Irish Examiner

12/06/2026

Happy Friday! Take a look at what's coming up in your Irish Examiner this weekend.

Dearbhla Mescal reflects on the past three decades spent raising her three children, including Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal. Vickie Maye meets the author in her West Cork haven ahead of her appearance at Bantry's literary festival.

Denise O’Donoghue, digital editor and avid reader, has read the year’s most talked-about titles from BookTok sensations to indie gems and these are the ones worth making room for in your suitcase.

Ayoola Smart, who grew up in West Cork, always knew she wanted a career on the screen. Now known for her television work on Killing Eve, the actress is showing her range in a new stage production, as Esther McCarthy catches up with the Schull star.

Buy the Irish Examiner in-store or subscribe online from only €0.25 a day and get access to exclusive podcasts, features, expert analysis, and the latest news.

12/06/2026

David McCullagh will deliver this year’s oration in Béal na Bláth to mark the 104th anniversary of the death of General Michael Collins during the Civil War.

RTÉ presenter and historian will reflect on Collins’ legacy at the annual Civil War commemoration ceremony

12/06/2026

"On Friday, a staggering 12.1% slump in our GDP dragged the entire eurozone into an unexpected contraction," writes Alan Healy.

"The drop was attributed to the roller coaster effect of big corporate taxpayers who exported large volumes of products across the Atlantic a year ago in advance of threatened tariffs by Trump on his 'Liberation Day' announcement."

Move by the ECB to raise rates is directly linked to the US conflict with Iran

12/06/2026

Donald Trump tried to buy his Kinsale golf course, now 'bullheaded' John O'Connor's Ring of Kerry hideaway fiefdom is up for grabs.

Donald Trump tried to buy his Kinsale golf course, now 'bullheaded' John O'Connor's Ring of Kerry hideaway fiefdom is up for grabs

12/06/2026

Ireland's home Nations League fixture with Israel will be held overseas and behind closed doors.

The FAI confirmed the news on Friday.

12/06/2026

Damien Duff is back in football, enlisted by his compatriot Keith Andrews to join Brentford as first-team assistant coach.

The former Shamrock Rovers manager has been appointed the Bees' first team assistant coach.

12/06/2026

"Summer Holidays. An event marked by the calendar as something to look forward to, something to get excited about.

"But the reality is that many of us dread this time of year. Not because we don't love our children or want to spend time with our children, but because we simply do not have the capacity for extended holidays that only serve as holidays for children."

If the school calendar no longer reflects the two-income realities of modern family life, who exactly is responsible for reviewing it, asks Stephanie Park

12/06/2026

Women are led to believe that once the early years of child-rearing are over, their lives will return to normal. But the arrival of the school holidays is a stark reminder that motherhood is an ongoing compromise

12/06/2026

A brother of a well-known Irish sports star has been shot dead in Barcelona, Spain. The 36-year-old man is originally from Dublin’s north inner city.

Spanish police have recovered a suspected weapon and released CCTV images following the fatal shooting

12/06/2026

A man has been arrested after another man was found dead at a home in Co Leitrim on Thursday night.

The incident occurred at approximately 9pm in Arderry.

Emergency services attended the scene in Arderry, where a man in his 40s was pronounced dead