Deposit Return Scheme boss says hardest part is telling people who have been recycling they need to go a step further – ‘we can’t say we’re doing OK’
‘I’ll be alone, I often am these days. In the end, we are all alone’ — Ian Bailey’s final words in our last phone call
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 03:12 UTC
Big jump in Irish consumer confidence as falling energy costs and grocery prices ease cost-of-living crisis
The slight easing in cost-of-living concerns meant the Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index posted its largest monthly gain in more than three years. The consumer sentiment index also rose on the back of strong state tax returns. The sentiment index, which is based on surveys carried out by Core Research, increased to 74.2 in January, from 62.4 in December. “As a result, Irish consumer confidence posted a sharp increase in January to its best level in two years,” he said. Most consumers think Irish house prices will be higher, while just 14pc see lower house prices on a five-year view.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 03:02 UTC
My AGA racks up big bills, but I'd never give up the ultimate kitchen status symbol, says TOBY WALNE
Yet when both cookers were full on, the eR7 hot plate used 0.6 kWh (17p an hour) while the Everhot 110 used 0.22 kWh (6p). If AGA kept the oven and hotplates turned on full blast for seven days it might drain 252kWh of electricity. This is even more than the total average household energy cost – at £168 a month, according to data collector NimbleFins. You are paying through the nose for a luxury brand, the ultimate kitchen status symbol for country and city folk alike. Because of that, we did not consider that the data demonstrated the AGA eR7 had the lowest running costs of any cast-iron heat-storage range cooker.'
Source:Daily Mail
January 28, 2024 21:28 UTC
Herald: Activists demand scrapping of KTCL’s tender for body building of 37 buses
In September last year, the KTCL invited tender for as many as 50 bus body building i.e. 13 buses of 45-seater luxury, 24 buses of 54-seater semi-luxury and 13 buses A/c sleeper coaches. “The KTCL should be refrained from issuing the work order and to refloat the tender after making the Type Approval Certificate mandatory. In September last year, the KTCL invited tender for as many as 50 bus body building i.e. “The KTCL should be refrained from issuing the work order and to refloat the tender after making the Type Approval Certificate mandatory.
Source:The Herald
January 28, 2024 21:08 UTC
Herald: Raia’s vestment legacy: Eshita Dias carries forward six generations of sacred craftsmanship
Dias’ daughter, Eshita Queenal Dias, is the resident vestment maker since 2010. “Traditionally, we would stitch everything required for church use right from Albs, chasubles to processional banners, ceremonial veils, and so on. However, as of today, we only stitch cassocks,” she adds. However, like most other Goan businesses, the Dias family establishment also faces a labour shortage problem today. “When there is work, labour isn’t available and when there isn’t any, there is plenty of labour,” says Eudes.
Source:The Herald
January 28, 2024 20:05 UTC
Is it ever wise to buy a home with a friend to escape the rental trap?
Is it ever wise to buy a home with a friend to escape the rental trap? The pitfalls of getting a mortgage with a friend or relative – and how to protect yourselfPartnering up to get a home can seem like a good idea - but only if you know the risks. Stock image: GettyToday at 03:30You go on holidays together, split the bills on your flat-share, and even loan each other a few quid until payday. But would you share the biggest financial commitment of your life with your best friend?
Source:Irish Independent
January 28, 2024 17:04 UTC
Support for Sinn Féin continues to slide in latest poll
Support for Sinn Féin is continuing to slide, with the party down four points in two months, according to the latest opinion poll. The Business Post Red C survey of voter intentions has Sinn Féin at 25pc, a fall of four points from the 29pc it attracted in the last major poll at the end of November. The results mark a further drop from the 32pc support the party achieved in a poll in October. Support for Fine Gael remains at 20pc, unchanged from November's poll, while Fianna Fáil is up one point to 17pc. Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty insisted his party was listening to people on the ground.
Source:Irish Independent
January 28, 2024 15:19 UTC
Location of €14.6m lotto jackpot winner revealed
Location of €14.6m lotto jackpot winner revealedA Lotto player in Dublin has officially become the first Lotto jackpot winner of 2024 after scooping the €14,674,966 fortune up for grabs in Saturday night’s draw. The winning Lotto numbers for Saturday were: 3, 8, 10, 24, 32, 41 and the bonus was 30. Saturday night’s jackpot winner has taken the title of highest online Lotto jackpot winner in the history of the game as well as the seventh highest single Lotto jackpot winner since the game began over 36 years ago. A National Lottery spokesperson said: “It’s sure to be a weekend of celebrations for an online player in Dublin who has become the first Lotto jackpot winner of 2024. Not only that but the €14.67 million winner has also taken a list of titles with their massive win including highest online Lotto jackpot winner and seventh highest jackpot winner since the game began.
Source:Irish Independent
January 28, 2024 15:06 UTC
Review: I had a love affair with BMW’s original M2, so does its new model earn a spot in my dream garage?
Review: I had a love affair with BMW’s original M2, so does its new model earn a spot in my dream garage? Geraldine Herbert Today at 03:30In my dream garage, everything from the sublime to the outrageously expensive is included. There is also a Mazda MX-5 and a BMW M car. It was the one that ended my love affair with all other M cars. So I had high expectations for the new M2, our test car.
Source:Irish Independent
January 28, 2024 14:28 UTC
Relic of St Brigid returns to home town in Ireland after 1,000 years
That is now being moved to St Brigid’s parish church in Kildare, where it will be housed in a specially designed shrine. The ceremony came ahead of St Brigid’s Day in Ireland on February 1. “It’s very meaningful because we wouldn’t have a Kildare without her – Kildare owes its existence to St Brigid,” she told the PA news agency. Two years ago, the Irish Government announced that a new bank holiday for the country would be named after St Brigid. It falls on the nearest Monday following St Brigid’s Day.
Source:The Herald
January 28, 2024 14:03 UTC
Eighteen students graduate to join AirNav Ireland
Eighteen students have graduated to join AirNav Ireland the Irish Air Navigation Service Provider. Eight students graduated as Air Traffic Control Officers, five as radio officers and five others as Air Traffic Safety Engineers. Among them were Clare senior footballer, Gavin Murray and Sharon Minogue from Limerick who gave up a career in An Garda Síochána to join AirNav Ireland. “They join the AirNav Ireland professionals, who are committed to excellence in aviation safety. *Take a listen to this episode of Atlantic Tales on Clare FM that featured AirNav Ireland and was recorded at the AirNav Ireland centre at Ballycasey, Ballygirreen and Shannon Airport.
Source:The Herald
January 28, 2024 12:14 UTC
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Donald Trump’s been playing The Smiths at his rallies. What a loser
This week, Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, fumed after learning that his tunes were being played before a Trumpian gathering. One struggles to name a more creatively pathetic Smiths number (and that’s saying something). https://t.co/M6eYROedOy — Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) January 23, 2024On reflection, there are connections between Trump’s speeches and Morrissey’s lyrical style. “Consider this shit shut right down right now.”He may or may not, ahem, get what he wants. If Marr does fail to stop the Maga masses from playing Smiths weepalongs he could, perhaps, suggest a few suitable titles.
Source:The Irish Times
January 28, 2024 10:59 UTC
Ireland has ‘no plans’ to suspend funding to UNRWA amid Israeli allegations
However, he made clear Ireland did not intend to follow the likes of the US and UK in suspending funding to the agency. UNRWA is playing a central role in providing aid for Gazans amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in the enclave. The agency’s chief Philippe Lazzarini said it had terminated contracts with “several” employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the Hamas assault. As well as the UK and US, Australia, Italy and Canada have also temporarily paused funding for UNRWA. In a post on X, the Tanaiste said Ireland had “no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA’s vital Gaza work”.
Source:The Herald
January 28, 2024 07:57 UTC
Who was St. Brigid and why is she inspiring many 1,500 years after her death?
National Who was St. Brigid and why is she inspiring many 1,500 years after her death? While St. Patrick has long been the saint most identified with Ireland, Brigid has gained a growing following in the 21st century. She was honored on the mid-winter holy day of Imbolc, still commemorated on Feb. 1, which also became St. Brigid's Day. Various churches on the European continent claim to have relics of St. Brigid. The relic's new resting place will be the Catholic parish church named for St. Brigid, which plans to display it permanently.
Source:The Herald
January 28, 2024 04:12 UTC
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Vikki Wall makes sevens debut as Ireland men and women reach Perth semi-finals
Vikki Wall made her long-awaited debut for the Ireland sevens team in a poole stage victory over Japan in the Perth leg of the World Series. Beibhinn Parson’s hat-trick set Ireland up for a comfortable victory which saw them qualify for the quarter-finals as pool runners-up. Ireland play Great Britain just after 4am on Sunday for a place in the final. The result followed victory over Great Britain and a defeat to the USA on Friday. Zac Ward notched a dramatic, late winning score nearly two-and-a-half-minutes past the full-time hooter to send Ireland into a semi-final match-up with Argentina.
Source:The Irish Times
January 28, 2024 04:10 UTC