The Convention on Education is made up of 150 members, including 30 children and young people, 30 parents, 30 school employees and 60 education stakeholders. It will meet over four weekends throughout 2026 to discuss the future of primary and post-primary education in Ireland. “For the first time ever, children and young people between the ages of eight and 24 will be full members. Their views and thoughts will carry equal weight to all other members of the convention,” Naughton will say. The convention will be chaired by Prof Anne Looney, a former executive dean of Dublin City University’s Institute of Education.

March 21, 2026 10:32 UTC

Twin Fathers Joe and Matt Kelly, who are celebrating their 95th birthday together, and the anniversary of their platinum jubilee of their ordination in 1956. Twins, Fr Joe Kelly and Fr Matt Kelly, were born on March 21st, 1931. His 69 years serving as a priest began in Kilmeague parish, Dublin, where his grandparents were from. Twins, Fr Joe Kelly and Fr Matt Kelly, with Mother Superior Jacinta, at Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in Raheny, Dublin. It’s a great thing in fact because it didn’t make any sense at all to separate us.”Fr Joe Kelly (left) and Fr Matt Kelly (second right) with their parents, Ann and Peter, at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, after both men had been ordained in 1956.

March 21, 2026 10:31 UTC

In that short window he was tarred and feathered by people who identified themselves as United fans. Part of what they discovered was a disturbing normalisation of how online abuse was processed by its targets and victims. It goes beyond players too: their research showed that 73 per cent of fans had received online abuse from other football fans. The headline outcomes of Doyle’s research were that one in four male intercounty players had experienced online abuse, and that its biggest source was Twitter. A colony of United fans tried to get him back on Twitter.

March 21, 2026 10:30 UTC

The Alnwick hotel home to 'Olympic suite' bringing titanic sister ship back to lifeA first class lounge where you can step back in time can be found on Bondgate Within, AlnwickView 2 Images The White Swan hotel in Alnwick which features the Olympic Suite, a large room furnished with interior decorations from RMS Olympic (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)A Northumberland market town steeped in history is renown for drawing in tourists from across the North East and beyond. The 'Olympic Dining Suite' features elements from the RMS Olympic First Class Lounge - the sister ship to RMS Titanic and the Royal Navy hospital ship HMHS Britannic. In contrast to her short-lived sister ships, the RMS Olympic served as a troop ship during WWI, gaining the nickname of 'Old Reliable.' ‌View 2 Images The First Class Lounge on Olympic was identical to that of her sister ship Titanic. Article continues belowMagnificent wall panelling with finest English oak carved with delicate boiseries decorated with scrolled floral-and-shell ornamentation, mirrors and stained glass windows from Titanic's sister ship have all been salvaged to create a setting unlike any other.

March 21, 2026 10:26 UTC

Fuel supplies in April and beyond will take time to return to pre-crisis levels even if oil shipments resume, the International Energy Agency has said. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/PAIreland faces weeks more disruption to energy markets which at a minimum will be “more severe” if the war in the Gulf persists, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has told the Government. Government sources said there were no concerns about supply to Ireland, but the impact of shortages on market prices would hit energy consumers here. IEA executive director Fatih Birol, told the Financial Times on Friday the conflict was “the greatest global energy security threat in history”, with politicians and markets underestimating its scale. Tánaiste Simon Harris told RTÉ a “major global economic shock” could not be ruled out.

March 21, 2026 10:25 UTC





Race for Life Cleethorpes 2026 - Sign up for Cancer Research UK's charity runCancer Research UK's Race for Life returns to Cleethorpes in May with 3k, 5k and 10k events from Meridian ParkView Image Race For Life is returning in 2026 (Image: Cancer Research UK)People are being encouraged to go 'all in' against cancer this spring by registering for the 2026 Race for Life in Cleethorpes. Cancer Research UK's beloved event, which generates funds for life-saving research, is once again making a return to the resort. ‌Cancer Research UK's Race for Life generates millions of pounds annually across the UK to help defeat cancer by funding vital research. Annabel Underwood, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, said: "It's time for Cleethorpes to go all in against cancer, all in to help fund life-saving research. Over the past 50 years, scientists funded by Cancer Research UK have nearly doubled breast cancer survival rates in the UK.

March 21, 2026 10:22 UTC

The report makes good reading for EV drivers who are yet to experience any notable increases in the price of charging, with an AA Ireland spokesperson describng them as “stable” while “continuing to provide predictable running costs”. A picture of spiralling prices is developing at various petrol stations around Ireland today, manifesting growing anxiety among many that prices may become untenable. The general picture shows petrol hovering around the €2 mark, while diesel fires ahead at up to €2.30 per litre. Applegreen’s prices around the country today stand at up to 194.8c per litre for petrol and 214.8 for diesel. To make the most efficient use of your newly expensive fuel purchases, AA Ireland is advising smoother driving, removing unnecessary weight from tyour vehicle and to plan journeys in advance.

March 21, 2026 10:15 UTC

A19 closed in both directions after 'serious' crashThe collision happened around 2.15am on Saturday, March 21, near Knayton with the road expected to remain closed for several hoursView 2 Images A19 dual carriageway near Osmotherley (Image: Teesside Live)A 'serious' collision has resulted in the closure of the A19 in both directions between Osmotherley and Thirsk. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police stated: "We are at the scene of a serious collision on the A19 near Knayton (between Thirsk and Osmotherley), which happened at about 2.15am this morning. ‌"The road is currently closed in both directions, north- and south-bound, and is likely to remain so all morning. If you are planning a journey involving the A19 north of Thirsk today, please check local traffic news, and find an alternative route for your journey. ‌View 2 Images AA Traffic map shows the stretch of the closure on the A19 from Osmotherley to Thirsk"Thank you for your patience and understanding."

March 21, 2026 10:04 UTC

If the economy wobbles, here is what you need to know about redundancyGlobal economic turmoil may have workers fearing for their jobs, but employers must follow strict rulesBeing made redundant. Stock image. Photo: GettySinéad Ryan Today at 06:30Amid global uncertainty one thing is still true for now at least: Ireland enjoys what economists call “full employment”. That means less than 5pc of the potential workforce is out of work. It’s a good situation to be in.

March 21, 2026 10:03 UTC

He also claims he can save the NHS £23billion a year by 'completely eradicating' its need to care for them. He set up the business after finding that turmeric shots helped him battle injury setbacks during his playing career - particularly a cruciate knee ligament rupture when he was still a teenager. '[We] set about a mission to bring an actual functional range of turmeric shots which were high quality to a mass-consumer market.' In 2024-25, the Department of Health and Social Care allocated around £187bn to NHS England for spending on health services. On the whole, though, studies verify that turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and good for the heart and wider health.

March 21, 2026 09:50 UTC

Hetton-le-Hole thug repeatedly smashed man's head with hammer after finding him with partnerTerry Dixon, of Hetton-le-Hole, was cleared of attempting to murder Daniel Hepburn but admitted GBH with intentView Image Terry DixonRaging Terry Dixon smashed a man's head with a hammer after finding him with a woman he had been in a long term relationship with. Mr Donkin said: "Smashing Mr Hepburn's head in with a hammer is precisely what he did two weeks later." ‌Mr Hepburn woke to find Dixon standing in the living room asking who he was and Mr Hepburn replied: "I'm Dan, Rebecca's lad". Mr Donkin said: "The defendant came back in and suddenly stuck him to the head. "As a result of what the defendant did, Mr Hepburn was very unwell.

March 21, 2026 09:46 UTC

Olympic pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis has secretly married his model girlfriend Desirée Inglander. 'I don't have the ring on yet and we're going to have the real ceremony and wedding during the summer,' he told Sport Bladet. The pair officially married at Stockholm City Hall but will formally celebrate their marriage in France this summer. If I have to miss a competition because of a wedding and marry the love of my life, it doesn't matter.' Inglander has been a constant presence at Duplantis's side while he's dominated pole vaultHe told Vogue Scandinavia: 'I was more nervous than at the Olympics'.

March 21, 2026 09:26 UTC

Midlothian dad takes on ultramarathon golf challenge in aid of Prostate Cancer UK'Watching that journey - the uncertainty, the strength they’ve had to show - it stays with you.' A Midlothian dad is set to take on a marathon golf challenge after being inspired by the courageous cancer battles of two of his friends. Ben Caird, from Gorebridge, will complete 100 holes at Liberton Golf Club in the space of one day. ‌He hopes to test himself while at the same time doing something positive for those living with a cancer diagnosis. “We have been lucky enough to have amazing support from Liberton Golf Club in Edinburgh.

March 21, 2026 09:24 UTC

DCC hopes to reflect burden visitors place on city servicesDublin City Council (DCC) has floated a number of models for a proposed ‘tourist tax’ in the capital, with the authority hoping to reflect the increased burden placed on city services by visitors. Cities in 21 other European countries have implemented such a measure, which would place an additional charge on those staying in hotels, hostels and other accommodation in the city. In a presentation to councillors, DCC’s economic development head Ross Curley outlined the different models in use from which Dublin could draw inspiration. "So, it’s per person per night, per room per night and a percentage of the room rate. They point to the high prices already faced by tourists to the capital, and the fact that hotels already pay commercial rates to the council, along with Vat.

March 21, 2026 09:17 UTC

Robbery increase in North Wales county includes children having phones takenCrime data shows a 'marked increase' in the number of robberies GwyneddView Image There has been an increase in some wards within Bangor (Image: North Wales Live)A "marked increase" in robberies in a North Wales county includes cases of children having their mobile phones taken. During a Cyngor Gwynedd communities scrutiny committee meeting held on Thursday, March 19, councillors were told there had been a "small but marked" rise in robbery offences in the county. ‌This represented a 112.5% rise in robbery offences in the county, as compared to the 12.4% increase recorded for north Wales. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up‌Whilst the report stated that robbery volumes were considered "only small" there had been "a marked increase" so far for 2025/26. "Analysis of these offences shows increases in some wards within Bangor, most notably Deiniolen, Menai (Bangor)," the report stated.

March 21, 2026 09:13 UTC