The Irish Times view on one-off housing: planning for failure – The Irish Times
The Murrays mounted series of appeals to keep the 6,220 sq ft home after ‘wilful breach’ of planning laws. Two decades ago, Chris and Rose Murray were refused planning permission to build a 283 square metre house on a site in Bohermeen, Co Meath. In recent days, Rose Murray has characterised that decision as a “mistake”, which seems something of an understatement. A substantial portion of Ireland’s “rural” population consists of urban workers who have chosen, or been priced into, dispersed countryside living, producing a level of exurban sprawl largely unseen elsewhere in Europe. That a council had to pursue proceedings through every tier of the courts over two decades gives a dispiriting measure of how underpowered Ireland’s planning enforcement regime remains.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:30 UTC
The Godfather 3 actress Bridget Fonda, 62, looks thinner than ever as she continues to rapidly lose weight
Bridget Fonda showed off her slimmed down physique as she stepped out to run errands in Los Angeles on Thursday. Fonda had a trace of a smile and her composure was one of self-assurance, no doubt due in part to her tremendous weight loss. The Daily Mail spoke to a nutritionist in February about the ways in which the one-time A-lister could have dropped the weight. The newfound confidence has reportedly inspired the star - whose father was the late Peter Fonda and whose aunt is Jane Fonda - to consider a Hollywood comeback. The last time Fonda appeared on the screen was in the 2002 made-for-television film Snow Queen.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 21:24 UTC
Wine is better for you than beer or spirits, experts discover
Whether it's counting how many calories or carbohydrates are in each drink, the debate on whether wine is better for you than beer has long rumbled on. It was uncovered that wine drinkers are at a 'significantly lower risk of death' than those who prefer to reach for a beer, cider or even spirits. Prof Chen added: 'Even low to moderate intake of spirits, beer or cider is linked to higher mortality, while low to moderate intake of wine may carry lower risk.' It was found that numerous lifestyle factors could have impacted the results, however, with wine drinkers typically associated with healthier diets and higher levels of wealth. Furthermore, wine drinkers were more likely to consume their alcohol with meals, which is seen as a healthier habit, while spirits, cider and beer drinkers did not.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 21:23 UTC
Down River With Daniel Sperry: Previewing Sporting KC Colorado Rapids
Sporting KC forward Calvin Harris #11 stands during the national anthem at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on March 14, 2026. Kansas City, Kan.- Tomorrow Colorado Rapids travel to Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting Kansas City. Despite an obviously low number of players, Sporting has chosen to emphasize getting it right rather than flooding and seeing what sticks. The simple thought on this team right now is that they certainly are all pulling in a singular direction. BW: The other DP on the roster right now is Manu García.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 21:12 UTC
Cork hurlers make seven changes, none for Rebel footballers in promotion chase
Cork have made seven changes for Saturday evening's final round National Hurling League clash with Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Niall O'Leary, Seán O'Donoghue, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman, team captain Darragh Fitzgibbon, Hugh O'Connor, and Alan Connolly are those to come in while Eoin Roche, Daire O'Leary, Ger Millerick, Micheál Mullins, Damien Cahalane, Shane Kingston and Alan Walsh are those to drop out from the team which lost to Limerick last time out.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:06 UTC
Restaurant review: I'm still reeling from my visit to the brilliant Ox in Belfast
Leslie Williams: "There is an almost austere simplicity about the room with bare brick painted white, a stained wood floor and blonde wood tables, but thanks to good lighting and friendly, efficient staff, it still feels warm and welcoming."
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:05 UTC
‘Reborn’: Athlone woman's relief after diagnosis
Athlone native Leah Moloney underwent a laparoscopy, a keyhole surgical procedure which is currently the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis. For one in ten women in Ireland, chronic, undiagnosed pain caused by endometriosis is a harsh and often hidden reality. Endometriosis causes tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, to grow in places where it doesn’t belong. She also began experiencing symptoms similar to urinary tract infections, including a constant urge to urinate and painful pressure in her bladder. Work was extremely difficult.”There is currently no cure for endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 21:03 UTC
See inside Ireland’s newest five-star hotel in Galway ahead of May opening
See inside Ireland’s newest five-star hotel in Galway ahead of May openingThe Hawthorn by Galway Bay is a €60m development bringing together luxury hospitality, championship golf and a destination-level spaInside Galway’s newest luxury hotel set to shake up the Irish five-star marketMolly Cantwell Today at 16:00The luxury hotel scene in Ireland is set for a shake-up this May, when Ireland’s newest five-star hotel located in Oranmore, Galway, opens its doors.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 21:01 UTC
'We never leave them alone': How Cork's search and recovery group helps families find closure after tragedies
Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery group is based at the bottom of Horgan’s Quay. David Varian briefing fellow volunteers inside the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery base on Horgan’s Quay. Dinny Kiely has been with the Search and Recovery Group for nearly 25 years, since its inception in 2001. Firefighters by day and volunteers by night, Eoghan Cahill and Ben O’Flynn prepare a search boat at the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery base. Picture: Chani AndersonCustom dry suits hang ready for use inside the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery base on Horgan’s Quay.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:00 UTC
Dolores Keane will forever be the sound of the second time continuity and change coincided in Ireland
But there is something more than that about Dolores Keane, as though her voice entered the groundwater of my being and circulates there still. For me, Dolores Keane is the sound of that moment where change and continuity overlapped. Running through this “world music” sound, its dominant strain that gives it structure and meaning, is the unmistakeable current of Caherlistrane. It would be more accurate to say that the old world was still alive and kicking, while a new world was already flourishing. Ireland has experienced it twice, and for me Dolores Keane will forever be the sound of the second time.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 20:55 UTC
Niall Horan dodges Amanda Holden's question as she asks if he plans to propose to girlfriend Amelia Woolley after revealing his entire album is about her
Niall Horan dodged Amanda Holden's question as she asked if he plans to propose to his girlfriend Amelia Woolley. Niall recently announced he is releasing his fourth studio album, Dinner Party - and the entire album is about Amelia. Joining Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on Friday, Niall shared how the album was inspired by the night he and Amelia met at a dinner party. But he became cagey when Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda asked if he has plans to propose to Amelia anytime soon. 'No, I'm just saying just think about it,' Amanda said, with Jamie jumping in to ask: 'Amanda is saying should she buy a hat?'
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 20:53 UTC
Luke Littler learning ‘not to react’ after silencing crowd with Dublin comeback
While the biggest jeers of the night were reserved for Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock, whose every throw was booed as his miserable Premier League form continued, Littler also drew the ire of the crowd. “In the first game against (Stephen) Bunting I didn’t give anything to the fans, I didn’t give any reaction and got the job done. But asked what was going through his mind when trailing 5-0 to Price, Littler said: “I’m out the game, I’m gone. “It’s not going to plan with Josh but he definitely deserves to be here,” Littler added. “Hopefully Josh can get a grip off the format and the Premier League very soon.”
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 20:50 UTC
Children and young people face a ‘truly toxic online landscape’, doctors warn
Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty ImagesChildren and young people face a “truly toxic online landscape” due to the mix of certain features of social media apps, algorithms and the ubiquity of smartphones, doctors have warned. Prof Matthew Sadlier, vice-president and chair of the consultants’ committee of the medical organisation, said social media apps offer easy access to unconnected users, including children. “We are living in an age of almost non-existent social media regulation, which has created a truly toxic online landscape. “It is ironic that, having been marketed as useful, positive platforms to stay connected with friends and family, social media apps are exposing young people to a wide range of harms including addictive algorithms, sexual violence and gambling,” Sadlier added. “The Government must act to safeguard people from this type of content by introducing far stricter online regulation.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 20:45 UTC
Blind woman claims she wasn’t told home of 34 years will be demolished for MetroLink
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has been hit with a discrimination complaint alleging it failed to inform a blind woman her home will be demolished to make way for MetroLink. Residents of 25-36 Townsend Street in Dublin received information packs from TII last Thursday advising them Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) had been issued in respect of their homes. received an information pack from TII regarding a CPO that had been issued for the purchase of our homes. I did not receive an information pack or any communication whatsoever from TII,” she said. “MetroLink is currently in the process of issuing thousands of information packs to impacted residents, with staggered distribution taking place this week and next,” he added.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 20:38 UTC