The organisers of Ireland’s oldest St Patrick’s Day parade have announced this year’s theme, as they plan to put the history of our national day centre stage. In 1903 Waterford played host to the first St Patrick’s Day parade, after a motion proposed by Waterford Corporation that March 17 become a national public holiday. To mark Waterford’s incredible heritage, this year’s theme, ‘Waterford: Where St Patrick’s Day Began’, leans firmly into the city’s unique place in Irish history. We were the first to hold a St Patrick’s Day parade, and this year’s festival will not disappoint. Groups interested in taking part in Waterford’s St Patrick’s Day parade can register their interest via stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com, with organisers encouraging early sign-up ahead of what is expected to be a bumper festival week.

‘Wheelchair users like me are forced to fork out €1,000 for a €200 stay at an Irish hotel’Shane Rothwell (45), who has cerebral palsy, says not a single hotel he tried has a ceiling hoist and he also could not secure appropriate taxiShane Rothwell could not find a hotel with a ceiling hoist, which he needs to transfer safely from his wheelchair to a bed. Photo: Mark CondrenLaura Lynott Today at 06:30A man who uses a wheelchair has described how he is forced to pay up to five times more for a one‑night stay at an Irish hotel than a non-disabled person.

Fans facing €105 cost to buy Castore’s new Ireland shirt and they can feel entitled to ask whyLoyalty comes at a cost for supporters with many outraged by the rising price tagsThe new Ireland home and away jerseys during the launch at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo: Sam Barnes/SportsfileSeán O'Connor Today at 06:30The shirt will go down in history if Ireland can get the job done in March and secure a first World Cup spot since 2002, but last weekend saw the nation’s new green strip make headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Taoiseach's cautious approach has served him well during 15 years as Fianna Fáil leader, so he won’t abandon it nowMicheál Martin is joining the 21st century. As the Jim Gavin presidential election campaign debacle fallout continues, Fianna Fáil is hiring a senior digital editor to drive online growth, create native campaigns and utilise data to put a strategy in place across numerous platforms. After 15 years as leader of Fianna Fáil, the jury is still out on Martin’s modernisation of the party. When he became leader, Martin says, there wasn’t even a database of members. Despite moving away from some outdated structures, there is still a touch of the old school about Fianna Fáil and the party has been reluctantly dragged along with modern causes.

A man who falsely claimed to have been injured following a road traffic accident 10 years ago has been jailed for two years and nine months. Iosca, of Scholars Walk, Lusk Village, Fingal, submitted a personal injury claim form for compensation to the MIBI in July 2016. Iosca's case was heard in the High Court in January 2020. Imposing sentence, Judge Patricia Ryan said it was aggravating that Iosca issued a High Court summons. Counsel said his client made no financial gain as the High Court case was withdrawn.

Cost of housing asylum-seekers heading for new record high, despite government efforts to budgetNew figures obtained by ‘Irish Independent’ show costs surpassed €1bn for the first time in 2024Justice Minister reveals almost €950m was spent on accommodation by the end of October in 2025Calls for spending to be ‘better scrutinised’Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan. Photo: Sam Boal/CollinsSenan Molony Today at 06:30The cost of accommodating refugees last year is to hit another record – despite government efforts to curtail costs.

Couple 'haunted' as hospital hands them wrong baby after devastating stillbirthLindsay Richardson, from Glasgow, has told how her baby Charlie was delivered stillborn at at the Princess Royal Maternity - before she and her ex-partner were given the wrong babyView 3 Images Lindsay said she was "haunted" by the mix-up (Image: Supplied)A woman says she is "haunted" by a hospital mix-up where she and her ex-partner were given the wrong baby after a traumatic stillbirth. ‌While Lindsay was in surgery a midwife brought a baby to John, who is said to have questioned if this was his baby Charlie. After a traumatic birth, Lindsay and John were faced with the trauma of the "mix-up", which Lindsay says will forever "haunt" them both. The couple ended their relationship months after Charlie's birth, with Lindsay saying the trauma left her mental health "crippled". After spending a couple days with their baby boy, Lindsay and John had Charlie cremated, with his ashes scattered alongside Lindsay's mum and dad.

Floral tributes at Ratoath Road in Finglas, where Grace Lynch was killed on Sunday. Photograph: Colin Keegan/CollinsA teenage girl who died after sustaining “catastrophic” injuries in an incident involving a scrambler bike has been named locally as Grace Lynch. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a “serious road traffic collision” involving a motorcycle that was in collision with the girl in the Scribblestown area of Finglas. The incident happened at about 2.20pm as the girl walked on a pedestrian crossing on the Ratoath Road. “It is horrific that a child crossing the road on a Sunday afternoon should sustain catastrophic injuries.

Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish TimesA fine by Italian competition authorities dented profits at airline Ryanair Holdings in the three months to December 31st, figures show. Profit fell 80 per cent to €30 million in the three-month period from €149 million, after calculating for a €256 million fine by Italy’s competition regulator, which Ryanair believes will be overturned on appeal. Ryanair included around one third of the total Italian fine as an exceptional charge for the three-month period, the third quarter of its financial year, which ends in March 31st. Mr O’Leary said that a complaint from one agent, with 5 per cent of the market, resulted in the fine. The weekend’s surge in oil prices did not worry the airline, Mr O’Leary said following the publication of the results.

The cheque for €37,995 being presented to Children's Health Ireland. Ganly's donate nearly €38k to CHI after success of 'Bright Friday' initiativeGanly’s Hardware have donated a sum of nearly €38,000 to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin Children’s Hospital following the success of its first-ever Bright Friday campaign. The well-known local business, which operates stores in Athlone, Longford and Mountbellew, raised the funds through their reimagined Black Friday sale called 'Bright Friday. On Friday, November 28, the company pledged that all profits from Bright Friday sales would be donated directly to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, supporting vital care for children and families during some of their most difficult moments. "You didn’t just support a campaign, you helped make a real difference in the lives of young patients across Ireland."

Photograph: Chris MaddaloniConvenience retailer Centra says it will invest €27 million in its store network and create more than 500 new jobs nationwide this year. Its performance was driven by organic growth, continued expansion of its store network, targeted investment in store upgrades, as well as by its fresh food, own-brand, and on-the-go offerings, the company said. “Looking ahead, our ambition is to grow our store network to 600 locations by 2030, enabling us to have a Centra in every community in Ireland,” he said. Centra said its deli section experienced 7.4 per cent growth, with nearly 10 million chicken fillet rolls were prepared across Ireland in 2025. Frank & Honest coffee enjoyed sales growth of 10.9 per cent year-on-year with more than 26 million cups now sold annually.

Mikel Arteta accused of making 'knee-jerk reaction' as Arsenal star left unhappyArsenal were undone by Manchester United on Sunday with Mikel Arteta called out for making four substitutions just before the hour mark - which included hooking Martin OdegaardView 2 Images Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal side beaten which has blown up the title race (Image: )Mikel Arteta made a "knee-jerk reaction" by making a quadruple substitution in Arsenal's loss to Manchester United as David Seaman was left stunned that Martin Odegaard was hauled off. Arsenal were favourites to see off United, but let their lead slip at the Emirates. It was 2-1 at the time, it was almost a knee-jerk reaction to the second United goal, I don’t know why but it brought a bit of tension into the crowd. That was with five minutes remaining, but rather than land a winner, Arsenal conceded within two minutes. View 2 Images Martin Odegaard didn't even play an hour on Sunday (Image: )Matheus Cunha went up the other end and powered home a long range effort to stun the Emirates.

Doctor says 'forgotten' nutrient helps cholesterol - but 90% don't eat enoughThe doctor has urged people to add the "missing" item to their dietView 2 Images According to experts, these could help lower cholesterol levels (Image: Getty)A GP has urged people to boost their intake of a vital nutrient that can slash cholesterol, stabilise blood sugar levels and keep you feeling satisfied for extended periods. More than 90 per cent of UK adults fall short of consuming adequate fibre, data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey reveals. This forgotten nutrient that we need to be paying attention to. Opting for fibrous foods also helps us feel fuller, while a diet abundant in fibre can aid digestion and prevent constipation. Foods rich in fibre also regulate your blood sugar levels as they don't cause as much of a spike in your blood as low-fibre alternatives.

The January transfer window is into its final week and there could be some more major deals pushed through over the closing days. One deal that won't be going through however is Andy Robertson's move to Spurs, after Liverpool pulled the plug on talks. They have a mounting injury crisis and have chosen to retain the left-back despite talk of him heading to north London. The Reds continued to be linked with a move for Adam Wharton amid a growing at Selhurst Park. With all of that being said, make sure you stay tuned across Mirror Football for all of the latest rumours and confirmed deals.

Storm Chandra: Met Éireann expands rain and wind warnings to more countiesMichael BoltonMet Éireann has issued more yellow rain and wind warnings ahead of Storm Chandra on Tuesday. There is now a yellow rain warning issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, and Waterford. Meanwhile, a status yellow wind warning has been issued for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. There is currently a yellow wind warning in place for Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry until 11:59pm on Tuesday night. Monday will be wet and breezy today with widespread rain, turning heavy at times too.