From Notify to Ani DiFranco: The top five trad/folk albums of 2024
Joyful Irish traditional music and politically charged folk feature in our LP picks of the year
By Siobhán Long
Subscriber Only
Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik: It’s almost unfair for a biography to be such fun
This is less a sequel to the author’s Hollywood’s Eve than a retelling, with Didion now cast as the lead
By Mei Chin
Owen Doyle: Mack Hansen’s ill-advised comments simply cannot be allowed pass without sanction
The international’s comments set a dangerous precedent and the URC, and the IRFU, must take appropriate action
By Owen Doyle
Q&A: Why is the European Commission investigating data centre construction?
The European Commission confirmed last month it was investigating possible collusion between data centre providers
Inside the alleged Hollywood smear campaign against Blake Lively: ‘We can bury anyone’
Messages detail alleged campaign to tarnish Lively’s reputation after she accused Justin Baldoni of misconduct on set of It Ends With Us
By Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate
‘A taxi, compliments of Irish Rail. What service!’ A Christmas customer service miracle
Businesses get a bit of a bashing during the year but these stories show that sometimes they can give the gift of a good outcome
By Conor Pope
It’s embarrassing how we Irish fawn over the super-rich, from Michael O’Leary to JP McManus
Here is a resolution for 2025: let’s stop glorifying extraordinary wealth. All great wealth reveals is that someone can afford to pay more tax
By Trevor White
Ganley under new pressure and Irish consumers take a Santa pause
The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
Taxpayers are subsidising private schools by more than €140m a year
Sinn Féin and Labour want to end State funding for fee-charging schools but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael support current system
By Carl O'Brien and Vivienne Clarke
Fees have jumped across many of Ireland’s private secondary schools. Why?
Annual fees have climbed by up to 19% with charges for day pupils now ranging between €4,000 and €14,000
By Carl O'Brien and Vivienne Clarke
A box of Pro V1s is the Christmas present of choice for many. But do they help the average golfer?
The Titleist golf ball launched in 2000 continues to be the most popular. But it doesn’t mean it’s the best one for your game
By Denis Walsh
Emigration to Australia is at its highest level for a decade. We need to ask why
Those being pummelled by the cost of rent are living through a form of austerity, their take-home wages and disposable incomes decimated
By Una Mullally
Declan Ganley under pressure to disclose who is paying his legal bills
Rivada shareholder David Schuman cite failure to pay debt judgment while his ‘social media postings display that he continues to lead a life of luxury’
By Barry J Whyte
From Christian Lee Hutson to Oisín Leech: The top five roots albums of 2024
Our pick of the year’s roots albums take in Malin Head, Missouri and points between
By Joe Breen
Rinsed: From Cartels to Crypto: How the Tech Industry Washes Money for the World’s Deadliest Crooks by Geoff White - An engrossing and mind-blowing guide
Today’s technologies are facilitating crime on a vast scale, and Ireland has a significant footprint in this murky, international gang-controlled world
Secrets of a small bakery’s success: Avoid geezer investors with 60 grand to spare
The Dusty Knuckle makes bread Nigella Lawson loves while helping young offenders
By Pilita Clark
Letters to the Editor, December 23rd: Sinn Féin’s electoral support, and crisis point for homecare system
The political dynamic has changed
Musk leads race to be world’s first trillionaire
Lesson of the 20th century was that when a critical mass of citizens feel the system is rigged against them, we encourage radical politics
A year of political drama and shocks nears its end
A look back at the year that was with elections at home and abroad and the ongoing war in Ukraine
It’s a pity more of us don’t identify with Scrooge, the skinflint who was capable of change
If even Ebenezer Scrooge can change, perhaps there is hope for the rest of us and for our planet
Explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives with Pat Leahy’s informed sceptic’s guide
Wondering about how you’ll explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives – or to yourself? Wonder no more
By Pat Leahy
Talk of a new right-left divide opening up in Irish politics is nonsense
There is no political division on the issue of the Republic needing a bigger and more efficient State. The question is how to deliver it
By Cliff Taylor
Aviation tycoon in major merger on Shrewsbury Road after buying €6.75m house next door
Plus: Derry Girls actress Siobhán McSweeney discontinues Liss Ard case, Denis O’Brien’s house fetches €3.26m and Imma patrons get to go away with the director
By Colin Coyle
The best theatre of 2024: Blessed are the risk-takers
Gambling on longer runs of unfamiliar work paid off in a gratifying number of cases. But Irish theatre still isn’t as inclusive as it should be
Top five Irish jazz albums of 2024, from Mary Coughlan to Adjunct Ensemble
‘Thank God I’m alive,’ Mary Coughlan sings on her album Repeat, Rewind. Hear, hear
IT Sunday
A bespoke collection of Irish Times journalism exclusively for subscribers featuring the best of the week
MOST READ
On The Money
Our weekly personal finance newsletter will give you the insight you need to save money and make smart spending decisions