Ireland is marking St. Brigid's Day, a national public holiday since 2023, with widespread celebrations across the country and globally. The day, observed annually on February 1st, signifies the arrival of spring and honors St. Brigid of Kildare, while also highlighting women's creativity, achievements, and leadership.
Irish dance icon Michael Flatley has successfully overturned a legal injunction that sought to block his involvement in 'Lord of the Dance' productions. A Belfast court discharged the temporary order, allowing Flatley to resume full control ahead of the show's 30th-anniversary tour.
An Irish teenager accused of raping a 15-year-old girl has failed in his High Court attempt to stop his trial. He cited stress from Asperger's and ADHD, exacerbated by a two-year delay in being charged, but the court ruled the public interest in prosecution was paramount, allowing the trial to proceed. The decision was made on January 29, 2026.
A 16-year-old girl, Grace Lynch, has died after being struck by a scrambler bike while crossing the Ratoath Road in Finglas, Dublin, on Sunday, January 25, 2026. An adult male has been arrested in connection with the fatal incident, which also left two individuals on the bike with non-life-threatening injuries.
A man in his 50s has died following a two-car collision on the R215 at Newtownfane, Dundalk, Co. Louth, on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Gardaí are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses.
More than 64,000 Irish EuroMillions players secured prizes in the January 23, 2026 draw, despite the substantial €99.6 million jackpot remaining unclaimed. One lucky Irish ticket holder won €31,075 by matching five main numbers, while 10 others won €5,000 each in the Ireland Only Raffle.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, delivered a significant keynote address on January 22, 2026, detailing Ireland's preparations and key policy focuses for its upcoming EU Presidency from July to December 2026. The speech emphasized values, security, and competitiveness as core pillars.
Ireland's Committee on Budgetary Oversight published its Post-Budget 2026 Report on January 21, 2026, expressing significant concerns over the pro-cyclical nature of current budgetary policy and the country's narrow and volatile tax base. The report warns of economic overheating risks and reliance on windfall corporation tax receipts.
Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne affirmed the flourishing trade and cultural ties between Ireland and Slovakia during his visit to Bratislava on January 19, 2026. Discussions also focused on Ireland's upcoming EU Council Presidency, including the long-term EU budget, competitiveness, support for Ukraine, the Rule of Law, and enlargement.
Irish sustainable data centre design leader Ethos Engineering has acquired UK-based technology design consultancy 3DEC Ltd. This strategic move, Ethos' second acquisition since Exponent's 2024 investment, expands its expertise in ICT, audiovisual, and BIM-led design, adding over 40 engineers to its growing team.
Ireland's Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, plans to revise citizenship law, making time spent under the EU's Temporary Protection Directive non-reckonable for naturalisation. This move, impacting thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have integrated into Irish society, has sparked significant concern among advocacy groups and individuals.
A man in his 40s has died following a two-car collision on the N22 near Dromadeesirt, County Kerry, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage.
Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow wind warnings for 11 counties across Ireland, active through Sunday, January 11th, and into Monday, January 12th, 2026. Strong and gusty south to southwest winds, with gales in coastal areas, are anticipated, potentially causing difficult travel conditions, wave overtopping, and displaced objects.
Minister Alan Dillon has launched Ireland's first 'Circular Cups for Community Events' initiative, a program designed to significantly reduce single-use waste at local gatherings. The scheme, a collaborative effort across the Southern Waste Region, provides reusable cups for events, with a target of up to 300 reuses per cup, starting January 12, 2026.
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has voiced strong concerns over new government-imposed fuel taxes, toll charges, and levies, which came into effect on January 1, 2026. President Ger Hyland stated these measures disproportionately affect rural Ireland and are pushing haulage companies to the brink, leading to some closures and increased consumer costs for essential goods.
Ireland celebrated the arrival of its first babies of 2026 just moments after midnight on New Year's Day. Several newborns were welcomed across the country, with Dublin's Rotunda Hospital and National Maternity Hospital reporting some of the earliest arrivals, closely followed by births in Belfast and other regions.
Ireland's Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, announced significant progress in virtual care, with virtual wards expanding across the country. These initiatives aim to improve patient outcomes, facilitate recovery at home, and alleviate pressure on hospital capacity, building on successful pilot programs and a national digital health strategy.
Ireland's tourism sector saw a significant decline in 2025, with overseas visitor numbers dropping by 6% to 6.16 million and expenditure falling by 13% to €5.27 billion. Reduced visitor numbers from Europe and Britain contributed to the downturn, while strong growth from North America, with US visitors up 4% and Canadian visitors up 8%, helped mitigate the overall impact. The sector's total economic value for the year was €8.89 billion.
Ireland is set to implement the next phase of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on December 31, 2025. Ministers James Browne and John Cummins announced reforms aimed at strengthening the planning system, including extended development plan lifespans, new area-based plans, and judicial review changes to enhance clarity and accelerate housing delivery.
Belfast is set to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from August 2-9, 2026, marking a historic first for the city. The world's largest Irish music and culture festival is projected to attract over 700,000 visitors and generate an economic impact of approximately £60 million, significantly boosting local tourism and economy.
