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Across the EU, housing is more about spreadsheets than homes. That has to change

Across the EU, housing is more about spreadsheets than homes. That has to change

From Porto to Tallinn, the objective of a middle-class society of homeowners is under severe threat

The ground is increasingly fertile for an Irish Maga

The ground is increasingly fertile for an Irish Maga

The emergence of a hard right in Irish politics was apparent during the run-up to last year’s presidential election

Shooting of Renee Good by Ice agent predictably brings out the ‘anti-woke’ merchants

Shooting of Renee Good by Ice agent predictably brings out the ‘anti-woke’ merchants

What most women will hear in the expletive and its tone is the cold rage of a disrespected man

Martyn Turner

Martyn Turner

January 14th, 2026

A superpower has affirmed its right to hegemony over Ireland. Are we paying attention?

A superpower has affirmed its right to hegemony over Ireland. Are we paying attention?

Steve Bannon’s boasts are not just those of a marginal blowhard – they chime with the fully official American claim on the hemisphere in which we live

Minneapolis killing ushers in our new media dystopia

Minneapolis killing ushers in our new media dystopia

The photograph has been understood as bearing a special relationship to truth. Not any more

Why Ireland should have voted in favour of Mercosur

Why Ireland should have voted in favour of Mercosur

‘I am terrified by what is happening in the States. A vote for Mercosur would be one good way of fighting back’

Jennifer O'Connell: Why does the word ‘delve’ make me want to hurl my phone at the wall?

Jennifer O'Connell: Why does the word ‘delve’ make me want to hurl my phone at the wall?

Whether it is describing a traumatic life experience or a shocking human rights abuse, ChatGPT will do so with the emotional register of a McDonald’s server offering you a meal deal

Two years ago, I felt I didn’t belong at the gym. Here’s how I proved myself wrong

Two years ago, I felt I didn’t belong at the gym. Here’s how I proved myself wrong

Unthinkable: The joy I found there wasn’t about change in how I looked, it was something called hexis

Caught between an aggressive Moscow and a capricious Washington, Ireland has few choices

Caught between an aggressive Moscow and a capricious Washington, Ireland has few choices

Irish taxpayers will play a disproportionate role in funding EU defence expenditure in the coming years. This is to be welcomed, given the alternatives

Sarah Moss: Midlife has come with a liberating loss of self-consciousness

Sarah Moss: Midlife has come with a liberating loss of self-consciousness

Is it possible to care a little less about what other people think without a lessening of attention to how other people feel?

How rotten does X have to be before politicians finally leave it?

How rotten does X have to be before politicians finally leave it?

Under Elon Musk, X is a vast disinformation network, a hotbed of extremism, a radicalisation tool. And now its chatbot is a creator, publisher and distributor of awful material

‘Hey @Grok put a bikini on her’: what more could an incel want?

‘Hey @Grok put a bikini on her’: what more could an incel want?

As weird and unpleasant as the flood of sexualised AI images on X is, the prompts used to create them are even more disturbing

Stranger Things-induced nostalgia for the 80s doesn’t tally with my memories

Stranger Things-induced nostalgia for the 80s doesn’t tally with my memories

For many of us, the 1980s in Ireland were painted in 40 shades of drab

Trump’s attack on Venezuela and Greenland threats have several echoes in US history

Trump’s attack on Venezuela and Greenland threats have several echoes in US history

Pretence that the US is a protector of the independence of the nations of Latin America is again exposed as a lie

Mary McAleese: Baptism denies babies their human rights

Mary McAleese: Baptism denies babies their human rights

Rite & Reason: No one is Catholic by birth and the notion of ‘Baptismal promises’ is risible

Europe may have just 20 days to avert the irreparable. There are still things it can do

Europe may have just 20 days to avert the irreparable. There are still things it can do

Head-spinning events of the past week indicate that either Trump is stark raving mad or the result of the greatest undercover coup in the history of Soviet intelligence

Trump wants our beautiful, peaceful Greenland. It’s not for sale

Trump wants our beautiful, peaceful Greenland. It’s not for sale

Someone wants our country. The most peaceful country in the world, according to the Inuit

Can the left alliance grow this year? Only if it answers these questions

Can the left alliance grow this year? Only if it answers these questions

Challenge for the putative alliance is to show the public that they can co-operate consistently on substantive issues, beyond political posturing

Martyn Turner

Martyn Turner

January 10th, 2026

David McWilliams: We are witnessing a change that may be as dramatic as the end of the Cold War

David McWilliams: We are witnessing a change that may be as dramatic as the end of the Cold War

Donald Trump is rupturing the world order and replacing it with something else but what that may be, we do not yet know

Mercosur is good for Ireland but Micheál Martin is afraid to say it

Mercosur is good for Ireland but Micheál Martin is afraid to say it

A masterclass by the farming lobby captured both the Government and Opposition

Martyn Turner

Martyn Turner

January 9th, 2026

Going to Trump’s Doonbeg? You should be ashamed of yourself

Going to Trump’s Doonbeg? You should be ashamed of yourself

Trump’s erogenous zone is in his pocket. Let’s hit him where it hurts

Trump is a bigger buffoon than we thought if he believes he can just take Greenland

Trump is a bigger buffoon than we thought if he believes he can just take Greenland

Europe does not have the military capacity to resist a US seizure of the territory, but it does have the ability to fight back through politics and trade

Irish people have always demanded too much of RTÉ – and it usually delivered

Irish people have always demanded too much of RTÉ – and it usually delivered

Responsibilities were presumed to include reviving Irish, selling everything ‘from sausages to sweep tickets’, and providing a living for writers and musicians

I have never met anyone so stuck in life as obsessive self-improvers

I have never met anyone so stuck in life as obsessive self-improvers

In 2026, I am not interested in 50 ways to make my life ‘easier’ but instead plan to truculently dig my heels in

UK and Ireland are both being reminded of their fragility. This should bring them closer

UK and Ireland are both being reminded of their fragility. This should bring them closer

North and south share several specialisms, especially on cyber security. Could this be an area of co-operation across the Border and the Irish Sea?

‘Our jailer is gone’ but the reality in Venezuela is unchanged

‘Our jailer is gone’ but the reality in Venezuela is unchanged

When Hugo Chávez died, I was certain that we would get democratic elections again. I was wrong

Could the Iranian regime be on its last legs?

Could the Iranian regime be on its last legs?

Protests are shaking the regime but might not directly topple it. But change could soon come regardless

Rampant cocaine use by normally decent people in Ireland is Trump-level hypocrisy

Rampant cocaine use by normally decent people in Ireland is Trump-level hypocrisy

Cocaine is so readily available you can order a ‘bump’ from a handy menu over WhatsApp. But hypocrisy is as rampant as the drug

It’s worth asking again why Sinn Féin sent a delegation to Maduro’s inauguration

It’s worth asking again why Sinn Féin sent a delegation to Maduro’s inauguration

Is the ugliness of the Trump regime in Washington mirrored in Sinn Féin’s ambitions for a hard-left Chavista socialist republic in Ireland?

Martyn Turner

Martyn Turner

January 7th, 2026

Why is Ireland so lacking in architectural ambition?

Why is Ireland so lacking in architectural ambition?

We could do with channelling the spirit of Frank Gehry, who died one month ago

Forget fibermaxxing or guzzling kimchi – opt for a diet that’s better for you and the planet

Forget fibermaxxing or guzzling kimchi – opt for a diet that’s better for you and the planet

Greenhouse gas emissions of Irish diet exceed planetary boundaries by 226%, something has to change

If RTÉ feels it is under pressure then it should look at what is happening across Europe

If RTÉ feels it is under pressure then it should look at what is happening across Europe

Public broadcasters are under scrutiny like never before and even their legitimacy is being questioned

Trump’s Walmart warmongering in Venezuela isn’t just empire building. For him it’s entertainment

Trump’s Walmart warmongering in Venezuela isn’t just empire building. For him it’s entertainment

Capturing Maduro and putting him on display is US president's version of a Roman emperor’s triumph, entertainment for a senile king

Let’s stop treating caring as a hobby and dependence as weakness

Let’s stop treating caring as a hobby and dependence as weakness

US society has a particular difficulty with needing help, often seeing it as embarrassing or even disgusting

The rebirth of an important ‘den of iniquity’ in Co Leitrim

The rebirth of an important ‘den of iniquity’ in Co Leitrim

Built in 1921, it was a place of great reverie, dance, debate and music. It was also a target of the Catholic Church

‘Every 10 years, US likes to pick up some crappy little country and throw it at the wall’

‘Every 10 years, US likes to pick up some crappy little country and throw it at the wall’

‘Every ten years, the US needs to pick some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall.’ This is at least part of the reason for the Venezuela operation

Have you given up alcohol yet? Planned your career pivot? Try the stoics’ approach instead

Have you given up alcohol yet? Planned your career pivot? Try the stoics’ approach instead

Unthinkable: Stoicism is not about outcomes, about getting what you want, or even about being happier or healthier

The patriarchy loathes women in midlife. Don’t fall for it

The patriarchy loathes women in midlife. Don’t fall for it

A friend in her 30s tells me her contemporaries are living in fear of perimenopause, which wasn’t even a word until recently

Dublin’s traffic nightmare: Why are we ignoring a few quick fixes?

Dublin’s traffic nightmare: Why are we ignoring a few quick fixes?

Babies born at the time of the metro announcement are now young adults resigned to taking hours to travel a few kilometres

Since I started Mounjaro jabs, the urgency is gone from my eating - but so is the joy

Since I started Mounjaro jabs, the urgency is gone from my eating - but so is the joy

It feels like there is an amorality attached to losing weight via GLP-1. Sure, you’re getting thinner, but you didn’t work for it

Better-paid TDs, more powerful ministers – and other ideas to improve Ireland

Better-paid TDs, more powerful ministers – and other ideas to improve Ireland

There is a recurring dilemma of politics – how to get politicians to do what’s best for the longer term and unpopular in the short term?

Tech bro Bryan Johnson’s latest assault on mortality? Getting out of his gourd on mushrooms

Tech bro Bryan Johnson’s latest assault on mortality? Getting out of his gourd on mushrooms

Johnson has previously attracted attention for his practice of taking detailed measurements of his nocturnal erections

In so-called bad old Catholic Ireland, there was no homelessness

In so-called bad old Catholic Ireland, there was no homelessness

Rite & Reason: There is a small but significant return to the Christian faith, particularly Catholicism

Forget traditional crypto - there is a new digital currency on the block for 2026

Forget traditional crypto - there is a new digital currency on the block for 2026

A big battle over money is underway and it is all about who controls your transactions

With one pool for every 80,000 people, it’s a miracle Ireland is producing great swimmers

With one pool for every 80,000 people, it’s a miracle Ireland is producing great swimmers

Over half are hotel pools, which usually don’t have pay-as-you-go public swimming, restrict children’s access and lack accessibility accommodations

If the population of the world lived like the Irish, we’d need 3.3 Earths to accommodate us

If the population of the world lived like the Irish, we’d need 3.3 Earths to accommodate us

The world’s wealthiest 10% (about 770 million people) are responsible for two thirds of observed global warming since 1990

Opinion

EditorialsAn Irish DiaryLettersCartoon

Promo Image

Michael McDowell

The ground is increasingly fertile for an Irish Maga

Michael McDowell
Across the EU, housing is more about spreadsheets than homes. That has to change

Across the EU, housing is more about spreadsheets than homes. That has to change

By Lorcan Sirr
Why Ireland should have voted in favour of Mercosur

Why Ireland should have voted in favour of Mercosur

By Eamon Ryan
Two years ago, I felt I didn’t belong at the gym. Here’s how I proved myself wrong

Two years ago, I felt I didn’t belong at the gym. Here’s how I proved myself wrong

By Laura Kennedy

Promo Image

Kathy Sheridan

Shooting of Renee Good by Ice agent predictably brings out the ‘anti-woke’ merchants

Kathy Sheridan
Promo Image

Fintan O’Toole

A superpower has affirmed its right to hegemony over Ireland. Are we paying attention?

Fintan O’Toole
Promo Image

Jennifer O’Connell

Why does the word ‘delve’ make me want to hurl my phone at the wall? ChatGPT, that’s why

Jennifer O’Connell
Promo Image

Una Mullally

How rotten does X have to be before politicians finally leave it?

Una Mullally
Promo Image

Mark O’Connell

‘Hey @Grok put a bikini on her’: what more could an incel want?

Mark O’Connell
Promo Image

Breda O'Brien

Stranger Things-induced nostalgia for the 80s doesn’t tally with my memories

Breda O'Brien
Promo Image

Pat Leahy

Can the left alliance grow this year? Only if it answers these questions

Pat Leahy
Promo Image

David McWilliams

We are witnessing a change that may be as dramatic as the end of the Cold War

David McWilliams
Promo Image

Cliff Taylor

Mercosur is good for Ireland but Micheál Martin is afraid to say it

Cliff Taylor
Promo Image

Justine McCarthy

Going to Trump’s Doonbeg? You should be ashamed of yourself

Justine McCarthy
Promo Image

Diarmaid Ferriter

Irish people have always demanded too much of RTÉ – and it usually delivered

Diarmaid Ferriter
Promo Image

Stephen Collins

Trump is a bigger buffoon than we thought if he believes he can just take Greenland

Stephen Collins

LETTERS

Letters to the Editor, January 14th: On cycling and safety, Catholics and baptism, and dry again

Rugby: Not all in the game

Letters to the Editor, January 13th: On not speaking up for Iran, Trump’s world and a dog’s dinner

Childhood in our country is in a state of crisis

Letters to the Editor, January 12th: On time to increase home working, the Mercosur deal and caught in the headlights

A Tale of Two Hospitals – Frank McNally on the architectural dramas of Kilmainham
An Irish Diary

A Tale of Two Hospitals – Frank McNally on the architectural dramas of Kilmainham

EDITORIALS

Cyclists and motorists: the blame game and a judge's generalisations

Motorists are making the switch to EVs - the State needs to encourage this trend

As a new Dáil term kicks off, the Coalition must focus on delivery

Trump is playing with fire by undermining the Fed


Cartoon

Martyn Turner

Martyn Turner

January 14th, 2026


Caught between an aggressive Moscow and a capricious Washington, Ireland has few choices

Caught between an aggressive Moscow and a capricious Washington, Ireland has few choices

By Edward Burke

Trump’s attack on Venezuela and Greenland threats have several echoes in US history

Trump’s attack on Venezuela and Greenland threats have several echoes in US history

By Patrick Smyth

Mary McAleese: Baptism denies babies their human rights

Mary McAleese: Baptism denies babies their human rights

By Dr Mary McAleese

Europe may have just 20 days to avert the irreparable. There are still things it can do

Europe may have just 20 days to avert the irreparable. There are still things it can do

By Lara Marlowe

Trump wants our beautiful, peaceful Greenland. It’s not for sale

Trump wants our beautiful, peaceful Greenland. It’s not for sale

By Nina Jul Larsen

‘Our jailer is gone’ but the reality in Venezuela is unchanged

‘Our jailer is gone’ but the reality in Venezuela is unchanged

By Claudia Fracchiolla

Could the Iranian regime be on its last legs?

Could the Iranian regime be on its last legs?

By Vincent Durac

Why is Ireland so lacking in architectural ambition?

Why is Ireland so lacking in architectural ambition?

By Sinéad O'Sullivan

Forget fibermaxxing or guzzling kimchi – opt for a diet that’s better for you and the planet

Forget fibermaxxing or guzzling kimchi – opt for a diet that’s better for you and the planet

By Sadhbh O'Neill

‘Every 10 years, US likes to pick up some crappy little country and throw it at the wall’

‘Every 10 years, US likes to pick up some crappy little country and throw it at the wall’

By Daniel Geary

Have you given up alcohol yet? Planned your career pivot? Try the stoics’ approach instead

Have you given up alcohol yet? Planned your career pivot? Try the stoics’ approach instead

By Laura Kennedy

Dublin’s traffic nightmare: Why are we ignoring a few quick fixes?

Dublin’s traffic nightmare: Why are we ignoring a few quick fixes?

By Hugh Linehan

Since I started Mounjaro jabs, the urgency is gone from my eating - but so is the joy

Since I started Mounjaro jabs, the urgency is gone from my eating - but so is the joy

By Rosemary Mac Cabe

In so-called bad old Catholic Ireland, there was no homelessness

In so-called bad old Catholic Ireland, there was no homelessness

By Fr Kevin O'Reilly

With one pool for every 80,000 people, it’s a miracle Ireland is producing great swimmers

With one pool for every 80,000 people, it’s a miracle Ireland is producing great swimmers

By Clare Moriarty

If the population of the world lived like the Irish, we’d need 3.3 Earths to accommodate us

If the population of the world lived like the Irish, we’d need 3.3 Earths to accommodate us

By Paul Gillespie

Fuss over AI actors is a distraction – Netflix has been making algorithm movies for years

Fuss over AI actors is a distraction – Netflix has been making algorithm movies for years

By Ed Power

This new year, embrace boredom as a temporary relief from mental slavery

This new year, embrace boredom as a temporary relief from mental slavery

By Ian Robertson

Trump has created a civil war-like atmosphere in the US and threatens planet’s security

Trump has created a civil war-like atmosphere in the US and threatens planet’s security

By Lara Marlowe

Why oak, ash and beech trees offered seeds of hope in 2025

Why oak, ash and beech trees offered seeds of hope in 2025

By Eamon Ryan

This was a dismal year for anyone hoping to buy a house. Will 2026 be better?

This was a dismal year for anyone hoping to buy a house. Will 2026 be better?

By Lorcan Sirr

I was kidnapped by Israel after I refused to evacuate the Gaza hospital where I work

I was kidnapped by Israel after I refused to evacuate the Gaza hospital where I work

By Ahmed Mehna

John Magnier’s tactics came back to bite him

John Magnier’s tactics came back to bite him

By John McManus

Solitude is a rare chance to think. Loneliness is when the inner dialogue is unbearable

Solitude is a rare chance to think. Loneliness is when the inner dialogue is unbearable

By Laura Kennedy

You don’t think Jesus Christ could return as AI? Talk to Joe Rogan

You don’t think Jesus Christ could return as AI? Talk to Joe Rogan

By Mark O’Connell

St John Henry Newman said one thing took precedence over papal authority - conscience

St John Henry Newman said one thing took precedence over papal authority - conscience

By Finola Kennedy

Year of Trump unleashed: Five critical issues that will define US politics in 2026

Year of Trump unleashed: Five critical issues that will define US politics in 2026

By Daniel Geary

Did my dad know that would be the last time he’d ever speak to me?

Did my dad know that would be the last time he’d ever speak to me?

By Olivia O'Leary

Want to crack the formula for happiness at Christmas? Don’t argue with your aunt

Want to crack the formula for happiness at Christmas? Don’t argue with your aunt

By Ian Robertson

I didn’t want to spend another Christmas pretending I wasn’t hungover

I didn’t want to spend another Christmas pretending I wasn’t hungover

By Colleen Frawley

Vanity Fair article on the Trump White House was brutal, merciless and invaluable

Vanity Fair article on the Trump White House was brutal, merciless and invaluable

By Mark O’Connell

In a post-truth world, the magic of Christmas is in a category of its own

In a post-truth world, the magic of Christmas is in a category of its own

By Rachel O'Dwyer

Ireland should resist cheap, tough talk on migration

Ireland should resist cheap, tough talk on migration

By Cathryn Costello

One of Ireland’s first women priests reflects on Christmas

One of Ireland’s first women priests reflects on Christmas

By Canon Ginnie Kennerley

Micheál Martin is a victim of his own success

Micheál Martin is a victim of his own success

By Gerard Howlin

Free speech will be the big EU-US battleground in 2026 – and Ireland is in the crossfire

Free speech will be the big EU-US battleground in 2026 – and Ireland is in the crossfire

By Liz Carolan

A smaller RTÉ does not mean a hollowed-out RTÉ

A smaller RTÉ does not mean a hollowed-out RTÉ

By Kevin Bakhurst

In Bondi, on the first night of Hanukkah, the intifada was truly globalised

In Bondi, on the first night of Hanukkah, the intifada was truly globalised

By Oliver Sears

At the top of the 2025 naughty list is the US, now officially in climate denial

At the top of the 2025 naughty list is the US, now officially in climate denial

By Sadhbh O'Neill

Why has Ireland abruptly decided the European Convention on Human Rights goes too far?

Why has Ireland abruptly decided the European Convention on Human Rights goes too far?

By Liam Herrick

Could we be on the verge of a techlash?

Could we be on the verge of a techlash?

By Jack Sheehan

We need to end the great social experiment on our children

We need to end the great social experiment on our children

By Eoghan Cleary

Drone sightings highlight worrying gaps in our national security

Drone sightings highlight worrying gaps in our national security

By Edward Burke

Opinions are hardening against Ireland in Britain and the US. How worried should we be?

Opinions are hardening against Ireland in Britain and the US. How worried should we be?

By Daniel Mulhall

Change to Catholic patronage of Irish schools is slow to come – for good reason

Change to Catholic patronage of Irish schools is slow to come – for good reason

By Dr Marie Griffin

Europe is in danger of becoming a plaything, not a player

Europe is in danger of becoming a plaything, not a player

By Brigid Laffan

We should be very worried about AI taking over the classroom

We should be very worried about AI taking over the classroom

By Eimear Nolan and Dirk Lindebaum

Ireland’s plan to give Tasers to gardaí is bad  policy

Ireland’s plan to give Tasers to gardaí is bad policy

By Lucy Michael

Mindful gifting need not make Christmas earnest and boring

Mindful gifting need not make Christmas earnest and boring

By Sadhbh O’Neill

‘Rage bait’ is an apt word of the year for 2025. Anger can be good

‘Rage bait’ is an apt word of the year for 2025. Anger can be good

By Clare Moriarty


Inside Politics

Inside Politics

Our politics team's behind-the-scenes take on events of the day. Sent Monday to Friday when the Dáil is in session

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