vuitton strapless dress with a high side slit (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Demi Moore arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)Zoe Saldana was among the early arrivals (Gregory Bull/AP)Rose Byrne brought old Hollywood glamour to the carpet in a chic custom black Dior gown embroidered with colourful beaded flowers. Rose Byrne in a strapless black fishtail gown by Dior (Gregory Bull/AP)Best supporting actress nominee Elle Fanning graces the red carpet (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Leonardo DiCaprio arrives at the Dolby Theatre (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Audrey Nuna on the red carpet (Gregory Bull/AP)Timothee Chalamet poses for cameras (Gregory Bull/AP)Wagner Moura is nominated in the best actor category for The Secret Agent (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 13:19 UTC
Arsenal sent Premier League title race warning as two defining fixtures picked out
Arsenal sent Premier League title race warning as two defining fixtures picked outTHE BIG DEBATE: It was another thrilling weekend in the title race, as Arsenal moved nine points clear of Manchester City after contrasting results for the two contendersView 5 Images Arsenal and Manchester City are still battling (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)At 7:15pm on Saturday, it all felt so different. Thanks to cup competitions and the international break, it's almost a month until the title race resumes, leaving time for plenty of debate. We asked the Mirror Football team: is the title race over? Is the Premier League title race over? Because it pretty much WAS a title-winning moment, especially when Manchester City then laboured to a draw at West Ham.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 16, 2026 13:12 UTC
Is Antarctica's Doomsday Glacier about to COLLAPSE? Shocking study predicts Thwaites could shed 200 gigatonnes of ice per year by 2067 – with devastating consequences
Antarctica's Doomsday Glacier could 'snowball' towards collapse, as a study shows the ice is melting faster than expected. That is more than the current ice loss of the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet, which has been losing 150 gigatonnes of ice per year for the last two decades. Scientists say that West Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier could lose 200 megatonnes of ice every year by 2067, as a study shows the glacier is melting faster than expected. Pictured: Maps showing models of ice loss speed on the Thwaites GlacierThe Thwaites Glacier is one of the most important bodies of ice in the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet. Thwaites Glacier – which is around the size of Great Britain or the US state of Florida – has been nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 13:10 UTC
Ask Allison: I’m recently married and I'm an average weight – but I keep getting asked publicly about my size and if I’m pregnant. Help!
Ask Allison: I’m recently married and I'm an average weight – but I keep getting asked publicly about my size and if I’m pregnant. Psychologist Allison Keating answers your queries about life and relationshipsYour first year or so of marriage should be a time of joy and happiness. Photo: GettyAllison Keating Today at 06:30Question: Hi Allison, I was hoping for some advice. I’m absolutely sick of people (particularly men) commenting on my weight and whether I’m pregnant or not.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 13:02 UTC
Successful biodiversity walk in Tullamore for National Tree Week
Attendees at Saturday's biodiversity walk, led by Richard Jack, in Tullamore's Lloyd Town Park. Successful biodiversity walk in Tullamore for National Tree WeekOn Saturday last, March 14, more than 45 people from Offaly, other parts of Ireland, and other parts of the world attended a walking tour in Tullamore's Lloyd Town Park, entitled 'A look beyond the trees (to small features of biodiversity)'. Richard Jack led the participants on their ramble through the park, which was organised as part of National Tree Week. The beautiful sunshine in the fresh spring air made the walk even more enjoyable. He showed attendees lichens that grow on trees in the park; a lichen is an algae and a fungus living together.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 12:49 UTC
Man taken to hospital following road collision in the county
A man was brought to hospital as a precaution following a road collision earlier today in the county. Roscommon Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a two-car road traffic collision at Ballymurray, which occurred shortly after 10:00am this morning. A man, aged in his 40s, was taken to hospital as a precaution. No other injuries are reported at this time.
Source:The Herald
March 16, 2026 12:47 UTC
Savings rate falls as incomes stay flat in fourth quarter of 2025
Flat incomes and higher consumer expenditure during the final months in 2025 led to a decline in the country’s household savings rate, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows. Between October and December, the seasonally adjusted household saving rate was 12.4%, the equivalent of €1 saved for every €8 of household disposable income. According to the CSO, in the fourth quarter of 2025, household consumption was up 2% — compared to the previous quarter — while incomes were largely flat, down 0.1%. “The saving rate tends to be more variable in quarter four each year due to additional household spending at Christmas. The provisional 2025 saving rate was 13.6%, similar to 2024 and higher than 2023,” he said.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 12:44 UTC
Pep Guardiola reveals reasons behind surprising decision to give Man City stars the day off ahead of Champions League second leg against Real Madrid
Pep Guardiola has taken the surprise step of affording Manchester City's stars the day off before they play Real Madrid in a bid to clear their minds. ‘The way you play is as much about the mentality being strong and if you don't play good,’ Guardiola said. ‘If you are weaker then you don’t play good. We were in Madrid, travel here, day after here no training, went to London, arrived back here on Sunday at 2.30am. City went on to hammer the Germans 4-1, Phil Foden scoring a brace either side of half-time.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 12:33 UTC
Story of St Patrick ‘a reminder of the courage of migrants’ – Irish president
Catherine Connolly used her first St Patrick’s Day message to celebrate migrants and warn against the “normalisation of war” ahead of Irish premier Micheal Martin’s meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday. A week ago she criticised the “deliberate assaults on international law” in the Middle East and said the UN charter “cannot be ignored”. In her St Patrick’s Day message on Monday, Ms Connolly said the young man who would become Saint Patrick was trafficked across the Irish Sea from Britain in the fifth century. “The story of Patrick’s life serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of migrants, the invaluable contributions that they have made, and continue to make, to the countries they now call home, sometimes even in the face of great adversity,” she said. Catherine Connolly wtih Taoiseach Micheal Martin (PA)“As we recall the life of Patrick, we invoke his spirit and acknowledge our shared responsibilities as global citizens.
Source:The Herald
March 16, 2026 12:16 UTC
Named: The only TWO progressive top PL teams, Wayne Rooney loses his Anthony Gordon row and my surprising six Player of the Year contenders: IAN LADYMAN on My Premier League Weekend
In third, United have been impressive and at times now play the best looking attacking football in the Premier League. The Premier League is likely to be awarded its fifth Champions League spot on the back of historical performances by its clubs in Europe. If the Premier League doesn't end up with the fifth spot then it will go to LaLiga or the Bundesliga. Sometimes it's worth reminding ourselves just how incredible some of Guardiola's great City teams were. There were only two Saturday 3pm Premier League games this weekend.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 12:02 UTC
Remote working legislation ‘a lame duck’, senior Fórsa official tells conference
On remote working, the Fórsa union says its preference is to bypass legislation and deal with the issue through collective bargaining. Fórsa’s deputy general secretary and head of Civil Service, Éamonn Donnelly, told a conference that the union’s preference was to bypass the legislation and deal with the issue in collective bargaining with employers. Remote and hybrid working, she said, continues to be seen by employers as an aid to recruitment and retention as it is “very good for employee relations”. But they also have to think about mentorship, the supervision of younger workers and how that can be developed with hybrid working. “An absolute massive priority is nailing down and securing flexible working patterns and blended working,” he said.
Source:The Irish Times
March 16, 2026 12:01 UTC
‘I prefer investing in things I can see and touch. Linen feels safer than bitcoin’
Feast and famine are part of the financial rhythm, but I’ll happily spend money on theatre, cinema or a good exhibition. I was a receptionist in Hallmark Cards during art college, back when card shops were social hubs and people still wrote letters. I can’t remember the wage, but I do remember thinking I was terribly sophisticated, earning my own money and grateful for every pound. I wouldn’t say major regrets but, like everyone, I’ve bought things in the past I didn’t really need. I prefer investing in things I can see and touch.
Source:The Irish Times
March 16, 2026 12:01 UTC