People factoring cost of living into New Year resolutions, research finds
Cillian Sherlock, PASorting out personal finances and cutting back on spending are among the public’s main New Year resolutions, according to research. More than 50 per cent of respondents said they wanted to spend time outdoors while 35 per cent wanted to increase socialising. The research also shows that celebrating with family and friends is what will motivate most people in 2024, especially for the over-35s. Leontia Fannin, head of corporate affairs and communications at PTSB, said the research shows many people are entering 2024 in a “spirit of self-improvement”. “There is widespread support for taking on tough challenges – particularly on the financial and health and wellbeing front.
Source:The Herald
December 29, 2023 13:52 UTC
Local school wins on the double in prestigious art competition
Senior County Winners in the prestigious 'Someone Like Me' art competition were the 6th class pupils from the Mixed School at St Ciarans and St. Manchans NS in Boher, Ballycumber. Local school wins on the double in prestigious art competitionTwo sets of pupils from a county Offaly primary school are set to take part in the national finals of the Someone Like Me art competition having this week been named as the county winners in both the junior and senior sections of the prestigious annual competition. The Senior County Winners were the 6th class group from the Mixed School in St. Ciarans and St. Manchans, under the guidance of teacher, Ms. Rebecca Farrell. The 6th class pupils also made a list of famous people who have disabilities and got pictures of them. The competition, which offers a range of prizes up to the value of €1,250, was open to all primary school pupils from junior infants to sixth class.
Source:Irish Independent
December 29, 2023 13:11 UTC
Man (30s) arrested after cocaine worth €1.1m seized at Dublin Airport
Gardaí have arrested a man after cocaine worth more than €1 million was seized at Dublin Airport. Revenue officers discovered 16kg of cocaine in the baggage of a passenger who had travelled from Washington on Thursday. The arrested man has been charged and is due to appear in court. Cocaine was the most seized drug in Ireland this year, with gardaí recovering more €175 million worth of the drug in 2023. Gardaí and customs also seized almost €35 million worth of cannabis herb and cannabis resin this year, while heroin with a street value of €8.5 million was also recovered.
Source:The Herald
December 29, 2023 08:09 UTC
Protest at Catholic girls school a sign of ‘deeper malaise’ in Northern Ireland
For months in 2001, locals at Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast stood outside the school as girls and parents walked inIrish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern talks with Father Aidan Troy, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Holy Cross Primary School, Ardoyne, Northern Ireland, at Government buildings in Dublin (Chris Bacon/PA)The protest began following a clash in June 2001 as a man collected his child. Efforts to resolve the issue over the summer break failed, and the protests resumed in the autumn. Fr Troy, parish priest of Ardoyne and chair of the board of governors of the Holy Cross school, said that there were around 20 people on both sides of the road in the morning, and 60-70 people on each side in the afternoon. Of the 220 pupils at the school, 35 were stressed and receiving counselling and medication, and 10 had been transferred to other schools. Mr Ahern said that the root causes of the protests were a “symptom of a deeper malaise within Northern Ireland”.
Source:The Herald
December 29, 2023 06:05 UTC
In Pictures: Deaths of singers punctuate year of highs and lows in Ireland
There were highs and lows across Ireland in 2023 – a year that saw the deaths of singers Sinead O’Connor and Shane MacGowan, as well as an emotional visit from the US president. Fans mourned around the world and across the country following the deaths of singer and activist O’Connor, aged 56, in July and Pogues frontman MacGowan, aged 65, in November.
Source:The Herald
December 29, 2023 02:55 UTC
Boxty Potato: A Traditional Irish Dish
Summary:Boxty potato, also known as Irish potato pancakes, is a traditional dish that originated in Ireland. This article delves into the history of boxty potato, how it is prepared, and some frequently asked questions about this beloved Irish delicacy. Some variations include:Traditional Boxty: The classic boxty consists of grated potatoes, mashed potatoes, flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt. Boxty Dumplings: These are boiled dumplings made from boxty mixture and served with stews or soups. A: Boxty potato has a unique texture that can be described as a cross between a pancake and a potato cake.
Source:The Irish Times
December 29, 2023 02:01 UTC
Herald: Anjuna Zonnkar moves court to evict Sunburn organisers for non-payment of rent
The petition is likely to be heard before the Vacation Judge of the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Friday. The petitioner stated that the Comunidade of Anjuna in its extraordinary general body meeting on December 10, 2023 had unanimously decided to grant NOC to the Sunburn organisers – Spacebound Web labs Pvt Ltd only after receiving the full ground rent amount i.e. Rs 2,43,14,607 (Rs 2.43 crore) with a 15 per cent as security deposit for an area of 1,58,919 square metres. The petitioner also stated that NO NOC was granted by the Comunidade to hold Sunburn from Dec 28 to Dec 30. The Sunburn event organisers had habitually defaulted in making payments and is continuing to do so as a custom.
Source:The Herald
December 29, 2023 00:45 UTC
Met Éireann in ‘race’ to improve its forecasts as extreme weather threatens lives
It also recently announced €1m in annual funding for research at UCD to develop ways of using artificial intelligence (AI) to gather and process greater quantities of weather information. “We’re in a race to be ready for change and not just AI and technological change,” Mr Moran said. Mr Moran said meteorologists were constantly having to improve to keep pace with changing weather patterns. “They all maintain hydrometric networks, but for different reasons in line with their mandates,” Mr Moran said. Mr Moran said trials of the models had just finished and they would prove a useful tool.
Source:Irish Independent
December 28, 2023 23:17 UTC
Storm Gerrit: Status Yellow wind and rain warning in place overnight ahead of weekend alert
Met Éireann's Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for 12 counties expired tonight following some lighting activity and hail. Separately, a Status Yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Donegal, Leitrim, North Mayo and Sligo from 6am on Friday to 9pm. Meanwhile, a Status Yellow wind warning was issued this evening for Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wexford, which is valid from 2am on Saturday until noon. A status orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Clare, Waterford and Wexford was in force until the early hours of this morning. The entire country was also subject to a status yellow wind and rain warning until the early hours.
Source:Irish Independent
December 28, 2023 23:17 UTC
Teenage boy located after missing persons appeal
Gardaí have thanked the public for their assistance after a missing teenage boy was located safe. Gardaí had appealed for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of the 17-year-old missing from Co Laois. He had been missing from Portlaoise and was last seen in Dublin city centre on Tuesday, December 12. “An Garda Síochána would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance,” the force said.
Source:Irish Independent
December 28, 2023 19:10 UTC
Proposed change opens huge loophole for bars in downtown Sarasota
First, the proposed Zoning Text Amendment would eliminate the traditional 500-foot separation between bars and churches – and other houses of worship – in the downtown neighborhoods. Second, under our current zoning outdoor bars are only permitted as accessories to hotels and clubs. The proposed Zoning Text Amendment would allow for outdoor bars, including rooftop bars, throughout Sarasota – except in purely residential areas. In theory, outdoor bars would be subject to public input and planning board approval whereas indoor bars would not be subject to such approvals. However, the proposed Zoning Text Amendment has a loophole that would allow outdoor bars to be zoned as “indoor” bars.
Source:The Herald
December 28, 2023 18:12 UTC
Read the letters from around the world calling on Mary Robinson to intervene in X Case
The girl, who was a ward of the State, had become pregnant following a statutory rape committed by a neighbour in December 1991. The girl involved could not be identified and the matter was referred to, before the High Court, as the X Case. However, the international media coverage attracted by the X Case – and particularly the injunction – prompted a flood of correspondence to senior Irish politicians and President Robinson. The city of Bristol wrote to Mrs Robinson on March 10 to highlight concerns about the case and its implications. It warned that forcing a child victim of rape to endure an unwanted pregnancy was a breach of human rights.
Source:Irish Independent
December 28, 2023 15:34 UTC
Food firm Valeo sees annual revenues climb by 11pc
Revenues at the Dublin headquartered consumer food producer behind well-known brands such as Jacob’s, Batchelor’s, Kelkin and Odlums this year increased by €142.6m or 11pc to €1.39bn. Valeo Foods operates 85 consumer food brands and is a market leader in 13 categories, including snacking & sweet treats, health & wellness, baking & meal ingredients, beverages and food service. The group’s Ireland revenues increased by 4pc to €321.4m, while the UK remained the group’s largest market despite revenues declining marginally to €578.6mThe year under review was a breakthrough year for the group’s North America expansion plans where revenues increased from zero to €102.5m, while Europe revenues rose from €315.05m to €356.6m. Numbers employed at the expanding Valeo Foods this year reduced from 4,489 to 4,253 and staff costs declined by €14.7m from €192.73m to €178m. The directors state that additionally, the group has been continuing to deal with the impact of the pandemic on activity and consumer confidence.
Source:Irish Independent
December 28, 2023 14:34 UTC
Ireland can benefit from European Hydrogen Bank
The European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) can benefit his constituency of Ireland South, following the adoption of a European Parliament report on the significant initiative, which is expected to boost the manufacture of clean technologies. The report highlights the EHB’s role as a streamlined, one-stop-shop for coordinating hydrogen projects along the supply chain. This sector will be vital for Ireland, but if we combine this with green hydrogen production, the country could undergo a transformative shift towards a low-carbon and competitive economy,” said Kelly. “The Ireland South region, especially the Shannon Estuary and Foynes Port, is prime for hydrogen production. European actions to incentivise electrolyser production and investment, the machines that split hydrogen molecules from water, will therefore be very beneficial to Ireland”, Kelly added.
Source:The Herald
December 28, 2023 09:23 UTC
Ireland weather: Travel warnings following Storm Gerrit as wind and rain to be followed by cold snap with ice and frost
A status orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Clare, Waterford and Wexford was in force until the early hours of this morning. The entire country was also subject to a status yellow wind and rain warning until the early hours. Separately, a status yellow wind and rain warning for Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo came into effect this morning and is valid until 6am tomorrow. High winds forced a number of outdoor attractions, including Fota Wildlife Park, to close early as a precautionary measure. The year will end on a wild note with a combination of blustery winds, heavy rainfall and then a cold snap with the potential for heavy frost and ice over the next four days.
Source:Irish Independent
December 28, 2023 06:25 UTC