Drone delivery firm Manna has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan with its goal to be operating across Ireland by the end of the year. This week, the firm said it surpassed 250,000 total deliveries last year after doubling its annual deliveries during 2025. Mr Hicks said the company delivers 5,000 deliveries a month in Blanchardstown, with more than 60,000 deliveries in total from its hub in Dublin 15. At the 44th annual University College Cork UCC Commerce Conference at County Hall, Cork City. The event, which is the country's largest student-run annual conference, focused on future of business in Ireland under the theme "Éire 2030."

Nigella Lawson has stepped out for the first time since being confirmed to replace Dame Prue Leith as the new Great British Bake Off judge. Nigella admitted to being daunted by the big shoes she had to fill, following two 'great dames' in Prue and original judge Dame Mary Berry. 'The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it's a National Treasure – and it's a huge honour to be entrusted with it.' Nigella has also received Dame Prue's approval, who said: 'I'm thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off. In recent years, Nigella has served as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and a main judge on Australia's My Kitchen Rules.

Rising waters along the Glenmacnass river left a group of hikers stranded over the weekend having crossed the river earlier in the day. A bystanders noticed the stranded group and contacted the gardai, who in turn tasked the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue. Mountain Rescue personnel then made their way to the Brockagh track system and travelled up an alternative route to reach the hikers. If you are planning a looped walk that involves crossing water, Mountain Rescue advice is not to cross the water. If you do become stranded, the advice is to stay put and contact Mountain Rescue on 112/999

The Yoga Picnic has teamed up with the Irish Times to offer one lucky reader and a friend the chance to win two VIP tickets to The Yoga Picnic on Saturday, July 4th 2026 and a luxury one-night stay in Wineport Lodge on Friday, July 3rd, 2026. The Yoga Picnic is a one-day yoga and wellbeing festival held on the banks of Lough Ennell, Co. Westmeath. The Yoga Picnic was created to support Ireland’s yoga and wellness community while promoting sustainability, mental health awareness, and mindful living. The Wineport Lodge is a stunning location, where lakeside luxury meets summer staycation perfection. More home than hotel, Wineport Lodge is a luxury retreat where cosiness and comfort are at the heart of every stay.

Main pointsUisce Éireann has said it is still assessing the cause of the burst water main at Edge’s Corner, Fairview Park in north Dublin. About 100,000 people are experiencing reduced water pressure as a result of the burst water main, while water outages for some will “persist for a period”, it said. Dublin City Council and Uisce Éireann workers pump flood waters and work on repairs on Thursday morning at Fairview Park, Dublin. Significant flooding as a result of the burst water main led to road closures in the area for several hours. Monaghan County Council, meanwhile, said flooding remains “severe” throughout the county, and warned motorists not to drive through flood water.

Elina Svitolina said she would not permit herself to be sad following her Australian Open semi-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka, adding that she was lucky to be playing tennis while people are suffering in her Ukraine homeland. Svitolina bowed out of her first semi-final at Melbourne Park with a 6-2 6-3 defeat to top-seeded Belarusian Sabalenka in a match overshadowed by geopolitical tensions. The Ukrainian otherwise felt she gave a good account of herself against Sabalenka and at the Grand Slam overall. "It's important because I also know when I go back to Ukraine, I see people are really stuck in the routine. "So I think sports, in general, for Ukraine really unites us as a people and unites us with these great emotions."

Jane Haining was the matron of the Scottish Mission School in the Hungarian capital during the Second World War. Miss Haining refused to return to Scotland during the war and decided to stay with the Jewish girls in her care. The artwork was unveiled at a special event to honour Miss Haining in Paisley and to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday. It is to be painted on a wall at Brown’s Lane and Shuttle Street, thoroughfares that Miss Haining used on her way to and from work. The artwork was commissioned by the Renfrewshire branch of Unison and the mural was designed by Paisley-based artists Alexander Guy and Caroline Gormley.

Minister for agriculture Martin Heydon said Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin has his “full confidence” despite protests and demands from the IFA for his resignation. Following the decision not to remove Mr Murrin from his current role in Bord Bia, the IFA has been protesting outside the Bord Bia offices since Monday. “I am conscious of my responsibilities as director of Bord Bia, and I absolutely believe that it is in the best interests of Bord Bia for the chair to step down,” he said. ICSA protesting outside Bord Bia offices in Dublin last week as board members failed to remove Larry Mullin as chair of Bord Bia. Larry Murrin remains chair of Bord Bia, despite overseeing a business that sources Brazilian beef.

The report recommends that Minister for Housing James Browne seek a derogation from public procurement rules governing the purchase of urgent fire-safety work. Photograph: Conor Ó Mearáin/Collins Photo AgencyDraft laws should be amended to give a carve-out to public procurement rules so “life-saving” safety systems can be installed in defective apartment blocks, the Oireachtas Committee on Housing has recommended. A report from the committee, on legislation enabling a multibillion-euro scheme to remediate defective apartments and duplexes, was published on Thursday. It also recommends that Minister for Housing James Browne seek a derogation from public procurement rules governing the purchase of urgent fire-safety work. Group spokesman Pat Montague said the application of public procurement rules was a major factor in the time it is taking to process such applications.

Emma Bunton has shared a glimpse into her luxurious 50th birthday as she celebrated with the Spice Girls. Amid the recent social media storm with her estranged son Brooklyn, Victoria was one of the first to publicly wish Emma a Happy Birthday. She captioned the black and white picture: 'Happy Birthday @emmaleebunton, I love you so much!!' Geri also posted: 'Happy 50th birthday! Happy Birthday my love, I can’t wait to celebrate you!!!!

Fairview Road reopens after morning floodingCommuters take photos of flooding in Fairview on Thursday morningUisce Éireann is continuing to carry out urgent repairs to a major burst on a large water main at Edge’s Corner, Fairview Park. Flooding at the location has since receded and Fairview Road reopened to traffic at approximately 11am. Uisce Éireann said crews attended the scene promptly and worked alongside An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade and specialist teams from Dublin City Council. Earlier today, the utility confirmed that crews had isolated the burst, with repair works continuing under difficult, water-logged ground conditions. Uisce Éireann is continuing to carry out urgent repairs to a major burst on a large water main at Edge’s Corner, Fairview Park.

Cormac Sheehy, Managing Director of Sheehy Meares Real Estate. The value of an early advisory valuation for vendorsFor many homeowners considering selling in 2026, the first conversation with an agent happens much later than it should. An early advisory valuation is not about committing to a sale. An advisory valuation also helps vendors avoid common pitfalls such as overpricing, underpricing or reacting to informal opinions that are not supported by market evidence. Sheehy Meares Real Estate was a KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards Finalist – Small Agency Award 2025

A scheme to address defects in around 100,000 Celtic Tiger era apartments must fully up and running by the end of the year – almost ten years after the problems were first identified - the Government will be advised.

Sunday represented Waterford’s heaviest beating, across spring and summer fare, in seven years. The starting line-up contained just six starters from Waterford's final championship outing of 2025, that also away to Cork. I was in a black depression 20 minutes into the match,” said former Waterford All-Star Jim Greene. “But if you go to the last 40 minutes of the match, Cork were only a point better than us. But some of that Ballygunner team have had a chance previously and didn't light up the park either.

Limerick's Troy Studios is set to attract major international TV shows to Ireland after signing a multimillion-euro deal. The 20% corporation tax credit would benefit reality TV shows such as The Traitors Ireland and the likes of Dancing with the Stars. Troy Studios is Ireland’s largest studio facility. Troy Studios managing director Elaine Geraghty said the deal firmly positioned Limerick and Ireland at the forefront of global television production. This investment in Troy Studio will allow us offer a world-class base for international production.