MYSTERIOUS: 9 | Mind Blowing Facts

Omagh bombing: why a public inquiry is being held more than 25 years after the atrocity

The 1998 Good Friday agreement is commonly seen to have ended what were euphemistically termed “the Troubles” in Northern Ireland. However, just four months after the peace accord was signed, an attack on the town of Omagh resulted in the greatest loss of life in any single incident of the…

The Conversation · Jan 28, 2025

How ‘stroke’ politics saddled Ireland’s new government with a fox in the hen house

The country’s most controversial politician, Michael Lowry, is the cornerstone of the coalition. That deal could haunt taoiseach Micheál Martin

The Guardian - UK · Jan 25, 2025

‘Cosy boys’ club’: anger over low proportion of women in Irish cabinet

Social Democrats and Sinn Féin criticise inclusion of just three women in cabinet of new taoiseach Micheál Martin

The Guardian - UK · Jan 24, 2025

Disgruntled police in Northern Ireland responsible for IRA leaks after Good Friday agreement

Newly released Irish archives include leaks from UK government and RUC’s attempts to undermine Sinn Féin

The Guardian - UK · Dec 30, 2024

Blair proposed SDLP Irish nationalists support England at World Cup, papers show

Unsealed documents show British PM’s idea in 2002 did not go down well with Northern Ireland politician

The Guardian - UK · Dec 28, 2024

Northern Ireland Office ‘should have protected’ murdered solicitor

Newly released documents show senior official accepted that Rosemary Nelson should have been offered help

The Guardian - UK · Dec 27, 2024

What happened to Sinn Féin? Ireland’s opposition fails to make electoral breakthrough

With the dust settled on the 2024 Irish general election, attention has turned to the negotiations which will lead to the formation of the next coalition government. Despite finishing in second place, with a seat tally of 39 (in a parliament of 174 seats), Sinn Féin will not be invited…

The Conversation · Dec 4, 2024

Why Ireland’s government was one of the few worldwide to be re-elected this year

At the end of a year that saw parties around the world punished by voters, Ireland’s centre-right Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have managed to avoid the incumbents’ curse.

The Conversation · Dec 3, 2024

Tuesday briefing: Why Ireland bucked the trend for punishing incumbent governments

In today’s newsletter: Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil look set to retain power after the general election – how have two main, centre-right parties avoided the kicking seen elsewhere?

The Guardian - UK · Dec 3, 2024

Here’s the real story of the Irish election: beneath the appearance of calm lies a storm

Ireland has, in effect, full employment, an expanded workforce and a booming economy. So why is it such a nation in flux, asks columnist and author Fintan O’Toole

The Guardian - UK · Dec 2, 2024