Ireland to launch a legal challenge against the UK government over Troubles amnesty bill
Irelandโs government says it is taking legal action against British authorities over a controversial law that gives some immunity from prosecution for offenses committed during three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.
Irelandโs prime minister condemns anti-immigrant protesters who rampaged through central Dublin
Irelandโs prime minister has condemned anti-immigrant protesters who rampaged through central Dublin after three young children were stabbed, saying the rioters simply wanted to cause chaos, not protect the countryโs way of life.
Biden in Ireland encourages nations to 'dream together'
Holding up his family history as an example, President Joe Biden on Thursday told lawmakers in a packed parliament house that the story of Irish immigrants setting sail for the U_S_ is at the very heart of โwhat binds Ireland and America together.โ.
Biden and Irish poets: 'Hope and history,' a lifelong love
When President Joe Biden visits Ireland this week, you can expect him to visit an ancient castle, honor some of his ancestors and mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement among Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Notre Dame beats No. 5 Clemson 35-14 with punt block for TD
Prince Kollie scored on a blocked punt, Benjamin Morrison returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown and had another interception to set up another score as Notre Dame earned its second straight win over a ranked opponent, beating No. 5 Clemson 35-14.
N.Ireland parties urged to work together after Sinn Fein win
The U.K. and Irish governments have urged rival parties in Northern Ireland to come together to resurrect its power-sharing government after Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein scored a historic victory in local elections to become the biggest party in Northern Irelandโs Assembly.
#14 Notre Dame entering a sold-out Lane Stadium on Saturday to face Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is playing host to Notre Dame in just four days. The Irish is coming off of their first loss of the season on Saturday against Cincinnati. Virginia Tech is coming out of a bye, giving the Hokie defense extra time to study an offense that operates with three quarterbacks.
Biden recommits to Good Friday accord on St. Patrick's Day
President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual meeting with Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin on St. Patrick's Day, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON โ President Joe Biden marked St. Patrickโs Day on Wednesday by recommitting the U.S. to the Good Friday Agreement, which has come under increasing stress following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. Before the meeting, the president attended a morning Mass at the aptly named St. Patrickโs Church near his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, then returned to the White House to partake in the St. Patrickโs Day celebrations, which were toned down due to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with recent tradition, the water in fountains outside the White House ran green for the day. Biden and Martin also emphasized their commitment to addressing global challenges and combating the coronavirus, among other issues, the White House said.
Ireland suspends AstraZeneca vaccine amid blood clot reports
Irish health officials have recommended the temporary suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of serious blood clotting after inoculations in Norway. Dr. Ronan Glynn, Irelands deputy chief medical officer, said Sunday, March 14 the recommendation was made after Norways medicines agency reported four cases of blood clotting in adults after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, file)LONDON โ Irish health officials on Sunday recommended the temporary suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of serious blood clotting after inoculations in Norway. Dr. Ronan Glynn, Irelandโs deputy chief medical officer, said the recommendation was made after Norwayโs medicines agency reported four cases of blood clotting in adults after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. The health ministry said the move followed six new reports in Denmark and Norway of blood clotting and lowered levels of blood platelets in people aged under 50.
UK holiday firm had 'undesirable guests' list of Irish names
FILE - This Nov. 5, 2020 file photo shows a sign for a Pontins holiday park. A chain of holiday parks in Britain kept an undesirable guests list of Irish surnames in an attempt to keep out members of the Irish Traveller community, the U.K. equalities watchdog said Tuesday March 2, 2021. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP, File)LONDON โ A chain of holiday parks in Britain kept an โundesirable guestsโ list of Irish last names in an attempt to keep out members of the Irish Traveler community, the U.K. equalities watchdog said Tuesday. The list kept by Pontins, which was displayed on a staff intranet site, contained about 40 largely Irish names, including Cash, Delaney, Gallagher, Murphy and OโBrien. At the firmโs peak, there were about 30 Pontins sites in the U.K., but only half a dozen are still operating.
Border checks stopped at N Ireland ports after threats
Authorities in Northern Ireland have suspended post-Brexit border checks on animal products and withdrawn workers after threats against border staff. The Northern Ireland government said it had stopped inspections of animal products at Belfast and Larne ports โin the interests of the wellbeing of staff.โ The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had increased patrols in the area. An open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is a key pillar of the peace process that ended decades of violence in the region. He also said problems in shipping some goods to Northern Ireland caused by the new trade rules needed to be resolved. He said senior politicians from the U.K., Northern Ireland and the bloc would discuss the ports situation on Wednesday.
Irish PM says 'perverse' morality drove unwed mothers' homes
Prime Minister Micheal Martin said young women and their children had paid a heavy price for Irelandโs โperverse religious moralityโ in past decades. The final report of an inquiry into the mother-and-baby homes said that 9,000 children died in 18 different mother and baby homes during the 20th century. Fifteen percent of all children in the homes died, almost double the nationwide infant mortality rate, the report said. Church-run homes in Ireland housed orphans, unmarried pregnant women and their babies for most of the 20th century. โWhile mother and baby homes were not a peculiarly Irish phenomenon, the proportion of Irish unmarried mothers who were admitted to mother and baby homes or (state-run) county homes in the 20th century was probably the highest in the world,โ the report said.
Notre Dame better in Texas, but loses again in semifinals
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) is sacked by Alabama defensive lineman Byron Young (47) in the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Ian Book had Notre Dame moving with a chance to get within a touchdown of No. Notre Dame beat the Tigers 47-40 in November while Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sidelined because of a positive COVID-19 test. โI donโt have a unique problem at Notre Dame,โ Kelly said. Everybody can keep saying, you know, Notre Dame is not good enough.
Shackleton expedition artifacts to be donated to UK museums
A conservator handles a sledge flag used on Anglo-Irish explorer Ernest Shackletons British Antarctic Expedition on a table at Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre, London, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The expedition was named Nimrod after the ship, which came within less than 100 miles of the South Pole for the first time in 1909. โVery little from the expedition survives,โ said Jeremy Michell, senior curator at the National Maritime Museum in Londonโs Greenwich. Shackleton never reached the South Pole and died of a heart attack in 1922 off South Georgia, a British overseas territory, during a fourth Antarctic expedition. The sledge and flag were owned by Eric Marshall, a surgeon and polar explorer who accompanied Shackleton on Nimrodโs โsledge marchโ to the South Pole.
Book leads No. 2 Irish past Syracuse 45-21; Clemson next up
It was Bookโs 30th victory as a starter, the most ever for a Notre Dame quarterback. โItโs a dream come true to be able to attend Notre Dame and have a good career,โ Book said. Notre Dame started its run thanks to a roughing the passer by Syracuse that Book later turned into a 28-yard TD run. Book finished with 348 total yards, becoming only the second Irish player to move past 10,000 yards (10,008) in total offense. Notre Dame: The Irish have an extra week to rest up for Clemson after the conference adjusted the schedules earlier this week, canceling their last game.
Irish regulator investigates Instagram over children's data
LONDON โ Irish privacy regulators have opened two investigations into Instagram over the social media site's handling of young people's personal data. Ireland's Data Protection Commission said it launched the investigations in September after receiving complaints about the company. Data scientist David Stier said last year that his analysis found users, including those under 18, who switched their account types to business accounts also had their contact information displayed on their profile. โThe DPC has been actively monitoring complaints received from individuals in this area and has identified potential concerns in relation to the processing of childrenโs personal data on Instagram which require further examination,โ Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said in a statement. Companies can be fined up to 4% of a company's annual revenue or 20 million euros ($24 million) โ whichever is higher โ for breaches of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation.
Celebrating St. Patrickโs Day with traditional Irish dance basics
WYTHEVILLE, Va. โ Virginia Today reporter Megan Woods is celebrating St. Patrickโs Day like they did centuries ago with Irish dance. Lisaโs School of Performing Arts in Wytheville offer Irish dance classes for beginner and intermediate dancers of all ages. One of the studioโs Irish dance teachers spent the morning with 10 News reporter Megan Woods explaining the significance this traditional footwork plays in St. Patrickโs Day celebrations, showing us her moves, and teaching Megan a few along the way. Lisaโs School of Performing Arts is closed for the next couple of weeks due to Coronavirus but if youโre interested in taking a class when they open, click here.
Can you fathom no St. Patrickโs Day celebrations at pubs in Ireland?
A St. Patrickโs Day in Ireland without celebrations at local pubs? Yes, it is true, and just the latest example of how serious the coronavirus pandemic has become. The Irish government sent a release Sunday asking all pubs be closed from Sunday night until March 29 to help quell the spread of the coronavirus. St. Patrickโs Day celebrations surely will be affected around the world, and itโs hard to imagine you canโt even go to a pub in the heart of Ireland anymore to celebrate St. Patrickโs Day. But that once again emphasizes the seriousness of the pandemic and the sacrifices so many are making.
Book's late TD run helps No 16 Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech
(AP) - Ian Book delivered the type of clutch, game-winning drive that can make Notre Dame fans forgive the quarterbacks' mistakes. After getting blown out at Michigan last week, Notre Dame faced some harsh criticism. After two incomplete passes, Notre Dame caught Virginia Tech in a blitz and Book ran away from it and darted into the end zone. "Just a lot of grit and perseverance," Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet said. "It's a tough locker room in there," Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said.
McDonald's apologizes for 'Sundae Bloody Sundae' ad
Chris McGrath/Getty Images(CNN) - McDonald's has pulled an advertisement which used the words "Sundae Bloody Sundae" to promote a Halloween dessert, apologizing for "any offense or distress" it may have caused. The Irish band U2 famously wrote about the horrors of that day in a song called "Sunday Bloody Sunday". An image of the advertisement, for a two-for-one dessert offer, was posted on Twitter by an Irish user who spotted it in a McDonald's in Portugal. After a backlash, McDonald's Portugal took down all promotional material featuring the slogan. In 2013 a London bar apologized after an outcry over a cocktail named "Sundae Bloody Sundae," which was served with a small toy soldier.
The highlander festival returns to Radford University
RADFORD, Va. - For the first time in five years, the Highlanders Festival returned to Radfod University's campus. Attendees didn't have to be Scotch-Irish to enjoy the heavyweight games, sheep-herding and live entertainment. The festival left Radford's campus back in 2014 due to construction and renovation projects. "It's really something special being here surrounded by the buildings on Moffet Quad," said David Horton, the Mayor of the city of Radford. The festival is a partnership between Radford University and Radford City.
The highlander festival returns to Radford University
RADFORD, Va. โ For the first time in five years, the Highlanders Festival returned to Radfod University's campus. Attendees didn't have to be Scotch-Irish to enjoy the heavyweight games, sheep-herding and live entertainment. The festival left Radford's campus back in 2014 due to construction and renovation projects. "It's really something special being here surrounded by the buildings on Moffet Quad," said David Horton, the Mayor of the city of Radford. The festival is a partnership between Radford University and Radford City.
Round Town: home tour, crafts
Here are some of the events happening Round Town this weekend. Radford Highlanders Festival, Radford UniversityThe Radford Highlanders Festival comes to Radford University. Enjoy sheep herding, heavyweight games, food, music and more, celebrating the regions' Scottish-Irish heritage. It Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home TourGet some home decor ideas at the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour. There are vendors, costumes, music, food, demonstrations and more.
Man gets prison for smuggling rhino horn cup from US to UK
Getty ImagesMIAMI - An Irish national has been sentenced to one year and two months in U.S. prison for trafficking a libation cup made from the horn of a protected black rhinoceros. Court records show that 50-year-old Richard Sheridan was sentenced Tuesday in Miami federal court after pleading guilty to transporting and concealing the cup. Authorities say Sheridan and Michael Hegarty, also an Irish national, bought the cup from a North Carolina auction house for $50,000 in 2012. They say the two then smuggled it out of the U.S. through Miami to the United Kingdom to sell. Hegarty was sentenced to one year and six months after being extradited back to the U.S. in 2017.
Sack-happy No. 10 Notre Dame beats No. 18 Virginia 35-20
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who challenged his team and coaches after the loss to the Bulldogs, liked what he saw. Thanks to the sacks, Notre Dame held Virginia to 4 yards rushing. Notre Dame: Virginia came into the game ranking No. Notre Dame did fumble the ball once as punt returner Chris Finke muffed one in the third quarter. With this 900th victory, Notre Dame is one of eight schools at the plateau, led by Michigan's 957.
On this day: October 25
2002: Irish actor Richard Harris, perhaps best known for his role as King Arthur in the 1967 film "Camelot" and for playing Albus Dumbledore in the first two films in the "Harry Potter" series, dies of Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 72 in London, England. His other films included "The Sporting Life" and "The Field," both of which earned him Oscar nominations, "Gladiator," "Unforgiven" and "Cry, the Beloved Country." Hide Caption