Irlanda - noticias y eventos

Ireland is putting some of its biggest infrastructure plans on the fast track. The government has identified nine major projects for accelerated delivery under new legislation, including Dublin's MetroLink, the Cork commuter rail expansion and the Galway Ring Road, with public bodies required to speed up approvals and coordinate more closely. Supporters say the move will help deliver long-awaited transport upgrades faster, while environmental groups have criticized the decision to exempt these projects from parts of the country's climate legislation. Sometimes the hardest part of building infrastructure isn't construction-it's getting permission to begin

Traffic in central Dublin is about to slow down as Ireland hosts a meeting of EU environment and climate ministers. Temporary road closures and police escorts will be in place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday between Dublin 8 and Pigeon House Road during the start of the two-day summit at Dublin Castle. Police are asking drivers to follow officers' instructions, while several streets around the castle will remain closed for security, although local residents will still have access. Sometimes the biggest traffic jams have nothing to do with rush hour-they arrive with world leaders.

A 75-year wait has not stopped Mayo fans from believing. Few expected the team to reach the 2026 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, but they fought their way back and now have a chance to end a title drought that has lasted since 1951. Supporters say this young team, led by Andy Moran, is fearless because it is not carrying the weight of past final defeats, even if Kerry is still the favourite. Sometimes the longest waits make people believe the hardest dreams are worth chasing.

One of Ireland's biggest music festivals is set to become one of its most diverse. When Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann arrives in Belfast from August 2 to 9, visitors will experience not only traditional Irish music but also Ulster-Scots, South Asian and other cultural performances in a celebration expected to attract around 800,000 people. Alongside prestigious music competitions, the city will host open-air concerts, street sessions, dance, storytelling and multicultural performances that reflect Belfast's evolving identity. Sometimes the strongest traditions are the ones confident enough to welcome new voices.

A garden hose has become one of Ireland's most restricted summer accessories. From Friday, a nationwide hosepipe ban will take effect as prolonged hot, dry weather continues to strain drinking water supplies, extending restrictions that had already been introduced in Dublin and several other counties. Households across the country will be banned from using hoses for watering gardens, washing cars and filling paddling pools, while water authorities urge everyone to cut unnecessary consumption as reservoirs and groundwater sources come under increasing pressure. It’s a reminder that during a drought, even the simplest turn of a tap can make a difference.

Ireland is putting the brakes on e-scooters as safety concerns continue to grow. Under new government proposals, riders must be at least 18 years old, while helmets and high-visibility vests will become mandatory from August, with licensing and registration planned later this year. The move follows a sharp rise in serious injuries, particularly among children, and police have already seized more than 1,400 e-scooters this year. For a country that embraced electric scooters so quickly, Ireland is now making it clear that convenience can no longer come before safety.

Social media rules for children could soon change across Ireland and the rest of the European Union. EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has backed age-based restrictions instead of a blanket ban, supporting a phased system that gives younger children limited, supervised access before easing restrictions as they grow older. A bloc-wide decision is expected this autumn, with Brussels also working on stronger safety obligations for social media platforms and how the new rules would be enforced. For Ireland, home to the European headquarters of many of the world's biggest tech companies, the outcome could shape not only how young people go online, but also how the platforms themselves operate across Europe.

One disposable barbecue may have been all it took to spark days of disruption in one of Ireland's most famous national parks. The main N71 road through Killarney National Park has been closed again as helicopters and firefighters battle stubborn hotspots that have already burned more than 20 hectares of land. The blaze has proved difficult to extinguish because heat trapped beneath the rocky ground keeps reigniting the fire, forcing repeated road closures during the busy tourist season. It's a harsh reminder that a moment of carelessness can leave nature dealing with the consequences for days.

Buying an e-scooter in Ireland could soon become a lot harder. Amazon and AliExpress have stopped selling certain e-scooter models that do not comply with Irish rules, a move welcomed by politicians who are urging other retailers to follow, while the government continues debating even tougher restrictions. The discussion comes amid growing concerns over injuries involving children, with some calling for a complete ban, while others argue the real problem is weak enforcement rather than the scooters themselves. For now, the debate isn't just about speed limits-it's about whether better rules, or simply better policing, are the smarter way forward.