Leinster out to make move at top of the URC table as they take on leaders Glasgow
Hugo Keenan will make his first appearance of the season for Leinster's trip to play URC leaders Glasgow on Saturday. Nevertheless, this clash between the champions of the last two seasons could well have significant repercussions in the knock-out stages. What we learned from their Six Nations campaign Listen | 41:37Glasgow remain leaders but that defeat has had a concertina effect on the top of the table, with Leinster down to fourth but just four points behind the Warriors. former Scotland Under-20s captain Johnny Ventisei will make his Glasgow debut at outside centre. GLASGOW: Josh McKay; Kyle Rowe, Johnny Ventisei, Stafford McDowall, Ollie Smith; Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston, Fin Richardson; Alex Craig, Alex Samuel; Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Macenzie Duncan.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 17:26 UTC
BTS return from hiatus with new album Arirang and world tour
BTS will kick off the tour with a concert on April 9th in the South Korean city of Goyang . More than three years later, they are reuniting to embark on a world tour to showcase their new album Arirang. BTS will kick off their 82-date world tour in April, beginning in Goyang, which will be shown in cinemas across the world, beforing taking to stages across Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Australia. They’re in this for the long run, he said, and the Gwanghwamun Square concert is only the beginning of a brand new BTS era. The Gwanghwamun Square concert will be live-streamed on Netflix on March 21st at 11am Irish time, with a new Netflix documentary titled BTS: The Return, releasing on Friday, March 27th.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 17:25 UTC
Esker Arts residency artist to discuss her work
Margo McNultyEsker Arts residency artist to discuss her workRoscommon artist Margo McNulty, who is currently exhibiting at Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore, will discuss her work with curator Catherine Marshall on Saturday, March 21. The event, 'In Conversation: Margo McNulty and Catherine Marshall', will cover the current 'From the Earth' exhibition, Margo’s wider practice and the experience of her Studio Residency at Esker Arts. Originally from Achill Island, Margo McNulty studied Fine Art in Galway and completed her Masters in NCAD, Dublin. Earlier this year, she was awarded the Esker Arts Studio Residency, and this exhibition marks the culmination of that residency. Admission to the in conversation event, at 2pm, on Saturday, March 21, is free but booking online at eskerarts.ie is advised.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 17:20 UTC
Chuck Norris, prolific action star and martial arts champion, dies aged 86
American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris has died aged 86, his family has confirmed. In a post on Norris’s Instagram account, his family said: “It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace. “To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. Norris also had a daughter called Dina from an extramarital relationship during his time in the US Air Force.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 17:15 UTC
Video: Ronnie O'Sullivan reacts to his record-breaking 153 break
Video: Ronnie O'Sullivan makes HISTORY with snooker's highest ever break - before celebrating with a hilariously laid-back video messageRonnie O'Sullivan reacts to his record-breaking 153 break
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 17:02 UTC
‘Proud and privileged to call her one of our own’
FAMILY members at the funeral of the much-loved singer Dolores Keane. Photo: Ray Ryan‘Proud and privileged to call her one of our own’Huge crowds attend celebration of life of Dolores Keane“WE were proud and privileged to call her one of our own” were the words of Parish Priest Fr Dixy Faber at the funeral Mass of the late folk singer Dolores Keane in the small church in Kilcoona this afternoon. President Catherine Connolly arrives for the funeral of singer Dolores Keane at Kilcoona Church. “The heavenly choir has only got better,” quipped Fr Peter Gannon, a long-time friend of the Keane family. In an emotional address to those gathered, Matt Keane said Dolores’ story will be told hundreds of times and they are grateful that she will be remembered.
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 16:51 UTC
Pep Guardiola confirms Carabao Cup final selection decision two days before game
Pep Guardiola confirms Carabao Cup final selection decision two days before gameManchester City take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday and boss Pep Guardiola has already confirmed who will play in goal against the GunnersView 2 Images Pep Guardiola has spoken ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final vs Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will play in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. Trafford, 23, has played a supporting role for City this season following his return to the club from Burnley in the summer. He has made just 12 appearances in all competitions so far, with Gianluigi Donnarumma being preferred but Guardiola has confirmed that the England man will play this weekend. Trafford has played every minute of City’s Carabao Cup campaign so far this season, a run that is set to extend at Wembley. Being there [Wembley] is a big opportunity because you don't know when it's going to happen again.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 20, 2026 16:47 UTC
Newcastle Confidential Q&A: How bad is Sandro Tonali's injury and does he REALLY want out? Will Howe cut his losses with Nick Woltemade? What's the latest on Tino Livramento's contract? Who are we sco
That has formed the basis for a lot of the questions you have sent in for this week’s Newcastle Confidential. (Bronto1) and..What’s the word around selling Nick Woltemade and/or Wissa this summer? I don’t think there would be any market for Wissa this summer, especially not given the £55million Newcastle paid for him. Still, Newcastle need cover and depth in the position. But dealing with more realistic swing factors, Newcastle need to make off-field progress and improve the optics around the direction of the club under PIF.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 16:44 UTC
Information event on free, fast surgery in Northern Ireland
Information event on free, fast surgery in Northern IrelandKingsbridge Private Hospital is hosting a free information event on Saturday, March 21, in the DBC Athlone: Chartered Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine Clinic. The event, which takes place from 10am to 4pm, will allow locals learn how to access world-class medical treatment in Northern Ireland - fully reimbursed by the HSE. Through the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS), patients living in the Republic of Ireland can receive medical treatment in Northern Ireland and claim 100% reimbursement from the HSE for approved surgeries such as hip and knee replacements, ACL repairs, gallbladder removals, hysterectomies, and more. “This data shows a major gap in awareness around cross-border healthcare,” said Mark Regan, CEO of Kingsbridge Healthcare Group. It’s life-changing for so many families.”Kingsbridge Healthcare Group is the largest private healthcare provider in Northern Ireland with over 600 consultants, four hospitals, 17 theatres and 70 inpatient beds across more than 70,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 16:35 UTC
Major Lincoln housing plans likely to fall through
Major Lincoln housing plans likely to fall throughIt would have been a big change for the area, but planning permission is set to lapse within daysView 2 Images The apartment block was granted permission in 2022Plans for a five-storey apartment building in the heart of Lincoln seem unlikely to go ahead with days until planning permission expires. The application by developer Sarwar Aziz was narrowly granted by City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee in 2022, with hopes of regenerating the area. The building – which has had the Carpets 4 Less branding removed – is now being marketed to let by Savills. Developers are usually expected to contribute towards local schools, NHS services and affordable housing in the area. City of Lincoln Council had recommended that £1.2million be put towards affordable housing, £11,000 for education, £17,000 for the NHS and £38,000 for open spaces.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 20, 2026 16:34 UTC
Met Éireann predicts ‘wintry’ conditions next week with near gale-force winds
Near gale-force winds are forecast for parts of the country next weekNear gale-force winds in some areas and “wintry” conditions are forecast for next week, following what will largely be a warm and sunny weekend, according to Met Éireann. Temperatures are expected to range from 11 to 17 degrees amid spells of sunshine, the forecaster said. Outbreaks of rain, turning heavy at times, are forecast for Tuesday, with sunny spells and widespread showers following. It is set to be a “blustery day” with strong to “near gale-force” winds expected in western coastal areas. Despite this, there will be a “good deal of dry weather with sunny spells”, though highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees are expected.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 16:33 UTC
New Australia-EU trade deal may be sealed by next week
Photograph: Getty ImagesA new trade deal between the EU and Australia could be agreed as early as next week, opening the prospect of further competition for Irish farmers due to imports of meat. The Government, which opposed the recent Mercosur agreement with South American companies, will support the Australian deal, according to several people familiar with the issue. Thousands of farmers from across Ireland turned out to protest the EU-Mercosur trade deal in Athlone. The IFA mounted a large campaign against the Mercosur deal, pressuring the Government to vote against it, though it was approved by a majority vote. Sources in Government say that, having opposed Mercosur, Dublin could not credibly stand against another trade deal.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 16:31 UTC
Lemanaghan bog heritage group hits out at 'misleading' description
A large group of local people gathered in 2021 in the shadow of the historic St Manchan’s in Lemanaghan to protest at plans by Bord na Móna to build a wind farm in Lemanaghan bogLemanaghan bog heritage group hits out at 'misleading' descriptionOpponents of a plan to build a wind farm on the historic landscape of Lemanaghan Bog in West Offaly have described as “misleading” their characterisation as a “small opposition group” by proposers of the project. The remarks were made in January 2025 at a meeting between the joint developers of the major energy project, Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables, and officials from An Coimisiún Pleanála. The project has since been designated as a Strategic Infrastructure Prohect (SID) which allows it to bypass the Offaly County Council planning process and proceed directly to the State planning board. Responding to the remarks about their campaign of opposition to the proposed wind farm project, the members of the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group pointed to the fact that “over 2,000 submissions” were made to Offaly County Council calling for the removal of the zoning of Lemanaghan Bog as an area open to consideration for wind energy. The Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group, which has spearheaded a vigorous campaign of opposition to plans for the construction of a wind farm on the historic bog, claims that, for many people in the local commmunity, Lemanaghan is “not simply a tract of bogland” but as a“sacred historic landscape, containing over a thousand years of history, tradition, and archaeology.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 16:20 UTC
'The games come thick and fast, it is tough going' — Moran
“We know that we’ll be playing a really good Sligo team. They played some really good games in the Leinster Development League. “We’ve had five challenge games against really good teams. You don’t know really where you’re at properly until you get stuck into the championship. “The games come thick and fast, it is tough going.
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 16:17 UTC
Pollen Forecast for Ireland: What Allergy Sufferers Can Expect This Weekend
Pollen Forecast for Ireland: What Allergy Sufferers Can Expect This WeekendFor many of us, the last few days have been a welcome break from the blustery, cold and wet weather, but for others the dry days may pose a risk. Met Éireann have released a forecast for the weekend ahead, which will be mainly dry, but as always when spring comes running in so do higher pollen levels. Tree Pollen is on the rise, with Alder, Cypress and Yew trees releasing pollen into the air, and these trees are usually first to start pollinating in the Spring. The overall risk for most of the country over the next few days is moderate, but this may still pose a significant challenge to people with respiratory illnesses or hay fever. Below is Met Éireann’s graph showcasing the affected areas and the pollen level:
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 16:07 UTC