New 'Rye Growers’ Guide' launched at tillage conference
The Rye Growers’ Guide was officially launched by Teagasc at the 2026 National Tillage Conference. The guide is a comprehensive new resource designed to support Irish tillage farmers in optimising rye production for feed and food as well as for use in the drinks industry. The guide provides detailed, science-based information on best agronomic practices, crop nutrition, disease control and the role of rye in enhancing crop rotations and reducing input requirements. This new Rye Growers’ Guide will help farmers make the most of rye’s potential while supporting Ireland’s ongoing transition toward more sustainable tillage systems. Copies of the Rye Growers’ Guide were made available to conference attendees and will be available from Teagasc Oak Park or local Teagasc advisory offices.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 30, 2026 12:56 UTC
Bill introduced to abolish 'deeply problematic' three-day abortion wait
Eva OsborneA bill to abolish the three-day waiting period for abortion on request has been introduced in the Dáil. As a result of the Repeal the Eight Referendum in 2018, termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks on request was legalised. Psychotherapist and sociology lecturer at TUS, Karen Sugrue, said the waiting period causes distress. "This has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), by the United Nations, by our own Irish Family Planning Association as being deeply problematic," she said. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said “termination of pregnancy is a health procedure that is extremely time sensitive”, according to The Irish Times.
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2026 12:50 UTC
Robbie Keane says reunion with Martin O’Neill may be ‘written in the stars’
Robbie Keane says reunion with Martin O’Neill may be ‘written in the stars’By Jonathan Veal, Press AssociationFerencvaros boss Robbie Keane says it is “maybe written in the stars” for his side to be drawn against Martin O’Neill’s Celtic in the Europa League play-offs. Ferencvaros could also face Bulgarian side Ludogorets when the draw is made on Friday, but Keane thinks fate might hand him a tie with the Scottish champions. “There is going to be a lot of talk, because I played for Celtic, but I don’t really care,” he said. “That’s what Martin does. So maybe it’s written in the stars, myself against Martin.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 12:46 UTC
Food prices continue to rise faster than general inflation
Food prices are continuing to rise at a faster rate than the general level of inflation. This index is different to the consumer price index which also measures inflation. Rising food prices are a strain on family budtgets. Earlier this month SuperValu cut the prices on 500 grocery staples SuperValu aimed at winning back market share for the company. The supermarket chain has reduced prices by up to 10pc.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 12:42 UTC
Figures show Government faces its 'ultimate housing test' this year, experts say
“There needs to be at least 20,000 completions [to June 2026] to be on track to meet Government housing targets for this year,” she said. In the Government’s new housing plan unveiled in November, it set a target of building 300,000 homes through to 2030. It is clear from the 2025 figures that output will have to ramp up significantly to reach this goal. It came after all estimates pointed towards the house building figures for 2025 missing the originally set target of 41,000 by a significant margin. Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan accused the Government of "running away" from its 41,000 figure because its housing plan is "in tatters".
Source:Irish Examiner
January 30, 2026 12:35 UTC
Ibrahima Konate has already made feelings clear on 'the next Van Dijk' who could join Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate has already made feelings clear on 'the next Van Dijk' who could join LiverpoolIbrahima Konate has made his thoughts clear on Liverpool's transfer targetsView 3 Images Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are Liverpool's first-choice centre-back pairing (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)Ibrahima Konate once dismissed comparisons between Liverpool target Dayot Upamecano and Virgil van Dijk. The Spanish giants have also been linked with Konate, whose Liverpool contract runs out at the end of the campaign, with discussions over a new deal at Anfield continuing. The Frenchman has enormous respect for the 34-year-old, as demonstrated by his response when asked to draw parallels between Van Dijk and Upamecano back in 2023. Harvey Elliott's Aston Villa reality spelled out after Unai Emery lifeline READ MORE :"But Van Dijk, I put him on a different planet. View 3 Images Dayot Upamecano continues to be linked with Liverpool (Image: FC Bayern via Getty Images)Whether they 'get there' as Liverpool colleagues is yet to be determined.
Source:Daily Mirror
January 30, 2026 12:34 UTC
‘I was at Man Utd from the age of about five to 10, and then I quit playing. I fell out of love with it really, I got a bit ill’
‘I was at Man Utd from the age of about five to 10, and then I quit playing. I fell out of love with it really, I got a bit ill’Ireland U-21 star thriving after blood condition forced him to quit football for a spellHarry Vaughan during pre-season training at Bohemians. Aidan Fitzmaurice Today at 10:33He’s still only 21 so it’s early days in the career of the English-born, and now Dublin-based, Irish footballer Harry Vaughan, but he’s already managed to win the attention of some impressive names.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 12:34 UTC
Plans for Pigeons safety work could be ready later this year
Cllr Tom Farrell sought an update on the plans. Plans for Pigeons safety work could be ready later this yearWestmeath County Council is hoping to publicise plans for safety work on the N55 at The Pigeons later this year. The council plans for the project were outlined in response to a question from Cllr Tom Farrell at the recent Athlone Moate Municipal District meeting. Cllr Farrell asked for an update on the progress of a proposed safety scheme on the N55. Part 8 planning, by which a local authority enters public consultation on its own proposals, will be required later in 2026, the council concluded.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 12:30 UTC
Homeowners 'absolutely terrified' for the day ahead amid more rain warnings
Eva OsborneHomeowners have real concerns for the day ahead after flooding in the wake of Storm Chandra is set to be exacerbated after Met Éireann issued more rain warnings for Friday. Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, and Waterford came under a status yellow rain warning at 12pm. Meanwhile, in the north, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry will be under a status yellow rain warning until 6pm. Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Pamela Kearns, said homeowners are "absolutely terrified" because of what they have gone through already. The scale of the flooding in some areas has heaped pressure on forecaster Met Éireann, the Government and local authorities over whether the warnings were sufficient.
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2026 12:28 UTC
Mikel Arteta reveals triple Arsenal injury boost ahead of Leeds showdown
Saliba and Timber have been key cogs in the leanest defence in the Premier League, with Arsenal shipping just 17 goals this term. Both were absent on Wednesday night as the Gunners conceded twice - but Mikel Arteta has confirmed both players are back in contention to feature at Elland Road. "Yeah, they are okay," the Spaniard said when he was quizzed on their availability on Friday. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us - and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
Source:Daily Mirror
January 30, 2026 12:24 UTC
River Slaney bursts its banks again in Enniscorthy as rain warnings in place for seven counties
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 12:12 UTC
The stress should be on our work-life balance
Organisational psychologist Lynne Forrest: 'Too little stress causes boredom, but too much stress leads to overwhelm, anxiety, and burnout.' Employers and their employees should aspire to a better work-life balance to manage stress, says organisational psychologist Lynne Forrest. “The Yerkes-Dodson Law explains stress as a bell curve, with performance rising in line with stress to an optimal peak, before it declines if that stress becomes excessive,” Forrest says. Volunteerism can also make people feel a sense of goodwill and impact on people’s stress levels. In many ways, workplace stress is a system issue and it’s up to them to play their part in fixing it.”
Source:Irish Examiner
January 30, 2026 12:07 UTC
Bower named as runner up in #ThinkLanguages competition
Students from Our Lady’s Bower who were named runners-up at the national #ThinkLanguages Champion Team Final. Bower named as runner up in #ThinkLanguages competitionOur Lady’s Bower, Athlone, has been named as runners up at National #ThinkLanguages Champion Team of the Year competition. The teams’ exceptional teamwork and innovative approach to promoting language learning during their #ThinkLanguages Week celebrations secured their place in the final, standing out among entries from schools across Ireland. This focus is at the heart of #ThinkLanguages Week, which serves as the foundation for the #ThinkLanguages Champion Team CompetitionStudents from Our Lady’s Bower who were named runners-up at the national #ThinkLanguages Champion Team Final by Chief Inspector at the Department of Education and Youth, Yvonne Keating. #ThinkLanguages Week continues to grow year on year and this year the ninth #ThinkLanguages celebration will take place in schools and venues nationwide during the week of November 16-20.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 12:04 UTC
Jack O'Connor's chance to end barren run in Donegal?
An ever-so small factoid from Jack O’Connor’s illustrious time as Kerry senior football manager: he’s never overseen a win in Donegal. Should both teams begin as they did in Round 1, Kerry will have seven All-Ireland SFC final starters and Donegal 10. If McGuinness is still feeling indignant about last year’s All-Ireland final, O’Connor appeared to be the same in the build-up to the game. “I don't think Jack was happy with all the commentary around the Donegal manager and what he could do. “An All-Ireland final is a different animal.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 30, 2026 11:58 UTC
Ireland coaches identify attacking issues in November – and insist Farrell’s men can bounce back
Andrew Goodman: 'I’ve heard a lot of that talk through the last couple of months and it’s frustrated me a little bit'. Photo: SportsfileAndrew Goodman and the Ireland coaches have spent the last two months poring over footage of Ireland’s up-and-down November campaign, and their conclusion was that it was the players’ execution that let them down, rather than a systemic failure. Ireland’s attack has come under the microscope as it continues to evolve, having been the world’s best in 2022 and 2023, and while it remains a work in progress, the sense is that if skill-sets are improved, Ireland can get back to the top level.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2026 11:56 UTC