https://www.irishexaminer.com/IrishExaminer.comWed, 25 Feb 2026 01:32:15 +0000Examiner GroupIreland's premier breaking news website providing up to the minute news and sports reports. With e-mail news releases following breaking stories throughout the day.https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41799263.htmlSarah Harte: Keeping boys alive becomes the main priority at a certain age2026-02-25T00:46:00+00:002026-02-25T00:46:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/The dominant script for raising boys may need changing as they may be more emotionally fragile than we thinkThe dominant script for raising boys may need changing as they may be more emotionally fragile than we thinkExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41798756.htmlFergus Finlay: People with disabilities are citizens with rights, not charity cases2026-02-24T01:00:00+00:002026-02-24T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Every policymaker and politician in Ireland will deny this vehemently but in policy terms, to this day, people with a disability — especially an intellectual disability — are seen as a burden, a drag, a problem, and often an intractable problemEvery policymaker and politician in Ireland will deny this vehemently but in policy terms, to this day, people with a disability — especially an intellectual disability — are seen as a burden, a drag, a problem, and often an intractable problemExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41798084.htmlTerry Prone: A scheduling error led to my most fun day in weeks2026-02-23T01:00:00+00:002026-02-23T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/I went to Cork for no reason last week and immediately came backI went to Cork for no reason last week and immediately came backExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41797553.htmlMick Clifford: In the SNA storm, who is really standing up for children with greatest needs?2026-02-22T07:27:00+00:002026-02-22T07:27:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/A botched review of SNA allocations has exposed deeper flaws in how Ireland targets special education resourcesA botched review of SNA allocations has exposed deeper flaws in how Ireland targets special education resourcesExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41797169.htmlClodagh Finn: The Irish woman who made ‘Cabaret’ a hit in Ireland long before the Broadway musical2026-02-21T01:02:00+00:002026-02-21T01:02:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Why was the work of one of the few female co-founders of a theatre company, the Globe Theatre Company, not included in the histories of the stage that have been written since?Why was the work of one of the few female co-founders of a theatre company, the Globe Theatre Company, not included in the histories of the stage that have been written since?Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41797331.htmlColin Sheridan: How strange that courage is celebrated in death and reviled in life2026-02-21T01:00:00+00:002026-02-21T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Tributes to Jesse Jackson are easy now because he is no longer a threatTributes to Jesse Jackson are easy now because he is no longer a threatExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41797271.htmlPaul Hosford: Best for John Moran and Limerick councillors to refocus and just get on with it2026-02-21T01:00:00+00:002026-02-21T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Local government, any level of government really, functions best when disagreements are handled with restraint, mutual respect, and a shared focus on the public goodLocal government, any level of government really, functions best when disagreements are handled with restraint, mutual respect, and a shared focus on the public goodExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41797172.htmlShona Murray: US administration is on a clear mission to destabilise Europe2026-02-21T01:00:00+00:002026-02-21T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Trump officials are going out of their way to amplify tensions and fomenting culture wars in European society, and lending support and credence to far-right, Eurosceptic partiesTrump officials are going out of their way to amplify tensions and fomenting culture wars in European society, and lending support and credence to far-right, Eurosceptic partiesExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41796080.htmlGareth O'Callaghan: The depression express and the small Irish habit of laughing through pain2026-02-21T01:00:00+00:002026-02-21T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/A train journey, a funeral, and a shared conversation reveal Ireland’s complicated relationship with depression and silenceA train journey, a funeral, and a shared conversation reveal Ireland’s complicated relationship with depression and silenceExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41795780.htmlJennifer Horgan: Our 'relationships' with celebrities are weird — we don't know them 2026-02-20T00:53:00+00:002026-02-20T00:53:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Celebrities are not close friends. Their woes are not ours to manage. It’s time our attention, our emotional energy, turned away from them to our own personal friends, writes Jennifer HorganCelebrities are not close friends. Their woes are not ours to manage. It’s time our attention, our emotional energy, turned away from them to our own personal friends, writes Jennifer HorganExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41795909.htmlMichael Moynihan: A city is never finished — the neverending roadworks prove it2026-02-19T00:44:00+00:002026-02-19T00:44:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/It truly is a commentary on our times when the national capacity to produce traffic cones defies the student body’s capacity to throw them into the riverIt truly is a commentary on our times when the national capacity to produce traffic cones defies the student body’s capacity to throw them into the riverExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41788037.htmlDavid O'Mahony: From D&D to cards, the family that games together stays together2026-02-07T01:00:00+00:002026-02-07T01:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Perhaps, like the Pokémon of old, it’s time for us to evolve into a boardgame family. If nothing else, it would be a break from screensPerhaps, like the Pokémon of old, it’s time for us to evolve into a boardgame family. If nothing else, it would be a break from screensExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41668118.htmlElaine Loughlin: Our roads are melting, so why are our politicians so quiet on climate change?2025-07-12T01:00:00+01:002025-07-12T01:00:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Midleton residents are already warning of delays to flood barriers, while melting roads in Cork have caused consternation. So why is climate change so far down the Dáil's agenda?Midleton residents are already warning of delays to flood barriers, while melting roads in Cork have caused consternation. So why is climate change so far down the Dáil's agenda?Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40983824.htmlJoyce Fegan: It's taken 30 years to revise Sinéad O'Connor2023-07-26T19:24:00+01:002023-07-26T19:24:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/The industry was a long time learning they had gotten into bed with an activist and artist, not someone seeking fame and fortuneThe industry was a long time learning they had gotten into bed with an activist and artist, not someone seeking fame and fortuneExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41111860.htmlMaeve Higgins: Migration is a much messier story than Biden likes to portray2023-04-08T02:00:00+01:002023-04-08T02:00:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Earlier this year, the Biden administration ramped up efforts to stop migrants from crossing the US borderEarlier this year, the Biden administration ramped up efforts to stop migrants from crossing the US borderExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41099956.htmlAlison O’Connor: Micheál Martin was right to speak up on homeschooling2023-03-24T02:00:00+00:002023-03-24T02:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Depriving your children of the opportunity to play, to socialise, to make lifelong friends, to prepare them for real life, has never sat easy with meDepriving your children of the opportunity to play, to socialise, to make lifelong friends, to prepare them for real life, has never sat easy with meExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41090431.htmlDaniel McConnell: A ringside seat at history in the making 2023-03-11T20:13:00+00:002023-03-11T20:13:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/During 17 years at Leinster House there have been angry exchanges, differences overcome, and battles recommencedDuring 17 years at Leinster House there have been angry exchanges, differences overcome, and battles recommencedExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40988213.htmlJohn Riordan: Sinking Snyder abandoned by his NFL allies2022-10-21T08:31:00+01:002022-10-21T08:31:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Synder is the controversial and corrupt owner of the recently rebranded Washington Commanders, formerly the Washington Football Team and, prior to that, for far too long, the Washington Redskins.Synder is the controversial and corrupt owner of the recently rebranded Washington Commanders, formerly the Washington Football Team and, prior to that, for far too long, the Washington Redskins.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40363280.htmlAoife Moore: Our three-headed Government is still tone-deaf after Golfgate2021-08-21T06:30:00+01:002021-08-21T06:30:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/From Golfgate to the Zappone debacle, and the many mishaps in between, this Government has consistently shown that it fails to gauge the public mood, and the hurt and anger caused by its blundersFrom Golfgate to the Zappone debacle, and the many mishaps in between, this Government has consistently shown that it fails to gauge the public mood, and the hurt and anger caused by its blundersExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40346222.htmlCaroline West: A consent culture saves lives and we owe it to victims to build on this2021-07-30T06:30:00+01:002021-07-30T06:30:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/We might never live in a world with zero sexual violence, but we can all work together to minimise it, and support victims in a holistic and timely mannerWe might never live in a world with zero sexual violence, but we can all work together to minimise it, and support victims in a holistic and timely mannerExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40343471.htmlEamon Quinn: Like other Irish financial scandals, Davy crisis appears to be blowing over 2021-07-22T22:20:00+01:002021-07-22T22:20:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Finance committee chairman says we need answers from the stockbroker — but it looks like there will be few consequencesFinance committee chairman says we need answers from the stockbroker — but it looks like there will be few consequencesExaminer Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40079585.htmlGerard Howlin: Woulfe has now been thrown to the Leinster House wolves2020-11-11T08:04:00+00:002020-11-11T08:04:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/The public conflict between Chief Justice Frank Clarke and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe is a sorry affair, writes Gerard Howlin. The public conflict between Chief Justice Frank Clarke and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe is a sorry affair, writes Gerard Howlin. Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40036496.htmlColm O'Regan: End of the road for the good old petrol station 2020-08-24T06:59:00+01:002020-08-24T06:59:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/It’s 10.30pm. My wife, the eldest, and I are huddled in blustery darkness in the front of the car, eating a McDonald's at Exit 8 while the youngest ...It’s 10.30pm. My wife, the eldest, and I are huddled in blustery darkness in the front of the car, eating a McDonald's at Exit 8 while the youngest ...Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-31008651.htmlLouise O'Neill: 'When I look at how difficult it is for a rape victim to even get a case to court, I wonder if our legal system is fit for purpose in 2020'2020-07-04T10:00:00+01:002020-07-04T10:00:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/I often think about a conversation I had with a barrister a few years ago. She was an impressive sight, in her gown and wig, her high heels click-clacking on the wooden floors of the Four Courts.I often think about a conversation I had with a barrister a few years ago. She was an impressive sight, in her gown and wig, her high heels click-clacking on the wooden floors of the Four Courts.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-31000725.htmlCaroline O'Donoghue: Seven thoughts on flirting2020-05-23T14:00:00+01:002020-05-23T14:00:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/This week it finally became legal in the UK for friends to meet up, as long as they stay outside and maintain an appropriate physical distance.This week it finally became legal in the UK for friends to meet up, as long as they stay outside and maintain an appropriate physical distance.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-30998679.htmlSuzanne Harrington: Family Zoom quiz has answered my prayers2020-05-10T01:00:00+01:002020-05-10T01:00:00+01:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/There are few unexpected things for which I’d like to thank lockdown. Things that had we not been stuck in our houses wondering what to do with all that spongey, featureless time, simply would not have happened.There are few unexpected things for which I’d like to thank lockdown. Things that had we not been stuck in our houses wondering what to do with all that spongey, featureless time, simply would not have happened.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-30984284.htmlVictoria White: A universal basic income would work wonders for Irish society2020-02-26T20:00:00+00:002020-02-26T20:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/A basic income should be paid to every citizen over 18, whether they work or not, and there should be no limit, except taxation, on how much more money they choose to earn.A basic income should be paid to every citizen over 18, whether they work or not, and there should be no limit, except taxation, on how much more money they choose to earn.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20465677.htmlThe perfect recipe for those January blues2018-01-13T00:00:00+00:002018-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Suffering from January blues? Here’s the cure — a big pot of bubbling stew and even if you never cooked a thing in your life you can do this. Suffering from January blues? Here’s the cure — a big pot of bubbling stew and even if you never cooked a thing in your life you can do this. Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442639.htmlScandal thrives when probity is cast aside2017-02-11T00:00:00+00:002017-02-11T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/EVERY scandal that damaged the trust in one public organisation after another; every exposé of snouts-in-the-trough sleaziness or the sexual abuse of children that has broken the relationship between one institution after another and the citizens of this Republic has a common theme. EVERY scandal that damaged the trust in one public organisation after another; every exposé of snouts-in-the-trough sleaziness or the sexual abuse of children that has broken the relationship between one institution after another and the citizens of this Republic has a common theme. Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442637.htmlTrump to fight courts over his travel diktat2017-02-11T00:00:00+00:002017-02-11T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s “see you in court!” response, via Twitter, naturally, to a court decision to uphold the suspension of his travel ban is not at all surprising.US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s “see you in court!” response, via Twitter, naturally, to a court decision to uphold the suspension of his travel ban is not at all surprising.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442636.htmlCan legislation ever catch up with technology?2017-02-11T00:00:00+00:002017-02-11T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/AUTOMATION has made millions of blue-collar workers redundant.AUTOMATION has made millions of blue-collar workers redundant.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442577.htmlMy days of sleeping on un-ironed pillowcases are over too2017-02-11T00:00:00+00:002017-02-11T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/My mother is coming to visit us in our new house. She is determined to stay in a local hotel. The one with the nice marmalade.My mother is coming to visit us in our new house. She is determined to stay in a local hotel. The one with the nice marmalade.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442549.htmlReaders blog: The politicians have failed on health. Time for a rethink.2017-02-09T00:00:00+00:002017-02-09T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/We have known for over 30 years of crises in emergency departments, inequitable two-tier hospital care, and waiting list problems. We have known for over 30 years of crises in emergency departments, inequitable two-tier hospital care, and waiting list problems. Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442145.htmlBirds of a feather flock together at the West Cork Bird Race2017-02-06T00:00:00+00:002017-02-06T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Over 100 species of bird were spotted at the West Cork Bird Race, writes Damien Enright.Over 100 species of bird were spotted at the West Cork Bird Race, writes Damien Enright.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-20442144.htmlIrish birds go nuts for feeding2017-02-06T00:00:00+00:002017-02-06T00:00:00+00:00Irishexaminer.comdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/Irish wild birds have acquired some very exotic tastes, writes Dick Warner.Irish wild birds have acquired some very exotic tastes, writes Dick Warner.Examiner Groupdigitaldesk@irishexaminer.comhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/