https://lukeoconnell.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for Luke O'ConnellenThu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.independent.ie/farming/beef/irish-farming-will-be-like-the-fishing-industry-in-two-or-three-years-why-this-west-kerry-community-is-against-mercosur/a1926826925.htmlThis 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...Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.independent.ie/farming/beef/irish-farming-will-be-like-the-fishing-industry-in-two-or-three-years-why-this-west-kerry-community-is-against-mercosur/a1926826925.htmlhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41773070.htmlPobalscoil 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.Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41773070.htmlhttps://www.thejournal.ie/fox-hunting-2-6905578-Dec2025/LAST UPDATE | 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...Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thejournal.ie/fox-hunting-2-6905578-Dec2025/https://lukecon.substack.com/p/us-munitions-flights-through-shannonIn 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...Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://lukecon.substack.com/p/us-munitions-flights-through-shannonhttps://lukecon.substack.com/p/irish-neutrality-in-crisis-europesDecisions 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...Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://lukecon.substack.com/p/irish-neutrality-in-crisis-europeshttps://lukecon.substack.com/p/english-dominates-eurovision-2025Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://lukecon.substack.com/p/english-dominates-eurovision-2025https://lukecon.substack.com/p/uk-aid-to-ukraine-where-does-it-goTue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://lukecon.substack.com/p/uk-aid-to-ukraine-where-does-it-gohttps://islingtonnow.co.uk/islington-comedy-club-awarded-best-venue-in-london/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...Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://islingtonnow.co.uk/islington-comedy-club-awarded-best-venue-in-london/https://islingtonnow.co.uk/a-novices-guide-to-guinness-in-islington/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....Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://islingtonnow.co.uk/a-novices-guide-to-guinness-in-islington/https://islingtonnow.co.uk/campaigners-call-on-council-to-tackle-shortage-of-accessible-toilets/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...Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://islingtonnow.co.uk/campaigners-call-on-council-to-tackle-shortage-of-accessible-toilets/https://islingtonnow.co.uk/striking-teachers-accuse-council-of-destroying-the-futures-of-children-by-closing-two-schools/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...Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://islingtonnow.co.uk/striking-teachers-accuse-council-of-destroying-the-futures-of-children-by-closing-two-schools/