Máiría Cahill: Running with the foxes and hunting with the hounds must be utterly exhausting for Sinn Féin
It's a British tradition so antiquated that even they have banned it. Oscar Wilde once called it 'The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable.' The British aristocracy introduced it to Ireland in the 1840s, and now hundreds of their descendants holiday here to partake in it with us and to spill blood on Irish soil.
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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
'People's livelihoods at risk': Decision on opening of Skellig Michael to tourists due this week
A HIGH COURT judge will decide this week whether to lift a suspension on boating permits for ferries to and from the UNESCO heritage island Skellig Michael, saying the case requires top priority as 'people's livelihoods are at risk'. The permits have not been issued while legal proceedings are before the courts in the form of a judicial review of the tendering process. At the High Court today, Justice Garret Simons said he was 'staggered' by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) that it would need six months to prepare the case. He ordered it to be heard next month. Two companies, which were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, have made a judicial review application, resulting in a delay to the granting of permits. The season runs from May to the end of September. The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome. The OPW has said that under Irish and EU law, they were then precluded from issuing permits for the 2025 summer season until legal proceedings were resolved. Advertisement Skellig Michael Boat Trips and Atlantic Endeavour Limited both dispute the process underpinning the granting of the licences, alleging it to be 'deficient' and 'without transparency' and have been granted permission for the challenge. At the High Court today, David Dodd BL, for the plaintiffs, told Justice Simons that nobody wanted to prevent boats from visiting the island. He said permits could be granted by the court in an interim fashion, as the issuing of a one-season permit was not a 'contract', as contended by the OPW. He said his clients are happy for the suspension to be lifted. Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck SC, for the OPW, why it would take six months to prepare for what the judge described as 'the most straightforward case of competition for licences'. Beck said there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross-examination. Justice Simons said he was 'staggered' that the case would take up to six months to get on and that there were 'livelihoods' at stake. The judge said the court would give the case 'top priority', adding that the court had 'gone out of its way' to facilitate an early trial. Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of this week on whether to lift the suspension of the permits. He adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to 21 July. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
We bought a huge 3-bed home in Bulgaria without viewing for £25k, we've quit the UK with our kids, every day's a holiday
BUYING a home can be expensive in the UK - and one couple decided to think outside the box. TikTok users RenovateBulgariaWithUs shared how they managed to snap up a huge three-bedroom house in the European country for just £25,000. 2 A British family have shared how they bought a home spontaneously in Bulgaria for £25,000 Credit: 2 The couple have been sharing their renovation story on TikTok Credit: Relocating from the UK with their kids, they have now set about turning it into their The large family pad needed quite a bit of work to it, and they have been updating following with their renovation journey. On their They wrote: 'We bought this three-bedroom house in Bulgaria without viewing on a spontaneous Wednesday afternoon. More on homes 'Three bedrooms, half an acre of land, outbuildings.' One of the first jobs they tackled when they moved in was adding a working toilet to the bathroom, as it didn't have one. Thankfully they did have a working shower and sink to get them started. They've also replaced the windows, laid a new stylish floor and added a fire, which looked perfect for winter. Most read in Fabulous The couple shared how they have decked out the house with bargain furniture that they have upcycled to make them look stylish. This included £15 chairs and a £15 dresser. I fled the UK for sunny Dubai - life back home is miserable & no-one has any cash Given the national average house price in the UK was reported at £264,500 in 2024, the family's As well as managing to snap up a cheap property, the couple shared how living costs are less in Bulgaria too. The mum wrote: 'You pay a tax yearly, like council tax, which is around £45. 'Then there is water and electric to pay, costs are very low compared to UK.' While the renovation appears to be a large project, the family have been taking advantage of a nearby pool and stunning lakes and hikes. And thankfully the kids are said to love their new home, with the mum saying: 'It's lovely.' Many people were impressed with their DIY renovation, with one saying: 'amazing house.' Another added: 'Everything you've done so far looks incredible!' A third commented: 'What a life.' Why you should consider visiting Bulgaria BULGARIA has been described as a "fabulous family-friendly holiday destination Holidays this summer are still available from £910 for a family of three - which works out at £303pp, including flights. The Balkan country is well-known for its affordable holidays and stunning Black Sea coastline, with The affordable resorts are packed with activities, restaurants, beaches and hotels. But those looking for a more tranquil holiday should also consider lesser-known spots like Regardless of where you go, Jet2holidays says you should find "unbeatable value," with many free sights to visit and cheap places to eat and drink. This is also backed up by this year's Post Office Holiday Money Report, which shows Bulgaria in seventh place in the holiday cost barometer. According to the study, a three-course evening meal for 2 (including a bottle of house wine) costs around £39. Meanwhile, a cup of coffee should cost £1.83; bottles of local beer and soft drinks are also available for just under £2.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Skellig Michael delayed boat permits row to be decided this week
A High Court judge has given "top priority" for a case involving the granting of boat permits to ferry people to Skellig Michael. Mr Justice Garrett Simons will decide this week whether or not to lift a suspension on boating permits needed to bring tourists to and from the UNESCO heritage island Skellig Michael, saying "people's livelihoods are at stake". The permits have not been issued while legal proceedings are before the courts in the form of a judicial review of the tendering process. At the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Simons said he was "staggered" by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) claiming it would need six months to prepare the case and ordered it to be heard next month, giving it "top priority". The granting of permits to successful applicants was delayed as two companies who were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, which runs from May to the end of September, launched a legal challenge. The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 and serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome of the competition. The OPW has said that under Irish and EU law, the OPW was then precluded from issuing permits for the 2025 summer season until legal proceedings were resolved. Skellig Michael Boat Trips and Atlantic Endeavour Limited both dispute the process underpinning the granting of the licences, alleging it to be "deficient" and "without transparency" and have been granted permission for the challenge. At the High Court, David Dodd, counsel for the plaintiffs, told Mr Justice Simons that nobody wanted the boats to not visit the island and that permits could be granted by the court in an interim fashion, as the issuing of a one-season permit was not a "contract", as contended by the OPW. Mr Dodd said he was resisting a suggested "five-year framework" on the OPW's granting of the permits as part of a contract but that the plaintiffs also wanted to see the boats out. Mr Dodd said the OPW, in applying to the court to have the suspension lifted, had referred to a "contract" having to be in place for the boats to take to sea. Mr Dodd said there should be no such "contract" and that permits issued were akin to planning permission or a gun permit being granted, neither or which, he claimed, were "contracts" nor necessitated frameworks. Mr Dodd said that a permit is a statutory permit without an offer or an acceptance as found in a contract. Whether or not this granting amounted to a "contract", was a matter for the full hearing of the substantive case, he said. "We are happy, however, for the suspension to be lifted," he said. Mr Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck, counsel for the OPW, how it was possible that the OPW was looking for six months to prepare the case in what the judge described as "the most straightforward case of competition for licences". Mr Beck said there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross examination. Mr Justice Simons said he was "staggered" that the case would take up to six months to get on and that there were "livelihoods" at stake. The judge said the court would give the case "top priority", adding the court had "gone out of its way" to facilitate an early trial. Mr Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of this week on whether or not he would lift the suspension of the permits and adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to July 21.
