ireland
On St. Patrick's day, drink Poitín, the world’s strongest alcohol
You’ll often find it in a clear, unmarked glass bottle, innocently snuggled at the back of a neighbour’s fridge, but the real Poteen (pronounced 'putch-een') isn’t sold in any shop in Dublin. St. Patrick apparently brewed it, and few people in Ireland haven’t tasted this ultra-alcoholic brew, but the lethal concoction has been illegal here since 1661
ireland, alcohol, agriculture, england, dublin, yum nyam, poteen
PIIGS unwelcome in the EU parlour: war of words rocks Eurozone
Despite Silvio Berlusconi’s dreams, the next member of the Eurozone is unlikely to be Israel; even Croatia or Turkey have taken a back seat. The current pan-EU squabble is over who should have been admitted to the eurozone in the first place
ireland, economic growth, tower of babel, germany, languages, opinion, portugal
Polish migrants post-crisis in Ireland: is there no place like home?
EU enlargement in 2004 meant that the Poles made the most indelible imprint on Irish society - and surprise, they're happy in their new home, despite the fact that both countries have experienced polar fortunes in the recent recession
ireland, labour, immigration, economy, poland, eurozone, economical crisis
Belfast in a black taxi: Europe’s last divided city tries to overcome its past
On 6 February, the Northern Irish paramilitary organisation the INLA decommissioned their weapons, and the province took one more tentative step towards social stability. Now that the former war-zone has re-opened its doors to the world, visitors are flocking to western Europe’s last divided city. A taste of the Northern Irish experience
ireland, northern ireland, religion, catholicism, society, belfast, ira
Unions, strikes and snow: Europe's 12 days of christmas discontent
Is spreading the misery really the best way to get what we want? Inspired by the British High Court banning British Airways’ cabin crew's decision to take twelve festive days of industrial action, we take a look at the latest glut of stars and strikes to hit Europe
ireland, protest, bologna process, christmas, germany, financial crisis, education system
'She’s angry' in Ireland: Virgin Mary makes Youtube debut
On 11 October, 5, 000 turned up to the small town of Knock in the west of Ireland to witness (and videotape) a purported apparition of the Virgin Mary. Two weeks later, the crowds doubled to 10, 000. Now that the apparition has become an internet phenomenon, locals look to her next scheduled appearance on 5 December
Tories, Klaus and Kaczyński: EU 'three kings' vs Lisbon treaty
The eurosceptic Pole Lech Kaczyński plans to sign the EU reform document in the next few days, Czech president Václav Klaus refuses and British conservative leader David Cameron again promises his country a referendum if he is elected prime minister in 2010 and the treaty has still not taken effect. The Irish, Czech, German and Hungarian press react
ireland, vaclav klaus, eurotopics, david cameron, euweek, european media, vote
67% in Ireland say 'yes' to the Lisbon treaty
On 2 October, the Irish public allowed changes to the constitution to ratify the Lisbon treaty. The 'resounding' and 'convincing' vote dispels fears that the referendum would pass by a slim margin and demonstrate a lack of Irish faith in the democratic process, and in the EU
ireland, media, employment, ukip, nigel farage, opinion, european constitution
Acts of Random Kindness Ltd: Irish clothing startup to ‘change your world’
'It’s like putting on a superhero costume - except your superpower might be the willingness to give up your seat on the bus,' said the Irish Times about a group of young people who hold business meetings up trees. With a new website and T-shirt range due for launch, one of the four members describes the nature of the startup
ireland, clothing, employment, initiative, youth, association, dublin
Lisbon treaty: Ireland bites back
It's been over a year since the Irish rejected the EU reform treaty for Lisbon, which has been ratified by at least 24 other member states. Hot water is still being landed in across the continent as EU and national citizens argue about how the issue is discussed. We hear from voices who will vote yes and no for the second referendum on 2 October; that's if expats abroad can manage to get back home to vote at all, despite Ryanair's biased offer of free flights. Elsewhere, whether citizens are cycling for votes or recycling Lisbon treaty posters, we are treated to the real sound of the spirited Irish voice in the EU. No pressure, eh?
- Brussels or Rome? Irish catholics, abortion and Lisbon treaty
- Lisbon treaty: Irish expats lose their vote abroad
- Peddling for votes; cycle across Ireland for Lisbon treaty
- Lisbon vote no: a second referendum? How democratic
- Lisbon treaty: Ireland shouldn't feel obliged to vote yes
- Lisbon treaty: I'm voting yes for jobs and climate change
Libertas' Declan Ganley comeback against ‘democracy-hating’ Lisbon treaty
He opposed the Lisbon treaty. He got 600 candidates to run for his party across all the 27 member states in 2008; yet only one was (re-)elected in Hungary. The Galway multimillionare, 41, resigned from politics after his failure. But the Libertas leader is back to push for a second Irish No
ireland, declan ganley, euweek, dublin, politicians, news, economic crisis
Cheaper Ryanair seats for Lisbon yes votes
The battle for the second Lisbon referendum is heating up in Ireland; and now, the yes side have aircraft. CEO Michael O’Leary joins Seamus Heaney, U2 and Intel in throwing his weight behind a Lisbon yes
ireland, financial crisis, euweek, best of cafebabel.com, low cost, ryanair, economy
Libertas: eurosceptic, but first real europarty?
The Irish European parliament elections in June 2009 represent a key moment in Ireland’s future relations with the EU. The Lisbon treaty was rejected in June 2008; will Ireland elect many eurosceptic MEPs? Or are the Irish population really interested in a more inclusive and cohesive EU?
ireland, declan ganley, european parliament, power, lisbon treaty, european elections 2009, eudebate2009
Blow by blow: Irish sky over Six Nations rugby
On 21 March, a tenth Six Nations final was dominated by the Celts: Ireland and Wales are through. Italy and England have been knocked out of the race, while France and Scotland are relegated
ireland, italy, sport, tournoi des six nations, rugby, france
Northern Ireland terror continues
A further terrorist attack rocked Northern Ireland on 9 March when a policeman was shot in Craigavon near Belfast. Prior to that two soldiers had been killed in an attack on a British military base. Splinter groups of the Irish republican army (IRA) have claimed responsibility. Press review from Ireland, Holland, Austria and Finland
ireland, belfast, terroranschläge, european terrorism, ira, terrorism, politics
Lisbon treaty and recession Europe, give us a kiss
In these times of economic crisis Europe is able to laugh and is supposedly stronger for it. Even the Lisbon treaty gives a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. 2009 will be a decisive year
ireland, currency, euro, iceland, eurozone, european union, referendum
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