Eibhlin O'Neill's blog

Newgrange and Knowth Neolithic passage tombs are both designated UNESCO World Heritage sites that stand as testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. Dating back over 5,000 years these Neolithic passage tombs are older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Newgrange which was built around 3,200 BC is aligned with the winter solstice about the 21st December, the shortest day of the year . At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the passage.

Israel will close its embassy in Dublin in response to what it claims are anti Israel policies by the Irish government. Earlier this year, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland was recalled over the Irish decision to recognise the State of Palestine. Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris has described the move as a "deeply regrettable decision" from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, also made it clear that  Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law.

Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris has made clear to Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ during an interview yesterday that if the Prime Minister of Israel came to Ireland for any reason he would be arrested. This follows the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged “war crimes”. The Irish Prime Minister said: "Yes absolutely.

The Pope has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. Pope Francis told people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer: “Let us pray for the Lebanese, especially for the people in the south who are forced to leave their villages,” Francis told people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer. He added “The Middle East has plunged into increasing suffering, with destructive military actions continuing to affect the Palestinian population.” 

Image: Beirut under attack by Israel image courtesy RTE.

The President of Ireland President Michael D Higgins has said it is “outrageous” of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to threaten the lives of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon. This comes after Israeli forces invading Lebanon called for United Nations peacekeeping troops to move from areas of military activity for their own protection and safety.

Michael Collins (Irish: Mícheál Ó Coileáin; 16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) was a leading figure in the struggle for Irish independence. He led the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence with Britain, which lasted from January 1919 until July 1921. His leadership came to be known for the successful guerrilla tactics used by his vastly outnumbered forces.  Following the War of Independence a Civil War took place in Ireland and Michael Collins was killed in an ambush in August 1922.

Armagh (Irish: Ard Mhacha), winners of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final received a heroes welcome when they returned home yesterday. They won the Sam Maguire cup by a point, winning 1-11 to 0-13 over Galway. Thousands of fans packed into the Athletic Grounds in Armagh to witness the homecoming and street parties were held in Armagh as the City celebrated the All-Ireland success. It is only the second time Armagh have won the All-Ireland title. The last was in 2002, and fans have had 22-year wait for the victory.

The 2024 Olympic Games opened in Paris yesterday. In a break from tradition the ceremony did not take place in a stadium as hundreds of thousands of people gathered along the River Seine as a flotilla of 85 boats and barges carried the team delegations through the centre of Paris. The flag-bearers for the 133-strong Irish team were golfer Shane Lowry from Offaly and hurdler Sarah Lavin from Limerick.

US president Joe Biden’s great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt left Ballina in Ireland for Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the 1850s. Three years ago a mural of the president was painted on Ballina’s Market Square. Since that time and in protest against his support for the Israeli campaign of genocide and mass murder of Palestians in Gaza the picture has been vandalised three times with red paint and the words "Genocide Joe" daubed across it. Now there is a local petition garnering increasing local support for the mural to be removed.

Ireland, Norway and Spain have announced they recognise a Palestinian state in what is seen by many as a long overdue move to ensure that Palestine joins the other nations of the world as an internationally recognised state. Malta and Slovenia were also expected to make similar announcements. This come days after the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, announced that he would seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu the Prime Minister of Israel and the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant as well as three senior Hamas officials.