Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris visited London for St. Patrick's Day. The visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties, engaging with the Irish diaspora, and promoting economic cooperation between Ireland and the United Kingdom through high-level meetings with officials and business leaders.
The 2026 St. Patrick's Festival has officially commenced in Dublin, Ireland. The multi-day program features a diverse array of cultural events, performances, and community activities, culminating in the iconic national parade on March 17th to celebrate Irish heritage and culture.
The Irish government has officially extended the Temporary Protection Directive for displaced Ukrainians living in Ireland. This decision ensures that beneficiaries can continue to reside and access essential services in the country until March 4, 2027, aligning with the European Union's broader strategy to provide ongoing support to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Ronnie Delany, the Irish athlete who famously won gold in the 1,500m at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, has passed away at the age of 91. A national icon, Delany's victory remains one of the most celebrated moments in Irish sporting history.
The Irish government has officially lifted short-stay visa requirements for holders of ordinary Brazilian passports. This policy change allows Brazilian citizens to travel to Ireland for tourism, business, or short-term visits without a visa, aligning Ireland's entry policies with other European nations and facilitating easier travel between the two countries.
As part of its 2026 EU Council Presidency, Ireland will host an International AI Summit in Dublin this October. The event aims to foster dialogue on European AI innovation, regulatory frameworks, and the future of technology policy across the continent, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to shape the EU's digital agenda.
A new National Transport Authority (NTA) survey reveals that walking, wheeling, and cycling collectively remove up to 660,000 cars daily from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick/Shannon, and Waterford. The 'Walking and Cycling Index 2025' highlights significant environmental and economic benefits, alongside strong public support for continued investment in active travel infrastructure.
Ireland's new rental laws, including six-year tenancy rules and revised rent increase caps, officially came into effect on March 1, 2026. The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 introduces Tenancies of Minimum Duration and a national rent control system, primarily impacting new tenancy agreements.
Dublin Airport experienced significant flight cancellations on February 28 and March 1, 2026, impacting travel to and from the Middle East. The disruption followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation, leading to widespread airspace closures across the region and affecting major airlines.
AECOM has been awarded significant cost management contracts by Ireland's National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). These multi-year frameworks position AECOM as a key partner in delivering major transport and mobility projects across the country, leveraging its expertise in cost optimization and project delivery for critical infrastructure.
Ireland has launched a new International Sports Diplomacy Strategy, featuring 68 commitments to leverage sport for strengthening diplomatic ties, fostering diaspora connections, and boosting economic growth. The initiative, announced at Aviva Stadium, involves a 'Team Ireland' approach to enhance the nation's global standing through sport.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has reported that three multinational companies contributed 46% of Ireland's corporate tax in 2024, amounting to approximately €13 billion. This highlights the country's increasing reliance on a small number of firms for a significant portion of its public revenue, raising concerns about fiscal stability.
The Irish government has clarified it is not currently drafting legislation to ban social media for under-16s. Instead, the focus is on developing age verification measures and consulting with the EU and other nations on online safety for young people. A pilot program for age verification is expected to roll out soon.
The Irish Government is implementing stricter measures for English-language student visas, including new financial requirements and an accreditation scheme for schools. The move addresses concerns that some applicants use these visas primarily to access the labor market, impacting housing and public services.
Ireland is experiencing a significant surge in norovirus cases, with infections rising by over 50% in the past week. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued a stark warning, urging the public to adhere to strict hygiene and isolation guidelines to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious 'winter vomiting bug' and alleviate pressure on health services.
Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow warnings for rain, ice, and low temperatures across Ireland. Dublin and Wicklow are under a rain warning until midday Friday, with flooding reported. A nationwide low temperature and ice warning is active from Friday evening into Saturday morning, with temperatures dropping to -1°C to -3°C, leading to hazardous travel conditions.
Ireland's Men's cricket team recorded their second loss in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, succumbing to 2021 champions Australia by 67 runs in Colombo. Key performances from Australia's Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Ellis, and Adam Zampa secured the victory.
Fine Gael has announced a special summer event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald. Born on February 9, 1926, FitzGerald was a pivotal figure in modern Irish politics, known for his contributions to European integration, social reform, and the peace process.
Met Éireann issued a Status Orange rain warning for Dublin and Wicklow, effective from 12 noon on Thursday, February 5, 2026, until 3 PM on Friday, February 6, 2026. The warning cited very heavy rain, saturated ground, high river levels, and spring tides, leading to potential localised and river flooding, as well as difficult travel conditions.
Minco Exploration PLC has successfully closed a €1.66 million financing round with the Irish Minerals Fund and a strategic investor. The funds will accelerate exploration at its Rapla Project in County Laois, Ireland, following recent high-grade drilling intersections of zinc, lead, copper, and silver.
