Luke O'Connell

District Magazine • 28th July 2026

Who Is Dingle For?

When people find themselves in Dingle’s vintage trinket shops and candlelit Kennedy’s pub, they’re in a place that cherishes its language, its music and its sense that it is untouched by commercialism. Nestled in the corner of the Wild Atlantic Way; Gaeilgeoirí, writers, artists and a certain magical spirit all collide in this rural arcadia. A town that was put on the map by a famous dolphin named Fungie, it is now wrestling with the consequences of its tourism success. By the nineties Dingle es...

The New World • 2nd July 2026

Ireland’s Incoherent Extremists

Ahmed, a taxi driver who picked me up on the way into Dublin, tells me that since moving to Ireland, he feels at home. A Celtic FC fan originally from Kenya, he made the move from Glasgow to Dublin with his family in 2020. The Garden of Remembrance was built to honour the memory of “all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom”. On Saturday June 27, while tens of thousands flocked to Dublin to celebrate Pride, there were a few hundred anti-immigrant protestors who demanded a diff...

Irish Independent • 29th January 2026

‘Irish farming will be like the fishing industry in two or three years’ – why this West Kerry community is against Mercosur

This suckler farming family fears their way of life is at risk if their ‘unique’ grass-fed beef is ‘diluted by inferior product’
Fourteen seats lay empty in a kitchen on a dark and blustery January night in West Kerry. Kathleen Moore tells me she just fed this number of student-teachers before their last night in the Gaeltacht ends.While offering tea and coffee she calls for her husband to join us. “Ed!” She gently requests. After a while, he joins and as he comes in, he too offers tea and coffe...

Irish Examiner • 10th January 2026

Pobalscoil days helped form Dingle and Gaeltacht's class acts

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne principal Éamonn Fitzmaurice is immensely proud of the part his past and present pupils have played in Dingle and An Ghaeltacht reaching the Senior and Intermediate All-Ireland finals.

Equally, the former Kerry boss and history teacher, who has piloted the Dingle institution since 2018, says it was the seamless collaboration between the school and all the West Kerry clubs that played a vital part in Pobalscoil's six Munster titles and two All-Irelands.

TheJournal.ie • 17th December 2025

'Rubbish' and a 'con job' - Michael Healy-Rae rounds on TDs over fox hunting ban

LAST UPDATE
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17 Dec 2025



MICHAEL HEALY-RAE rounded on members of the opposition this morning amid fierce exchanges over a Bill that would outlaw fox hunting.
The junior minister and Independent Kerry TD said those wanting to change the law are “misleading” the public on the realities of fox...

Luke’s Substack • 7th August 2025

U.S. Munitions Flights Through Shannon Renew Debate on Irish Neutrality

In the first two months of 2025 the Irish government has granted 36 flights carrying munitions of war to land at Shannon airport. With an ongoing debate on Irish neutrality, Shannon airport has become the centre of continued controversy.The airport, a civilian transport hub on the west coast, has allowed for thousands of US troops to pass through Ireland since the first Gulf War. There was huge protests at the airport during the second Gulf war with now President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins sa...

Luke’s Substack • 7th August 2025

Irish neutrality in crisis: Europe's "weak link"

Decisions decisions decisions: Inside Leinster House where discussions on Ireland’s neutrality pursue. Luke O’Connell"We’re a weak link in the European security chain. The Americans know it, the British know it and the Russians know it and now they’re testing us." That blunt warning, issued by Professor John O’Brennan of Maynooth University, encapsulates a growing unease about Ireland’s geopolitical posture.Once hailed as a principled holdout, Ireland’s military neutrality is now being interroga...

17th June 2025

English dominates Eurovision 2025 – but France tipped to win

17th June 2025

UK aid to Ukraine: Where does it go?

Islington Now • 20th March 2025

The Bill Murray club wins top award

Popular comedy club in Angel, The Bill Murray, has won Best Venue in London, cementing its status as a powerhouse in the capital’s comedy scene.  


The audience-voted Chortle award emphasises its unique role in allowing for both rising and established talent. 


“We’re run by comedians, for comedians,” said co-founder Barry Ferns. “The fact that it’s an audience-voted award means a huge amount. It’s not just industry insiders—it’s people who genuinely love comedy.” 

Angel Comedy Club was fo...

Islington Now • 18th March 2025

A novice’s guide to Guinness in Islington  - Islington Now

Got a taste for the black stuff over the St Patrick’s festivities?  


Still recovering from a headache from all the Guinness drank over St. Patrick’s Day? Our stout specialists JP and Luke look for the best pint in Islington, so you get the best cream from the crop.  


Score: 3/5 


Best for: Schtick  


Sat on top of Highgate Hill, Brendan the Navigator is the pub of a thousand welcomes. This is the despite the fact that it is ironically located across the road from Cromwell Avenue....

Islington Now • 11th March 2025

Campaigners call on council to tackle shortage of accessible toilets   - Islington Now

A campaign group has called on Islington Council to tackle the shortage of accessible public toilets in the borough.  


Councillors heard from Loos4Islington’s Cornelius McAfee, who addressed the council in a passionate plea for a strategy on the issue. 


His organisation had asked for more engagement with disabled residents and local businesses to develop a public toilet accessibility strategy, after sending a petition signed by 2,000 people on 12 December 2024.  


Mr McAfee, 71, said: “I...

Islington Now • 10th March 2025

Teaching the council a lesson: Outrage over decision to close two schools - Islington Now

Striking teachers have accused the council of “destroying the futures” of children by closing two local schools.


A retro double-decker bus filled with striking teachers, angry parents, and children drove to protest outside Islington town hall on Wednesday after months of battling the council over proposals to close Highbury Quadrant and St Jude & St Paul’s (SJSP) Church of England Primary schools.  


Phoebe Oakley, a year 5 teacher at Highbury Quadrant, said: “Children are supposed to go t...