Special Reports

What more can be done to attract women into careers in engineering?

With female levels of participation in the industry still low, Deanna O’Connor asks if enough is being done to encourage women to take up engineering careers

Researching and developing Ireland’s engineering ecosystem

Supporting Ireland's R&D ecosystem is crucial to maintain a competitive edge

At the coalface of global warming

We all have our part to play in this fight but engineers are at the coalface when it comes to renewable solutions and energy efficiency

Sea change: scenery and surfing make Donegal an attractive location for workers

Edel Corrigan discovers how Donegal County Council is working to highlight the county's allure to new business and residents

Post-pandemic policies will have to reflect people’s changed attitudes to work-life balance

Covid-19 and its aftermath changed our view of what it takes to achieve a good work-life balance. Policy-makers and employers might have to catch up, writes Sandra O’Connell

Developing skills to thrive

How Skillnet Ireland training helps businesses capture opportunities in challenging times

Public and private sectors pull together for clean energy

Ireland is making progress in its development of renewable power assets

Incentives see small firms take meaningful steps on the environment

A council scheme in Waterford encourages small businesses to make sustainable choices a priority

Climate crisis: We need to act now to avert catastrophe

It’s a sobering headline but here climate experts and activists lay it on the line - there is very little time left to reverse the situation

Helping Irish enterprise to realise its future growth potential

Reaching 25 years in operation has offered Enterprise Ireland the opportunity for introspection and recognition of the achievements of Irish enterprise

Celebrating the success and growth of Irish enterprise

Enterprise Summit looks back on achievements of Irish owned businesses over past 25 years and looks forward to continued success

Deal or no deal? Experts upbeat about M&A for second half of 2023

Edel Corrigan looks at the prospects for M&A activity in 2023, with predictions from experts at the front lines of corporate finance

The Lighter Side… with Jim Deignan, chief executive at Payzone Ireland

The best business advice you’ve ever been given? ‘It’s amazing what you can achieve if no one cares who gets the credit’

Hard graft and strong support the secrets of film sector’s success

After starting the year on a high note, the Irish film industry needs to take advantage of the momentum, writes Kathleen O’Callaghan

Going all out on pampering at home

With money tight these days and regular salon visits no longer attainable for many, these are essential kit items for home manicures, pedicures and facials, says Aisling Keenan

Good mouth health has become the less sexy side of dentistry

There’s more to dental treatments than cosmetic dentistry and whiter than white celeb smiles. Deanna O’Connor on the importance of looking after your dental health

An essential guide to skincare through life’s ages and stages

Skincare products available over the counter can contain active ingredients that a decade ago would only come on the basis of professional advice and people can overuse them

Industry agencies seek to reduce skills gap among SMEs

Mark Jordan, chief strategy officer with Skillnet Ireland, says research shows that SMEs need support in key areas of business leadership.

Resilience is in DNA of family business but challenges are unique

Succession planning is just one area in which FBN Ireland can offer support, its head tells John Daly

Planning and communication will help secure your farm’s future

All parties need to be fully involved in any farm succession plan, as Donal Whelton, of AIB, explains to John Daly

Corporate sustainability is about thinking outside the box-ticking

How companies are embedding corporate sustainability into their strategies

The darker the shade, the greener the investment - but it’s a high bar

There hasn’t necessarily been a drop in demand for dark green products. It’s more a case of some manufacturers are not being aware of how high the bar is for them.

Building a green portfolio is easier as supply finally matches demand

The growing demand for green investment products is finally being matched by supply,

Walking tour of Dublin reignites our energy for iconic landmarks

Mimi Murray joins a group of tourists on a guided walking tour of Dublin and sees her own capital city with a fresh pair of eyes

Marvel at the beautiful west coast and Wild Atlantic Way

Jo Kerrigan enjoys a walk through Ireland’s history and the spectacular scenery of its western seaboard

Exploring our heartland: Take a trip up the middle of Ireland

Lakes, laneways, castles and canals in the centre of the island – this is the hidden Ireland that you’ll be so glad you visited, says Jo Kerrigan

Presenting Europe: new exhibition tells the 50-year story of Ireland in the EU

A theme throughout is identity, and how our identity as Irish people sits surprisingly comfortably alongside the identity of us as Europeans

An Ghaeilge faoi bhláth san Aontas Eorpach

Aistear dúshlánach a bhí ann, ó thús corrach go stádas iomlán rathúil ar deireadh thiar, a deir Pádraig Breandán Ó Laighin

How the EU brought about ‘rapid and profound’ social change in Ireland

Academics, lobbyists and positive change advocates speak to Rita de Brún about the EU’s impact on societal change in Ireland

Someone to watch over you: The advantages of using a travel agent for holiday bookings

Travel agents can do all the legwork, including arranging the best-value accommodation, event tickets and airport transfers

‘The excitement and desire to travel are back in full force’

Where are the best places to head to in 2023? Edel Corrigan hears from travel industry professionals

Venturing into the wilderness: The best holiday destinations off the beaten track

Where can intrepid travellers go to really get away from it all?

Aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital books profit of €318m

Company strengthens position over last year and is in position to exploit aviation’s post-Covid recovery, says chief executive

Listen | 03:09

Funding the fleets: leasing firms an important source of finance for airlines

It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of all commercial aircraft in service around the world are leased

Decarbonising aviation will be a challenge

How successful with airlines be in meeting their targets to have net zero emissions by 2050?

Growing, growing, gone: pros and cons of raising private equity for businesses

Private-equity investments can allow businesses to grow but founders face having to give up a level of control

Vendor loans can be useful but should be a last resort

Vendor financing can give rise to certain tax considerations that also need to be carefully considered

The rollercoaster ride of being a start-up

It’s not easy for start-ups to raise capital but Irish businesses are fortunate to have access to a good funding ecosystem

Is property investing worth the hassle?

Many landlords are exiting the market, but the question is why?

Riding the crypto roller coaster

Cryptocurrencies can offer greater returns and of course the opportunity for greater losses

Hands-off investing

Choppy economic waters can put people off taking financial risk

Ditching the diesel

How electric vehicles are taking over the market

How do we rate when it comes to public transport use?

Dublin is doing pretty well when compared to other cities of similar size, but the rest of the country needs to catch up

Switching a company fleet to EVs

It can be tricky with cost implications so businesses need to do their research

How retail has changed forever

Stores need to look ‘Instagramable’ and offer an ‘unforgettable experience’ as retail moves towards ‘omnichannel’ trading, say experts

It can’t be a choice between affordability and sustainability

Retailers also need to have accurate facts and figures to hand when it comes to the environmental impact of their products, as this is what consumers are demanding

Inflation poses challenges for retailers

Sector is also having problems finding staff, driving up competition for resources and costs

No size too small: Cybercriminals favouring smaller businesses in ransomware attacks

While gold standard cyber defences may be beyond the reach of many SMEs, there are some simple steps they can take to protect themselves and deter criminals

A career in cybersecurity

A third-level qualification in the fields of IT, networking, business information systems, law and technology or computer forensics is recommended

Open for negotiation

Is it right in any circumstances to negotiate with cybercriminals and pay a ransom

Lero to invest €2.9m in postdoctoral fellowship programme

Funding to be put towards 16 fellowships

Listen | 02:19

Increased spending on R&D to support sustainable practices

In Ireland this spending spans a wide range of sectors as sustainability becomes an important competitiveness differentiator

R&D planning proving difficult amid global uncertainty

R&D in Ireland is becoming ever more expensive and there is a severe shortage of software developers

Reading to babies and toddlers

Looking through picture books helps children figure out their everyday world and prepares them for focusing on the more complex symbols of language

‘It’s not what you offer, it’s how you offer it’: How to deal with picky eating

Picky eating is the a normal developmental phase with up to 75 percent of parents dealing with it at some point

First steps: Fun-filled activities for tots and toddlers

Swimming, soccer or yoga classes can give your child lifelong skills - and benefit parents too

Google to launch Bard chatbot and add AI tools to search facility

Company is going head to head with OpenAI’s chatbot

Listen | 03:07

Man and machine in partnership

Experts say there won’t be a dystopian future where robots take over

Fourth industrial revolution set to transform the way we live

Artificial intelligence set to restructure large sections of our economy and society in the coming years

It could be 2024 or later before OECD corporate tax agreement is implemented

Even though the detail remains unclear, experts urge businesses to begin considering implications of the agreement now

Limerick for engineering

Regionally based companies want to be sure there are no constraints on the availability of talent

The regional attraction: Cutting-edge tech companies are settling in Cork, Limerick and Galway

Industry clusters are emerging far from Dublin thanks to attractive locations that are now full of highly skilled workers

What kind of accommodation is the best for couples?

A key reason couples may choose a self-catering unit is because they want to bring their ‘lockdown puppies’

Self-catering versus the hotel experience? The choice for families

For families holidaying in Ireland this summer, there’s a huge choice of accommodation on offer to suit your budget and lifestyle

Fintech sector continues to grow with lots of courses on offer to help develop careers

UCD, the National College of Ireland and Dublin Business School are among the third-levels providing master’s courses in fintech

The power is now in consumers’ hands

The modern consumer is hyper-connected to their phone, which means they’re very informed and their expectations are set for instant service and instant value,

Blockchain reshaping businesses worldwide

One of the most significant technology breakthroughs of the 21st century, Blockchain innovation is outpacing existing business models

What will offices look like in 2032?

We ask five commentators about their vision for the office of the future

A whole new world (of work)

How the work has changed since the pandemic and what the future holds

How supportive is your organisation?

Turbulent times and a growing talent shortage means attracting but also retaining staff is a major challenge for organisations everywhere

Put your symptoms on pause

Natural and supplementary remedies for the symptoms of menopause are becoming more widely used and available, but which ones will actually ease things for you?

Going into the menopause prepared

How diet and exercise can help manage the symptoms of menopause

Mona Eltahawy: ‘You have to moisturise your vulva every day’

The feminist author busts some myths about menopause in the latest episode of The Women’s Podcast

Listen | 50:57

Home-grown international success stories

Irish companies’ success in Europe is built on strong cultural foundations at home

Culture the key ingredient in making somewhere a great place to work

What separates 100 Ireland’s Best Workplaces from the rest? The data provides some valuable insights

Building meaningful connections in the new world of work

Blended working can provide an opportunity to socially connect with team-mates