New AI minister Niamh Smyth has never used ChatGPT and doesn’t have DeepSeek – but says she’ll learn fast

Lifestyle

From homeware havens and global grocers to booksellers and boutiques, our writers share some of their favourite independent retailers for 2026

Business

The new figures from Apple, showing almost €15bn in corporate tax paid to Ireland last year, are a reminder of how chronically dependent we are on multinationals for health, schools and big projects

Sex & Relationships

In our Divorce Diaries series, we speak to people in Ireland about their experience of marriage and divorce. This week, a woman in her late 50s with two adult children tells her story

Health & Wellbeing

Thwarting the thief of time

Seachtain

Live at the Fleadh: The Conamara duo i gcroílar na reabhlóide trad

Tá Seachtain ag teacht beo ó Fhleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026! Ar feadh seachtaine tháinig na sluaite go Béal Feirste chun sult a bhaint as an cheol, na comórtais agus as an chathair féin. Den chéad uair riamh, bhí Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann á reáchtáil i bpríomhchathair an Tuaiscirt agus Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann ag céiliúradh 75 bliain ar an fhód. Chuir Séamus agus Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta as an Aird Mhóir i nGaeltacht Chonamara gach duine faoi gheasa lena gcuid ceoil thraidisiúnta le linn na Fleidhe. Bhí siad báite sa cheol ó bhí siad sa chliabhán agus anois tá siad ag tabhairt an cheoil sin ar fud an domhain. Bhí Séamus agus Caoimhe i gcuideachta Áine Ní Bhreisleáin. 

Podcast

Daniel Kinahan's podcast tell-all: Conspiracy theories and a media 'meltdown'

Daniel Kinahan is languishing behind bars in Dubai as he awaits extradition to Ireland, but the exiled cartel boss is speaking out – as a podcast guest. Having famously teased a previous audio sit-down with Kinahan that never made it to air, broadcaster James English insists he finally has a world exclusive, and a box-office one at that. English has released snippets of the apparently forthcoming interview, in which Kinahan states that he believes he’s “already got life in prison”, that he expects to receive “character assassination”, and that he doesn’t have “a hope of getting a fair trial”. Kinahan also alluded to potential attempts on his life while in custody. On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Crime World journalist Neil Fetherstonhaugh to look at how a PR machine runs in the criminal underworld, and Daniel Kinahan’s latest attempt to control his narrative. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism 

The Indo Daily

'Baddie of the Bailout': How 'Fingers' Michael Fingleton built 'the world's worst bank'

Michael Fingleton was one of the most controversial figures of the Celtic Tiger. As the longtime boss of Irish Nationwide, he oversaw reckless lending that ultimately left taxpayers with a €5.4 billion bill. But was he simply the face of a wider banking culture, or the true “baddie of the bailout”? Deputy Business Editor John Burns joins Dave Hanratty to examine the man behind one of Ireland’s most infamous banking collapses.We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Seachtain

Live at the Fleadh: The ancient art of lilting

Tá Seachtain beo ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026!Is é seo an chéad uair don Fleadh teacht go Béal Feirste, áit ina mbeidh breis agus 800,000 cuairteoir ag freastal ar an bhféile!Le linn na seachtaine seo, tiocfaidh anam isteach sa chathair le taibhithe sráide, seisiúin ceoil, seónna stáitse, céilithe, agus comórtais.Ach le 75 bliain á chéiliúradh ag Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, amharcann muid siar ar an meath a bhí tagtha ar an gceol traidisiúnta sular bunaíodh an eagraíocht.Agus fiosraíonn muid cad chuige a bhfuil daoine ar fud fad na cruinne chomh tógtha le ceol traidisiúnta na hÉireann?Beirt cheoltóir atá fite fuaite go dlúth le ceiliúradh na seachtaine seo ná an fidléir iomráiteach Dónal O’Connor agus an t-amhránaí agus portaire béil cumasach Róise Ní Mhurchú.Bhí an beirt i gcomhluadar Áine Ní Bhreisleáin ag an bhFleadh.

Video

Satellite images show effect of drought on Ireland as farmers call for government support

Satellite images show effect of drought on Ireland as farmers call for government support

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Video

Galway students react to Leaving Cert results

It was a big day for thousands of students across Ireland on Friday as they finally received their Leaving Cert results. In Galway, students and staff at Coláiste Iognáid, better known as The Jes, spoke to the Irish Independent of their joy and relief on what was an emotional morning for many.

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Video

The “Ice box challenge” at Trinity College shows why Irish buildings need to adapt to summer and warmer weather

The “Ice box challenge” at Trinity College shows why Irish buildings need to adapt to summer and warmer weather 

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Video

Dáil recall over fuel interventions ‘under review’, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says

Dáil recall over fuel interventions ‘under review’, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says

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