Podcasts about University College Dublin

The European Central Bank has announced its first interest rate increase in almost three years, raising its benchmark rate as it seeks to tackle rising inflation across the eurozone.     The move comes amid growing concerns over the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global energy prices and the wider economy, and it's a decision that will have real consequences for mortgage holders, savers and households already facing cost-of-living pressures.    To help us understand what this latest ECB decision means for Ireland, and what could lie ahead for borrowers and the wider economy, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis native and Assistant Professor of Social Policy at University College Dublin, Micheál Collins. Image (c) claudiodivizia via Canva

Travel to Ireland with Charleen Hurtubise to celebrate her US debut, Saoirse—a moving story of art, memory, and reinvention set on Donegal's wild Atlantic coast. Book Gang welcomes Charleen Hurtubise, novelist and artist, to discuss her sweeping and quietly powerful novel, Saoirse. Charleen draws on her transatlantic life, her creative work as an artist, and her deep ties to Ireland and Michigan to bring this immersive story to life. Set in 1990s Donegal, this immersive novel follows Saoirse Byrne, an artist whose life is transformed when she unexpectedly wins the prestigious Margaret Dowling Art Prize. As fame threatens to uncover long-buried secrets from her Michigan past, Saoirse must navigate a world shaped by Ireland's social and political change, Catholic influence, and her own search for freedom. In this layered and moving conversation, we discuss:

In August 1882, a brutal mass murder in a remote valley in the west of Ireland shocked the world. At Maamtrasna, a family, the Joyces, were attacked in their home. The victims ranged from a teenage girl to an 80-year-old woman. The police quickly suspected that the killers had been neighbours and even relatives of the Joyce family. However, a motive was elusive. As wider Irish society was shocked by the killings, injustice was followed by injustice.Indeed, the trials would soon overshadow the crime itself, unfolding into one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice in the legal history of Ireland or the UK. In this episode, Margaret Kelleher joins me to explore this intriguing case. We dig into the dark events that unfolded in Maamtrasna in the summer of 1882 and examine why an innocent man, Myles Joyce, was sent to the gallows after a trial conducted entirely in English, a language he could neither speak nor understand.The episode reveals what we know happened in Maamtrasna on that fateful night and how perjury and a rush to convict rather than find genuine justice lay at the heart of this intriguing case. This is the story of how a brutal murder in an isolated mountain community ended up having massive political implications, leaving a legacy that continues to reverberate today.Support the show: Patreon.com/irishpodcastMy guest is Margaret Kelleher, Professor and Chair of Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama at University College Dublin (research profile: https://people.ucd.ie/margaret.o.kelleher). She is a board member of the Museum of Literature Ireland (https://moli.ie/) and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. Her latest book, Mary and Padraic Colum: Lives and the Dream, is forthcoming from UCD Press in the Autumn of this year. Her monograph Maamtrasna Murders: Language, Life and Death in Nineteenth-Century Ireland (UCD Press, 2018) was awarded the Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books in Language and Culture by the American Conference for Irish Studies in 2019, and in 2020 was shortlisted for the Michel Déon Prize. She was Cullman Center Fellow at New York Public Library from 2022-2023 and Parnell Fellow in Irish Studies at Magdalene College, Cambridge from 2023-2024. Sound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded May 21, 2026. A lecture by Professor Michael Cronin, Chair of French 1776, Trinity College Dublin The Trinity Long Room Hub Annual Humanities Horizons Lecture for 2026 was delivered by Prof Michael Cronin, on A STEM Strategy for Modern Languages? Mapping Ireland's Multilingual Futures. 250 years ago the first Chairs in Modern Languages in these islands were established in Trinity College Dublin. The TCD Chairs in French and German are the oldest, continuous Chairs in these languages in the world. But what of the future? How does Ireland build on its pioneering role in modern language education to make modern languages central to social cohesion, psychological wellbeing and economic prosperity on the island? The lecture argues for the benefits of a concerted strategy to make modern languages a strategic asset in the future development of our island community. About Michael Cronin Michael Cronin is 1776 Professor of French and Senior Researcher in the Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation. Michael Cronin received his BA from Trinity College Dublin, his MA from University College Dublin and his PhD from Trinity College Dublin. He has taught in universities in France and Ireland and has held Visiting Research Fellowships to universities in Canada, Belgium, Peru, France and Egypt. He is a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin, an elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy and the Academia Europaea, an Officer in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques. Michael Cronin is the author of 13 monographs, the co-editor of seven edited collections and the author of over 150 refereed articles and book chapters. His work has been translated into 16 languages including Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Korean and Modern Greek. Among his published works are Across the Lines: travel, language, translation (Cork University Press, 2000), Translation and Globalization (Routledge, 2006), Translation and Identity (Routledge, 2006), The Expanding World: towards a politics of microspection (Zero Books, 2012), Translation in the Digital Age (Routledge, 2013), Eco-Translation: translation and ecology in the Age of the Anthropocene (Routledge, 2017), Irish and Ecology/An Ghaeilge agus an Éiceolaíocht (FÁS, 2019) and Eco-Travel: journeying in the Anthropocene (Cambridge University Press, 2022). His research interests are in the areas of eco-criticism and bio-cultural diversity. Learn more at www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub

'The Making of Foreign Policy' In this edition of IIEA Insights two former foreign policy advisors – Ben Judah in the UK and Thomas Wright in the US – will recount their respective experiences of policy formulation, including the roles of advisors, civil servants, and political leaders, and how those roles have changed over time, if at all. They will also give personal views on the current state of play in some of the major issues that they were involved in as foreign policy advisors. Ben Judah worked as Special Advisor to British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, from February 2024 until early 2026. He is an author, publishing most recently This is Europe in 2023 and has held a number of think tank positions. From 2020 to 2024, he was a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, in Washington, D.C.,where he directed the Transform Europe Initiative. From 2017 to 2020, he held a research fellowship at the Hudson Institute, also in Washington, D.C., where he led research for the Kleptocracy Initiative. And from 2010 to 2012, he was a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations in London. Thomas Wright is a Senior Fellow at Brookings's Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology and previously served as special assistant to the president and senior director for strategic planning at the National Security Council in the Biden administration. At the White House, he worked on the 2022 US National Security Strategy, Russia-Ukraine and European security, US-China relations, foreign economic policy, and adversary alignment. He is the author of All Measures Short of War and co-author of Aftershocks. He holds degrees from Georgetown, Cambridge, and University College Dublin, and has held fellowships at Harvard and Princeton.

On this week's podcast, Sarah McIntosh speaks to Monaghan native Niall Hurson about his Nuffield Scholarship and the importance of gaining perspective abroadSuckler farmer and 2024 Nuffield Scholar Niall Hurson from Smithborough, Co Monaghan, is this week's Young Stock Podcast guest. Niall discusses his career pathway from graduating from University College Dublin with an animal science degree in 2020 to working for leading media outlets, which include the Irish Farmers Journal, the Farming Independent and RTÉ's Ear to the Ground.In 2024, Niall took on a new venture, as he was successfully awarded a Nuffield Ireland Scholarship. While working full-time, he spent two years travelling across the globe to different countries like Brazil, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, India and Mexico. His topic, which investigated who tells farming's story best, was about identifying how agricultural and farming stories are told in different countries across the world and mapping the voices that are shaping the future of agriculture. Niall also speaks about the significant Nuffield Ireland triennial summit that is taking place on Friday, 22 May in Killashee Hotel, Co Kildare and explains why agri leaders from across the world are coming to Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Eric Clapton ending his concert early after being struck by a vinyl record while performing in Madrid, we want to know: has concert etiquette gone to the dogs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Hothouse Flowers Musician and Broadcaster Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Claire Howlin, Assistant Professor in University College Dublin in Psychology and Newstalk's Ciara Treacy.

Recorded April 28th, 2026. As part of our ‘Behind the Headlines' series,this panel examines the Irish government's plans for an age-related social media ban amid growing momentum for similar measures internationally. Gathering legal, psychology and social research experts, we will look at all aspects of the proposed legislation, including age verification, and the rights and freedoms of under-16 age groups. The panel also discusses the implications of social media use on this group, including what constitutes problematic internet use, and its implications for public health in the context of children and young persons today. The discussion is chaired by Dr Róisín Á Costello, Assistant Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin and Deputy Director of TriCON, Trinity Centre for Constitutional Law. Panellists: Dr TJ McIntyre, Associate Professor in Law at the School of Law, University College Dublin and Chairperson of Digital Rights Ireland. Dr Ruth Melia, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Limerick. Dr Gretta Mohan, Senior Research Officer in Economic Analysis at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). This discussion is held in partnership with DEMCONEX, The Jean Monnet Centre for Excellence on Freedom of Expression and Democratic Resilience in Europe's Digital Age. DEMCONEX is a Jean Monnet Centre for Excellence on Freedom of Expression and Democratic Resilience in Europe's Digital Age is funded by the European Union. The Centre will be hosted by the Law School and the Department of Politics at Trinity College Dublin from 2025-2028 and is focused on research, teaching and public engagement on the Centre's themes and on European studies. Behind the Headlines is supported by the John Pollard Foundation. Learn more at www.tcd.ie/triniylongroomhub

Support FreshEd by becoming a member today! https://freshedpodcast.com/support/ -- Today we explore how Apple Classroom impacts teaching and learning. My guest is Cormac Mac Gabhann. Cormac Mac Gabhann teaches secondary school in Dublin and is a PhD student at University College Dublin. His latest article is entitled “Apple Classroom and subjectification – an exploration of the tension between control and unpredictability in the Irish post-primary classroom” which was published in the journal Ethics and Education. freshedpodcast.com/MacGabhann/ -- Get in touch! LinkedIn: @FreshEdpodcast Facebook: FreshEd Email: info@freshedpodcast.com

Prof. Gerald Barry, Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin

We explore the economic and social history of the Irish in England, with our panel: Prof Louise Ryan, Senior Professor of Sociology, and Director of the Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre at London Metropolitan University, Prof Neil Cummins, Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics, Cormac Ó Grada, economic historian and professor emeritus of economics at University College Dublin, and Dr Christopher Kissane, Engagement & Impact Lead at LSE Dept of Economic History, and curator of the EPIC exhibition.

Prof Gerald Barry, Assistant Professor with the School of Veterinary Medicine in University College Dublin

Let's look at May Day and Beltane traditions across Britain and Ireland, from ancient fires to seasonal folk customs.

Recorded April 22nd 2026. Can Ireland protect itself in an era of drone warfare, cyber-attacks and increasing global tensions and is Europe ready for the new security challenges it faces? As Ireland prepares to assume the European Presidency, taking over from Cyprus on 1 July, the Government faces renewed scrutiny over the scale and preparedness of its own defence capabilities in the light of the war in Iran and increasingly fraught geopolitical challenges. Recent changes, including increased defence spending, plans to modernise equipment, and an investment in cyber and maritime surveillance reflect a growing concern about hybrid threats and the protection of critical infrastructure such as undersea cables and airspace. Our upcoming ‘Behind the Headlines' panel will hear from His Excellency Louis Telemachou, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Ireland, on Cyprus's Presidency of the Council of the EU, followed by a panel discussion on the challenge facing Europe at a time of rapid geo-political shifts. This event will be chaired by Professor Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub. Panel: Caitríona Heinl, Executive Director of The Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy and Adjunct Research Fellow at the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM, retired Irish Naval Service vice admiral and former Chief of Staff of Ireland's Defence Forces. Dr Rory Rowan, Assistant Professor of Geography at Trinity College Dublin and political geographer and expert on the history of geopolitical thought and Irish neutrality. This event is run in partnership with the Trinity Centre for Digital Security and Societal Resilience, a new multidisciplinary research centre designed to address the technological, economic, governance and societal challenges shaping Ireland's digital future. Learn more at www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub

What are the costs of the Irish economic strategy of foreign direct investment – in terms of politics, ethics, and quality of life?The Party Line is a podcast from The Ditch, news and comment from Ireland, ontheditch.com – hosted by Niamh Ní Bhriain and Paulie Doyle of The Ditch, with guests Paddy Bresnihan of Maynooth University and Pat Brodie of University College Dublin.Ditch stories discussed: https://www.ontheditch.com/department-of-enterprise-increases-military/ and https://www.ontheditch.com/green-party-byelection-candidate-owns-shares-in-us-company-operating-in-illegal-israeli-settlements/'Ireland: the weak link in Europe's defense': https://tinyurl.com/yc7chsavFrom the Bog to the Cloud: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/from-the-bog-to-the-cloudThe Price of Prosperity: https://tinyurl.com/55xbk9x6Music: Fionn DempseyRecording and editing: Emmet White, Justin Youngontheditch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What should a neurologist do when a routine MRI for migraine reveals incidental white matter lesions that look remarkably like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), despite the patient having no neurological symptoms? The Editors' Choice paper for the April 2026 issue of Practical Neurology is a practical guide to the clinical diagnosis and management of radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). Author Dr. Audrey Reynolds¹ joins PN podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell to discuss her work on how updated diagnostic criteria and advanced imaging markers now enable a more proactive, biological approach to the disease. Their discussion highlights the importance of risk stratification - using tools like CSF analysis and spinal imaging - to identify those most likely to benefit from early intervention with disease-modifying therapies. They also examine the delicate balance between preventing future disability and avoiding misdiagnosis in this rapidly evolving area of neurology. Read the paper: Radiologically isolated syndrome: a practical guide. (1) St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin; University College Dublin, Ireland Please subscribe to the Practical Neurology podcast on your favourite platform to get the latest episodes. If you enjoy our podcast, you can leave us a review or a comment on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/3vVPClm) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4baxjsQ). We'd love to hear your feedback on social media - @PracticalNeurol. This episode was hosted by PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell. Production by Amy Ross Russell and  Brian O'Toole. Editing by Brian O'Toole. Thank you for listening.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced an investment of €17 million to support nine key infrastructure projects through the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme. This funding will enable the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities across the country, strengthening Ireland's research capacity in strategically important areas such as advanced materials, MedTech, AI, semiconductors and quantum technologies. The programme is designed to ensure that Irish researchers can access the specialised equipment needed to compete on the global stage. Announcing the investment, Minister Lawless said: "Today's Research Ireland infrastructure announcement further underscores our strong commitment to ensuring Ireland's research community have access to world-class facilities. These nine projects will strengthen national capability in areas vital to Ireland's future, including advanced materials, AI, and MedTech. This investment will equip researchers across the country with the tools they need to remain at the forefront of global innovation and strengthen Ireland's long-term competitiveness." Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: "We are enabling researchers across the country to pursue ambitious ideas, deepen collaboration and accelerate breakthrough discoveries by providing access to truly world-class infrastructure. The awards announced today are a key step in delivering on Research Ireland's strategy to strengthen national research capacity, future-proofing our research ecosystem and ensuring Ireland remains a global leader in high-impact research." The nine Research Ireland-funded infrastructure awards are: Advanced Semiconductor Processing and characterIsation facility foR multifunctional thin-film matErials (ASPIRE), Tyndall National Institute, led by Dr. Lynette Keeney. ASPIRE will provide national capability for growing and analysing ultra-thin semiconductor materials with atomic precision, accelerating progress in advanced electronics and emerging technologies. (€4,674,908). Atomic Layer Etch Platform, Dublin City University, led by Prof. Deborah O'Connell. This platform will establish Ireland's first facility for atomic etching with real-time diagnostic monitoring, supporting precision manufacturing for next-generation chips, quantum devices, and sensors. (€2,893,041). Full Spectrum Co-Operative Communications Test Bed Incorporating RF, THz & Optical Transmission, Dublin City University, led by Prof. Liam Barry. This infrastructure will allow researchers to develop and assess high-speed communication systems across radio, terahertz and optical frequencies for data-centre networks, wireless systems, and energy-efficient communications technologies. (€1,664,025). HARD2HISTO: Advanced HARD-Tissue, Biomaterial And Medical Device HISTOlogical Processing and Analysis Platform, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Prof. Oran Kennedy. HARD2HISTO will be a national facility for preparing and analysing hard tissues and complex medical devices, supporting research into musculoskeletal health, dental and joint conditions. (€1,065,588). MeDiNet (Medical Device Innovation Network), University of Galway and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Dr. Eimear Dolan. MeDiNet will provide shared national facilities for the designing and testing of new medical devices, reducing reliance on animal testing, and strengthening Ireland's MedTech ecosystem. (€1,968,706). NanoStruct-X: Democratising advanced materials characterisation with lab-based synchtrotron-style tools, University College Dublin, led by Prof. Serena Cussen. NanoStruct-X will provide national access to synchrotron-style characterisation tools, expanding national capacity for high-precision analysis of complex materials and supporting breakthroughs across materials science, energy and manufacturing. (€1,361,069). Surfac...

It was a week which began with a foul-mouthed rant threatening the complete destruction of Iranian civilisation but ultimately ended in a ceasefire. But how long will it last, and will Israel go along with it? Joining Pat to discuss is Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin.

Episode Overview In the third instalment of our series on famine and revolution, we pull away the veil of headline numbers to investigate the visceral, human reality of the Great Hunger in Ireland. This is an exploration of a land filling with desperation, where the brutal biological mechanics of what happens when the human body begins to consume itself take centre stage. We examine the fate of a terrified people, facing ruin triggered by a disease that wreaked havoc on already weak economies. From the folklore of the Fear Gorta to the harrowing clinical reports of the era, this episode explores how a society is transformed when it is blindsided by biological disaster and administrative indifference. Key Topics Covered: The Information Vacuum: Comparing our modern “Ocean of Information” to the terrifying silence of the 1840s, where the sickly sweet smell of rot was a mystery without an immediate answer. The Folklore of Famine: Why stories like Hansel and Gretel and the Navajo Dine Bahane carry the genetic memory of starvation, and the specific Irish harbinger of death: the Fear Gorta. The Structural Cage: A deep dive into the Rundale system and Gavelkind inheritance. We look at why the West was trapped in a cycle of subdivision while Ulster was shielded by the “Linen Shield” and Tenant Right. The Biology of Starvation: Using modern metabolic science and contemporary medical records to explain the “Blue Nose,” the “Sunken Orbit,” and the terrifying reality of Autophagy—the body cannibalising its own architecture. The Refeeding Trap: The physiological reason why a crust of bread could become a death sentence for a heart shrunken by atrophy. Conspicuous Consumption: The stark contrast between the “Workhouse Swineries” and the elite social calendar, including the dinner menus of the Cork Harbour Regatta. The Gregory Clause: How a single piece of legislation—the Quarter-Acre Clause—was used to engineer the clearances and force the starving into homelessness. The Ledger of the Dead: Analysis of the 1851 Census and the 20–25% demographic erasure that redefined Ireland forever. SOURCES Historical Research & Modern Analysis Delaney, Enda. (2020, December). “‘There But For The Grace of God Go I': Middle-Class Catholic Responses to Ireland's Great Famine.” The English Historical Review, Vol. 135, No. 577, pp. 1433–1460. Donnelly, James S., Jr. (2002). The Great Irish Potato Famine. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. Guinnane, Timothy W. (1994). “The Great Irish Famine and Population: The Long View.” The American Economic Review, Vol. 84, no. 2, pp. 303–08. Ó Gráda, Cormac. (2013, March). “Eating people is wrong: Famine’s darkest secret?” UCD Centre for Economic Research, Working Paper No. WP13/02. O'Riordan, Edmund. (2018, May/June). “‘Every Delicacy of the Season'—Conspicuous Consumption During the Great Hunger.” History Ireland, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 26–29. Poirteir, Cathal (Ed.). (1999). The Great Irish Famine. Dublin: Mercier Press. Woodham-Smith, Cecil. (1962). The Great Hunger: Ireland 1845–1849. London: Hamish Hamilton. Guinnane, Timothy W. “The Great Irish Famine and Population: The Long View.” The American Economic Review, vol. 84, no. 2, 1994, pp. 303–08. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2117848. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026 Scientific & Medical Analysis of Starvation Anabtawi, O., & Valente, B. (2025, August 12). “The science of starvation: This is what happens to your body when it's deprived of food.” The Conversation. Donovan, Daniel. (1848). “Observations on the Peculiar Diseases to Which the Famine of Last Year Gave Origin.” Dublin Medical Press. Keys, Ancel, et al. (1950). The Biology of Human Starvation. University of Minnesota Press. (References derived from the Minnesota Starvation Experiment). Primary Documents & Government Records Devon Commission. (1845). Report from Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Inquiry into the State of the Law and Practice in respect to the Occupation of Land in Ireland. Hansard Parliamentary Debates. (1849). HL Deb 15 June 1849 vol 106 cc285-300. (Correspondence of the Earl of Clancarty regarding Ballinasloe). O’Rourke, Canon John. (1875). The History of the Great Irish Famine of 1847. Ridgway, James. (1847). The Irish Relief Measures, Past and Future. Regional Studies & Files Best, Barbara. (2025). “Local Female Orphans and The Earl Grey Scheme 1848-1850.” Tobin, J. “The Famine in Ballyduff and the evictions of Arthur Usher Kiely.” Ballyduff Archive. University College Dublin. (2024). “Hansel and Gretel's famine folklore origins.” The Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure. Folklore & Cultural Context Dine Bahane. Navajo creation mythology regarding resource scarcity and survival. Fear Gorta (The Hungry Man). Traditional Irish folklore regarding the personification of hunger. Yoruba Mythology. Oral traditions regarding the “Leopards Famine.” The post EP068 WHEN HUNGER WALKS THE LAND appeared first on AGE OF VICTORIA PODCAST.

Dr Vincent Durac, Associate Professor in Middle East Politics at University College Dublin, assesses the conflict in the Middle East, in light of US President, Donald Trump, ramping up threats against the Iranian regime.

Borzou Daragahi, International Correspondent with The Independent, Ed Burke, Assistant Professor in the History of War at University College Dublin.

Thinking about grad school but unsure if it's worth the investment in today's rapidly changing world? Nick Barniville is a leading voice in graduate education and employability, with 25 years of experience at prestigious European business schools, including ESMT Berlin and University College Dublin. In this episode, Nick discusses how the job market landscape is changing, shifting employer expectations, the benefits of focusing on new skills and industry trends, and how AI is changing the game in the long term.  Achievable GRE uses AI-powered adaptive learning to target your weak areas and boost your score - visit https://achievable.me/exams/gre/overview/#s=podcast to try it for free.

Lisa Ryan, professor of energy economics at University College Dublin joined us to break down how fuel supply and prices are affected in Ireland.

Introduction to the Solution Methane is one of the most powerful drivers of near-term global warming, and also one of the fastest opportunities to slow it down. In this episode of Climate Break, we explore how a global network of states and provinces is working together to reduce methane emissions through shared knowledge, technical assistance, and peer learning. Ethan Elkind speaks with Shivani Shukla, a methane research fellow at UC Berkeley, about the Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC) and how subnational governments can play an outsized role in addressing this urgent climate pollutant.   Why Methane Matters Methane is a colorless, odorless gas responsible for nearly one-third of current global warming. Over a 20-year period, methane traps roughly 80 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide. Its climate impact is further amplified by the way it contributes to the formation of tropospheric ozone and adds water vapor to the stratosphere, increasing its overall warming effect. Unlike carbon dioxide, methane comes from a relatively limited set of sources. Major contributors include landfills and wastewater facilities, agriculture (particularly livestock digestion and rice cultivation), and fossil fuel systems such as oil, gas, and coal operations. Because these sources are concentrated and well understood, methane reductions are often technically feasible and cost-effective, especially when captured methane can be repurposed as fuel.   The Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC) Launched at COP28 in 2023, the Subnational Methane Action Coalition is a global network of state and provincial governments working to reduce methane emissions. SMAC began with 15 founding members, spearheaded by California, and has since expanded to include dozens of subnational governments and observers worldwide. SMAC is supported by researchers at UC Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, which provides participating governments with technical assistance on methane inventories, policy design, and action planning. The coalition also connects members with experts, data partners, and peer jurisdictions that have implemented successful methane reduction strategies. Climate policy is often designed and implemented at the national level, but states and provinces frequently have direct jurisdiction over major methane sources, including waste management, agriculture, and energy infrastructure. Subnational governments are therefore uniquely positioned to pilot solutions that can later be scaled nationally or replicated elsewhere. Through SMAC's peer network, members can share lessons learned, adapt policies to their regional contexts, and avoid duplicating efforts. A state that has developed an effective approach to reducing agricultural methane, for example, can share that model with other regions facing similar challenges.   Upsides to SMAC One of SMAC's key strengths is its emphasis on capacity-building. Many subnational governments (particularly those with limited resources) lack the technical expertise or staffing needed to design and implement methane mitigation programs. SMAC addresses this gap by offering tailored technical support, expert-led webinars, and communities of practice focused on specific methane sources. Methane mitigation also offers strong near-term climate benefits. Because methane dissipates from the atmosphere more quickly than carbon dioxide, reducing emissions can slow warming almost immediately. In many cases, methane solutions are relatively low-cost and non-repetitive, involving infrastructure upgrades or operational changes rather than ongoing behavioral shifts by individuals.   Challenges in SMAC Despite its promise, SMAC faces several challenges. Political turnover can disrupt momentum, as changes in leadership may shift climate priorities or reduce ambition. Sustained funding is another barrier, particularly for jurisdictions that need upfront investment to implement methane reduction technologies. There is also an important broader critique: focusing heavily on methane should not come at the expense of long-term carbon dioxide reductions. While methane mitigation is a powerful short-term strategy, CO₂ remains in the atmosphere far longer and continues to drive warming over centuries. SMAC does not frame methane reduction as a replacement for CO₂ action, but rather as a complementary strategy within a broader climate portfolio.   Shukla's Take Shivani Shukla emphasizes that SMAC is fundamentally about collaboration and shared learning. By connecting subnational governments across regions and sectors, the coalition helps members overcome technical and capacity constraints while fostering leadership on methane mitigation. She also highlights the global nature of methane pollution and the importance of cross-border cooperation to address it effectively.   About Our Guest Shivani Shukla is a Research Fellow in the Project Climate program at UC Berkeley Law's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE). Shivani co-leads the Subnational Methane Action Coalition, where she focuses on climate and environmental policies, particularly on methane and natural resources at the subnational level. Prior to joining CLEE, Shivani was a two-time EDF Climate Corps Fellow and conducted interdisciplinary climate policy research across academia, private and public sectors in the U.S.A., Ireland and India. Shivani graduated from the MPP program at the University of Chicago and a Masters in Applied Economics from University College Dublin. She is currently based in New York.   Resources U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,  Overview of Methane Emissions International Energy Agency, Methane Tracker Climate TRACE, Global Methane Emissions Data Platform Carbon Mapper, Satellite-Based Methane Detection and Analysis

Two students from University College Dublin have been announced as winners of the third annual EirGrid CleanerGrid Competition, following an event held in Dublin. Team members Peter McHugh and Rory Tobin from UCD's Master's of Energy Systems Engineering claimed first place for their data-driven model to reduce offshore wind dispatch down by optimally siting and sizing flexible energy storage systems, focusing on battery energy storage and hydrogen. With a top prize of €12,000 (€6,000 for the winning student team and €6,000 for the student's third-level institute), this year's theme asked students to explore "Opportunities and challenges in accelerating offshore wind potential." The award was presented to the winners by a panel of expert judges – Louise O'Flanagan, Head of Asset Management and Engineering at EirGrid, James Ives, CEO of XOCEAN, Dee Kehoe, Continuous Professional Development Director at Engineers Ireland, Dr. Brendan Cahill, Programme Manager for Innovation & International Research at SEAI and Dr. David Tosh, Lecturer in Terrestrial Ecology and Course Director at Ulster University. The CleanerGrid competition run by EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, aims to foster innovation and creativity by encouraging students to showcase their skills in solving critical energy challenges, with a focus on sustainability, efficiency and clean energy technologies. Entrants were asked to present innovative, practical solutions that address both the opportunities and obstacles in developing Ireland's offshore electricity infrastructure. Among the ideas put forward by the three competing teams of finalists included the use of autonomous underwater vehicles and a dashboard to monitor wind turbine outages off Ireland's coast. These teams were selected from a strong field of thirty-two submissions, involving 115 students across nine higher-level institutions. Following the event, the students spoke positively of their experience. "Offshore is a relatively young industry in Ireland, so to be able to learn more about it has been really interesting. We might have done a lecture or two in our course before, but we understand the landscape much better now," said McHugh. "We started looking at the project back in October, so we had plenty of time to think about the prompt and decide what we wanted to do." Tobin added, "There is a big drive to increase the number of renewables on our grid, and our project looked to address how that can be achieved successfully with offshore. I really enjoyed the process, and energy is an industry I would be interested in working in, in the future." Congratulating all the teams on an engaging series of presentations, EirGrid Chief Transformation, Technology and Offshore Officer Liam Ryan said, "This is our third annual CleanerGrid completion and year-on-year it is fantastic to see the projects designed by third-level students. Offshore wind has the potential for transformative opportunities for Ireland and is essential for strengthening our energy security, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and meeting our climate targets. Bringing students and young people with us on that journey is key. "Through our third-level institutions, these students are immersed in the latest cutting-edge innovations, and their research and fresh thinking are more valuable than ever, as we move toward delivering Government targets for a sustainable, resilient, renewable energy system. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the competition and to the three teams who presented in today's final." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now ...

Charleen Hurtubise tells Ruth McKee which books she'd save if her house was on fire. Charleen Hurtubise is a novelist, essayist, and artist. She is author of The Polite Act of Drowning, published in Ireland and the UK by Eriu/Bonnier in 2023.  She holds an M.Sc. from Trinity College Dublin and an MFA in creative writing from University College Dublin, where she has facilitated creative writing seminars. Her latest book, Saoirse, is out now with Eriu (UK/Ireland) and with Celadon in the US. 

The first Innovate for Ireland national centre, 'Decarb-AI: AI-Powered Pathways to Climate Resilience' has been announced today. Created in partnership with AIB and Research Ireland, the €5.7m Decarb-AI national centre will aim to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate Ireland's transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon future. Decarb-AI will welcome 30 iScholars across three intakes. Eight iScholars – from China, Ghana, India, the UK, France, Ireland and Kenya – have already commenced their research. All of these iScholars will undertake fully-funded, four-year PhDs under the supervision of leading academic researchers from Irish higher education institutions, which are: University College Dublin (lead institution), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Technological University Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway (via the Irish Centre for High-End Computing – ICHEC), and University College Cork. The iScholars' research at Decarb-AI research centre will focus on using cutting-edge AI to advance climate mitigation and adaptation across Ireland, with key focus areas including: — AI-optimised renewable energy systems and data centre sustainability — Machine learning for water quality forecasting and peatland restoration — Earth-observation and biodiversity modelling for land-use policy — AI-supported sustainable finance tools for SMEs — Transparent AI decision-support systems for real-time decarbonisation planning The launch of Decarb-AI is a major milestone for the Innovate for Ireland programme. It follows on from the programme's successful launch in early 2025, which saw the recruitment of the first cohort of 11 iScholars working in a variety of research disciplines. iScholars are outstanding researchers with entrepreneurial qualities and a passion for sustainability. Yvonne McCarthy, Head of Sustainability Research, AIB, commented: "Tackling climate change requires both ambition and innovation. AIB is proud to partner with Innovate for Ireland on Decarb-AI, an initiative that brings world-leading researchers together to accelerate Ireland's transition to a low-carbon economy. By supporting the development of AI-driven tools for energy and sustainable finance, we're helping to unlock some of the solutions that will ensure that businesses and communities can make meaningful progress on decarbonisation that allows them to thrive." Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, commented: "By combining advanced AI research with real-world climate challenges, Decarb-AI has the potential to generate solutions that are both scientifically rigorous and nationally impactful. This initiative will train the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders and strengthen Ireland's credentials in climate research innovation." Andrew Parnell, Lead PI and Professor of Data Science for Weather and Climate at University College Dublin, commented, "AI is the catalyst required to solve the multi-objective problems inherent in climate resilience. Through Decarb-AI, we are fostering a research environment where advanced data science meets urgent environmental necessity through our new iScholars. Our focus is on creating scalable, academically rigorous, and industry-ready outputs ranging from peatland restoration to sustainable finance. We must ensure that Ireland remains at the global forefront of excellence in AI and sustainability." Dr Simon Boucher, Chief Executive, Global Innovators Ireland, commented: "The opening of the Decarb-AI national centre is an important step towards realising the Innovate for Ireland vision of establishing Ireland as a world-leading hub for sustainability innovation and helping to address the world's most pressing challenges." Applications for a second cohort of researchers to Decarb-AI will be invited from ambitious candidates with backgrounds in AI, data science, engineering, environmental science, ecology, geography, finance, and related fields who want to bui...

Cavan County in the Republic of Ireland may seem like an unlikely place for entrepreneurs to flourish, but nothing could be further from the truth. Technology specialist John Hyland's innovative ClubSpot app has transformed how grassroots sports organisations operate on a daily basis. The platform bears operational similarities to the Ireland betting apps listed on BettingTop10.ie, which are effectively a one-stop shop for bettors to fuel their passion. By bringing sports betting, online casino games and other verticals under one umbrella, gambling operators have made the sector far easier to navigate. Hyland has applied the same ethos to ClubSpot, and his efforts have helped the company quickly become a major player in a hugely competitive industry. The Metamorphosis of ClubSpot While recuperating from an injury during his time at University College Dublin, Hyland shifted his gaze to a question many people had previously taken seriously. Why did only a small set of fans contribute financially to their teams, while thousands more remained emotionally attached yet commercially distant? His research into Cavan's GAA organisation revealed a clear imbalance, showing that a small circle of committed backers sustained the structure, leaving the wider fanbase untapped. Hyland's vision was far-reaching – if engagement could be increased, inflow could accompany it. That idea metamorphosed into a digital site created to bring structure to sports at the local level. ClubSpot did not think of reinventing sports organisations, but focused on the systems that surrounded them. Membership registration, communication channels, fundraising efforts and compliance processes were brought into one space. The early days were lowkey, with Gowna GAA Club becoming the first client. This was a testing ground where theory met reality and of the results were immediate. The club made more income through the platform in seven days than it had in the previous year. Growth then followed, although not without pressure because demand outpaced development capacity in the first months, a familiar issue for start-ups. However, the foundation did not fold, with clubs recognising the value of reducing administrative burdens on volunteers while opening new sources of revenue. From that small beginning in Cavan, a framework began to take shape that would extend far beyond its original setting. Scaling from Rural Ireland to a Global Stage Many people are under the misapprehension that all business in Ireland must pass though Dublin. ClubSpot has gone against that school of thought with quiet defiance. From its headquarters in Stradone, the organisation has extended its presence into the United Kingdom, United States and Australia, creating a user base that now exceeds half a million. This growth has not been in isolation, as support from Enterprise Ireland provides both validation and practical assistance, which open doors to international markets and connect the company with potential clients. Trade missions, particularly those linked to sporting events overseas, helped accelerate expansion. The Irish government's broader vision for sports technology has also played a role. The creation of an international sports diplomacy strategy by Helen McEntee in the United States showed a recognition that sport can act as a cultural bridge and an economic driver. Events linked to baseball, American Football and golf have tightened ties between Ireland and the US, making a fertile ground for organisations operating at the intersection of sport and technology. ClubSpot has placed itself within that space, with the platform extending beyond Gaelic sports into soccer, rugby, basketball and athletics, giving a unified system adaptable to different cultures. The company's decision to prioritise long-term development over rapid exits has informed its trajectory. Funding came largely from individuals rather than venture capital firms seeking early returns on investment. This approach...

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has announced that it awarded more than €20 million in Government funding to 34 new national energy research awards under the SEAI National Energy Funding Programme in 2025. This comprises of 25 Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) projects and 9 Energise Fellowships. Funding for these awards is provided by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. The RD&D projects funded by SEAI span small, medium, and large-scale initiatives across critical energy areas including offshore wind, bioenergy, district heating, green hydrogen, sustainable transport, forecasting, smart buildings, carbon capture, and environmental and climate targets. The Energise Fellowships Programme supports early-career and mid-career researchers, building national research capacity, strengthening the Irish energy research ecosystem, bridging the research to policy gap and accelerating the development of future research leaders. The 2025 Energise Fellowships are supporting research across areas including energy poverty alleviation, offshore renewable energy, carbon capture, energy efficient buildings, biofuels, and green hydrogen. In 2025, SEAI collaborated with three co?funding partners in the RD&D call, each supporting strategically important research themes: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – co-funding research on sustainable feedstocks for anaerobic digestion Climate Change Advisory Council – co-funding the development of low?emission and equitable transport strategies Met Éireann – co-funding a project on renewable energy forecasting in Ireland's changing climate SEAI acknowledges the value of these partnerships in scaling up national research impact and supporting evidence-based climate and energy policy. The 2025 SEAI National Energy Funding Programme awarded grants to project leads in several of Ireland's leading universities, technological institutions, and public-service and private-sector research organisations nationwide. These include University College Cork, University of Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University, Technological University of Shannon, TU Dublin, Munster Technological University, Atlantic Technological University, Teagasc, the International Energy Research Centre (IERC), Tipperary Energy Agency, HeatGrid Ireland Ltd and Dowmann Limited. The programme will benefit a broad selection of organisations across all projects and fellowships with 16 receiving funding as leads or partners and 29 as collaborators. Speaking on today's announcement, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien, TD said: "I am delighted to see the award of these 34 innovative energy research projects and fellowships. Ireland recently reached a landmark of 8GW of renewable energy. The best way to deliver long term energy independence and affordable costs for Irish households and businesses is to continue to deploy home-grown renewable energy at scale. Recent events in the Middle East have reiterated the importance of reducing Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels. These projects will explore important areas of research, that in turn can enhance the delivery of sustainable, secure, and affordable energy for all." William Walsh, CEO at SEAI, added: "These projects have the potential to transform Ireland's energy system. From floating wind, to using AI to enhance the efficiency of renewables, this research is on the cutting-edge of technology and international best practice. "Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels will mean a cleaner, healthier, more resilient and competitive future for our country. It will reduce our energy bills and put our country on a more secure footing. At SEAI, we fund the research that will make that vision a reality. Congratulations to the teams awarded this funding and thank you for the significant contribution you have made, and...

The number of abandoned or stray dogs being euthanised in Irish council shelters has increased fourfold over three years. So says research by University College Dublin, with Ireland having the highest proportion of healthy dogs being put down across Ireland and the UK. A large reason for this is ‘dogflation', and Corina Fitzsimons, PR & Communications Executive with the Irish Blue Cross spoke to Anton with more on this.

The ongoing conflict in Iran is sending global fuel and energy prices soaring, and countries around the world are scrambling to protect their economies. To break down what's happening and what's being done, Pat is joined by Assistant Professor at the University College Dublin, School of Economics, Nora Streker.

As the government looks toward Digital Wallets to enforce age limits for under-16s, we ask is this a convenient security solution or simply a massive new attack surface for your biometric data? We also find out why Samsung pulled the plug on the Galaxy Z Trifold and Meta pulled the plug on the Metaverse. To wrap things up, we take you to University College Dublin. Niall Kitson speaks with the team at the School of Computer Science about their pioneering 6G testbed. We find out why 6G isn't just about faster YouTube downloads, but rather a complete overhaul of network automation and cybersecurity.—----- Listen to Tech Radio now on Apple, Spotify and YouTubehttps://www.podfollow.com/tech

In this episode: we hear from Dr Claire O'Callaghan, Senior Lecturer in English at Loughborough University and Editor-in-Chief of Brontë Studies, the official journal of the Brontë Society; Prof Melissa Fegan, Professor of Irish and Victorian Literature at the University of Chester; and Dr Sophie Franklin, Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin and author of ‘Violence and the Brontës: Language, Reception, Afterlives'. She is also an Associate Editor of the Brontë Studies journal.

US President Donald Trump has described the Iranian regime as "sick", "demented", "maniacs", and promised a quick end to the war. Following his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday, Mr. Trump says he's "way ahead of schedule" on Iran and the whole world should be "very thankful" for his intervention. He also said he is disappointed in NATO, and gave a timeline of a "couple of weeks" for the end of the war. President Trump said he was forced to act. The EU's foreign policy chief says the door is not closed to European participation in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. But Kaja Kallas says it would probably be part of a diplomatic solution. She also says EU is consulting with governments in the Middle East about how to bring the conflict to a conclusion. Kaja Kallas warned about the need to improve our own defences. Iran has confirmed its top security official has been killed in an airstrike. Tehran had yesterday denied Ali Larijani had been killed - displaying a handwritten note supposedly written by him as evidence he was alive. Iran launched missiles at Israel overnight, killing two people. Meanwhile, senior US counter-terrorism boss Joe Kent has resigned, saying he doesn't support the conflict. To discuss all of this, along with growing concern about the impact on global energy supplies and fuel prices, given the situation with the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil passes, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Associate Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, and Micheál Collins, Assistant Professor of Social Policy at University College Dublin. Image © Getty Images Signature

On this month's episode, The Stinging Fly poetry editor Annemarie Ní Churreáin is joined by poets Simon Costello and Jane Robinson to read from and discuss their poems that appear in The Stinging Fly Issue 53 Volume Two, the climate issue.Simon Costello is from Tullamore, Co. Offaly. His poetry has been published in The Poetry Review, Poetry London, Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly, bath magg, New England Review, The London Magazine, The North, The Moth, Magma, The Rialto, The Irish Times and RTÉ. He has been awarded first prize in The Patrick Kavanagh Award for Poetry (2024), Southword Editor's Poetry Award (2023), The Rialto Nature Competition; Place Poetry Prize (2021). In 2021, he was highly commended in The Moth Poetry Prize. In 2024, his poetry chapbook Saturn Devouring was published by The Lifeboat Press. He is currently a Government of Ireland IRC Scholar and PhD candidate. He teaches at the Mary Lavin Centre/School of English in University College Dublin and also works for Granta magazine. He lives in Dublin.Jane Robinson's collections, Journey to the Sleeping Whale (Salmon, 2018) and Island and Atoll (Salmon, 2023), as well as other poems and essays, reflect her deep ecological awareness. With a doctorate in Biology from Caltech, Jane is also a recipient of the Shine-Strong and Strokestown Poetry awards. She lives in Dublin.Annemarie Ní Churreáin is a poet from northwest Donegal. Her books include Bloodroot (Doire Press, 2017), The Poison Glen (The Gallery Press, 2021) and Ghostgirl (Donegal County Archives, 2023). Her work has been shortlisted for the Shine Strong Award for Best Debut Collection (IRE) and for the Ledbury Hellens Best Second Collection (UK). She is a recipient of the Arts Council's Next Generation Artist Award, The Markievicz Award, and a forthcoming 2025 Hawthornden Foundation Residency (NYC). Ní Churreáin is a former fellow of Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowship (GR). Her writing for stage has appeared at the Abbey National Theatre of Ireland.  Her poetry has been toured widely through Ireland, Europe and America. She is the poetry editor at The Stinging Fly Magazine. www.studiotwentyfive.comThe Stinging Fly Podcast invites writers from the latest issue of The Stinging Fly to read and discuss their work. Previous episodes of the podcast ⁠⁠can be found here⁠⁠. The podcast's theme music is ⁠⁠‘Sale of Lakes', by Divan⁠⁠. All of the ⁠⁠Stinging Fly archive⁠⁠ is available to ⁠⁠subscribers.⁠⁠

The Irish-American experience fitted seamlessly into the story of the United States as a “nation of immigrants”. In the Trump era that narrative has fallen out of favour. Family ties are weakening over time and the old political associations are changing too. So where does that leave our relationship with the 38.5 million Americans who ticked “Irish” in the last US census? On today's Inside Politics podcast Professor Liam Kennedy talks to Hugh Linehan about how Irish American identity has changed over the decades, how traces of it persist through popular culture and the contrast between the liberalism of Joe Biden and the nationalism of Steve Bannon. They also discuss the "soft power" of the Irish-American relationship, as exemplified by the shamrock ceremony that takes place next week in Washington, and whether it too is on the wane. Professor Liam Kennedy is director of the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President says 'everything's been knocked out' in Iran. As the conflict enters a fifth day there have been more explosions overnight in both Iran and southern Lebanon. While Tehran is continuing to retaliate with strikes across the Gulf region. Donal Trump says the US military operation has been a success so far. Meanwhile, Irish citizens in the United Arab Emirates, could be evacuated in the coming days as plans are finalised for a government charter flight to leave Oman - provided they get the all-clear. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee says this first flight will be targeted at Irish citizens currently in UAE, particularly those who are non-resident and require assistance most urgently. Pregnant women, the elderly and those with health conditions are to be given priority in the first Irish airlift out of the Middle East. They will be the first to travel home as the government begins chartering flights out of the Gulf from Oman. 280 people will be on the first plane out of the region. The Taoiseach is facing increasing pressure from some quarters to cancel his St. Patrick's Day visit to the White House, in light of America's attack on Iran. Labour's Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Duncan Smith says the meeting with the US president should not go ahead in its traditional form. And consumers are being warned they should expect the cost of fuel and home heating oil to increase over the coming weeks. It's due to growing instability in the Middle East, with a barrel of oil up 20 dollars since the weekend. Alan Morrissey spoke with Dr. Scott Fitzsimmons, Associate Professor of international Relations at UL and Micheál Collins, Ennis-based economist and Assistant Professor of Social Policy at University College Dublin, to find out more. Image © Getty Images Signature via Canva

The research led by researchers in University College Dublin, has revealed that the old Irish goat, a recognised and distinct breed, shares a 3,000 year genetic link with goats living in Ireland during the late Bronze Age. Assistant Professor Kevin Daly, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, supervised the study.

The United States has imposed a new 10 per cent tariff on imports overnight, following a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down President Donald Trump's previous trade measures. While the rate is lower than the 15 per cent he had threatened, there's still significant uncertainty about how these new tariffs will operate — and what they could mean for Irish exporters. To help us unpack it all, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis economist and Assistant Professor of Social Policy at University College Dublin, Micheál Collins on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) panida wijitpanya from Getty Images via Canva

Ireland's National Competence Centre in Semiconductors (I-C3), a significant milestone in Ireland's commitment to semiconductor innovation and European collaboration under the European Chips Act, invites startups and SMEs to lead the future of chips innovation. I-C3 will focus on startups and SMEs by providing access to essential resources, including funding pathways, training, design tools and pilot line facilities. Its mission is to empower Ireland's startups and SMEs in the semiconductor sector with hands-on access to design, production, funding and training to accelerate innovation and growth in Ireland's semiconductor sector. National Competence Centre in Semiconductors for Startups Commenting on the launch, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said: "As a hub for the semiconductor ecosystem, my Department is delighted that I-C3 will ensure that opportunities as part of the Chips for Europe Initiative are accessible for businesses of all sizes within the industry, along with bringing greater diversity of expertise and depth of innovation to the knowledge base of the semiconductor ecosystem in Europe. I-C3's launch is another significant milestone in the delivery of Silicon Island: Ireland's National Semiconductor Strategy. "With this launch, my Department is very excited about I-C3's ability to empower Irish SMEs to scale internationally, drive innovation across the semiconductor ecosystem and create high-value jobs. I-C3 will also facilitate the development of skills and talent, and build on our strengths by enhancing the relationship between infrastructure, industry, and RD&I capability to ensure Ireland leads in advanced manufacturing and chip design." Co-ordinated by Tyndall National Institute and supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) through Enterprise Ireland, with co-funding secured from the European Union under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), I-C3 is a consortium comprising Tyndall National Institute, a research flagship of University College Cork (UCC), MCCI, MIDAS Ireland, NovaUCD, and University College Dublin. The new I-C3 Competence Centre is one of 30 being established across 27 EU countries to strengthen Europe's semiconductor ecosystem. The initiative builds on Ireland's vibrant and extensive semiconductor industry comprising over 130 indigenous and foreign subsidiary companies, employing over 20,000 people, part of a 175,000-person strong broader ICT sector with overall exports of €13.5 billion worth of products annually. Multinational leaders such as Intel, Apple, Qualcomm, AMD, and Analog Devices have long invested in Irish R&D. I-C3 aims to further elevate Ireland's global standing in semiconductor innovation. Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall, said: "I?C3 plays a key role in delivering Ireland's Semiconductor Strategy, Silicon Island, and it is fantastic to see the centre operational and actively supporting Irish start?ups and SMEs to accelerate and scale their businesses. I?C3 is helping companies across all sectors that use semiconductor technologies to secure investment, access specialist training, and connect to European pilot lines." Joe Healy, Divisional Manager, Research, Innovation and Infrastructure at Enterprise Ireland said: "With the support of I-C3, Ireland is set to double the number of people employed in semi-conductor startups and SMEs by 2030. The centre will act as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth, ensuring that Irish stakeholders, from academia to industry, can fully participate in the Chips for Europe Initiative." About Tyndall National Institute Tyndall is a leading European deep-tech research centre in integrated ICT (Information and Communications Technology) materials, devices, circuits and systems and a research flagship of University College Cork. Tyndall is Ireland's largest Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) specialising in both electronics and photonics. Tyndall works...

The global rise of authoritarianism today is a puzzle: democracies were supposed to be immune to such impulses, but the current political landscape of countries as diverse as India, Hungary, and the United States show that they're not.Why are we seeing a resurgence of authoritarianism? And why did it take so many experts by surprise?In this episode, Mark Blyth looks for answers to these questions with Alexander Cooley and Alex Dukalskis, authors of the new book Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics. In the book, they explore how authoritarian countries today project their ideologies around the world, and why their strategies may look eerily familiar to anyone who has studied the spread of western liberalism in the 1990s and 2000s.Guests on the episode:Alexander Cooley is a professor of political science at Barnard College.Alex Dukalskis is an associate professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin.Learn more about and purchase Dictating the Agenda The Authoritarian Resurgence in World PoliticsTranscript coming soon to our website

Passengers travelling between Ireland and Wales this week will be scanned with facial recognition technology as part of a pilot scheme that's being rolled out across the UK.The move has received criticism, with Dr. Elizabeth Farries from University College Dublin saying that there are “established problems” with the technology.She, alongside travel commentator Eoghan Corry, speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the conversation.

Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent for the Irish Times; Elizabeth Farries of University College Dublin's Centre for Digital Policy; and Danny Shaw, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow and commentator on Crime and Policing

Turkey has become a top destination for the booming business of hair transplants. But why are so many men opting for the procedure? We talk to John Paul Brammer, a writer and artist based in Brooklyn about his own experience with hair transplants. Plus, Glen Jankowski, an adjunct lecturer and researcher in the School of Psychology at University College Dublin, and the author of a forthcoming book, Branding Baldness, about how our perception of baldness changed over the years.

After the Irish fought for and won their independence from the British in 1921, they had a problem. Centuries of exploitation had left the island one of the least forested nations in Europe, with less than 2% tree cover.  So, they started planting a non-native American tree: fast-growing Sitka spruce capable of rebuilding their timber resources in record time. And it worked. Today, about 17% of the island is forested. But in the rural areas where iconic rolling hills have been replaced by rows and rows of conifers, farmers are not happy.  Outside/In host Nate Hegyi takes us to County Leitrim, an area of Ireland hit hard by the Troubles and the Great Famine, to meet the townspeople who are fighting what they say is a new wave of colonialism: Sitka spruce plantations. Produced by Nate Hegyi. For a transcript and full list of credits, go to outsideinradio.org.  SUPPORT Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.  Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook. LINKS Donal Magner wrote a book covering the history of Ireland's forests and timber industry.  Sitka spruce plantations are controversial in other parts of Ireland as well, including Cork.  There are also efforts to rewild parts of Ireland with entirely native trees and to protect and restore carbon-sequestering bogs.  It can be really tough to figure out exactly what was growing in Ireland thousands of years ago – but these scientists used ancient pollen counts to figure it out. Researchers at University College Dublin produced a detailed socio-economic impact report on Sitka spruce plantations and County Leitrim in 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eoin O'Neill, Professor of Environmental Policy and Director of the Earth Institute at University College Dublin, discusses the impact of Storm Chandra.

Happy St Brigit's day! This year's celebration of Ireland's most beloved female icon comes a bit earlier to the podcast, but keep tuned as we have prepared a surprise for you to be published this Friday!This week we are joined by the amazing linguist and historian Jean-Michel Picard, Professor Emeritus at University College Dublin, whose work has inspired generations of scholars studying medieval Ireland and Irish saints. In this episode, Prof. Picard tells us all about the transmission of the cult of St Brigit to the Continent, the various sources containing a wealth of information about the saint. Prof. Picard also shares the difficulties of tracking down manuscripts when the internet was still in its infancy and offers us a glimpse of medieval Irish scholarship in Ireland in the 1980s. Suggested Readings:Connolly, Sean, and J.-M. Picard. 'Cogitosus's ‘Life of St Brigit' Content and Value', The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland , 117 (1987), pp 5-27. Freely available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/25508920.Picard, J.M. Aquitaine and Ireland in the Middle Ages (Dublin, 1995).Picard, J.-M. 'In platea monasterii: the layout of ecclesiastical settlements in early medieval Ireland (7th-9th C.)', in Flavia De Rubeis & Federico Marazzi (eds). Monasteri in Europa occidentale (secoli VIII-XI): topografia e strutture (Rome, 2008), pp.67-82.Picard, J.-M. 'Omnes sancti chori Hiberniae sanctorum orate pro nobis: Manuscript Evidence for the Cult of Irish Saints in Medieval Europe', in Ann Buckley Music, Liturgy, and the Veneration of Saints of the Medieval Irish Church in a European Context (2017), pp. 67-77.Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday)Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.comProducer: Tiago Veloso SilvaSupported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University & Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.Views expressed are the speakers' own.Logo design: Matheus de Paula CostaMusic: Lexin_Music

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Corinne Palma, a recently graduated veterinarian from University College Dublin and Vice President of the International Veterinary Students' Association.Together, they explore how veterinary medicine extends far beyond the clinic — from field anaesthesia innovations and drone-assisted wildlife monitoring to the ethical challenges of intervention and the growing importance of One Health.Corinne shares insights from her experience across small animal clinics, conservation projects, and research labs, and discusses the traits and training needed for the next generation of veterinarians working in extreme environments.You can connect with Corinne via social media:InstagramLinkedIn.

Like the majority of American men over 35, Anita's partner is balding...and they're both a little distressed about it. But why? She brings her questions to two men who've interrogated baldness from all angles: race, sexuality, science, media, culture and lived experience. They'll explore where this fear comes from and how many other men feel this way.Meet the guests:- E. Patrick Johnson is dean of the School of Communication and Annenberg University Professor at Northwestern University and the author of “Scatter the Pigeons,” an essay on baldness, masculinity and Blackness- Glen Jankowski is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at University College Dublin whose research includes the medicalization of baldness and the history of marketing anti-baldness productsRead the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for EmbodiedRegister for our five-year anniversary eventPlease note: This episode originally published December 12, 2024.

The Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan (“The Crying Game”, “Interview with The Vampire”) is also an author of several novels. Jordan has recently released an autobiographical work called “Amnesiac: A Memoir” (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024) which is currently available where books are sold. In this vivid, moving and strange memoir, Neil Jordan – the author of classic fiction like “The Past”, “Sunrise with Sea Monster” and “Night in Tunisia”, and the creator of celebrated movies like “Angel,” “Mona Lisa,” “The Crying Game” and “Interview with the Vampire” – reaches deep into his own past and that of his family. His mother was a painter, his father an inspector of schools who was visited by ghosts, and Jordan grew up on the edge of an abandoned aristocratic estate in north Dublin whose mysterious ruins fed his imagination. Passionate about music, he played in bands and theatre groups and met, at University College Dublin, a young radical called Jim Sheridan. Together they staged unforgettable dramatic productions that hinted at their future careers. His first collection of stories and first novel, “Night in Tunisia” and “The Past”, were met with acclaim, but Jordan was also drawn to the freedom and visual richness of film, and worked with the great English director John Boorman on his Arthurian epic “Excalibur”. His own first movie with Stephen Rea, “Angel”, was a brilliant angular take on the horrific violence of the Troubles, and in the years since then his films have combined in a unique way, intense supernatural elements with reflections on violence and sexuality. Jordan describes his work with Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Bob Hoskins, Tom Cruise and many others, but this is not a conventional story of life in the movies. The book is an eerie meditation on loss, love and creativity, on inspiration and influence, by one of the most unusual artists Ireland has produced.