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The 2026 Gold Medal Awards were held in Galway earlier this week. Renowned Offaly hotel claims honours at the Gold Medal AwardsThe County Arms Birr Hotel was among the honours when the prestigious 2026 Gold Medal Awards were held at the Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway on Tuesday (January 27). The renowned Offaly hotel claimed the silver medal in the competition's Best Small Wedding Hotel category, which was won The Station House Hotel in Co. Meath. Donegal's Harvey's Point Hotel won the overall Supreme Hotel Award, as over 700 people from across the hotel and catering industry gathered for the event, which was hosted by Anton Savage. Now in its 36th year, the Gold Medal Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the hospitality industry from across the country.

The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced that Niall McLaughlin will receive the awardIrish architect Niall McLaughlin has been given a highly regarded award in recognition of his “thoughtful, well-crafted” designs and work as an educator. The Dubliner said he was delighted to receive the 2026 Royal Gold Medal for architecture – a high honour in the field that is bestowed on behalf of the King. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced on Thursday that Mr McLaughlin will receive the award, describing his work as having a “remarkable consistency” and “shaped by a deep sensitivity to place”. Mr McLaughlin was born in Geneva in 1962 and was educated in Dublin, studying architecture at University College Dublin between 1979 and 1984. “I am delighted and honoured to receive the 2026 Royal Gold Medal for architecture,” Mr McLaughlin said:“My team and I view architecture as a continuity of practice across generations.

The Stepping Out programme, which is based in Belhavel, Athlone, and provides training opportunities for people on probation, is due to close in February. Shock as Athlone service to close after more than 25 yearsThe Stepping Out programme in Athlone, which for more than 25 years has been helping to rehabilitate people who found themselves in trouble with the judicial system, is set to close next month. "Stepping Out has been providing an excellent service, and the service users really benefit from being part of it." It’s understood the programme in Athlone had been working with up to 50 service users each year. By engaging with people who are on probation, Stepping Out has helped many add skills to help steer them on a pathway to employment.

Michael Carrick lacks football knowledge to win titles for Man Utd – Roy KeaneBy Phil Blanche, Press AssociationRoy Keane says Michael Carrick does not have enough “football knowledge” to lead Manchester United to Premier League title glory, and they must look elsewhere for a permanent manager. “We talk about what you need with Arsenal trying to win league titles, the players there, and a new experience for them. “So Michael Carrick is going to be the manager of Man United? “I’m not saying Michael Carrick can’t be a top manager, but the timing for him to be manager of Man United in the summer? Keane said: “United should definitely be fourth or fifth unless the wheels come off, so just doing that means you should become the manager of Man United?

Four athletes to make up Team Ireland for next month’s Winter Olympics in ItalyThe Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) has confirmed a four-athlete Team Ireland squad for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Thomas Maloney Westgård is the veteran of the team, and is set to compete in his third Olympic Games, when he will become only the second man to ever compete in three winter games. Thomas was born in a small island called Leka in Norway to a Galway mother and Norwegian father, and following a hugely successful few seasons, he competes for professional team Team Aker Dæhlie. Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Milano Cortina 2026, Nancy Chillingworth, said, “This team reflects the progress of Irish winter sport and the exceptional standards required to compete at Olympic level. "We are excited to see three new names on the Irish team, and are looking forward to welcoming Thomas back.

What, then, to do about the simmering row between president Trump and the performing arts (excuse the phrase) “community”? “Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”Pity Trump! Trump loves the performing arts – with an evident fondness for Memories from Cats. Like Trump and Glass, politics and art do not speak the same language. Artists have cancelled performances at Washington's premier performing arts center to protest its renaming to include US President Donald Trump.

A plastic surgeon in France has been given a suspended sentence after his diamond dealing billionaire client died during a penis enlargement surgery. Belgian-Israeli Ehud Arye Laniado died after suffering a heart attack in the Saint-Honoré-Ponthieu clinic in Paris' 8th arrondissement. Surgeon Guy H. was given a 15-month suspended sentence, while his assistant surgeon, who was standing in for him at the time of the operation, was given a 12-month suspended sentence. A French court heart that emergency services were initially called at 8pm on March 2 2019, the night Laniado died, before they were called again two hours later. A plastic surgeon in France has been given a suspended sentence after his diamond dealing billionaire client died during a penis enlargement surgery (file image)The billionaire died in the Saint-Honoré-Ponthieu clinic in Paris' 8th arrondissement (pictured)One defendant claimed that the first call was only made at Laniado's insistence, as he was suffering from abdominal pains.

A man accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in west Dublin in October has been sent forward for trial. Judge Áine Shannon granted a return for trial order and remanded him in custody to appear at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on a date in May. Last month, a second count was brought against him for sexual assault of the same complainant at another location close to Garter Lane. Garda Sergeant Connolly has already said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial on indictment. Court prosecutions have commenced while an investigation continues to identify others at the scene.

Hannah Waesch (middle) is pictured with team-mates Megan Plaschko and Madison Gibson after their UEFA Women's Champions League win against Cardiff City last season. Waesch and Clarke confirmed as Athlone Town captains for 2026 seasonKevin O'NeillAthlone Town FC have announced that Hannah Waesch and Brendan Clarke are to be the senior women's and men's team captains, respectively, for the 2026 League of Ireland season. The Dubliner has also helped two teams, Galway Utd (his most recent club) and Shelbourne, to the First Division title. Athlone will then begin their First Division league campaign against Finn Harps on Friday, February 13 (Athlone Town Stadium, 7.45pm). Athlone's all-conquering women's team will begin the defence of their league title away to Sligo Rovers in mid-March.

Republic of Ireland international Leanne Kiernan has sealed a loan move to Women's Super League 2 outfit Nottingham Forest for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. Striker Kiernan departs parent club Liverpool in the same month the Reds secured the services of her Ireland teammate Denise O'Sullivan, however, she will be joining the Irish contingent of Chloe Mustaki and Jessie Stapleton at Forest.

Two Man Utd transfer targets set to complete deals ahead of January deadlineManchester United have been exploring possible deals in the January transfer window, but one rival club is set to scupper two moves for Michael Carrick's side before the deadlineView 2 Images Manchester United were reportedly targeting Mohamed Kader Meite (Image: Photo by DAMIEN MEYER / AFP via Getty Images)Manchester United are poised to miss out on two transfer targets to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. ‌United spent £200million to change their front line over the summer, with Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha arriving. ‌The Red Devils want to overhaul their midfield next but will wait until the summer transfer window, when there will be some clarity over the identity of the next long-term manager. Mirror Man Utd - FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Article continues belowJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

Jurgen Klopp's wife has shown her true colours as his Liverpool dugout return announcedJurgen Klopp is poised to return to the Anfield dugout less than two years after stepping away from the Liverpool manager's jobView 2 Images Ulla Sandrock with Jurgen Klopp in 2024 (Image: Quality Sport Images, Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp's upcoming return to Anfield has been met with excitement from a few directions. For his wife Ulla, though, it will represent an opportunity to revisit a city she truly embraced as her home. ‌Klopp announced his Liverpool exit in January 2024 and took charge of his final game at the end of the 2023/24 campaign before passing the baton to Arne Slot. View 2 Images Jurgen Klopp and Ulla Sandrock watching Liverpool in May 2025 (Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)‌Klopp and his wife settled in Formby and were frequently seen at neighbourhood pubs. Klopp eventually stepped away in 2024 regardless, but fans won't have to wait much longer to see him return.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly say they almost quit Britain's Got Talent following a series of backstage disputes - among them Simon Cowell's persistent lateness. We went to LA to see him to tell him we were going to leave Britain's Got Talent because we weren't having a very nice time. The presenting duo previously touched on their meeting with Cowell in 2020 autobiography, Once Upon A Tyne. Donnelly added: 'He made a promise to us, that things would change and that we'd never feel like that again. McPartlin recently admitted he is the 'happiest he has ever been' after going sober following his 'tough' drink-driving ordeal in 2018.

The council has completed a new purpose‑built bat roost house in Blundell Park, Edenderry. Information event next week on new 'bat roost house' in EdenderryOffaly County Council has completed the design and commissioning of a new purpose‑built bat roost house in Blundell Park, Edenderry. An information meeting will be held to explain the background and rationale for the project, provide an update on progress, and outline plans for the future. This will take place on Thursday next, February 5, at 8pm in the community cabin, Edenderry. For further information in advance of the meeting, contact: biodiversity@offalycoco.ie