Storms across the year were a frequent reminder that an island nation is at the mercy of Mother Nature, although she could show kindness with bouts of sunshine. There were three names on the ballot paper, although Jim Gavin had withdrawn from the campaign by the time Ms Connolly comfortably beat Heather Humphreys. Gaza was again at the forefront when Ireland decided not to compete in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, owing to Israel’s participation. Garda officers line the route as the funeral cortege for Garda Kevin Flatley arrives at St Peter and Paul’s Church, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Ireland fans in the stands celebrate victory in a 2026 Fifa World Cup European qualifying group match against Portugal at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA)Owen Kelly, left, 16, and Niall McGrath, 15, cool off diving into the slip at Clontarf (Niall Carson/PA)A robin takes flight on a sunny spring morning in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)A fallow deer shakes water from its coat following a hail shower in Dublin’s Phoenix Park (Brian Lawless/PA)

Source: The Herald December 28, 2025 15:01 UTC