Dublin continued to account for the majority of permanent hiring by multinational employers. Candidate activity increased towards the end of the year as registrations rose by 4.3pc quarter on quarter, with workers preparing for new job opportunities in early 2026. Technology hiring remained active, supported by continued demand for skills in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. AI capability was increasingly expected across a range of software development, architecture and project roles. Contract hiring remained common due to project-based funding and timelines.

Galway 2-12 Mayo 1-14Galway selector John Concannon hailed his men as they struck two points in added time to punish Mayo technical breaches and claim the FBD League crown for the 11th time in front of a crowd of over 3,000 at Tuam Stadium. It looked like Stephen Coen had won it for Mayo when he edged them in front in the dying moments after they came from five points adrift in the final quarter, but their failure to keep three players up proved costly and Galway punished them to level and then snatch a winner in the fifth minute of added time through Rob Finnerty.

New inquiry to investigate ‘pimping websites’ in Northern IrelandBy Rebecca Black, Press AssociationA new Stormont Assembly group will investigate “pimping websites” in Northern Ireland. It will be carried out by the newly formed All Party Group (APG) on Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation. However concern has been expressed that police in Northern Ireland are not fully using their powers. “Commercial sexual exploitation is a reality within our society and pimping websites have facilitated and expatiated this exploitation,” he said. “On any given day over 300 women can be advertised for sale on pimping websites in Northern Ireland.

It was 1992, and the now retired Bord na Mona (BnM) workers, Murphy an electrician and Hopkins a fitter, were selected to became Ireland’s first “experts” in the construction and maintenance of commercial wind turbines. It was there Ireland’s first commercial wind farm came to life. The decommissioning of Bellacorick Wind Farm will make way for the development of Phase 3 of the BnM (formerly Bord na Mona) owned Oweninny Wind Farm, Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm. Plaswire has developed a solution to ensure wind turbine components are processed, repurposed and reintroduced into manufacturing, rather than being sent to landfill. It was pioneering, and it has proven the importance of wind energy and what could be done with it before it became mainstream.

Photograph: GettyThis is the time of year when thoughts traditionally turn to changing spouses and jobs. If you are thinking of throwing in the towel this year, there are more dramatic ways to resign in style. The JetBlue flight attendant was not having a good day at work when he flew from Pittsburgh to New York in August 2010. He told how the news was conveyed to him in a postcard from Morrissey that was left on his car’s windscreen. [ Terminal Condition – the unfortunate origins of Dublin’s Townsend StreetOpens in new window ]“Andy – you have left The Smiths.

Lower crude oil prices have seen motorists benefit from a drop in the cost of diesel and petrol at the pumps. Petrol prices fell by 4c this month with a litre of the fuel now selling for €1.70 on average around the country, according to the latest AA Ireland fuel survey for January. An AA Ireland spokesperson said: “After several months of relative stability, January has brought a modest reduction in fuel prices for motorists. Fuel prices do, however, remain high by historical standards.”The survey shows that fuel prices softened slightly at the start of the year, reflecting more subdued movements in global oil markets and exchange rates. Falls in the cost of crude oil were enough to outweigh extra costs of petrol and diesel due to changes to environmental rules on how the fuels are refined.

Aoife O’Rourke, a world champion, sits half-a-dozen rows back as she takes in the early fights before suiting up for her decider. “What happened was I went out and I didn’t want to face the reality of who I was up against. “In the back of my mind I knew she was a two-time Olympic champ and I just [wanted to think] that I was going out boxing just a random girl. Her wife Mandy’s cries of ‘That’s it Harrington’ penetrated the surrounding darkness and the thicket of noise. A boxing ring is not a good place to be wrestling with doubts and demons.

The 18th-hole double bogey that cost Shane Lowry the Dubai Invitational will hurt for a few days, but he only has to chat to pal Pádraig Harrington at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic to gain some invaluable perspective on the fine line between victory and defeat. "If you're continually in contention, you're going to have guys that do great things and times when things simply go against you. Some players don't like that feeling, but the more times you get in there, the better and stronger you become. "Certainly, there are people who are so afraid of losing, they don't get themselves into that position as often. Leading by a shot playing the treacherous 18th, Lowry looked poised to win and had 140 yards to the green from the semi-rough.

Record-breaker Michaela Walsh has revealed that she came close to quitting boxing despite qualifying for the Paris Olympics. “I still believe I have a lot left and I don’t want to walk away from amateur boxing until I know I’ve reached my full potential. “I think I’ve found a way to enjoy it.”Her brother, Aidan, won Olympic bronze in Japan and had his own struggles with the sport but he made a successful late return to qualify for Paris. Olympic bronze medallist Aidan Walsh and father Damian had been supporting Michaela Walsh in her preparations. “But when you get good performances like that and I’m boxing to the standard that I want to be boxing at, it’s worth it.

Ocean rower Daragh MacLoughlin, 42, pictured before setting off on his mammoth 4,800km solo Atlantic crossing, is set to reach Antigua on Friday. Picture: World's Toughest Row. Ocean rower Daragh MacLoughlin, 42, is set to reach Antigua on Friday, following a mammoth 4,800km solo Atlantic crossing. Picture: World's Toughest Row. A Galway man is on the verge of winning the World’s Toughest Row – a gruelling 4,800km journey across the Atlantic.

Orla Prendergast smashed 56 and followed up with four miserly overs in Kathmandu to get Ireland’s T20 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a convincing start with a 41-run victory over Papua New Guinea. Skipper Gaby Lewis won the toss, chose to bat, and led the expected charge with 42 off 25 balls, and when she fell lbw Prendergast took over, reaching her half-century with the second of her two sixes. Arlene Kelly (2-18) and Laura Delany (1-11) showed that their experience and pace-off seamers will be invaluable on the typically slow pitches in Nepal, while Aimee Maguire, Alana Dalzell and Jane Maguire took the other wickets to fall as the Pacific islanders closed on 105-6. Next up for Ireland is another game they will be expected to stroll through the USA on Thursday before they round off their Group A matches against Bangladesh and Namibia. Meanwhile, Ireland U-19s will take on Sri Lanka in Windhoek on Monday in a must-win clash after losing their World Cup opener to Australia on Friday.

Embrace La Dolce Vita in ItalyItaly continues to enchant with its diverse landscapes, rich history, and timeless charm. La Alhambra, Granada, SpainDiscover the rest of spectacular EuropeEurope captivates with vibrant cities, breathtaking scenery, and cultural treasures around every corner. In Beijing, explore iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, a breathtaking marvel stretching across northern China. Ha Long Bay’s dramatic karst formations, Hoi An’s charming old town, and Ho Chi Minh City’s lively streets offer a vibrant travel experience. Travel Department - Experts in guided group holidaysFor 30 years, Travel Department has been creating exceptional tours around the globe.

Emergency responders work at the site after a high-speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train, near Adamuz, in Cordoba province, Spain, January 18, 2026 in this screengrab taken from a social media video. Emergency responders work at the site after a high-speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train, near Adamuz, in Cordoba province, Spain, January 18, 2026 in this screengrab taken from a social media video. People affected by a deadly train derailment are transferred and treated at the Caseta Municipal in the town of Adamuz, after a high-speed train derailed and collided with another approaching train near Cordoba, Spain, January 18, 2026. A person affected by a deadly train derailment is transferred for treatment to the Caseta Municipal in the town of Adamuz, after a high-speed train derailed and collided with another oncoming train, near Cordoba, Spain, January 18, 2026. People affected by a deadly train derailment receive treatment at the Caseta Municipal in the town of Adamuz, after a high-speed train derailed and collided with another oncoming train, near Cordoba, Spain, January 18, 2026.

“I’ve worked my whole career to lift a trophy like that with a club like Arsenal and I was going to make sure I enjoyed it along with my team-mates. I was cringing after it.”The speculation was whether McCabe would remember much of the partying – “I do remember everything,” she says – or be able to meet up with the Republic of Ireland squad for their Nations League game against Turkey six days after the final. “I’m very in tune with what my body needs.”Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward and Katie McCabe ahead of the Nations League match against Turkey. That campaign began in the first round of qualifying and McCabe broke the record for minutes played across a Champions League season. Recovery strategies as well, whether that’s the sauna, ice baths, etc.”Katie McCabe celebrates with her Arsenal team-mates after their victory over Barcelona in the Champions League final last May.

Breast cancer survival rates are as much as 14% higher in some counties than others with the Mid-West, Limerick, and Kerry among the worst in the country. Latest figures show the five-year survival rate for breast cancer nationally is 87.3%. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín: '[T]here is a 14 percentage point difference in breast cancer survival chances depending on what county in Ireland you come from.' Picture: Brian Lawless/PA“Early detection is vital when it comes to all cancer types and in the case of breast cancer, those diagnosed at Stage 1 have a 99% five-year survival rate compared to 37% at Stage 4. "Aontú has also discovered that there is a 12 percentage differential in breast cancer survival rates when we compare women diagnosed in public hospitals or private hospitals in this country.”