New and noteworthy Irish spa experiences to reset, refresh and restore – The Irish Times
There are several noteworthy new spa treatments on my must-try list this year, but first I have to tell you about two treatments I recently experienced – both new, unique in their approach and memorable in their results. The first is the Swiss Eye Specialist Treatment at The Shelbourne hotel in Dublin city centre. Created by Swissline – a consistently excellent treatment and product line available at The Shelbourne – its new Swiss Eye Specialist treatment targets the eye area. Designed for puffiness, fatigue and fine lines around the eyes, this treatment combines gentle but firm massage with intensive hydration and targeted masking. Codage Magistrale Face Treatment is offered at the Velvaere Spa, Radisson Blu Royal HotelAnd the second: Codage Magistrale Treatment at Velvaere Spa, Radisson Blu Royal, Dublin 8.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 01:41 UTC
No, objecting to the enormous wealth of billionaires is not begrudgery – The Irish Times
The wealth of the super-rich like Stripe cofounder Patrick Collison has become abstract to ordinary individuals. Specifically, remarks beneath a link to an article in The Irish Times about an Oxfam report on inequality. Others praised the financial landscape described in the article as proof that “hard work pays off” and evidence of “hard work and a bit of luck”. The article details the increased wealth of Ireland’s billionaires. The document reveals an economically egregious and morally repugnant concentration of wealth and highlights how billionaires can manipulate systems to further entrench their advantage.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 01:31 UTC
Mick Clifford: Blaming Met Éireann for floods shows performative politics is all the rage
Jim Gavin stepped down as chair of the Dublin North East Inner City (NEIC) programme board this week. Elsewhere, farmers continued to protest outside the offices of Bord Bia, calling for the resignation of its chair, Larry Murrin. And for a little light relief on the side, housing minister James Browne blamed Met Éireann for the floods. Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €130€80 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 01:16 UTC
The Irish Times view on Storm Chandra: underlining failure to prepare for the ‘new normal’
It is barely a year since the devastating winds of Storm Éowyn, and only months since the inundations of Storm Claudia. Moreover, research by Wasitus, a joint project of Met Éireann and the Icarus climate research centre at Maynooth University, shows that it is not just the ferocity of individual storms that cause flooding. The previous saturation of the ground by ongoing heavy rainfall in our changed climate conditions makes exceptional flooding by such storms up to three times more likely. In terms of reducing flooding, we need to think much more innovatively. In the meantime, the available supports need to be directed efficiently to those most affected by this week’s events.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 01:12 UTC
Storm Chandra: French couple left homeless after apartment flooded - ‘We were scared, it was dangerous’
‘We were scared, it was dangerous’ – French couple left homeless after Dublin apartment flooded during Storm ChandraPair have to return to France, while other homeowners tell of the water coming through walls and windowsTheo Ambrois and Charlotte Dubosc are without a place to live at a bad time in their livesSarah O'Mahony and Deirdre Barry Yesterday at 06:30A French couple whose apartment in Dublin flooded are now homeless because of the damage.
Source:Irish Independent
January 31, 2026 01:02 UTC
Saturday with Sharon Shannon: 'I always go into the audience after the gig'
Often if I’m doing a gig I’ll have stayed nearby the night before. I won’t get up for the hotel breakfast, I’ll stay in bed as long as I possibly can. 22.30I always go into the audience after the gig. 23.00If the journey home isn’t too long, I’ll drive home. Sharon Shannon headlines Rock against Homelessness in aid of Focus Ireland on March 17 in the Olympia Theatre along with The Sharon Shannon Big Band, Bob Geldof, Camille O’Sullivan, Garron Noone, Alky, Colm Lynch and special guests.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 01:00 UTC
David O'Mahony: Children's book shows it's good to get out of your comfort zone
Well, deep down every writer wants to sell a shedload of books, though ideally they’ll all be read as well. She’s been very clear that while daddy is a writer, she’s not interested in any of his spooky stories so this one was for kids. It has Daughter in the lead role, because she asked me to write a book for her. It’s one thing to write a book. Ultimately, trying my hand at a children’s book was a very good thing.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 00:48 UTC
Tánaiste accuses Sinn Féin of 'breaking political consensus on Ukraine'
The Tánaiste has accused Sinn Féin of "breaking political consensus on Ukraine" after the opposition party voted against an EU loan facility for Ukraine. The Dáil earlier this week debated a motion seeking approval for Ireland to take part in a EU loan of €90 billion to support Ukraine. I thought there was nearly political consensus on Ukraine in Ireland. You can't just support Ukraine with words, you've got to support it with money. "I was really disappointed to see that breakdown in what I thought was political consensus."
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 00:47 UTC
Donald Trump has softened his stance — but after Minneapolis, America isn't fooled anymore
Sensing what way the wind was blowing, President Donald Trump softened the stance. This is the same Tim Walz who Mr Trump had originally claimed was “inciting insurrection”, in the wake of Mr Pretti’s killing. For all the shifting rhetoric though, Minneapolis has by no means gotten a reprieve. In one posted on Tuesday, agents are seen surrounding a crying woman holding a young girl as they detain her relative. “Having gone through 2020, and what happened with the uprising after George Floyd was killed, Minneapolis has been organised.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 00:35 UTC
Price of Kerrygold butter cut by 9% across SuperValu and Centra stores
Reductions in the price of Kerrygold butter in Supervalu and Centra stores will deliver savings of up to 50 cent. Musgrave has cut the price of Kerrygold butter products in the latest stage of a burgeoning price war among Irish supermarkets. The group said it would reduce the price of Kerrygold across its Supervalu and Centra stores by 9 per cent from Friday. It saw the price of all SuperValu and Centra one pound (454 gramme) own-brand butter products fall from €3.99 to €3.39, while its half pound (227g) packs sit at €2.09, down from €2.39. [ What do supermarket price cuts mean for shoppers?Opens in new window ]Musgrave has 615 Centra and 258 SuperValu stores across Ireland, the majority of which are in the Republic.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 00:25 UTC
Man admits to smashing almost 40 flat screen TVs at two Cork City betting shops
Twenty-six flat screen televisions were smashed at a betting office in Cork City and 13 more screens were smashed a short time earlier at another bookmakers and now a 39-year-old man has signed pleas of guilty to causing the extensive criminal damage. He will be sentenced at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on February 9.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 00:16 UTC
The battle for Minneapolis: ‘Ice agents are like this invisible goon squad’
It seemed as though Greg Bovino, the military-coated, shorn-headed commander of the Minneapolis immigration operation, was on full parade that day. “Just being around, being arrogant, all over south Minneapolis,” Cashman remembers. Photograph: Keith DugganIn December, Cashman’s term as a Minneapolis city councillor ended after she narrowly lost her seat in the city elections. There is something about their being masked that is extra intimidating where they are like this invisible goon squad. Protesters gather near the site in Minneapolis where Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents earlier this month.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 00:09 UTC
Eurovision UK act is 'secretly AXED after BBC discovers unacceptable online comments and behaviour'
Eurovision has been thrown into further chaos after the UK's entry was reportedly axed when the BBC discovered their past 'unacceptable comments and behaviour'. As a result of the act being axed, The Sun reported that the BBC have been frantically trying to find a replacement over the last month. Last year the UK was represented by Remember Monday, who performed their original song What The Hell Just Happened? The BBC told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'A rigorous due diligence process is always undertaken before an Act is offered the opportunity to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision. Last year the show saw chaos in the UK after Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of presenting the votes during the Grand Final.
Source:Daily Mail
January 30, 2026 23:29 UTC
Ex-Liverpool star hoping for £100k boost by selling off Reds memorabilia
Ex-Liverpool star hoping for £100k boost by selling off Reds memorabiliaFormer Liverpool star Sammy Lee enjoyed a glittering career having had spells with Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers and Osasuna and he has now chosen to cash in on some momentosView 2 Images Sammy Lee had a number of spells at Anfield (Image: Getty Images)Former Liverpool and England star Sammy Lee is hoping to raise around £100k from selling memorabilia from his glittering career. Lee won five league titles with Liverpool, two European Cups, four League Cups and three Charity Shields during his playing days. Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageDavid Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at Budds, added: “Sammy Lee is a Liverpool native and a club legend at Anfield. “The market is so strong at the moment and Sammy has seen his contemporaries selling their footballing memorabilia. Lee is far from the first former England star to put his memorabilia up for auction.
Source:Daily Mirror
January 30, 2026 23:21 UTC
Passengers warned air fares could rise by 25 per cent under 'lunatic' EU baggage crackdown allowing large cabin bags on board free of charge
'For low-cost carriers, optional paid services such as larger cabin bags are key to keeping base fares low and air travel accessible. EasyJet stated that large cabin bags could be purchased across their network for prices starting from £5.99. 'The easyJet cabin bag prices we collected were typically five times as much as the "from £5.99" it claimed. When booking a trip, customers should consider choosing an airline without cabin bag add-ons as it may work out cheaper.' 'We always have some large cabin bags available for the lowest price.
Source:Daily Mail
January 30, 2026 23:03 UTC