Photograph: Matt KavanaghA record number of learner drivers failed to attend for their driving test in October, with 1,089 “no shows”. The figures were issued as it emerged that driving-test waiting times had dropped slightly from an average of 11.42 weeks at the end of November to 11.38 weeks on December 19th. However, 28 of the State’s 57 test centres have waiting times above target. Susan Gray, who chairs road safety campaign group Parc, said: “Driving-test waiting times are climbing since hitting the target in September. “They put Action Plan 33 into their road safety strategy.

Visiting dignitaries should not land at Dublin Airport in the mid- morning because welcoming ceremonies and guards of honour were delaying flights, Dublin Airport’s operator urged the Government in 1993. Newly released files from the National Archives show that Aer Rianta lodged its views with the Government after passengers in 1992 were unable to disembark flights on the day the German president Richard von Weizacker landed. Noting that the then-operator had faced a significant number of complaints from affected passengers, a senior Aer Rianta executive, Don Treacy, said all activity on the tarmac had to halt for such ceremonies, usually lasting 15 minutes. Expressing concern that the arrival of dignitaries in the summer months would happen when Dublin Airport was at its busiest, he asked if it was possible to ensure that VIP arrivals happened at a time other than mid-morning. Aer Rianta was happy to accommodate VIP arrivals, but there had been complaints and he wanted to try to improve the situation before it became too difficult.

The drama of the presidential election in 2025 sucked much of the oxygen out of the rest of the year. The ongoing drama of the presidential election sucked much of the oxygen out of the rest of it. Fine Gael suffered a humiliating presidential election, but it was nothing compared to Fianna Fáil’s unmitigated catastrophe. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was right when she said her party’s role in the presidential election would be a game-changer. Photograph: Enda O'DowdThe standout here has to be President Connolly.

Below, as 2025 draws to a close, a panel of experts share their thoughts on what Ireland, and the world, might look like in 2050. The world will have learned how to deal with migration and face up to its primary causes – war, property and climate change. “By 2050, technology will not save or doom healthcare on its own,” says Doherty. In an ideal world, communities in 2050 would be pleasant places to live – sustainable, energy efficient and with good walking, cycling and public-transport infrastructure. Despite environmental concerns around air travel, Corry is optimistic about emissions-cutting technology, and believes the aviation industry will continue to grow.

The 17-year-old worked in the garment factory until 11pm the previous evening, starting again at 8am that morning. Eti Akhtar (18) has been working and living alone in Dhaka for the past four yearsEti and garment workers pictured in a clothing printing factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She packs it in a Tupperware container, before walking 45 minutes to the garment factory, where she starts at 8am. She did not know if her own job was secure, saying women were deemed undesirable as garment workers after they turned 40; sometimes even from their late 20s. Sally Hayden Bangladeshi garment industry brings poor conditions Eti Akhtar (18) worries about harassment when she goes to and from her job in a garment factory.

In January 2005, The Irish Times published a “future edition” of its Saturday Magazine, inviting specialist journalists and other experts to predict the world in 2025. Here are some of the things our 2005 future edition got nearly right, and some things it got quite wrong. “It could be quite shocking for those in their 20s and 30s who have known nothing but the economic good times. They will perform constant diagnostics on our bodies, sensing potential health problems.”TemperaturesMost of the writing about climate change in the 2005 future edition was accurate. “It seems quite possible that in 2025, we will be enjoying a revival of reality TV fronted by that much-loved old biddy Davina McCall,” he wrote.

A great semicircular rainbow appears over the seascape, spectacular on its own but useless to me without a race. I was assigned to a senior intercounty camogie match in west Dublin, with Dublin captained by Aisling Maher and Kilkenny captained by Katie Power. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillPat prepares his exhibition, Untold Lives - People and Places of Dublin, as part of The Liberties Festival 2025. Bryan O’BrienCherry Cassidy-Kelly (nine) tries on her suit at Jas Fagan Master Tailor Communion Shop on Thomas Street in Dublin. Photograph: Enda O’DowdIn January I left my family home in Mayo at around 6am and drove straight into Storm Éowyn.

Apartments in the proposed development would be spread across five blocks. Photograph: Getty ImagesGlenveagh Homes is seeking permission to build an 815-home development on the outskirts of Balbriggan, North Dublin. Glenveagh is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the development and will build a C-ring road between the R122 and Flemington Lane, as well as 5.26 hectares of public open space. The site of the proposed development was previously granted planning permission for a smaller development to Dean Swift Property Holdings, following an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The home builder, which is listed on the Irish stock market as Glenveagh Properties plc, is developing sites in north Co Dublin.

Being fulfilled in your career is a vital aspect of your wellbeing, and therefore – rather than turning off your work brain completely – perhaps just turn it down. Holiday job hunt: Do’s & Don't’sQ: You should forget about work completely. “It’s absolutely important that you take time to rest and recuperate after a busy year – the festive period is a time when you should be prioritising what makes you happy. However, being fulfilled in your career is a vital aspect of your wellbeing, and therefore – rather than turning off your work brain completely – perhaps just turn it down. Using your time wisely and applying discipline where you need to will ensure you get a restful festive break while keeping your career plan for next year in sight.”

Man Utd news: Kobbie Mainoo transfer update as academy graduate could make shock moveThere are some big decisions to be made at Manchester United ahead of the January transfer windowView 3 Images Kobbie Mainoo's Man United future is up in the air (Image: Getty Images)With the January transfer window just around the corner, Old Trafford is once again buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Manchester United are no strangers to busy windows, although their record in the winter market has been decidedly mixed. While no deals have been completed yet, one thing is certain: when it comes to Manchester United and the transfer window, drama is never far away. ‌"He is going to be the future of Manchester United. 'Shock' bid to re-sign academy graduateManchester United are reportedly considering a surprise move for former academy graduate James Garner.

Deloitte’s ‘Return to Work’ programme provides individuals who have taken a career break of 18 months to 10 years the opportunity to join the firm through a structured and supportive nine-month placement. Zoë Briggs, inclusion lead, who runs the Return-to-Work programme explained that taking a career break doesn’t make people less skilled or less competent, but it can still be hard to find a job again. “Return-to-Work is an opportunity for individuals who’ve taken an extended career break to relaunch their careers at Deloitte Ireland through a bespoke, structured, and supportive nine month placement. “We work with an organisation called Career Returners, which is a social enterprise looking to make career breaks a valid part of a lifetime of care. Then, in May 2023, I stumbled upon the Deloitte Ireland Return-to-Work programme.

The former Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor, with his wife Wallis Simpson after his abdicationBritain strongly urged the Irish Government nearly fifty years ago not to release key 1936 records about King Edward VIII’s abdication, especially a key conversation between Éamon de Valera and a top British official. Displaying the sensitivity surrounding the abdication even 30 years on, London was deeply worried in June 1967 that Irish records could bring an unwelcome public gaze onto the still-sensitive controversy. The Duke of Windsor, formerly Edward the VIII, and Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson. Such a proposal was “impractical”, Baldwin told de Valera: “In order to avert danger further delay ... But situation has become so grave that it brooks no delay.” Edward abdicated six days later.

Friends and colleagues pay tribute to Irish figures who died this year, including singer Linda Nolan, social campaigner Sister Stanislaus Kennedy and designer Paul CostelloeThis was a year that saw the passing of many famous figures who left a lasting impact on Irish life. From the acclaimed novelist Jennifer Johnston to the much-loved motor sport boss Eddie Jordan, here are some of those luminaries, remembered by those who were inspired by their work.

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