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Ireland

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Ireland. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Dublin

Head of State

President Michael D. Higgins

Head of Government

Taoiseach Simon Harris

Former US senator George Mitchell in 2018. Photo: Reuters

Jeffrey Epstein

Belfast university cuts ties with former US senator over Epstein links

University says it is no longer appropriate to be linked to George Mitchell, whose name appears in files released by the US Justice Department.

2 hours ago

Fame and celebrity

Meet Finn Bennett, who plays Prince Aerion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

1 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM

Britain

Film on Scottish community resisting immigration raid wins Sundance award

31 Jan 2026 - 8:36PM

China-EU relations

Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

In Brussels, a form of transactional pragmatism has taken root as bloc seeks to weather US hostility.

31 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, a non-EU state, pictured in Shanghai on Friday, becoming the latest European leader to make a beeline for China. Photo: Pool via Reuters

United States

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Middle powers are pivoting to Beijing and hedging with new partners as China’s economic displacement of the US rapidly expands.

30 Jan 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year, seeking trade deals amid intensified Trump tariff threats.

27 Jan 2026 - 5:15PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

The British prime minister must decide whether Britain has the strength to look east and west, and not simply look inward.

26 Jan 2026 - 9:28PMvideocam

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sheraton Hotel, as he attends the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Fame and celebrity

Meet Peter Claffey, who plays Ser Duncan on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Before this, the Irish ex-rugby player had a role in Small Things Like These alongside Cillian Murphy – and, yes, he’s been talking to George RR Martin.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

China-EU relations

Finland’s leader set for 4-day China visit as Europe seeks to counter Trump

Petteri Orpo to lead executives from more than 20 companies in first China visit by a Finnish prime minister since 2017.

26 Jan 2026 - 4:22PMvideocam

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Larry Fink considers rotating World Economic Forum away from Davos

The interim co-chief, and BlackRock CEO says the ‘mountain must come down to earth’ proposing a rotation to hubs like Detroit, Dublin and Jakarta.

21 Jan 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

From Venezuela and Iran to Greenland and Canada, US interventions and threats risk spillovers and retaliation – as history shows.

20 Jan 2026 - 8:30PM

Greenland

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

19 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

China-EU relations

China’s charm offensive: Beijing bypasses Brussels to soften EU trade push

From aircraft orders in France to reopened beef and pork markets for Ireland and Spain, mainland officials are leaning hard into diplomacy.

17 Jan 2026 - 12:13PMvideocam

European Union

‘Sell out’: Irish farmers out in force against EU-Mercosur trade deal

Farmers fear the deal will result in an influx of an extra 99,000 tonnes of cheap beef from South America, disrupting Irish agriculture.

10 Jan 2026 - 10:40PM

Farmers take part in a protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, in the town of Athlone, Ireland, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

US-Venezuela conflict

China’s Xi makes veiled swipe at US over ‘hegemony’ eroding global order

President Xi Jinping’s remarks come during talks with Irish leader Micheal Martin, who says Dublin is keen to deepen cooperation with Beijing.

5 Jan 2026 - 10:25PMvideocam

Comments on Monday by Chinese President Xi Jinping add to a series of statements coming out of Beijing criticising US actions in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Reuters

China food security

Opinion | Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches

A decade on, the humble tuber’s public adoption remains an elusive goal for China’s planners and yet it offers a lesson for uncertain times.

31 Dec 2025 - 9:04AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

12 Dec 2025 - 3:03AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Temu’s EU headquarters raided over Chinese subsidy concerns

The raid comes amid increasing concern within the European Union over cheap imports from China.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:51AM

European retailers say a customs waiver on low-value parcels gives platforms like Temu an unfair advantage. Photo illustration: Reuters

Ukraine war

Drones spotted near Zelensky’s flight path to Dublin spark security alert

Report says enquiries are trying to determine whether the drones took off from land or an undetected ship.

5 Dec 2025 - 11:32AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

5 Dec 2025 - 2:21PM

Ukraine war

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:04PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP

Thailand

As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

In the latest controversy, former Miss Universe CEO Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip is accused of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems.

25 Nov 2025 - 7:51PMvideocam

Thai businesswoman Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip during the Miss Universe competition in New Orleans in 2023. She stepped down from the Miss Universe Organisation in October. Photo: AFP

Climate change

‘Important steps’: what Cop30 deal means for climate unity and Global South

Despite the limited outcome, the summit also reveals how developing nations can still influence the global transition, analysts say.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:29PM

Obituaries

Paul Costelloe, personal designer to Princess Diana, dies at 80

The Irish designer worked with the British royal from 1983 until her death in Paris in 1997.

23 Nov 2025 - 2:53AM

China-EU relations

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

22 Nov 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Officials from both sides met at a China-Ireland Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting in Dublin on November 12. Photo: Ministry of Commerce

Halloween

Letters | Did you know? Halloween has Irish origins

Readers discuss Halloween traditions that came from Ireland, South Korea as a US ally, and British flags.

31 Oct 2025 - 11:30AM

A performer in costume beats an illuminated drum covered with water, as part of the street theatre group Macnas’ Halloween parade in Galway, Ireland on October 26. Photo: Reuters

Collecting

They collected Monets and jewels. My things fitted in a single red vanity case

PostMag writer Fionnuala McHugh has lived a life free of clutter – and feels all the better for it.

30 Oct 2025 - 7:00AM

European Union

Catherine Connolly wins Ireland’s presidential election in landslide

The left-wing politician’s victory was marred, however, by a record number of spoiled votes.

26 Oct 2025 - 9:15AM

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Ireland

Belfast university cuts ties with former US senator over Epstein links

University says it is no longer appropriate to be linked to George Mitchell, whose name appears in files released by the US Justice Department.

Meet Finn Bennett, who plays Prince Aerion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Film on Scottish community resisting immigration raid wins Sundance award

Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

In Brussels, a form of transactional pragmatism has taken root as bloc seeks to weather US hostility.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Middle powers are pivoting to Beijing and hedging with new partners as China’s economic displacement of the US rapidly expands.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year, seeking trade deals amid intensified Trump tariff threats.

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

The British prime minister must decide whether Britain has the strength to look east and west, and not simply look inward.

Meet Peter Claffey, who plays Ser Duncan on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Before this, the Irish ex-rugby player had a role in Small Things Like These alongside Cillian Murphy – and, yes, he’s been talking to George RR Martin.

Finland’s leader set for 4-day China visit as Europe seeks to counter Trump

Petteri Orpo to lead executives from more than 20 companies in first China visit by a Finnish prime minister since 2017.

Larry Fink considers rotating World Economic Forum away from Davos

The interim co-chief, and BlackRock CEO says the ‘mountain must come down to earth’ proposing a rotation to hubs like Detroit, Dublin and Jakarta.

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

From Venezuela and Iran to Greenland and Canada, US interventions and threats risk spillovers and retaliation – as history shows.

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

China’s charm offensive: Beijing bypasses Brussels to soften EU trade push

From aircraft orders in France to reopened beef and pork markets for Ireland and Spain, mainland officials are leaning hard into diplomacy.

‘Sell out’: Irish farmers out in force against EU-Mercosur trade deal

Farmers fear the deal will result in an influx of an extra 99,000 tonnes of cheap beef from South America, disrupting Irish agriculture.

China’s Xi makes veiled swipe at US over ‘hegemony’ eroding global order

President Xi Jinping’s remarks come during talks with Irish leader Micheal Martin, who says Dublin is keen to deepen cooperation with Beijing.

Opinion | Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches

A decade on, the humble tuber’s public adoption remains an elusive goal for China’s planners and yet it offers a lesson for uncertain times.

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

Temu’s EU headquarters raided over Chinese subsidy concerns

The raid comes amid increasing concern within the European Union over cheap imports from China.

Drones spotted near Zelensky’s flight path to Dublin spark security alert

Report says enquiries are trying to determine whether the drones took off from land or an undetected ship.

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

In the latest controversy, former Miss Universe CEO Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip is accused of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems.

‘Important steps’: what Cop30 deal means for climate unity and Global South

Despite the limited outcome, the summit also reveals how developing nations can still influence the global transition, analysts say.

Paul Costelloe, personal designer to Princess Diana, dies at 80

The Irish designer worked with the British royal from 1983 until her death in Paris in 1997.

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Did you know? Halloween has Irish origins

Readers discuss Halloween traditions that came from Ireland, South Korea as a US ally, and British flags.

They collected Monets and jewels. My things fitted in a single red vanity case

PostMag writer Fionnuala McHugh has lived a life free of clutter – and feels all the better for it.

Catherine Connolly wins Ireland’s presidential election in landslide

The left-wing politician’s victory was marred, however, by a record number of spoiled votes.

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Letters | Did you know? Halloween has Irish origins