<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Irish Times Feeds]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com</link><atom:link href="https://www.irishtimes.com/arc/outboundfeeds/sitemap-news-index/2026-04-18/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><description><![CDATA[Irish Times Feeds News Feed]]></description><lastBuildDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:35:51 +0000</lastBuildDate><language>en</language><ttl>1</ttl><sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod><sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency><item><title><![CDATA[Pope Leo’s strong voice finds an audience - even among non-believers]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/19/pope-leos-strong-voice-finds-an-audience-even-among-non-believers/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/19/pope-leos-strong-voice-finds-an-audience-even-among-non-believers/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alf McCreary]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Rite & Reason: In criticising the pope so harshly, Donald Trump seems to have lost the run of himself]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:30:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4EECBPF5CDUNFC3A536FGDNQJQ.jpg?auth=6711aacb0e1c3ccb8641cafd2e019dd6c6169c12288c87a90cbd32dfdcae627c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd as he arrives for Mass at the area in front of Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, during his current African trip. Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alberto Pizzoli</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sligo Rovers beat Waterford to claim third win of the season]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/sligo-rovers-beat-waterford-to-claim-third-win-of-the-season/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/sligo-rovers-beat-waterford-to-claim-third-win-of-the-season/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Goulden]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Archie Meekison and Will Fitzgerald make winning combination at the Showgrounds]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:43:35 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HFKABIET7FDHJOFUJF5UKS57I4.jpg?auth=4d36ed05c7c1cfc3461a70da0c66ca12b45a339c8c729010e7b6f1967e68c9b2&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Will Fitzgerald scored for Sligo Rovers in their 2-0 win over Waterford. Photograph: Tom O’Hanlon/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Manchester United hold on after Cunha’s cool finish to hand Chelsea latest loss]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/manchester-united-hold-on-after-cunhas-cool-finish-to-hand-chelsea-latest-loss/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/manchester-united-hold-on-after-cunhas-cool-finish-to-hand-chelsea-latest-loss/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jacob Steinberg]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Chelsea suffer fourth consecutive Premier League defeat]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:32:06 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MOPM4VES3JGFO3M4JUZRR3R7OE.jpg?auth=9a2cc759cce05c02681b39d347a8a94e43ec748e99e2153a2ac279f4a6697b8a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Julian Finney</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Munster survive Jack Crowley and Craig Casey yellows to take much-needed win in Benetton]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/munster-survive-jack-crowley-and-craig-casey-yellows-to-take-much-needed-win-in-benetton/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/munster-survive-jack-crowley-and-craig-casey-yellows-to-take-much-needed-win-in-benetton/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Fallon]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Province jump to seventh in URC table with seven-try showing]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:24:04 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/O2HLN2QOKGBEWC2WCEXFESWF5A.jpg?auth=4b7c793cdce54bb0475243879be51781016e9552f32bfe2258fca33b3e58cca8&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Alex Kendellen celebrates scoring Munster's fifth try against Benetton. Photograh: Roberto Bregani/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Roberto Bregani</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Micheál Martin ‘acutely aware’ of ‘real pain and fear’ caused by rising fuel prices]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/micheal-martin-acutely-aware-of-real-pain-and-fear-caused-by-rising-fuel-prices/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/micheal-martin-acutely-aware-of-real-pain-and-fear-caused-by-rising-fuel-prices/</guid><description><![CDATA[Following criticism of his leadership, Taoiseach insists Government is ‘relentlessly focused’ on action]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:13:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/WS54Q7WBAQZQHALQKQDY7T2ZXU.jpg?auth=fbe7fb5aeea642b90133a674c27629c918d248f0f9daf263fb50f9451d15bdde&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Micheál Martin: 'Our opponents give no thought to how we marshal the resources needed to support people.' Photograph: Wojtek Radawanksi/Getty]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Wojtek Radwanski</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dónal Burke rescues draw for Dublin in Leinster opener against Offaly]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/donal-burke-rescues-draw-for-dublin-in-leinster-opener-against-offaly/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/donal-burke-rescues-draw-for-dublin-in-leinster-opener-against-offaly/</guid><description><![CDATA[Adam Screeney top scores for Offaly in strong Tullamore showing]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:11:47 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KKSPIPKLRTQARTRCIGDIJK76OM.jpg?auth=b0f0238a4516a9183159a473d87eec19d0079046357aca76baaec68c9964c6d8&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Dublin's Dónal Burke challenges for a high ball against Offaly's Killian Sampson. Photograph: Tommy Grealy/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Tommy Grealy</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘We came out the blocks firing’: Erin King happy with Ireland’s quick start against Italy]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/we-came-out-the-blocks-firing-erin-king-happy-with-irelands-quick-start-against-italy/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/we-came-out-the-blocks-firing-erin-king-happy-with-irelands-quick-start-against-italy/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Scott Bemand praises impressive start at the Dexcom]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:49:15 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/WNOCZRFSGG7YJETNXXHYHA42RA.jpg?auth=343d3eadbb9e9fe18d5d150ba1d9ad8b7c16bf238c98745504e2edfcda418022&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ireland captain Erin King celebrates after the win over Italy at Dexcom Stadium. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dan Sheridan</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Donald Trump relaxes curbs on LSD, ecstasy and other drugs to aid research]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2026/04/18/donald-trump-loosens-curbs-on-lsd-ecstasy-and-other-drugs-to-aid-research/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2026/04/18/donald-trump-loosens-curbs-on-lsd-ecstasy-and-other-drugs-to-aid-research/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Jacobs, Noah Daly]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Measure also provides $50m for studies into a psychedelic made from root of Central African shrub]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:24:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/PHYC2H6W67QGSP4WXQSIN3NBBY.jpg?auth=e202e25f8d3fb0a7dd57425a1a1f11772b05606b2f6759d85cec30c762e782da&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Donald Trump on Saturday with US health secretary Robert Kennedy, podcaster Joe Rogan and W Bryan Hubbard of Americans for Ibogaine. Photograph: Pete Marovich/The New York Times]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Pete Marovich</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Late Lee Chin goal sees Wexford off to a winning start in Leinster]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/late-lee-chin-goal-sees-wexford-off-to-a-winning-start-in-leinster/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/late-lee-chin-goal-sees-wexford-off-to-a-winning-start-in-leinster/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ger McNally]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Kildare fight hard in championship return]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:12:23 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/FF2XUNUS4ZBVNGMCGFNEG67XNY.jpg?auth=a19e0759905113a7881e9046926cb360b34e15607e809710597212feac883a93&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Wexford's Lee Chin celebrates scoring a goal against Kildare. Photograph: Andrew Paton/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Andrew Paton</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Life jacket used by Titanic survivor sells for €770,000 at auction]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/2026/04/18/life-jacket-used-by-titanic-survivor-sells-for-770000-at-auction/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/2026/04/18/life-jacket-used-by-titanic-survivor-sells-for-770000-at-auction/</guid><description><![CDATA[Seat cushion from lifeboat and a gold watch from passenger also sold]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:47:21 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/JBULMJ4TWZN4EV4AIXRCKME5WY.jpg?auth=6ed9054db02067a20c5a453ee1345f856380ee37ddab6314cbc8fe1d2d294441&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The life jacket used by survivor Laura Mabel Francatelli, who was a first-class passenger. Photograph: Henry Aldridge & Son/PA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Henry Aldridge,Son</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spurs’ survival hopes hit after Rutter rescues dramatic late point for Brighton]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/spurs-survival-hopes-hit-after-rutter-rescues-dramatic-late-point-for-brighton/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/spurs-survival-hopes-hit-after-rutter-rescues-dramatic-late-point-for-brighton/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed Aarons]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Draw leaves Tottenham in the relegation zone]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:26:50 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/BRIW3JHGGMN6F36FBSH267CSWM.jpg?auth=9eb11c546b15a5b7f6eee78334d0fc1d05103f7d2ae986adf0e95af022fdaaee&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Georginio Rutter scores Brighton's second goal against Spurs. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jordan Pettitt</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nine-try Ireland cut loose to win maiden Six Nations clash in Galway]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/nine-try-ireland-cut-loose-to-win-maiden-six-nations-clash-in-galway/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/nine-try-ireland-cut-loose-to-win-maiden-six-nations-clash-in-galway/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Record crowd turns out at the Dexcom Stadium to see Ireland defeat Italy]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:18:16 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LQXGQKT3R7BGDX5HVQHY7BDU4M.jpg?auth=f4d3d878b93bf3eacfb1e044751059e778f069262b383bbd7a7d57675c9271e1&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Béibhinn Parsons celebrates with Emily Lane and Erin King after scoring Ireland's seventh try against Italy. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dan Sheridan</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Catherine Connolly avoids controversy on first overseas trip as she laments sidelining of UN]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/catherine-connolly-avoids-controversy-on-first-overseas-trip-as-she-laments-sidelining-of-un/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/catherine-connolly-avoids-controversy-on-first-overseas-trip-as-she-laments-sidelining-of-un/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Horgan-Jones]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President’s attendance at Barcelona gathering indicates she plans to shape her own political programme]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:10:47 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LSZNDB3XHYXCVLNIM7GMTPU3AU.jpg?auth=76dd923ced6bed0dbfd7ecba895dddc049bbafe60265b26069d5ae4b9da6ae7c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Catherine Connolly listens during the Defence of Democracy summit in Barcelona on Saturday. Photograph: Tony Maxwell/PA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Tony Maxwell</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kilkenny miles off the pace in 15-point defeat to improving Galway]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/kilkenny-miles-off-the-pace-in-15-point-defeat-to-improving-galway/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/kilkenny-miles-off-the-pace-in-15-point-defeat-to-improving-galway/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Malachy Clerkin]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Red card for John Donnelly pivotal as Derek Lyng’s side post their worst Leinster championship defeat in 36 years ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:33:12 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4CSM3H3QQ5F6HHCDXN3PKSHME4.jpg?auth=ea750582779e0a4fc5aaa6a948dce1ac99f9b9d53c8c8e80f6c13f9dc6a0edb1&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jason Rabbitte celebrates scoring a goal for Galway against Kilkenny. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Leah Scholes</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Derry cruise into Ulster semi-final with facile win over Antrim]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/derry-cruise-into-ulster-semi-final-with-facile-win-over-antrim/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/derry-cruise-into-ulster-semi-final-with-facile-win-over-antrim/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven Doherty]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Oakleafers to meet winner of Cavan v Monaghan in final four]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:18:20 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V7UIHANVPFVLWYGXL5PEZJZQGU.jpg?auth=4953f602b1f2e2dbe1b9343fd4db9e8392bc079aba9481eda315865a5942fd8e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Derry’s Paul Cassidy shoots a goal despite the challenge of Antrim's John Morgan. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lorcan Doherty</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iran studying fresh US proposals, says Hormuz blockade a ‘violation’ of ceasefire]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/04/18/iran-us-israel-strait-of-hormuz-latest-live-updates/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/04/18/iran-us-israel-strait-of-hormuz-latest-live-updates/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Conor Pope]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Pope says it is ‘not in my interest’ to debate Trump on Iran war, but he would continue to preach peace]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:03:49 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/PHGFGM743KX52TL4WLS65P44DU.jpg?auth=244938b748598747f18473ab6e07f325a4386adce3520f213c29dd215503e654&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Residents inspect the rubble of a destroyed building upon their arrival back at the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on Saturday. Photograph: Fadel Itani/AFP/Getty]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Fadel Itani</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Denise O’Sullivan ‘gutted’ to miss June World Cup qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/denise-osullivan-gutted-to-miss-june-world-cup-qualifier-at-pairc-ui-chaoimh/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/denise-osullivan-gutted-to-miss-june-world-cup-qualifier-at-pairc-ui-chaoimh/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gavin Cummiskey]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Yellow cards against Poland leaves Cork woman suspended for June 5th fixture against the Netherlands]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:59:21 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/6U4QW4DZKY5EI3BFKF6VMNI4BE.jpg?auth=43c065bfcf557f2a5160f65dc5b808a0bb818c9ff32e69c4997a3c244cff203c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan in action against Poland during Saturday's World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ryan Byrne</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iran tightens control of Strait of Hormuz as Trump warns against ‘blackmail’ ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/04/18/iran-tightens-control-of-strait-of-hormuz-astrump-warns-against-blackmail/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/04/18/iran-tightens-control-of-strait-of-hormuz-astrump-warns-against-blackmail/</guid><description><![CDATA[French soldier killed and three others wounded in suspected Hizbullah attack while clearing road in southern Lebanon]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:57:07 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/YHYNSRTG62UXHP4WI7QXVVOA7A.jpg?auth=95a053624372a165fdb0b1e906750e2a03466950d0d733355c74f20919274dde&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman walks through the ruins of a building in the southern Lebanon town of Borj Qalaouiye on Saturday, as people return after the announcement of a ten-day ceasefire. Photograph: David Guttenfelder/The New York Times
                      ]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">David Guttenfelder</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[At least five killed in Kyiv after shooter opens fire and barricades himself into supermarket ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/04/18/at-least-five-killed-in-kyiv-after-shooter-opens-fire-and-barricades-himself-into-supermarket/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/04/18/at-least-five-killed-in-kyiv-after-shooter-opens-fire-and-barricades-himself-into-supermarket/</guid><description><![CDATA[One person killed inside the supermarket, where the suspect ‌had brandished an automatic weapon]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:30:56 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/AIYXHRVINVACEKURV5WSQQEZC4.jpg?auth=e0897674fbb5240b82649147c13a64eacd5714b176a33a62b8b8f17c2beb53fc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A special team policeman talks on a phone in front of a supermarket after a shooting in Kyiv on Saturday. Photograph: Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Sergei Supinsky</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Leo Cullen commends Sam Prendergast’s patience on return to Leinster starting fold]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/leo-cullen-commends-sam-prendergasts-patience-on-return-to-leinster-starting-fold/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/leo-cullen-commends-sam-prendergasts-patience-on-return-to-leinster-starting-fold/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Outhalf put in a man-of-the-match performance in away win over Ulster]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:22:02 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ALR4FWE3J7YL3GYNTZOFIJTOXE.jpg?auth=e466a08222765fcaf5fadea8f4bae6114c4bcadabb3f99d5d54df4d6e66d8a83&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Leinster's Sam Prendergast in action against Ulster on Friday. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Morgan Treacy</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Superb Bernd Leno save helps Fulham hit Brentford’s European hopes]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/superb-bernd-leno-save-helps-fulham-hit-brentfords-european-hopes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/superb-bernd-leno-save-helps-fulham-hit-brentfords-european-hopes/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Taha Hashim]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Final-minute save earns 0-0 draw at the Gtech]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:02:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ATMX6YL2G62OV7NYS7V5FB52SI.jpg?auth=4938b30fe565f5c0fdd3e199fad5c9c30579fc0de7cffc35a4979ea757870535&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Brentford's Dango Ouattara attempts a shot against Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ryan Pierse</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Names of children in mother and baby homes among records released in 1926 census]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/names-of-children-in-mother-and-baby-homes-among-records-released-in-1926-census/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/names-of-children-in-mother-and-baby-homes-among-records-released-in-1926-census/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cian O'Connell]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Census 100 years ago was the first to record the status of ‘orphanhood’]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:01:19 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/IJDU3R5ZP5GL5JL6Z32NZATSNA.jpg?auth=76628040b1db34d1b711e77efa7e27ca4330049c8028650c2c2480e645712f08&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan and Orlaith McBride, director of the National Archives of Ireland, with event host Bryan Dobson, at the launch of the 1926 Census at Dublin Castle. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dara Mac Dónaill</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Four rescued after boat catches fire in Dublin Bay]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/four-rescued-after-boat-catches-fire-in-dublin-bay/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/four-rescued-after-boat-catches-fire-in-dublin-bay/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Conor Pope]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Pleasure craft was more than 2km off coast and sank afterwards]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:00:16 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/K5X6Y5HNCJAR3LOHGUEINCL3WU.jpeg?auth=1c8ab18c20bdaf9b3dea9f0880201904fe1c30139dcefaa85a8fd6d65dce9009&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The boat went on fire off Dún Laoghaire on Saturday afternoon. Photograph: Damien Storan]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">DAMIEN STORAN</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘Passion’ not ‘misogyny’ was why Independent Ireland TDs shouted at women Ministers, party says]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/passion-not-misogyny-was-why-independent-ireland-tds-shouted-at-women-ministers-party-says/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/passion-not-misogyny-was-why-independent-ireland-tds-shouted-at-women-ministers-party-says/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dara Bradley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[More than 10 elected FF and FG representatives interested in joining party, leader says]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:54:08 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HJ7FJQDWPUI2WUMINVUR47TUOE.jpg?auth=fe79d4ea3f9064d93d62f880d2c3bac3b40bb7ef5c647f62765fc24a85b3b18b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Independent Ireland TDs Ken O'Flynn and Michael Collins speak to reporters on Tuesday after the fuel protests. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Niall Carson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Connacht stun Stormers to crack URC top eight]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/connacht-stun-stormers-to-crack-urc-top-eight/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/connacht-stun-stormers-to-crack-urc-top-eight/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Linley MacKenzie]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Province overcome half-time deficit to run out nine-point winners]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:54:07 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KHNA4S66QF7EUEZDQ2YL7QNIPA.jpg?auth=d1f84d1b579f0b490a7a602026b35bf5f77056ab0a6c427555ca8546e8cc2005&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Connacht celebrate after beating the Stormers at DHL Stadium. Photograph: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Gallo Images</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Republic of Ireland 1 Poland 0: Marissa Sheva first-half goal earns victory at the Aviva – as it happened]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/live-republic-of-ireland-v-poland-ireland-look-to-replicate-gdansk-coup-at-the-aviva/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/live-republic-of-ireland-v-poland-ireland-look-to-replicate-gdansk-coup-at-the-aviva/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Muireann Duffy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Ireland go level with France in Group A2]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:25:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7NRSGHUWFLPNI3JJ4WLBIUGXHI.jpg?auth=20fa67aa980f9f301b67c987120a7faf95e864cca8f381102b48ef6c6ecb97ff&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Poland's Ewa Pajor in action against Ireland's Marissa Sheva. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Brian Lawless</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Marissa Sheva goal powers Ireland to World Cup qualifier win over Poland]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/denise-osullivan-powers-ireland-to-world-cup-qualifier-win-over-poland/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/denise-osullivan-powers-ireland-to-world-cup-qualifier-win-over-poland/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gavin Cummiskey]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Carla Ward’s side back up Gdansk result with victory at the Aviva]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:24:13 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/PGEEP7HTEMKL27J5GI6K5AONP4.jpg?auth=079d2c0e834541c9323b7ca425423f94a8f00718888a2c0ad6503134f41a6b25&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Marissa Sheva celebrates with Emily Murphy after scoring for Ireland against Poland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Brian Lawless</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hundreds demonstrate in Dublin to demand Ireland’s neutrality be protected]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/hundreds-demonstrate-in-dublin-to-demand-irelands-neutrality-be-protected/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/hundreds-demonstrate-in-dublin-to-demand-irelands-neutrality-be-protected/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Conor Pope]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Protesters condemn US-Israeli war on Iran and call for referendum on Triple Lock]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:57:51 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/G6EJV2Y6UVF3RJBTUGWH762IO4.JPG?auth=9d0864cb6bf8b077f67a4c2e52e30401e9cf5d218ecf9bcd14e68aebe52ee5c6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Hundreds march in the national ‘No to War and Genocide’ demonstration in Dublin City centre on Saturday. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Bryan O'Brien</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dublin manager Ger Brennan fails to overturn 12-week suspension]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/dublin-manager-ger-brennan-fails-to-overturn-12-week-suspension/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/dublin-manager-ger-brennan-fails-to-overturn-12-week-suspension/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon Manning]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Dean Rock to deputise for Sunday’s trip to Aughrim]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:23:40 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ECLCXLXUF5HUVAPZJ7Q4R6WJG4.jpg?auth=f68f7282ff3605a84523f0a2d371762d8e863fc7b490645d7dab3761172d8153&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ger Brennan will miss Dublin's opening Leinster SFC fixture against Wicklow on Sunday. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kylemore Abbey ‘honours legacy’ of estate labourers with restored bothy and tool shed]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/kylemore-abbey-honours-legacy-of-estate-labourers-with-restored-bothy-and-tool-shed/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/kylemore-abbey-honours-legacy-of-estate-labourers-with-restored-bothy-and-tool-shed/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Áine Ryan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Benedictine nuns help to reclaim history of Connemara site built in ‘country still reeling’ from Famine]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:09:51 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HWQ5GZJACNDE5LA3WYZP66QVWU.jpg?auth=a723e5ab1dedc6dc56054607f315cd670c8d581d5e44f425de1b4dc13f828c10&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Inside the restored Kylemore Abbey bothy. Photograph: Aoife Herriott]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Aoife Herriott</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Northern Ireland investment arm accused of helping fund Israeli F-35 fighter aircraft]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/04/18/northern-ireland-investment-arm-accused-of-helping-fund-israeli-f-35-fighter-aircraft/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/04/18/northern-ireland-investment-arm-accused-of-helping-fund-israeli-f-35-fighter-aircraft/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan Erwin ]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Court asked if profiting from international arms industry and human rights abuses should be permitted ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:43:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/RP54354FRYHQFHMHKMHQ3QCYNM.jpg?auth=e66a365697481e5836a40c3eace6cc1aba648cc4546287afedaac2320b0bc22e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[An Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter. Photograph: Jack Guez/Getty ]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jack Guez</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ivana Bacik would not have made Viktor Orbán jibe ‘if I was a woman’, says Patrick O’Donovan]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/ivana-bacik-would-not-have-made-viktor-orban-jibe-if-i-was-a-woman-says-patrick-odonovan/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/ivana-bacik-would-not-have-made-viktor-orban-jibe-if-i-was-a-woman-says-patrick-odonovan/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cian O'Connell]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Labour leader had criticised Minister over his comments on media coverage of fuel protest]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:30:55 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/CVOWXZZZOZFK7AMRN2F25X6NX4.JPG?auth=66f22a2be87f364ef84b162187dfc1132dd5187b774ad71b2067217c8a03e311&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Patrick O'Donovan had suggested coverage of the protests was 'lopsided', but later said he should have phrased his comments better. Photograph: Alan Betson]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alan Betson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bad luck Bohemians, Damien Duff’s potential return: Friday’s League of Ireland lessons]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/bad-luck-bohemians-damien-duffs-potential-return-fridays-league-of-ireland-lessons/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/bad-luck-bohemians-damien-duffs-potential-return-fridays-league-of-ireland-lessons/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cian O'Connell]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[St Pat’s get back to winning ways in style, Dundalk turning into season’s surprise package]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/JFLA3DJAEJI3TRUORBAMV6XRSQ.jpg?auth=d311fa306f7c207804a71da3d6c807d8018d9224aeb8c87f15459d30102beb6c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Bohs midfielder Dawson Devoy after conceding a penalty in the 2-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/INPHO]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ryan Byrne</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump administration deports elderly Irishman from US to Costa Rica under controversial deal]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2026/04/18/elderly-irishman-deported-by-us-to-costa-rica-under-countries-controversial-deal/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2026/04/18/elderly-irishman-deported-by-us-to-costa-rica-under-countries-controversial-deal/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Conor Gallagher]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Man arrived in the central American country on Friday as part of a group of 22 deportees]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:57:20 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/O6Y2GVLMXQZEP2QI3VSKLBJ5I4.jpg?auth=1ef211058ff0cea48aefcf940e7adc347192717443011d4de40cb6a4bb504171&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Costa Rican migrants deported from the United States get off an aircraft at Alajuela, Costa Rica, on April 11th, 2026. Photograph: Ezequiel BECERRA / AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ezequiel Becerra</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘Issues’ over international protection Bill, says Connolly on first visit overseas ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/issues-over-international-protection-bill-says-connolly-on-first-visit-overseas/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/issues-over-international-protection-bill-says-connolly-on-first-visit-overseas/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Horgan-Jones]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President strongly defends UN and warns democracy is under threat while attending Barcelona gathering of left-leaning leaders]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:32:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/RSB3JDBJ2VC5TADUZZDOITCFQU?auth=ae3f81757bd68ed267280d352cd4f82c184126d0ed42b4f1dcb17dfc98745a50&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Catherine Connolly greets Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez at the Meeting in Defence of Democracy event in Barcelona. Photograph: Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Oscar Del Pozo</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The House Must Win review: Mick Flannery’s gritty musical feels small for the voices within it]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/review/2026/04/18/the-house-must-win-review-mick-flannerys-gritty-musical-feels-small-for-the-voices-within-it/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/review/2026/04/18/the-house-must-win-review-mick-flannerys-gritty-musical-feels-small-for-the-voices-within-it/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris McCormack]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Julie Kelleher directs Niall McNamee and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo in Flannery’s adaptation of his debut album, about two brothers who arrive at a painful separation]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:47:26 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/CRPG6TUGORBDRHUDN7GRBBFJYE.jpg?auth=0ba376b4e1684fde70928b4223fe48f69ea87083bfd0db5dfc10472a0e73c884&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The House Must Win: Niall McNamee and Tabitha Smyth in Mick Flannery’s musical drama. Photograph: Ruth Medjber ]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Photo by Ruth Medjber ruthlessim</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz again if US blockade continues]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/04/18/us-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-israel-lebanon-latest-news/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/04/18/us-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-israel-lebanon-latest-news/</guid><description><![CDATA[Tehran temporarily reopens strait after a truce is agreed between Israel and Lebanon]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:37:03 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/YILNUMF2CWEWFDB62XNVBVSNGM.jpg?auth=125554116cc73786fcbc75de25587299ce793b19635c1b4a6e701cd8a9c5ef34&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman holds a rifle in front of an Iranian flag during a National Army Day demonstration on April 17th, 2026, in Tehran. Photograph: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Majid Saeedi</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The surprise findings from Census 1926: Only 1% returns in Irish and ‘so many nuns’ living to 100]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/the-surprise-findings-from-census-1926-only-1-returns-in-irish-and-so-many-nuns-living-to-100/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/the-surprise-findings-from-census-1926-only-1-returns-in-irish-and-so-many-nuns-living-to-100/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ronan McGreevy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The census includes a list of professions which are almost extinct such as lamplighter, umbrella fixer and knitter]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KZ2SMBMYCZFTHNELEBR6WZGBKE.jpg?auth=84cfec7dd604d73e53c518c8cec40613f2118188d55ae62fdee94ede1303d08d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[National Archives of Ireland director Orlaith McBride with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan at Saturday's launch of Census 1926 at Dublin Castle. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dara Mac Dónaill</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Have your say: What did you find in Census 1926?]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/have-your-say-what-did-you-find-in-census-1926/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/have-your-say-what-did-you-find-in-census-1926/</guid><description><![CDATA[The 1926 Census offers a unique window into our past. Share your story]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:50:37 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ZIY3KTXYIVHXDOEBLIAC4PLBXE.jpg?auth=b8d3fd0ca2969531f7c1954c56f6771f5596139ea5605e1240b50d2eb652b402&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Census 1926 released: What can you find out about your family?]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/17/1926-census-what-information-will-be-available/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/17/1926-census-what-information-will-be-available/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ronan McGreevy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Interest in the first census records for the independent Irish State is expected to be huge ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:12:19 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ZFPIG7PYGNFPTM6XNU2PZ6PZU4.JPG?auth=49e5adbb1035558e35c483b65b6beb61d9537b119325512d1de7c38d9b13510d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Irish Times reporter Ella Sloane (left)  with genealogist Hilary McDonagh at the National Archives when she visited there ahead of the release of the 1926 census. Photo: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Bryan O'Brien</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Band-Aid solutions won’t cut it in a world of tariffs, reckless wars and Chinese dominance]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/patrick-honohan-band-aid-solutions-wont-cut-it-in-a-world-of-tariffs-reckless-wars-and-chinese-dominance/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/patrick-honohan-band-aid-solutions-wont-cut-it-in-a-world-of-tariffs-reckless-wars-and-chinese-dominance/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Patrick Honohan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[We are frittering away the substantial tax resources that have come to us as a side effect of financial engineering of American companies]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:05:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/E4JGCD4OUNDT5JC64NY5G34NXQ.JPG?auth=19d805c874db1e0f083963acf86697f60cb1e36c0b961eb111b29ae977ca5da8&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[We seem to have bet the house on the dynamism of – and tax revenue from – American multinationals. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Enda O Dowd
</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[We’re only ever nine meals away from anarchy. That risk is no longer just theoretical]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/mick-kelly-were-only-ever-nine-meals-away-from-anarchy-that-risk-is-no-longer-just-theoretical/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/mick-kelly-were-only-ever-nine-meals-away-from-anarchy-that-risk-is-no-longer-just-theoretical/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mick Kelly]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Ireland is sleepwalking into a food security crisis. We have just 74 field-scale vegetable growers left, down from around 600]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:05:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MSKPYXIIONGM7J23CP4N2MNCAI.jpg?auth=0d64b024c331d7799936acbb3f1343ce2f19ca1c5e4b286a26dd770bb64efa8c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[We rank second in the Global Food Security Index. But scratch the surface of that a little and you find a different picture. Photograph: Getty]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hispanolistic</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scaramucci’s SpaceX argument doesn’t add up]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/04/18/scaramuccis-spacex-argument-doesnt-add-up/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/04/18/scaramuccis-spacex-argument-doesnt-add-up/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Proinsias O'Mahony]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[It’s not like Amazon]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:14:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/FFD2BQF2GLYEKMULZNLIWZCDRE.jpg?auth=3368395e96542d5a1e9501f0f182bf9c76b947184466f4172beb4ed3bded098c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[SpaceX's IPO is being discussed in the context of a valuation of up to $2 trillion. Photograph: EPA]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Saying no is not Simon Harris’s favourite part of the job]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/pat-leahy-saying-no-is-not-simon-harriss-favourite-part-of-the-job/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/pat-leahy-saying-no-is-not-simon-harriss-favourite-part-of-the-job/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pat Leahy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The decent people who protested last week have a choice to make next time they’re on the streets]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4SUUFM7JAJAT7GROVDWZEYRBIQ.jpg?auth=6b9de53e67630ea4f7579da45e4dff4d4ca3e1b29265948a424b108077ebda7b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Pat Leahy]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[All-Ireland hurling championship power rankings: Where is your county in the pecking order? ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/all-ireland-hurling-championship-power-rankings-where-is-your-county-in-the-pecking-order/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/all-ireland-hurling-championship-power-rankings-where-is-your-county-in-the-pecking-order/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Malachy Clerkin]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Denis Walsh, Seán Moran, Gordon Manning and Malachy Clerkin rank the teams gunning for Liam MacCarthy]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/AUOUR6ZUABEOX7Q7TWPIKWH6SA.jpg?auth=7b1f2a29d2813018411e430a372b787b01c5ede98ba991a4bdcf99fc000a1f44&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Munster teams are main contenders for the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Bryan Keane</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Expectations rising around Ireland as organised Italy come to Galway]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/expectations-rising-around-ireland-as-organised-italy-come-to-galway/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/expectations-rising-around-ireland-as-organised-italy-come-to-galway/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Dexcom Stadium to host first Six Nations fixture on Saturday]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/BXKAUHCONJHUFGREZ2WRNNAK5I.jpg?auth=43f009a6caa43e6894ff0d7c4f1d2a242fbd4fb36f367c78472353c5c380eb60&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Fiona Tuite and Enya Breen during an Ireland training session in Dublin ahead of Saturday's second round Six Nations fixture against Italy in Galway. Photograph: Grace Halton/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Grace Halton</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kobe McDonald is a reminder that GAA people are every bit as selfish as pro sports fans]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/kobe-mcdonald-is-a-reminder-that-gaa-people-are-every-bit-as-selfish-as-pro-sports-fans/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/kobe-mcdonald-is-a-reminder-that-gaa-people-are-every-bit-as-selfish-as-pro-sports-fans/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Malachy Clerkin]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Pressuring intercounty players to devote themselves to club and county is just as tawdry as the AFL picking them off for profit]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3XCMXFK64FBAVLBLIRLHCUF4BA.jpg?auth=2e6b6d41e7a3006acd1e56a215a06d3179bc67f6f9847b28d30f01bfc22c098a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Mayo’s Kobe McDonald celebrates a late point against Galway. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/James Crombie</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ozempic and Mounjaro look like the cure for everything, but there’s no pill for some ills]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/jennifer-oconnell-are-glp-1s-like-ozempic-and-mounjaro-the-cure-for-everything/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/jennifer-oconnell-are-glp-1s-like-ozempic-and-mounjaro-the-cure-for-everything/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer O’Connell]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Or is semaglutide mania a symptom of a condition that can’t be cured?]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VCVNVVN6EVFFTJQHWUVAWYTCGY.jpg?auth=5b6060fea1593da848a04168412327694d4528f7febb325799e4f65580346ced&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA['GLP-1s may be a medical first: a blockbuster drug class, enthusiastically taken up by millions, not for one or a few uses but, it appears, a multitude,' says the New York Times. Photograph: Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Douglas Cliff</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aidan O’Brien hoping Greenham raid can transform Albert Einstein’s Guineas claims ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2026/04/18/aidan-obrien-hoping-greenham-raid-can-transform-albert-einsteins-guineas-claims/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2026/04/18/aidan-obrien-hoping-greenham-raid-can-transform-albert-einsteins-guineas-claims/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian O'Connor]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Group One winner Twain makes long awaited return to action in Sunday’s Curragh feature]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DA2I3AYZEFEC5JOPJTXCYPPL54.jpg?auth=427731b950fdaa1d309bbcaac32bc597f538e358fc88a161a35fc6a8bfde55b5&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[ Ryan Moore on Albert Einstein during last year's Gain Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho  ]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Morgan Treacy</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Getting philosophical with Vittorio Bufacchi ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/getting-philosophical-with-vittorio-bufacchi/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/getting-philosophical-with-vittorio-bufacchi/</guid><description><![CDATA[Specifically the Vittorio Bufacchi at the Department of Philosophy, University College Cork]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Martyn Turner]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/cartoon/2026/04/18/martyn-turner/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/cartoon/2026/04/18/martyn-turner/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Martyn Turner]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[April 18th, 2026]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/52Y5PV6DOBAFPI743FA7BVXPDA.jpg?auth=e274cafaa18b00fa3ede35d736fa0ba4ee4fb60d9e84f095a5520cb21f763b1a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Martyn Turner</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Let’s review the value the Government gives people for all the extra tax it takes ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/lets-review-the-value-the-government-gives-people-for-all-the-extra-tax-it-takes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/lets-review-the-value-the-government-gives-people-for-all-the-extra-tax-it-takes/</guid><description><![CDATA[It seems ‘temporary’ doesn’t mean the same thing always]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Expectations for fuel support are staggering]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/expectations-for-fuel-support-are-staggering/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/expectations-for-fuel-support-are-staggering/</guid><description><![CDATA[Irish package hardly seems ‘paltry’]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Louth went under the radar to win Leinster in 2025. Now they have a target on their back]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/louth-went-under-the-radar-to-win-leinster-in-2025-now-they-have-a-target-on-their-back/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/louth-went-under-the-radar-to-win-leinster-in-2025-now-they-have-a-target-on-their-back/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon Manning]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Wee County footballers start a provincial campaign as champions for the first time since 1958]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7IY7F4IDIBH6FJ6RAVSQEUEZIY.jpg?auth=57f9f9b8e24d4bd629541cf945df3e520fa8dc6bfbd68f9692d498df5409f90a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Louth celebrate after beating Meath at Croke Park last year to win the Leinster Senior Football Championship for the first time since 1957. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Tom Maher</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Look at what lurks behind Donald Trump’s rants]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/look-at-what-lurks-behind-donald-trumps-rants/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/look-at-what-lurks-behind-donald-trumps-rants/</guid><description><![CDATA[The president is hurting the most vulnerable people in the US]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Government and civil servants uneasy over President’s choice of first overseas trip]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/government-and-civil-servants-uneasy-over-presidents-choice-of-first-overseas-trip/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/government-and-civil-servants-uneasy-over-presidents-choice-of-first-overseas-trip/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Horgan-Jones]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Catherine Connolly will meet Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez, but not her counterpart, the king of Spain]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MFFJDXQNY6ERURZZFGFQ52NLAY.jpg?auth=e5c38e5d050150c044a6b5fecb8ebb29c90213bac2be041b6c2d4635e43bbf76&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Catherine Connolly will today address the Defence of Democracy conference in Barcelona. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">James Crombie</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ireland may regret not going nuclear]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/ireland-may-regret-not-going-nuclear/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/ireland-may-regret-not-going-nuclear/</guid><description><![CDATA[Soon we could be looking with envy at Estonia]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fuel protests: ‘Ireland seems determined to head down the same route as Hungary’]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/fuel-protests-ireland-seems-determined-to-head-down-the-same-route-as-hungary/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/fuel-protests-ireland-seems-determined-to-head-down-the-same-route-as-hungary/</guid><description><![CDATA[‘At times like this, it behoves politicians and civic leaders not to add fuel to the flames’]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[AIL preview: Four Leinster teams contest Division 1A playoffs for first time]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/ail-preview-four-leinster-teams-contest-division-1a-playoffs-for-first-time/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/ail-preview-four-leinster-teams-contest-division-1a-playoffs-for-first-time/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[St Mary’s play Terenure, while Clontarf play Lansdowne]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ULF3UDLW3GMPWG2TOM3M3ANSVI.jpg?auth=c2117f2ed181c04e1372492b74bc8dbad30fa35204bac31c4d337e53488e0ed4&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Clontarf's Michael Moloney. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Laszlo Geczo</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bookies braced for another potential Grand National gamble in Ayr ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2026/04/18/bookies-braced-for-another-potential-grand-national-gamble-in-ayr/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2026/04/18/bookies-braced-for-another-potential-grand-national-gamble-in-ayr/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian O'Connor]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Joseph O’Brien’s Kim Roque among four Irish raiders for Scottish Grand National ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/TL77YXKRRRDDVHAXFCGCFMYNZI.jpg?auth=a549259528c6bf5c639c207adccbc72553059e2ebe0dd6803d343607f977b874&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Donagh Meyler celebrates winning the Boyle Sports Irish Grand National Extended Handicap Steeplechase (Grade 3) on Soldier In Milan earlier this month. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Morgan Treacy</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Katie McCabe aiming to charge up Ireland’s World Cup bid at ‘special’ Aviva Stadium]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/katie-mccabe-aiming-to-charge-up-irelands-world-cup-bid-at-special-aviva-stadium/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/04/18/katie-mccabe-aiming-to-charge-up-irelands-world-cup-bid-at-special-aviva-stadium/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gavin Cummiskey]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Repeat of 3-2 victory in Gdansk will leave Ireland right in the mix to qualify for Brazil tournament]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7CIPP5EWSBHXHOYEA4FG3AP64Q.jpg?auth=21d2f2dbeb8a1be92d1eeb620ff39c1fd60e8f4dd1b1742d26973d1f981b6931&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Katie McCabe will start for Ireland in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Poland at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Ryan Byrne</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[What happened to the rest of the world’s oil?]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/what-happened-to-the-rest-of-the-worlds-oil/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/18/what-happened-to-the-rest-of-the-worlds-oil/</guid><description><![CDATA[Can airlines not shop around?]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘Easy money over glamour’: How Rory McIlroy is set to become Ireland’s first sporting billionaire]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2026/04/18/is-rory-mcilroy-set-to-become-irelands-first-sporting-billionaire/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2026/04/18/is-rory-mcilroy-set-to-become-irelands-first-sporting-billionaire/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Arthur Beesley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The golfer’s latest win at the Masters ‘puts him in another stratosphere’ and is likely to supercharge his earning power]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VEIFEIGBNIJZNUZSPGJRGIFMQU.jpg?auth=f6e30c256ff14bd974da59b5c6d213606336cab76c04c5892e4471ceac68437b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Rory McIlroy lifts the Masters trophy after winning the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, on Sunday. Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andrew Redington</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fuel protests were a tactical masterclass and may have set the stage for more]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/the-scene-is-set-for-a-long-hot-summer-of-fuel-protests/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/04/18/the-scene-is-set-for-a-long-hot-summer-of-fuel-protests/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[David McWilliams]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[By capitulating and throwing money at the problem, the Government has set itself up for a repeat performance, as Ireland’s EU presidency looms]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/73QELHXUS6VXBHZ6H42ETVXUVI.jpg?auth=24998aa0d9aa2d30844dca3d8ea673433c040676c63ea6debd551077d40f3080&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Fuel protesters block the N7 motorway in Rathcoole near Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Niall Carson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bawag costs drive at PTSB may see staff numbers rise first before it wields the axe]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/2026/04/18/bawag-costs-drive-at-ptsb-may-see-staff-numbers-rise-first-before-it-wields-the-axe/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/2026/04/18/bawag-costs-drive-at-ptsb-may-see-staff-numbers-rise-first-before-it-wields-the-axe/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Brennan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Surplus cash and bid’s discount to bank’s inherent value means PTSB will do its bit to help new Austrian owner fund €1.62bn deal]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/U7GZFM7KQ5ABTCHPCQCHBDGQPA.jpg?auth=5b5ce6f48c7198a73a3ddfff776f711c0736be8b1b098853eef60a6eac08eb70&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Anas Abuzaakouk, chief executive of Bawag. Photograph: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Bloomberg</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nicky English: Limerick best placed in wide-open All-Ireland, but I wouldn’t put money on it]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/nicky-english-limerick-best-placed-in-wide-open-all-ireland-but-i-wouldnt-put-money-on-it/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/nicky-english-limerick-best-placed-in-wide-open-all-ireland-but-i-wouldnt-put-money-on-it/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nicky English]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Tipperary face age-old challenges - namely Cork and retaining the All-Ireland - while Galway aim to crack Kilkenny’s Leinster domination]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3IK3UDZTGBANTDVN7BPX2TYJDA.jpg?auth=3c2f9591af008e16c1913e894d2b00a5cac9872b1769eb2e6359b1af616ade1b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Limerick's Shane O'Brien tries to hold off Cork's Ciarán Joyce during the National Hurling League Division 1A final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bogus complaints see Irish Times articles, solicitor’s videos on Rob Heneghan delisted by Google]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/bogus-complaints-see-irish-times-articles-solicitors-videos-on-rob-heneghan-delisted-by-google/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/bogus-complaints-see-irish-times-articles-solicitors-videos-on-rob-heneghan-delisted-by-google/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Tighe]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[News reports about high-profile betting tipster removed from search results while Terry Gorry has social media accounts disabled]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/57T3UL5V7RGF3DZS6VVPQIMHWA.jpg?auth=0b29bf33601ec6409cb76ab41b987cb1d85aa5a62e67b4af7ea04ee609f873e9&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The articles removed include court reports from The Irish Times and other media on a High Court defamation action that Heneghan brought against online racing pundit Gearoid Norris.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">MStudioImages</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conor Murray: Noel McNamara coaches Europe’s best attack – the IRFU could benefit some day]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/conor-murray-noel-mcnamara-coaches-europes-best-attack-the-irfu-could-benefit-some-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/04/18/conor-murray-noel-mcnamara-coaches-europes-best-attack-the-irfu-could-benefit-some-day/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Conor  Murray ]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Coaches such as McNamara, Ronan O’Gara and Felix Jones should be top of the list whenever Irish provinces are hiring]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/RHLS6ENICMAIZOPIEALBDDU7NI.jpg?auth=b74beedd2e3b1c10c95d3145d81c035a8bb865615fa3e9758c3f606474ea4897&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Bordeaux-Bègles attack coach Noel McNamara with Maxime Lucu after their team's victory over Toulouse last week. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">James Crombie</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Weekend’s football fixtures, throw-in times and TV details, including Derry v Antrim]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/weekends-football-championship-fixtures-throw-in-times-and-tv-details-including-derry-v-antrim/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/weekends-football-championship-fixtures-throw-in-times-and-tv-details-including-derry-v-antrim/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon Manning]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Wexford motivated to dethrone Louth, Wicklow face downtrodden Dublin]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/QSYN6M5DAZDORP2YOYUAEZ5L4U.jpg?auth=0e39104ce9736223cb2cb4610bff60f1b2ca6b82bf9aef96ba79764717a9543d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Derry should have the firepower to overcome Antrim on Saturday. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[I spotted a seabird perched in a tree. Is this a mad Dublin abnormality? ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/2026/04/18/i-spotted-a-seabird-perched-in-a-tree-is-this-a-mad-dublin-abnormality/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/2026/04/18/i-spotted-a-seabird-perched-in-a-tree-is-this-a-mad-dublin-abnormality/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Éanna Ní Lamhna]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Eye on nature: Eanna Ní Lamhna responds to readers’ queries and observations on the natural world]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ZAH3GV37LJHABL6EYJOJHV6OYU.jpg?auth=c428744be55a27adafb01fa206163ea0cbb3601067f1f306c0b062c86e9866ed&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cormorant in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Photograph: Frank Russell]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Moya Brennan obituary: Award-winning singer and harpist whose career spanned five decades]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2026/04/18/moya-brennan-obituary-award-winning-singer-and-harpist-whose-career-spanned-five-decades/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2026/04/18/moya-brennan-obituary-award-winning-singer-and-harpist-whose-career-spanned-five-decades/</guid><description><![CDATA[Clannad’s early repertoire mined a deep seam of Donegal music, ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/643GVGTIORGNXHMWYRGK4QKF6E.jpg?auth=0917f1403f02b4c0217bb75155b1bcd5e72391f52ba5f891a7e05381c823a9f4&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Moya Brennan in Leo’s Tavern in Co Donegal. Photograph: Joe Dunne]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where next for MetroLink as its project director disembarks?]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2026/04/18/where-next-for-metrolink-as-its-project-director-disembarks/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2026/04/18/where-next-for-metrolink-as-its-project-director-disembarks/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Olivia Kelly]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[It’s crunch time for the State’s first underground line, with the first update in the cost of Dublin rail project coming since 2022]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/624LUB4CM5GWJAQDXFH554QEFY.jpg?auth=f65b8852ae4aee38bc5bf69719e78674d644b974a1f7fb102853d0be05352e0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[MetroLink Estuary Station platform artwork. Photograph: metrolink.ie]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[MetroLink spending tops €360m before construction begins, department figures show]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2026/04/18/metrolink-spending-tops-360m-before-construction-begins-department-figures-show/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2026/04/18/metrolink-spending-tops-360m-before-construction-begins-department-figures-show/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Olivia Kelly]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[New cost estimates for 19km underground line submitted for approval for the first time in four years]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LVPRUEJRJRBPDGC2OLQ3GI3WOQ.png?auth=6ffad2b0b67f6e4f8631385e6895b42b3ae875e1b329468de653c6aa1707e0e5&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/png" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[An artist's impression of the proposed entrance to the Charlemont stop in Dublin. Photograph: MetroLink.ie]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Róisín Ingle: I took my mother to London to see Joyce, her only remaining sibling]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/roisin-ingle-my-aunt-hugged-my-mother-i-thought-i-was-never-going-to-see-you-again/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/roisin-ingle-my-aunt-hugged-my-mother-i-thought-i-was-never-going-to-see-you-again/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Róisín Ingle]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Róisín Ingle: Chance to visit her last remaining sibling was a magic key that unlocked our trip to London]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/QJVJPHXV3FDZXLYOSFX6VPN3ZA.jpg?auth=e549db30cd012c7f0a65f00ae6fab552f3966c9d1eebdf4e44d6d2559f764450&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ann (86)  and Joyce (97) meet again.]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pensions numbers suggest auto-enrolment came as a shock to many workers]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2026/04/18/pensions-numbers-suggest-auto-enrolment-came-as-a-shock-to-many-workers/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2026/04/18/pensions-numbers-suggest-auto-enrolment-came-as-a-shock-to-many-workers/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Cantillon]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Data from the Central Statistics Office say most workers were unaware of mandatory workplace scheme just months before it started taking from their wages]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/73A5VB5GZZDXNEOYTOI5RF5URM.jpg?auth=2097ef578ebbf052b5bcb5563a5bb04ef73c4bf599025e32dfe22572b05d7928&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Most workers were unaware of mandatory workplace scheme just months before it started taking from their wages, according to CSO data. Photograph: iStock]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">vm</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Investing in property]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/17/investing-in-property/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/17/investing-in-property/</guid><description><![CDATA[Profiteering from rental income via reits and property funds during a housing crisis is inherently unethical]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Patrick Freyne: Here’s why AI is making us dumber and more lonely]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/patrick-freyne-heres-why-ai-is-making-us-dumber-and-more-lonely/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/patrick-freyne-heres-why-ai-is-making-us-dumber-and-more-lonely/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Patrick Freyne]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Writing forces people to resolve internal contradictions and confront their own bullshit. It’s why it’s hard. It’s why it’s beautiful]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/WOEX3F3GCZFLXEJ4LAEYT74YXA.jpg?auth=e865d149a838e100ef6adcd5eed163025ceff35c97a6d4328f510afe5f98e9fd&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Proof of thought: For most people, writing is a transformative activity – the effort is the point. Illustration: iStock]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Boris Zhitkov</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Micheál Martin survives week of internal Fianna Fáil dissent, but is a bigger heave on the way?]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/micheal-martin-survives-week-of-internal-fianna-fail-dissent-but-is-a-bigger-heave-on-the-way/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/04/18/micheal-martin-survives-week-of-internal-fianna-fail-dissent-but-is-a-bigger-heave-on-the-way/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Harry McGee]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Government’s response to the fuel protests exposed a fissure within the party, ‘loss of connectivity’ with grassroots supporters, and accusations of top-down leadership]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/IG6L437JARGZZPHY34WU5BSMQ4.jpg?auth=582f9c30cbf2bc1a431a14b9497fa4f009cfa5fb495eccf7e9dfe4345fee26fa&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaks during a Dáil debate on confidence in the Government]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to join the plain people of Ireland]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/17/how-to-join-the-plain-people-of-ireland/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/17/how-to-join-the-plain-people-of-ireland/</guid><description><![CDATA[Can I become a member of the ‘ordinary, plain and decent people’ organisation?]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Remembering the time of our life: Nightclubs and late-night bangers and mash]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/17/remembering-the-time-of-our-life-nightclubs-and-late-night-bangers-and-mash/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/17/remembering-the-time-of-our-life-nightclubs-and-late-night-bangers-and-mash/</guid><description><![CDATA[No night buses, but we had the company of dearly missed friends]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VHFAVTA4U5C7FE2ZTPOGOKHXN4.jpg?auth=1f202b740bd44798a55898a19ef6a892873ae4e538e9e94222c2b3519c6cad0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Irish Times – Letters to the Editor]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘Sorcha, I don’t need ChatGPT to tell me how to talk to my daughter and the girl she’s seeing’]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/ross-ocarroll-kelly/sorcha-i-dont-need-chatgpt-to-tell-me-how-to-talk-to-my-daughter-and-the-girl-shes-seeing/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/ross-ocarroll-kelly/sorcha-i-dont-need-chatgpt-to-tell-me-how-to-talk-to-my-daughter-and-the-girl-shes-seeing/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross O'Carroll-Kelly]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[We’re going on a double date with Honor and her new girlfriend, Nicola – and Sorcha is up to 90]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ORRHWVTRZFCIXNASXYCITWWECQ.jpg?auth=d513540c02495b068fb3b1dbd5c51189caef6b3c20a9043c7ba769773f4fbbe3&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Illustration: Alan Clarke]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Weekend’s hurling fixtures, throw-in times and TV details, including Tipperary v Cork]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/weekends-hurling-fixtures-throw-in-times-and-tv-details-including-tipperary-v-cork/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/weekends-hurling-fixtures-throw-in-times-and-tv-details-including-tipperary-v-cork/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Seán Moran]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Cork can balance the books without bankrupting Tipp]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/AJQZLPUXGVCH7L6LLKZYOSUK3Y.jpg?auth=52f02a48228246accd53943f643294867716b1e116d6b8e1036f50d50c3e96d3&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cork and Tipperary renew acquaintances in Thurles as the Munster championship returns. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/Bryan Keane ©INPHO/Bryan Keane</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Obituary: Seán Ó Laoire: Award-winning  architect who  spearheaded major urban regeneration projects]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2026/04/18/obituary-sean-o-laoire-award-winning-architect-who-spearheaded-major-urban-regeneration-projects/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2026/04/18/obituary-sean-o-laoire-award-winning-architect-who-spearheaded-major-urban-regeneration-projects/</guid><description><![CDATA[Dubliner delighted in drawing up master-plans for regeneration of run-down areas of city, starting with the Custom House Docks]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/TIKJGNSK6BEUXP3NQSVB35YH2M.jpg?auth=34dbf34b19c54f50044606ae6716155230a90056f805dc0dba7484846935ad96&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Seán Ó Laoire attended Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square, Dublin, where he was encouraged to study architecture by his art teacher.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Steve Langan</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grace O’Malley-Kumar, killed in Nottingham attacks, ‘was too good to be true’, say parents]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/grace-omalley-kumar-we-used-to-say-our-daughter-was-too-good-to-be-true/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/grace-omalley-kumar-we-used-to-say-our-daughter-was-too-good-to-be-true/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Paul]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Teenage Irish citizen from prominent medical family was killed in the Nottingham attacks but had lived a joyous life, her parents recall]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7DDPAWKYZFDGNBLHI3GKMYOODM.JPG?auth=0b700fb3f41fc55c58777510e0184c37883c613a4553e60ad1da15f436ffc79b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Grace O'Malley-Kumar on Dublin's Grafton Street at Christmas time. Photograph: O'Malley Kumar family]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Author Caitríona Lally on cleaning Trinity: US tourists arrive, taking photos and shouting, ‘Look, the janitor!’]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/author-caitriona-lally-on-cleaning-trinity-american-tourists-arrive-taking-pictures-and-shouting-look-the-janitor/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/author-caitriona-lally-on-cleaning-trinity-american-tourists-arrive-taking-pictures-and-shouting-look-the-janitor/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Caitríona Lally]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[To buy time to write a novel, Caitríona Lally worked in the housekeeping department at Trinity College Dublin, where she had once been a student]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:59:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/FINXACZY6ZBMFIP6HNPXBRI5HQ.jpg?auth=4418ebf6d01308b2df1ac6a1d3c0fb11b35c6b166387d448df135fe88c2b1a9f&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Caitríona Lally: I like having a job completely unrelated to writing and the feeling of having done the physical work before sitting down to write. Photograph: Ger Holland Photography]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">GER HOLLAND PHOTOGRAPHY</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spring selection: Now is the time to light up your garden with charming clematis]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/gardening/2026/04/18/spring-selection-why-now-is-the-right-time-to-light-up-your-garden-with-charming-clematis/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/gardening/2026/04/18/spring-selection-why-now-is-the-right-time-to-light-up-your-garden-with-charming-clematis/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Fionnuala Fallon]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[April is a good month to plant all kinds of clematis as container-grown plants in the ground, or in pots]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:57:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KUFMMZBYEDKLUITFJJPAV4CSAA.jpg?auth=f1b7e530a4b3764f76c8417fb00dad939f48281fc5717a5aad6a5f3474c5a7f7&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Looking for something to extend a climbing rose’s season of interest without outcompeting it for light, water and nutrients? Nothing is quite as versatile or as obliging as a clematis. Photograph: Patrick Browne]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Hosting: Interviews with Irish Writers 1991-2026 – A good listener’s illuminating, engaging conversations]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/a-hosting-interviews-with-irish-writers-1991-2026-a-good-listeners-illuminating-engaging-conversations/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/a-hosting-interviews-with-irish-writers-1991-2026-a-good-listeners-illuminating-engaging-conversations/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Margaret Kelleher]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The 60 authors in this ‘career retrospective’ include Claire Keegan, Anne Enright, Maeve Binchy and Sebastian Barry ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:23:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/5UIJV6JDMJDI7ADDDYCBENPYYM.jpg?auth=15c9f0060a293331b273d9e98e28e20ebec99ce9d7257af00ec27b73f7b82a87&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A Hosting (clockwise from top left): Sally Rooney, Emma Donoghue, Maeve Binchy, Anne Enright, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Mike McCormack, Bernard MacLaverty, Sebastian Barry, Roddy Doyle, Claire Keegan. Photographs: Ellius Grace/NYT; Nick Bradshaw; Eric Luke; Dara Mac Dónaill; Alan Betson; Joe O’Shaughnessy]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pope Leo takes a stand for peace at the risk of riling Trump ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/04/18/pope-leo-takes-a-stand-for-peace-at-the-risk-of-riling-trump/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/04/18/pope-leo-takes-a-stand-for-peace-at-the-risk-of-riling-trump/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Naomi O’Leary]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Pontiff doubles down on excoriating criticism of military aggressors in the face of Trump’s ire]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:21:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/L2X732BPWIZDW2GDLWA4QHU7CI.jpg?auth=40d586cac86d20d862287d30db97bbd3c9a6e1bdfbe4badb04584c46cfe9ad0a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Pope Leo XIV releases a white dove at St Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday. Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alberto Pizzoli</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jazz trumpeter Eddie Henderson: ‘I didn’t register it was actually Louis Armstrong showing me how to play’]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2026/04/18/jazz-trumpeter-eddie-henderson-i-didnt-register-it-was-actually-louis-armstrong-showing-me-how-to-play/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2026/04/18/jazz-trumpeter-eddie-henderson-i-didnt-register-it-was-actually-louis-armstrong-showing-me-how-to-play/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Philip Watson]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Bray Jazz Festival 2026: Maestro on being a doctor, an ice-skater and a musician whose latest project marks the centenary of the birth of Miles Davis]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:19:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ETCUOM6N6ZDXDC4XMOHBZPFJEE.jpg?auth=2e09848d12cf930900972e8fab283e13f63a55f884c50453bde6f1d1a6493c39&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Bray Jazz Festival 2026: Eddie Henderson]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Four Spanish whites to try as production moves away from reds]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/food/drink/2026/04/18/four-spanish-whites-to-try-as-production-moves-away-from-reds/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/food/drink/2026/04/18/four-spanish-whites-to-try-as-production-moves-away-from-reds/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Wilson]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Some very good whites are now being made in traditionally red Spanish regions, even in the home of sherry]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:17:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V6Q4NRXXUZHLNBVWGLUH52RNAQ.jpg?auth=c8879acd0b88b96a395baf00c23434c6f33f3d6a47fe2aa957eb42c08fcbd67c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Four of a kind: John Wilson runs the rule over these interesting wines]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[What should a museum look like? London’s Irish-designed V&A East could have the answer]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art/2026/04/18/what-should-a-museum-look-like-londons-irish-designed-va-east-could-have-the-answer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art/2026/04/18/what-should-a-museum-look-like-londons-irish-designed-va-east-could-have-the-answer/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gemma Tipton]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[O’Donnell+Tuomey’s new branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, in the city’s East Bank quarter, is part of a rethink of what such institutions should do]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:16:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/UR4LTLXOVZE4HFIWAIRR2AWKCY.jpg?auth=a669359356b2331e4c997859fbbf22bcce12bc17275690d360cac56ffee7e5ed&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[V&A East: O’Donnell+Tuomey’s new branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, in east London. Photograph: Hufton+Crow]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jenny Keane: ‘Sex education gave me the most empowerment I’ve ever experienced’]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/jenny-keane-when-theres-a-lack-of-sex-education-you-think-that-if-somethings-wrong-you-just-have-to-put-up-with-it/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/jenny-keane-when-theres-a-lack-of-sex-education-you-think-that-if-somethings-wrong-you-just-have-to-put-up-with-it/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Roe McDermott]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Irish educator and entrepreneur on her work helping to change attitudes, create community, grow knowledge and break down taboos]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/F2335AXNJJEU5LJVJ6YYFES4CE.jpg?auth=46b757b686f0c16f35058418e416edc7fed87164807995c1775162d2bf6e8443&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Photograph: Bryony Coles]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">ROGER HARRIS</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Still-life painting from Roderic O’Conor and gemstone mesh bracelet among auction highlights]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/fine-art-antiques/2026/04/18/still-life-painting-from-roderic-oconor-and-gemstone-mesh-bracelet-among-auction-highlights/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/fine-art-antiques/2026/04/18/still-life-painting-from-roderic-oconor-and-gemstone-mesh-bracelet-among-auction-highlights/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sylvia Thompson]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[O’Conor’s Chrysanthemums and Christmas Roses from 1897 re-emerges for sale after years in a private collection]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/I4MW5BUCKRGGNNSVB3E7FA7JUU.jpg?auth=42b3f5033ba9d9e44314058e85edb05847c93bd1f40b5bdd376f9aa535295f83&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The 1897 still life painting Chrysanthemums and Christmas Roses, by Roderic O’Conor, is  one of the highlights in the upcoming Fonsie Mealy auction.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Yurii Horb Fonsie Mealy</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Make a meal of it with two hearty soups – seafood chowder and spiced tomato and basil ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/food/2026/04/18/make-a-meal-of-it-with-two-hearty-soups-seafood-chowder-and-spicy-tomato-and-basil/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/food/2026/04/18/make-a-meal-of-it-with-two-hearty-soups-seafood-chowder-and-spicy-tomato-and-basil/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Trapped between winter and summer days, these two dishes work perfectly whatever the weather throws at us]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V3GOKJRCUBFTVASFAOKA3N77EM.jpg?auth=c3aae89100c7391fcd1716156ce69668643e6549609b7237b6ab0e09b6cf10c8&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty’s luxurious seafood chowder. Photograph: Harry Weir]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone by Louise O’Neill: A gleefully tawdry Tinseltown novel]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/whatever-happened-to-madeline-stone-by-louise-oneill-a-gleefully-tawdry-tinseltown-novel/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/whatever-happened-to-madeline-stone-by-louise-oneill-a-gleefully-tawdry-tinseltown-novel/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mei Chin]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Louise O’Neill’s past novels have demonstrated a capacity to disturb; here she has opted to write something more superficially entertaining]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:58:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/A6AGGEGRSVAZPPL3V7OTR2P52Q.jpg?auth=ab8e167d3bf57753fd863d694ab8c8c29197c3732a367afdff35528015a42394&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Louise O'Neill: Despite its dark undercurrents, Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone is a deliberately escapist read]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sweep the Cobwebs off the Sky by Mary O’Donnell: Another vital work from a quiet radical  ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/sweep-the-cobwebs-off-the-sky-by-mary-odonnell-another-vital-work-from-a-quiet-radical/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/sweep-the-cobwebs-off-the-sky-by-mary-odonnell-another-vital-work-from-a-quiet-radical/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Adam Wyeth]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A novel of doubleness, memory, and the uneasy inheritance of love]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:55:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/AQUA3QDA2VEN7EGQNVRQNXDEMA.jpg?auth=05f05f58c7aa54512df1efb13c280bcffecb7302f175c2f0b3947d9a0fce59c4&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Mary O'Donnell refuses easy answers in her new novel, Sweeping the Cobwebs off the Sky]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Boyhood by David Keenan: One of those special books that enter the world still unfolding]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/boyhood-by-david-keenan-one-of-those-special-books-that-enter-the-world-still-unfolding/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/boyhood-by-david-keenan-one-of-those-special-books-that-enter-the-world-still-unfolding/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nicholas Allen]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Scottish writer’s novel is propelled by an anarchic energy whose literary style approaches the quality of a troubled dream]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:52:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KZI6L22HOZA3ZLYRCILOQTVZS4.jpg?auth=b5440a2ee355f225b68d8901a3c1ab2a366ea6a8def407d5ae0d0e0366f3fffb&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[David Keenan, author of Boyhood: 'Like taking William Blake on a bender.' Photograph: Heather Leigh]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty’s spiced tomato and basil soup with croutons]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/food/recipes/2026/04/18/mark-moriartys-spiced-tomato-and-basil-soup-with-croutons/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/food/recipes/2026/04/18/mark-moriartys-spiced-tomato-and-basil-soup-with-croutons/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Perfect dish to fuel you up in the cold but equally delicious as a light lunch or dinner al fresco]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:50:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/JUKUEXHMFZC6RLKBYBM74HVIGE.jpg?auth=48774ac6c7c725ba5671ba25d9aa4de644a588a2d6c67bb034a71d738fcb59cc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty’s spiced tomato and basil soup. Photograph: Harry Weir]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty’s luxurious seafood chowder]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/food/recipes/2026/04/18/mark-moriartys-luxurious-seafood-chowder/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/food/recipes/2026/04/18/mark-moriartys-luxurious-seafood-chowder/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[This dish is rich and comforting, especially with slabs of brown bread and butter on the side]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:48:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V3GOKJRCUBFTVASFAOKA3N77EM.jpg?auth=c3aae89100c7391fcd1716156ce69668643e6549609b7237b6ab0e09b6cf10c8&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Mark Moriarty’s luxurious seafood chowder. Photograph: Harry Weir]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Séamas O’Reilly: When I turned 40 my daughter’s eyes went wide as saucers. She has been known to cook the numbers]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/when-i-turned-40-my-daughters-eyes-went-wide-as-saucers-she-has-been-known-to-cook-the-numbers/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/04/18/when-i-turned-40-my-daughters-eyes-went-wide-as-saucers-she-has-been-known-to-cook-the-numbers/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Séamas O'Reilly]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Her passion to be bigger and older stops just short of wanting to be an adult. Any suggestion that she is as old as, say, her parents, evokes disgust]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:30:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/PWWEK4HJTBBGZLGSL7C46WAVRM.jpg?auth=91a56e9412451d4e38cfdf6e9a7d66793f3e3f1ce2db987945830bc43f93f6f9&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Séamas O'Reilly: 'Before she settled on nearly four as her permanent age, she’d decided she was three and three-quarters. Photograph: Steve Ryan/ The Irish Times]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Steve Ryan</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Poem of the Week: Tír na nÓg]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2026/04/18/poem-of-the-week-tir-na-nog/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2026/04/18/poem-of-the-week-tir-na-nog/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Matthew Geden]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A new work by Matthew Geden]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:25:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/5FAW2GS26RDWMBEL43J3TWSZDQ.jpg?auth=248331bee6fd62a873f36b06c783f410a250558f44941ecd234cc137ca7acd8a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Matthew Geden. Photograph: Dedalus Press]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bread Alone: Working-class writers on voice, visibility and the limits of opportunity]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/bread-alone-working-class-writers-on-voice-visibility-and-the-limits-of-opportunity/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/bread-alone-working-class-writers-on-voice-visibility-and-the-limits-of-opportunity/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jade Wilson]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[New anthology brings together 33 voices exploring access, ambition and the cost of getting on in publishing]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:18:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HBT5HCOFQ5HPZFYAPNGQSNH5TY.jpg?auth=58886be5c9dccd8bef0291fc718867bbf6afd099b89dc43a586855be2856ca0e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Irish Times contributor Laura Kennedy’s essay describes code-switching and the emotional toll of 'passing' in elite spaces]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Wisdom of Farmers by John Connell: What on earth we can do to live better lives]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/the-wisdom-of-farmers-by-john-connell-what-on-earth-we-can-do-to-live-better-lives/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/the-wisdom-of-farmers-by-john-connell-what-on-earth-we-can-do-to-live-better-lives/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Walshe]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Practical advice on how we can reconnect with nature and our community, and tackle hunger and poverty without destroying the planet]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:10:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DZ4RMJSODVHW5PNTXBYSJVNLNQ.jpg?auth=126b21468a85325199151a90de95db38c4a14f858c1d3290c4869abcdd9d7fba&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[John Connell describes himself as a 'messenger from the quieter road of life'. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Tom O'Hanlon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Claire Coughlan: ‘Creating something and showing it to the world can feel inordinately scary’]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2026/04/18/claire-coughlan-creating-something-and-showing-it-to-the-world-can-feel-inordinately-scary/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2026/04/18/claire-coughlan-creating-something-and-showing-it-to-the-world-can-feel-inordinately-scary/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Martin Doyle]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The author discusses a creative writing course, a beautiful Croatian island, Roald Dahl and more ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:09:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/BKXVMK2J5REEPLAEAUR4EQ2BOE.JPG?auth=b35061abd812c96a523073829fafb47352de8e317f69f0d7b7595c0f1985e818&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Claire Coughlan's new mystery novel, Among the Ruins, is a sequel to Where They Lie. Photograph: Kevin Kheffache]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Kheffache Studios</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Irish Proust: A fascinating search for a creature that may not be mythical after all]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/the-irish-proust-a-fascinating-search-for-a-creature-that-may-not-be-mythical-after-all/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2026/04/18/the-irish-proust-a-fascinating-search-for-a-creature-that-may-not-be-mythical-after-all/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Wynne]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Clues to its existence abound, from the works of Bowen to Behan ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 02:47:00 +0000</pubDate><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KGNIHNZLSOEB3N74XSWFGV575A.jpg?auth=551045858420df7e4d6ee91be9745f0776fadee5131c04fb97fab81a1e4eacfa&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" type="image/jpeg" height="800" width="1200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[You might be surprised by how many Irish writers remind could remind you of Marcel Proust. Photograph: Culture Club/Getty Images]]></media:description></media:content></item></channel></rss>