Niamh Hargan: ‘I grew up in Derry with a noncomplex relationship with Irishness and identity’
I grew up with a noncomplex relationship with Irishness and identity. Three of those things: brown hair, blue eyes, living in Derry are where the conversation ends. Pre-Covid I had a really fun roster through the year where I would go to the Berlin Film Festival, Cannes and maybe Sundance or Tribeca. I remember once going to the Havana Film Festival and lots of different ones throughout the years in Toronto. There’s also a world in which people in Derry might have loved it, but it didn’t really travel.
Source:The Irish Times
January 30, 2026 19:19 UTC
Payments of up to €100,000 for devastated businesses as River Slaney bursts its banks again in Enniscorthy
It comes as yesterday, Minister for Housing James Browne accused Met Éireann of holding back information on the severity of Storm Chandra. Meanwhile, Mr O’Brien said Met Éireann has a “very difficult job” and "they do it very well", adding that he would like to see river flood forecasting "accelerated". "I don't accept that a further 10 years are required for the river flood forecasting. What we need is even indicatives, and you can actually put warnings on the warnings, if you understand what I mean. I think where data is available, particularly around river flood forecasting, that should be provided.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 19:11 UTC
Michael Carrick leaves door open to late Man Utd transfer business
Michael Carrick leaves door open to late Man Utd transfer business - 'A lot can happen'Manchester United are yet to make any January signings but Michael Carrick has not totally ruled out doing any late business in the transfer market before Monday’s deadlineView 2 Images Carrick has given his view on some late January deals (Image: Getty Images)Michael Carrick has not totally ruled out a late signing for Manchester United as the deadline approaches. The Red Devils have yet to make any additions in the January transfer window and that looks unlikely to change ahead of Monday’s deadline. Despite that, boss Carrick has hinted that there could yet be a late surprise. Michael Carrick confirms Man Utd's Bruno Fernandes plan as star weighs up future READ MORE :Man United owners to allow young star to leave before January deadline READ MORE :FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! View 2 Images Carrick has given his take on Man United's transfer plan (Image: Getty Images)Who should Man Utd sign before deadline day?
Source:Daily Mirror
January 30, 2026 19:10 UTC
AHI urges farmers to act fast on BVD this spring
With the busy spring calving period beginning, Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has asked farmers to act fast when it comes to BVD tagging. AHI is urging farmers and the wider agri-industry to work together to “finish the job” on bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication. However, AHI warns speed is now of the essence if Ireland is to move decisively towards BVD freedom. AHI BVD programme manager, Dr Maria Guelbenzu, said: “Farmers have played a huge role in getting us to this point, and we are very close now. “Farmers have played such a leadership role in getting us this far, now it’s time to give BVD one last big push.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 30, 2026 18:30 UTC
Ireland up against ‘much deeper pockets’ for FDI amid ‘stronger’ competition, says O’Rourke
Feargal O’Rourke, the chair of IDA Ireland, is set to receive the inaugural 'Trusted Business Leadership' award from Chartered Accountants Ireland. The competition among countries to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) is “definitely stronger” than in recent years, as Ireland is up against far wealthier states, IDA Ireland chairman Feargal O’Rourke has said. The IDA chairman said there are “more committed players on the pitch” now and that “the competition for FDI is definitely stronger than it was five years ago, and [there are] people with much bigger and deeper pockets than Ireland”. In addition to describing the IDA as a “world class investment agency”, he said that against the backdrop of international economic volatility, Ireland’s economic stability is finally being appreciated by businesses. “But it is not in the first four, five or six issues that directly affect their companies,” with companies “much more interested in bread and butter issues”.
Source:The Irish Times
January 30, 2026 18:02 UTC
How a global finance billionaire became Trump’s tariff champion
US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick has become the chief defender of Trump's tariffs. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via GettyFew figures illustrate the US’s switch from globalisation champion to globalisation sceptic better than Howard Lutnick. In 2016 he reportedly called then candidate Donald Trump a “buffoon” and hosted a fundraiser for Trump’s opponent, Hillary Clinton. His pushy overconfidence rubbed many up the wrong way at last week’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, something he would probably take as a compliment. On tariffs, Lutnick said: “Contrary to the warnings of establishment politicians, these policies haven’t hurt the world, they’ve helped it.
Source:The Irish Times
January 30, 2026 18:01 UTC
Government ‘kicking the can’ to Brussels over X issues, TD claims
By Cillian Sherlock, Press AssociationThe Government appears to be “shirking its responsibility” to tackle online child safety issues, an opposition politician has said. Meanwhile, the State’s independent media regulator has been asked to explain its “unacceptable” decision not to pursue an investigation into X over alleged breaches of the Online Safety Code. However, CnaM is responsible for the Online Safety Framework and could take an investigation under the Online Safety Code. However, it told the Press Association that there was no investigation into X over the Online Safety Code. “Why have the regulations if we pass the buck to the EU rather than immediately use our own regulations as they stand in the Online Safety Code?
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2026 17:50 UTC
Fergal announces completion date for 23,000km ‘Rossie to Aussie’ fundraiser
Arigna man Fergal Guihen has announced the completion date for his incredible 23,000km fundraising cycle across the world, which will end at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Fergal announced on social media that he will arrive at the iconic opera house on Saturday, February 7th. “From a small village in County Roscommon to the steps of the Sydney Opera House, the finish line is in sight,” said the 25-year-old nurse. The mammoth two wheel challenge, which began on March 10th 2024, has taken him through 28 countries and three continents over the last two years while raising funds for two local charities. Fergal set out on his arduous journey with the goal of raising awareness and funds for both the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and North West STOP.
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2026 17:40 UTC
Israelis and Saudis visit the Pentagon for talks on striking Iran
Israel’s military intelligence chief General Shlomi Binder held talks on Iran with senior officials at the Pentagon, the CIA and the White House on Tuesday and Wednesday, a source said. Saudi defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman was also in Washington for meetings with US officials focused on Iran, according to a second source. An anti-US mural on a building in Tehran, Iran. Judiciary officials have warned that “those committing sabotage, burning public property and involved in armed clashes with security forces” could face death sentences. Two Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Reuters that thousands of arrests had been carried out in the past few days.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 17:34 UTC
The Irish Independent’s View: Radical work required if Government is to deliver on promise of building more homes
So the sigh of relief in the Government at news that Irish home completions rose by 20.4pc last year to 36,284 units was understandable. True, it fell far short of its target of 41,000 completions, but it was a 20pc increase on the previous year. But if it is to come anywhere close to its 2030 target of 300,000 homes, much radical work in removing obstacles remains. But efforts will have to intensify if we are to close in on the target of the 50,000 homes needed annually. Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said Mr Martin was “dressing up failure as success”.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 17:33 UTC
The Mick Clifford Podcast: Major questions remain following Limerick garda trial
In this week’s podcast, Mick swaps chairs and is interviewed by Deirdre O’Shaughnessy — on loan from he own Irish Examiner podcast — about the not guilty verdicts against four serving and one retired garda in Limerick this week. All were charged with 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and found not guilty on all counts.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 30, 2026 17:30 UTC
Payments of up €100,000 for devastated businesses as River Slaney bursts its banks again in Enniscorthy
It comes as yesterday, Minister for Housing James Browne accused Met Éireann of holding back information on the severity of Storm Chandra. Meanwhile, Mr O’Brien said Met Éireann has a “very difficult job” and "they do it very well", adding that he would like to see river flood forecasting "accelerated". "I don't accept that a further 10 years are required for the river flood forecasting. What we need is even indicatives, and you can actually put warnings on the warnings, if you understand what I mean. I think where data is available, particularly around river flood forecasting, that should be provided.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 17:22 UTC
Three men arrested after suspected cannabis plants found in Belfast
By Claudia Savage, Press AssociationThree men have been arrested after suspected cannabis plants were found on the Newtownards Road in Belfast. The house was searched on Thursday and detectives uncovered a quantity of the suspect plants and “associated equipment”. One man in his 30s inside the property was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, criminal damage, and dishonestly abstracting electricity. Suspected cannabis plants (PSNI handout)Two other men, one in his late teens and one in his 20s, were also arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of a class B controlled drug. A PSNI spokesperson said: “Targeting drugs supply is a priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2026 17:15 UTC
Man Utd transfer news: Kobbie Mainoo contract talks 'must stop' as Michael Carrick drops hint
Here, Mirror Football rounds up the latest Man United-related transfer headlines:Man Utd told to pause Mainoo contract talksFormer United striker Louis Saha has urged the club to temporarily shelve contract negotiations with Kobbie Mainoo following his return to the starting line-up this month. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Just play, just play, just play, improve every day. Article continues belowPatrick Dorgu's recent hamstring injury has left United short of options on the left flank. "It is not ideal, of course it is not, we don't want to lose good players from the group," Carrick said.
Source:Daily Mirror
January 30, 2026 17:10 UTC