Sinn Féin’s merchandising arm donates €205,000 to party in Belfast
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and former party President Gerry Adams in the Sinn Féin shop in Dublin. All the parties receive funding from the State, while Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland also receives funding from the UK. The money was declared by Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland in 13 payments between April 2019 and July 2023, said the commission. Mr Dollard, who lived in Kilkenny, and Mr Hampton, left their bequests to Sinn Féin in Dublin, but the money was accepted by Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland. There are restrictions in the Republic on political donations from outside the jurisdiction, but these do not apply to Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 13:31 UTC
Wallabies complete winless tour with defeat in Paris
Photograph: Thibaud Morit/AFP via Getty ImagesFrance 48 Australia 33France beat Australia in a see-saw match at the Stade de France to end the Wallabies’ first winless tour of Europe in 67 years, spoiling Joe Schmidt’s farewell Test. Photograph: Thibaud Moritz/AFP via Getty Images“We’re happy to finish with a big win today,” said France captain Gregory Alldritt. France hit back when Bielle-Biarrey ghosted past two defenders and found Depoortere on the inside for the hosts’ first try. A Ramos penalty and Depoortere’s second try after a quickly-taken penalty gave Les Bleus a 10-point margin but it was not enough for a team who had little focus in defence. Nasser forced his way over again to bring Australia back to 41-33, but France had the last word with Lamothe’s late try.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:49 UTC
Rain and wind warnings in place for several counties
Much of the west and northwest of the country is under status yellow wind and rain warnings on SundayRain and wind is expected to hit the northeast of the country hard throughout Sunday as a number of weather warning remain in place across the country. A yellow rain warning has been issued from 9pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday for counties Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. A yellow wind warning is also in place for Donegal from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday. A yellow wind warning has been issued for Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 1pm to 10pm on Sunday. Yellow wind warnings have also been issued for Wicklow and Clare from 3pm to 8pm and from 7pm to 10pm respectively.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:46 UTC
Why are Americans drinking less wine and will the same thing happen here?
Consumption of wine in the US has been falling rapidly, to the dismay of those working in the wine business. The decline in alcohol consumption is across the board including beer, cider and spirits, but it is more pronounced with wine. A recent Gallup poll found that 54 per cent of Americans did not drink any wine in 2025. Wine sales in the State have has been static over the last few years, but wine consumption worldwide is falling, and we seem likely to follow. The OIV (The International Organisation of Vine and Wine) figures show consumption is now at the lowest level since 1961.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:43 UTC
Nude saunas in Ireland: ‘I realise I will soon be naked among these strangers’
Fiona Comerford (L), and Sauna owner, Laura Gunning (R), at The Barrel Sauna Dundrum. “It just feels good.”I’m trying to listen, but my mind is nearly entirely occupied trying to learn this dance of mixed-gender social nudity. Fiona Comerford at The Barrel Sauna Dundrum. Women enjoying a nude sauna at The Barrel Sauna Dundrum. Laura Gunning performs the Lithuanian ritual Pirtis on Cayisha Graham at The Barrel Sauna Dundrum.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:33 UTC
Three people die in separate incidents on Irish roads
A male pedestrian was killed on the R448 in Sallypark, Co Waterford in the early hours of Sunday morning. Photograph: Bryan O’BrienThree people have died in separate road traffic incidents around Ireland this weekend. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the pair’s car collided with another on the Lurgan Road in Glenavy shortly after 6.25pm. The road remained closed on Sunday morning from Rice’s Bridge to the New Rath Road roundabout, and local diversions were in place. Anyone with any information can contact Waterford Garda station on (051) 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:32 UTC
Vietnam flood deaths reach 90 as damage sweeps central region
Severe and prolonged flooding across central Vietnam has killed 90 people and left 12 others missing, the government said. More than 1,154 homes were damaged and about 186,000 houses inundated at the peak of the floods, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said on Sunday. Authorities are attempting to restore access with repair work as they clean up the damage. A man carrying his cat wades through flood water in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Photograph: EPAHeavy rain is expected to gradually decrease starting from November 25th, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:26 UTC
At least 20 killed in wave of Israeli strikes on Gaza
Children watch an apartment building burn after an Israeli airstrike in western Gaza City on Saturday. As part of the ceasefire, Israel pulled back its forces but remained in control of about half the enclave. In response, Israeli forces began striking in Gaza City and the central Gaza town of Nuseirat, killing at least 20 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. The Israeli military said Gaza militants have opened fire on its soldiers several times, leading it to launch attacks across the enclave in retaliation. – This article originally appeared in The New York TimesAn apartment building burns after an Israeli airstrike in western Gaza City on Saturday.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:25 UTC
Government department fights move to clamp down on online fraud
Is there an “acceptable” number of people who can fall victim to scams and fraud online for the greater good of foreign direct investment into Ireland? With the European Union updating regulations governing financial payments, officials at the Department of Finance have urged it to bring in tougher rules to crack down on online scams. It comes as a slew of reports say investment fraud is becoming a serious problem, with gardaí saying there has been a 21 per cent rise in cases in the three months to October. The Irish banking sector’s fraud awareness initiative, Fraud Smart, recently advised consumers, especially those over the age of 50, to be on alert for what it described as highly convincing investment scams, promising guaranteed and profitable returns. Emails released under Freedom of Information show Department of Enterprise officials said they had a “major issue” with the Finance proposal.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:03 UTC
The best Irish stories are often about death. My grandfather stole his own funeral
Britain imposed a 20 per cent import duty on all goods from the Free State in response. The late Micheál O'Leary: 'The land here wouldn’t fatten cattle at all'This was the time that Micheál remembered as the English, in his words, “starving” the Irish. [ Diarmaid Ferriter: Fledgling Free State faced challenges on many fronts after Civil WarOpens in new window ]Some of Micheál’s best stories were about death. When my grandfather died, many decades of inflation later, Fagan honoured the deal. Before I could get back, Micheál O’Leary died.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:02 UTC
Could this Republic of Ireland team reclaim the Tricolour? – The Irish Times
The structure of this plot is always a little vague, but it usually has something to do Irish culture being undermined. Once that football adventure began, the meaning of the Tricolour changed dramatically, suddenly expressing a positive view of ourselves. We didn’t think of ourselves as having the best country, or the best football team: but what it expressed was a plucky spirit, a determination to good-humouredly make the best of whatever limited resources we had. But this time the team, their diehard fans and fair-weather fans (like me) will be bolstered by the knowledge that anything is possible. The flags will be out then: for a team of young Irish men whose faces aren’t all white.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:02 UTC
Mental health experts on burnout, therapy and the ‘medicalisation of mild anxiety’ in Ireland
We’ve since had the first global mental health study, which was published a couple of years ago, and it actually put figures on the rates of burnout. The idea that you would speak into your phone about the state of your mental health on a Monday morning is amazing. In terms of risks, if we identify the way we feel as a mental health issue, this can be experienced as disempowering rather than empowering. I guess the other risk I’d always point to is with the lack of resources that are afforded to the public mental health service. I’m optimistic because many key indicators of mental health are improving, as I mentioned earlier.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:02 UTC
How to earn €100,000 while reading the newspaper
Photograph: iStockAmerican writer Mark Twain is recorded as having said: “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. Revenue recently sought media monitoring services at an estimated €100,000, as did the Department of Health (€75,000) and IDA Ireland (€150,000). Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry celebrate Team Europe's victory over Team USA in the 2025 Ryder Cup. The experiences keep on coming from Ryder Cup Europe, which this week notified subscribers that “a limited number of Official Ticket-Inclusive Hotel Experiences” are available. “We have no clue where his castle is.”Bran Castle in Transylvania has taken on the moniker of 'Dracula's Castle'.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:01 UTC
Andy Farrell draws positives from spirited Ireland in ‘chaotic’ South Africa defeat
Head coach Andy Farrell wasn’t having any of suggestions Ireland’s first half against South Africa was a shambles. The subsequent cascade of yellows proved to be the undoing of Ireland and Farrell was far from pleased. Referee Matthew Carley upgrades James Ryan's yellow card to a red. The yellow card that went to red was a try that we’d scored and obviously pulled back,” said Farrell of Ryan’s dismissal. I’ll let you be the judge of that.”Ireland's Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast in the bin towards the end of the first half while South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus (left) watches play.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 12:00 UTC
Ireland player ratings v South Africa: James Ryan’s red card costs team
O’Brien avoided a yellow card for a high tackle on Canan Moodie in which he came off worst and didn’t return from the HIA. Rating: 6South Africa's Kwagga Smith (right) is tackled by Ireland's Tadhg Furlong. Ryan got a yellow card, subsequently and correctly upgraded to red. Jack Crowley, a yellow card aside, produced some heroic moments, Cian Prendergast made an important steal and was doughty in defence, Tom Farrell had a couple of nice moments. Rating: 8Head coach – Andy FarrellFarrell will be heartsick because a large tranche of the issues that Ireland faced were self-inflicted.
Source:The Irish Times
November 23, 2025 11:55 UTC