Children's creativity shouldn’t be left to a once-a-year celebration
Each June, children and young people across Ireland take part in Cruinniú na nÓg — a national day of free creativity for under-18s. Ireland is the first, and still the only, country in the world to dedicate a national day entirely to children’s creativity. They remind us of what young people are capable of when creativity is given time, space, and encouragement. Perhaps the real challenge is not simply to celebrate creativity for one day each year. If Cruinniú na nÓg shows us anything, it is that creativity is not an optional extra in children’s lives.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:56 UTC
‘Rather than rage, humanity’: James Nesbitt on working with families of the Disappeared – The Irish Times
The remains of four – Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire – have yet to be recovered. “In all of my conversations and experience with the Disappeared over the years since 2000,” says Nesbitt, “all of it is ultimately about humanity. Photograph: Nick BradshawBut, says Nesbitt, “it was a story, unbelievably, of hope and [a] kind of resolution”. Actor James Nesbitt in Belfast: 'I think certainly I was losing track of myself.' Nesbitt recites the names of the others: Lisa Dorrian, Seamus Maguire, Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 01:32 UTC
Former Dublin lord mayor leaves estate of €1.9m, probate records show
Former Dublin lord mayor Michael Donnelly left an estate valued at €1.9 million when he died in December 2024, according to papers published by the Probate Office. He was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985 and remained a member until he lost his seat in 2009. From 1990 to 1991 he held the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin. In addition to serving at Dublin City Council he was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1977 to 1981. In other grants of probate, Dr Donal J Cotter of Temple Gardens, Dartry, Dublin, left an estate valued at €3.83 million when he died in June 2024, in his 99th year.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 01:31 UTC
Martin Lewis warns against one 'demon appliance' that is spiking energy bills
Martin Lewis warns against one 'demon appliance' that is spiking energy billsThe Money Saving Expert has issued a warning to the publicView Image The finance reporter has some advice for households across the country (Image: inyourArea)Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has warned the public about a "demon appliance" that is one of the biggest energy consumers in the home. In a previous episode of his BBC Radio 5 podcast, Mr. Lewis provided advice amidst rising energy bills, as reported in the Mirror. You're typically paying up to a quid per load so dry your clothes on an airer outside, to shorten the amount of time you're using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. In a previous episode of his BBC podcast, Mr. Lewis suggested that households consider installing reflective panels behind radiators. Article continues belowHe explained: "A tip for you reflective panels behind radiators.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 23, 2026 01:29 UTC
'All of the lengths' Margaret Loftus went through believed to be catalyst for Fiosrú unit
“Trevor Bolger’s case is an example of all of the lengths Margaret Loftus had to go through for a three-month suspended sentence. Ms Loftus’s case is believed to have been the catalyst for the establishment of the unit within Fiosrú. Ms Bacik says she is horrified to hear of cases of domestic violence not being taken seriously. She feels that a domestic violence order she had in place has not been able to protect her — and neither were gardaí. How is it going to help change cultural responses to domestic violence and attitudes to women who come forward and report?
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:08 UTC
'All the advice about having rhythms and routines — none made any difference' for child avoiding school
Autism diagnosisFiona wouldn’t have known it at the time, but she would later be threatened with prosecution over her son’s school attendance. A sharp rise in daily absences post-pandemic sparked a renewed focus here on school attendance. However, research from Britain indicates that there is a very common link between school attendance problems, emotional distress, and neurodiversity. School 'distress' over 'avoidance'Sinéad Mullally, a lecturer in neuropsychology at Newcastle University, advocates for the term “school distress” instead of “school avoidance”. Like Ireland, there has been a renewed interest in school attendance in Britain following the pandemic.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:08 UTC
Ultra-competitive Kate O’Connor lets latest achievement on world stage sink in slowly
It’s only the 12th Irish medal won at these championships since 1987, Derval O’Rourke being the last athlete before O’Connor, winning gold in the 60m hurdles back in 2006. “And I think younger Kate would have carried a lot of disappointment into the shot, and then probably not performed. Ireland’s Kate O’Connor celebrates with gold medal winner Sofie Dokter of the Netherlands, silver medal winner Anna Hall of the USA and Poland’s Adrianna Sułek-Schubert after the 800m, the final event in the pentathlon. The 31-year-old had made two World Indoor finals before, and Lavin didn’t conceal her disappointment. It really did hit me in the call room, looking around, these are the best athletes in the world.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 01:08 UTC
An Iranian woman’s war diary: 'The news called it carpet bombing'
As an Iranian, seeing that image was the hardest thing I could witness. Finally, out of millions of configurations, proxies, and VPNs, one worked, and I connected to the internet for a few minutes. Karaj and Tehran endured the hardest night of the war that night. If it weren’t for the Iranian sense of humor, we would probably all have been hospitalized in an asylum. I think about the fact that we didn’t come here to die; we didn’t come for war.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:06 UTC
Irish Examiner view: Is the US no longer a democracy?
But, last week, one of the most credible global sources on the health of democratic nations declared that America is no longer rated as one of them. The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute in Gothenburg University in Sweden delivered this alarming conclusion in its annual report. And yet, a catch-up campaign utilising the meningitis B vaccine is not planned for Ireland. Here in Ireland, the meningitis B vaccine has only been offered for babies and young children since 2016. On this basis alone, the authorities here should seriously consider their position on meningitis B vaccinations.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:06 UTC
Excise duty and levy cuts set to be agreed on to help with fuel prices
Government leaders will meet on Monday night to agree on a slate of supports to help with rising fuel prices. Prices at the pump have jumped sharply since the outbreak of war in Iran, increasing pressure on the Government to act to ease the pressure on motorists. It is also believed that a cut to the National Oil Reserve Agency (Nora) levy from two cent a litre to one cent has been considered. In a statement over the weekend, Mr Harris said the war has already impacted Ireland's finances. He said that he expects the economy "to continue to grow this year, albeit at a slower pace than previously envisaged".
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:06 UTC
Hacker group behind Stryker attack forced to 'reorganise' after key figures killed in military action
Irish intelligence officials believe the Iranian-backed hacker group behind the cyberattack on global med tech company Stryker, which has more than 5,000 employees in Ireland, is having to “reorganise” after two of its key figures were killed in US and Israeli military action. Stryker, which has more than 56,000 employees worldwide, was hit by the group on March 11. Intelligence officials believe it is likely that further incidents, including the targeting of US multinationals, will happen. The Handala attack disabled all remote devices connected to Stryker IT systems, affecting all employees and customer digital ordering systems. The US has been blamed for the attack, and a preliminary US military investigation has reportedly determined this to be correct.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:02 UTC
There’s a ‘sense of belonging, fun, possibility, and excitement’ in Cork’s Field of Dreams
The Field of Dreams in Curraheen was established by a group of parents, under the guidance of Down Syndrome Cork, in 2017. The chairperson of Down Syndrome Cork, Tara Casserly, said the Field of Dreams is a place where all children want to go. “As soon as any of our kids comes through here, there is just such a sense of belonging, a sense of fun, possibility, and excitement,” Ms Casserly told the Irish Examiner. What the Field of Dreams is for me, and for a lot of other families, is hope,” Ms Casserly said. Ms Casserly said learning for a small child, “especially a child with special needs,” is a lot of their life.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 01:00 UTC
Video of Justin Timberlake’s DWI arrest released despite his attempt to block it
The police officer had flagged down a 2025 BMW as it cruised through the mansion-lined village of Sag Harbor. [ Justin Timberlake reveals Lyme disease diagnosisOpens in new window ]Justin Timberlake was fined by a court after pleading guilty to impaired driving. Nor could the Law Office of Vincent Toomey, which represented Sag Harbor in the proceedings. Soon after, while reading a report with details about his arrest, Timberlake makes an apparent joke about his race. [ Justin Timberlake pleads guilty to impaired driving following arrest in JuneOpens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 00:46 UTC
MAC entices staff to transform into TikTok live shopping hosts
Those who become faces of the live channel will be offered a percentage of any sale that they drive on TikTok Shop. MAC is kitting out its UK shops with mini studios (MAC Cosmetics/PA)MAC, which is part of the Estee Lauder group of beauty brands, said the first live shopping show will stream from its Carnaby Street store in London. It is hoping that tapping into social media shoppers will also bring more people into its more than 230 standalone shops and concessions. Sara Staniford, the vice president and general manager of MAC in the UK and Ireland, said: “MAC has always been driven by our artists and the communities they create. “TikTok Shop gives us an exciting new way to celebrate that creativity and connect with beauty lovers in real time.
Source:The Herald
March 23, 2026 00:45 UTC
Alan Shearer lists everything wrong with Liverpool in 'obvious' scathing assessment
Alan Shearer lists everything wrong with Liverpool in 'obvious' scathing assessmentLiverpool suffered another Premier League defeat to Brighton, and Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer was scathing in his criticism of Arne Slot's sideView 2 Images Alan Shearer offered a scathing assessment (Image: Match of the Day)Alan Shearer has launched a blistering attack on Liverpool's players after their Premier League loss to Brighton. The Match of the Day analyst observed that Liverpool lacked any cutting edge in attack following Hugo Ekitike's early withdrawal through injury. Inside Premier League chiefs meeting days after Chelsea punishments and what went down READ MORE :FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Article continues belowSky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 23, 2026 00:42 UTC