Two serving of broccoli a day keeps cancer away

According to the Irish Cancer Society, almost 40 percent of cancers are linked to the quality of food that we consume.

Research conducted by the University of Illinois shows that eating two servings of broccoli a day can reduce the risk of lung, stomach and colon cancer by up to 50 percent.

Broccoli contains a sulphur compound called sulforaphane which combats cancerous cells. 

When broccoli and sprouts are mixed they become a winning combination for preventing prostate cancer also.

But experts warn that you must not overcook the super food as this destroys its anti-cancerous properties.

Funniest Irish video ever? - SEE VIDEO

Is this the funniest Irish video ever? It could well be.

Newswhip.ie discovered this clip on an Irish comedian David O'Doherty's Twitter page.

This is probably some of the best commentary every witnessed. Not only is this whole setting of the 1994 Newcastle West Donkey Derby hilarious but as the clip goes on the situation simply gets hysterical.

YouTube Irish Government 'apology' goes viral- SEE VIDEO

A video featuring a mimic apology by the Irish government has gone viral on the Internet.

The You-Tube video shows Justice Minister Brian Lenihan and the former Fianna Fail leader Brian Cowen among other cabinet leaders, as cartoon characters performing a version of Elton John’s track “Sorry seems to be the hardest word”.

The video opens with the title “Special broadcast on behalf of the Irish Government, Fianna Fail & Green Party”.

The opening scenes show Brian Lenihan literally throwing money at pigs which are stamped with the logos of AIB, Bank of Ireland and Anglo Irish Bank.

Dressed in a emerald colored suit, the leader of the Green Party, John Gormley sings the words “What do I have to do to make you want me?”.

Brian Cowen features as beer bellied, shaggy leader holding a pint of Guinness while he apologizes through the track lyrics.

The former Health Minister, Mary Harney, former Deputy Prime Minister Mary Coughlin and Minister for Culture, Mary Hanafin all feature as backing singers as Brian Cowen takes the lead.

It also shows the new Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin dressed in a Cork jersey.

The former Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern also features, looking scruffy dressed in a “I love Charles” t-shirt.

American rapper celebrate an alcoholic, IRA loving Ireland with a poor record in football – SEE VIDEO

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - "Irish Celebration" (Official Music Video) from Stephan Gray on Vimeo.

Macklemore, an Irish American rapper’s song “Irish Celebration” describes the Irish people as a bunch of “freckled-face husters”. In this video he speaks about drinking pints and features footage of old men drinking stout in pubs and men in balaclavas throwing petrol bombs.

Is this really his image of Ireland?

Jim Corr tells Ireland about his conspiracy theories - SEE VIDEO

Jim Corr, musician and member of the Corrs spoke about his conspiracy theories on Ireland's most popular chat show "The Late Late Show". 

Jim, one of the founding members of the Corrs, along with his three sisters spoke about:

- the truth about the September 11
- swine flu may be man-made
- the American military created the 2010 earthquake in Haiti
- climate change is a hoax
- a secret society is trying to establish a one-world government

Top Irish pub songs of all time

Whiskey In The Jar



Wild Rover



Rocky Road to Dublin



Mursheen Durkin



Finnegans Wake



Molly Malone



Mountain Dew



The Gypsy Rover



Lannigan's Ball

70 percent of Irish unemployed plan to emigrate by 2012

A new report, called "The Lost Generation", says that 70 percent of young unemployed will emigrated by 2012.

The survey carried out by the National Youth Council of Ireland also found that nine out of 10 of Ireland's unemployed youth believe that unemployment has a negative effect on their well-being. Fifty percent also said that they found the quality of information and support available to them was below par.

James Doorley, Assistant Director at the National Youth Council of Ireland told the Irish Examiner "This research confirmed to us that the consequences are severe for young people if the high and rising level of unemployment is not dealt with quickly and effectively...The current services provided by FÁS and the Department of Social Protection are not co-ordinated, incoherent, over-stretched and in many cases unsuitable or not geared towards the needs of the young people it is meant to serve."

50,000 to emigrate from Ireland in 2011

The Economic and Social Research Institute has estimated that 50,000 people will emigrate from Ireland in 2011. They also calculate that 25,000 jobs will be lost but that the economy will grow by 1.5 percent with exports increasing by six percent.


They estimate that employment in Ireland will average at 13.5 percent this year but that is will drop slightly in 2012 to 13 percent.

The number of people emigrating (50,000 in 2011) is compared to the 44,000 people who left Ireland at the height of the 1980s emigration.

Google celebrates the anniversary of JFK's inauguration

Read more: JFK's inauguration was revolutionary in Ireland - WITH VIDEO

Dalai Lama visit plans to bring peace to troubled Limerick city

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Limerick in an attempt to bring some peace to the troubled estates in the city.

He will be visiting Ireland in association with a number of charities who work with children caught in conflict. Sources have revealed that he will visit Southill.

Since 1959 the Dalai Lama has received 84 honorary doctorates and international awards and has written more than 72 books.

Irish Times cartoon sums up Brian Cowen's position in Irish Government

Today's carton in the Irish Times, by the ever witty and brilliant Martyn Turner, sums up Prime Minister Brian Cowen's position in parliament.

On Tuesday night Brian Cowen was victorious in a vote of confidence taken in the Fianna Fail party meeting. Currently the parties popularity lies at 14 percent while Cowen's is at a record low of eight percent.

A general election will likely take place in March.

Small rural Irish schools may be shut down to save money

Two-teacher Irish schools may be shut as part of the Department of Education’s value for money review. There are 570 of these smaller rural schools in Ireland.

The Irish Independent reported that these smaller schools make up one sixth of all the facilities in Ireland despite the fact that some of them only have seven students.

Although the department has said that it does not plan on carrying out a large-scale school closure they also pointed out that these schools receive over €30,000 in grants which cost the government over €20,000.

Ireland breaks records - 800,000 homes powered by wind

Ireland has reached a record with wind powering 800,000 homes across the island, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan told the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

He said As I was leaving Ireland yesterday, we reached a new record in electricity coming from our wind…Wind energy output was 1,250 MW, powering over 800,000 homes.”

“In just over three years, we have doubled the amount of renewable energy in Ireland, while at the same time reducing electricity prices. We have insulated over 110,000 homes and will soon be launching a plan to reach one million Irish homes over the next decade.”

He continued “For Ireland, our fuel mix will be combination of wind, gas and interconnection in the medium term. Gas is our saline drip as we move towards 100pc renewables.

Bank of Ireland paid millions in bonuses since guarantee

Ireland’s Attorney General has begun an investigation into bonus payments paid to Bank of Ireland employees.

Over the weekend it emerged that the bank had been untruthful regarding the extent of bonuses given to staff, the AG and the Department of Finance are now investigating the matter.

The Irish Bank signed a subscription agreement when the government bailed the troubled bank out in 2009 where they agreed to disclose all payments of bonuses between the years 2006 and 2008.

Bank of Ireland informed the Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan, that no bonuses were paid in that period.
However the bank has now admitted that it honored “contractual bonuses” to key members of staff.

GAA players emigrate in massive numbers

GAA clubs across Ireland are losing 250 players a month to emigration. Over the last couple of years GAA clubs in London and New York were struggling to field teams but now they are seeing a huge surge in members.

The number of players who have asked to transfer from Irish clubs to GAA clubs overseas in 2010 jumped by 45 percent. There were 960 applications made last year which is up 300 on the numbers who applied in 2008.

According to the Sunday Business Post Ireland’s GAA has lost 2,290 players since 2008.

Up to 300,000 Irish homeowners are in negative equity

A massive 300,000 homeowners could be trapped in negative equity according to the Irish Mortgage Corporation.

As a result, many homeowners are being forced to stay with their existing loan provoiders.

The curse of negative equity prevents property mobility according to Frank Conwaym the director of the Irish Mortgage Corporation.

"Homeowners who are in negative equity in their homes can owe as much as €200,000 or more than their property is actually worth. Despite the Government reducing stamp duty to 1% in the latest budget, it will make little difference to hundreds of thousands of property owners who are currently in negative equity," he told the Irish Examiner.

"For many mortgage holders who hold standard variable rates on their homes, those who are in negative equity will be unable to move to another lender for a better deal.

"During the property boom, Permanent TSB was the largest residential property lender in the Irish market. However, today, it no longer offers competitive fixed rate deals to existing customers. Typically, to switch to another lender, a mortgage holder could not exceed between 80% and 90% on their homes," he said.

According to data from the Economic and Social Research Institute,  around 250,000 to 300,000 Irish homeowners are currentlt in negative equity.

Irish is taught well in only 50 percent of Ireland’s schools

The Irish language is taught  to a good or very good standard, in only half of primary schools inspected, according to research conducted for the Government's 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language.

In one third of classrooms, Irish was taught through the medium of English.

Meanwhile pupils in just over half of lessons inspected were able to express themselves satisfactorily in Irish.

A recent report from researchers at the University of Ulster and the University of Limerick suggests that Irish is now the language of the elite.

The report also found that non-speakers of Irish are twice as likely to be unemployed  as those who are schooled in the native tongue.

Disney store to open in Dublin

Disney has announced that it plans to open highly interactive stores in upmarket shopping streets Dublin.

Jim Fielding, president of Disney Stores Worldwide said told the Independent “We feel if we offer one great store in the city of Dublin that will really create a true Disney destination, even in the face of challenging economic times, we can still be successful.”

They plan to open at least 25 new and remodeled shops in North America and Europe this year. The plan is that these stores are more entertaining to shoppers, such as more play areas and interactive activities.

"Our strategy is really to focus on premier malls and premier shopping locations," Fielding added. "We try to move to countries where there is already a strong affinity for the Disney brand," he said.

Irish consumer confidence hits rock bottom

The people of Ireland have become even more pessimistic about their spending power since December's budge and the IMF / EU bailout package.

According to a poll carried out in December shoppers have become more gloomy since November. They are now less likely to buy goods and services.

Seven of every ten people interviewed believe their household finances will become worse over the next year. Only three percent expect an improvement.

Roscommon farmer wrote to Charles Haughey over marital dispute

A Roscommon farmer who was having marital difficulties with his wife of four years, wrote to the then Prime Minister Charles Haughey, according to recently published state papers.

In the letter he told Mr Haughey she had no money when they married her but she “has refused to have a child, cook, wash or clean the house. All she does is walk the roads and lie in bed all day. When I ask her what she intends doing, she tells me mind my own business that she will do as she likes.”

The farmer explained he tried to lock her out of the house but she managed to gain access.

“Could you please tell me is she entitled to equal share in my property, as I think she is entitled to none of it,” he asked Mr Haughey.

In response the Mr Haughey’s secretary sad that only the man’s solicitor could fully answer his questions.

Number of Irish applying for Australian visas up by 60 percent

Numbers of Irish citizens attempting to gain permanency in Australia soared by 60 percent in the last year.

Visa agencies have recorded a significant increase in the number of Irish families making enquiries about immigrating to Australia.

There were 2,000 applications from Ireland for permanent residency visas in Australia last year alone. This figure is expected to rise to more than 3,000 over the coming year.

According to VisaFrist.com many people are now posing questions relating to family issues.

"The proportion of families inquiring about migration has increased dramatically as economic conditions harden," Edwina Shanahan, manager with VisaFirst told the Irish Examiner.

"The figures speak for themselves — more and more people are finding it tougher to get employment in this country and many believe this will be the state of play for years to come.

"Customer feedback would indicate that too many unemployed Irish workers are despondent and feel there is nothing to stay here for at the moment. They believe their best option is to gain quality work experience in Australia, and other countries, with a view to returning home when things pick up," said Ms Shanahan.

Irish students invent an iPhone portable defibrillator

Two secondary school student from Dublin have invented a portable defibrillator attached to an iPhone. The students believe that a pharmaceutical firm could develop a potentially life-saving tool from their prototype.

The students Owen Killian and Lucas Grange, from Belvedere College, have entered their incredible invention into the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin along with entrants from 346 other schools around Ireland.

The device would give three electric shocks to restart the heart and then key data could be relayed through an iPhone application. They believe that sudden deaths of sports stars such as GAA player Cormac McAnallen have shown that cardiac arrest could happen at any time.

Speaking to the Herald, Owen said “Where is a defibrillator at a five-a-side match in the Phoenix Park?...You have to hit the casual events. It's not just in sports clubs. What we need is a huge abundance of these devices all over.

"If you can get 70pc of all health professionals to get this technology, this device is guaranteed to be on every street in Dublin. Statistically, it's going to save lives."

Hard working Irish do not use all their holiday days

Almost two-thirds of Irish workers do not use up their entire allocation of annual leave, a new survey has shown.

The new survey from Hotels.com has revealed that 49 percent of Irish employees have between two and three days of holiday time left over at the end of the year, while almost 17 percent  have more than a week remaining.

Being too busy at work was the main reason cited for not using up all of the allocated holiday time, while others said they worried about taking time off because of work related pressures.

Over 50 percent of those surveyed said they prefer to take a week off at a time, while only 14 percent said they take two-week holidays stints.

Numbers of homeless in Ireland continues to rise

Homelessness and street begging is on the rise in Dublin city center according to the Dublin Simon Community.

The Irish organization has recorded rises in its figures every quarter over the past two years.

The Simon Community have two shelters located in Dublin’s city center which caters for almost 50 people, which are generally full every night.

It also has 23 beds for detox and rehab, for which there is a waiting list.

Sam McGuinness, the charities chief executive said they recorded a rise in homelessness last year.

"In 2009, 2,450 people accessed all our services, and in the first six months of 2010,we had already worked with over 1,800 people," he told the Sunday Business Post.

"Visibly, there appear to be more people around the streets. Our rough-sleeper team is out dealing with these people every night, and the last count we did found 70 people sleeping homeless in Dublin city center."

"Some entrenched rough sleepers do not want to go into a hostel, for numerous reasons. They might not feel safe or there [may] not [be] enough single rooms.

"The government committed to end rough-sleeping in 2010,and this has not materialized” he added.

Irishman loses top spot in world record for sheep shearing

World champion sheep shearer Cam Ferguson has claimed Irishman, Ivan Scott's top spot have created a new world record for strong wool lamb shearing.

Ferguson, a Hawke's Bay shearer, is now the reigning Golden Shears champion having sheared 742 lambs in eight hours. This knocks Irishman Ivan Scott of the top spot. Scott's record was just 736 in eight hours.

Demand for college places in Ireland on the rise

Trinity College

The demand for college place in Ireland has increased dramatically from last year. The Central Applications Office of Ireland (CAO) recorded 16,000 applications last week, that is 14 percent more that during the same week in 2010.

Experts are now predicting a 1980s-style points race and points could be increased by up to five percent due to the huge demand for places. An increase in mature learners, unemployed and students applying from England are thought to be the reasons.

It was believed that the increase of the $2,580 student contribution fee might dampen the number of applications. As yet colleges and the CAO have seen no evidence of this.

Three siblings all share the same birthday two years apart - SEE VIDEO

The O’Shea family from Milltown have been blessed with three daughters all born on the same date, January 2, two years apart in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Their mother, Stella, said “It certainly wasn't planned. You couldn't have planned it…They were all natural births and they were all late. It was just the way it worked out that I ended up getting pregnant in March and giving birth in January."

Mike, the girls father said the old daughters are delighted at the arrival of Holly who was born this year. He said “They know Holly was born on their birthday and they're very excited about the new baby and just can't leave her alone...We're delighted to show them off. It's nice to have a bit of good news for a change.

"We've been trying to get in touch with the Guinness Book of Records, but we've had no joy yet on that.”

Here’s the TV3 news feature on the family:

Unemployment in Ireland is at 13.4 percent

For the first time since August, the number of people signing on the Live Register has increased with more than 5,000 people signing on in December alone, new figures show.

The Central Statistics Office said that the figures were comprised by 4,800 men and 400 women and means the total number of people on the Live Register now stands at 444,000.

They added that “standardized unemployment rate in December was 13.4%, up from13.2% in November”.

All regions in Ireland recorded an increase in register figures for December, the largest being in the south-east, with almost 4 percent. The lowest increase was reported in Dublin with 1.6 percent.

Over 21,000 apply for 5,000 temporary jobs on Irish census

The Irish Census 2011 is due to take place in four months. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) received 21,000 pre-registrations applications for the 5,000 temporary jobs in just 24 hours.

By 5pm on Tuesday, the day applications opened, they had received 7,000 applications. The CSO will cut-off applications at 15,000.

Deaths on Irish farms increase by 127 percent

Last year saw a 127 percent increase in the number of farm deaths, a new report has revealed.

According to data from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), a total of 25 people were killed in farming accidents in 2010, up from 11 in the previous year.

The HSA said that tackling accident rates in the agriculture sector continues to be a high priority. They added that the number of inspections would increase this year.

Last year a total of 47 people died at work, compared to 43 in 2009.

Most probably due to the downturn in the construction industry, fatal accidents in this sector dropped from six to 10 last year.

Four people died from fishing related accidents, an increase of two from the previous year.

Swine flu in Ireland rises threefold

The number of cases of swine flu (H1N1) in Ireland has tripled from 30 to 91 cases in one week according to the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC).

On December 30th 2010 36 people with swine flu had be hospitalized. Five of these are now in intensive care.

Swine flu is officially the most prevalent type of flu in Ireland. Its symptoms include sudden fever, headache, muscle aches, a dry cough and sore throat. Infection can last from 10 to 14 days.

Four-year-old children in Ireland treated for anorexia

Children as young as four-years-of-age are being treated for anorexia in Irish eating disorder clinics.

Doctors have warned that the age of children presenting with disorders is getting younger and there is an increasing demand for services.

The founder of the Marino Therapy Centre, Marie Campion said she has seen patients as young as four presenting with cases of eating disorders.

"In a child that young, we would work with the family," she said. "It is amazing what can develop at an unconscious level," she told the Herald newspaper.

"There are three hospital beds for treatment, but we would say too many people are coming out distressed," she said.

"The treatment is very much focused on weight and that is not the answer.

"The methods of treatment are out of date in this country and the focus is on the physical symptoms.

"Young people are absorbing all the negativity around them," she added.

Ireland lost 1,000 jobs per week in 2010

Newly released figures have shown that more than 60,000 people were made redundant in Ireland last year.

“In excess of 60,000 redundancies were notified to the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and an average of 1,075 jobs were lost in this country every week in 2010,” said Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA), Avine McNally.

The service industry continues to be the hardest hit with 21, 287 job losses in 2010.

"While Budget 2011 provided some certainty to the economy it did not go far enough and provide the confidence that is desperately needed by consumers and the business community.

"Only when businesses feel more confidence will we start to see businesses invest, grow and create employment.” Mc Nally said.

"There is a clear need for the Government to now prioritize the restoration of cost competitiveness to the small business sector, which is the only way to stop further job losses,” McNally added.

Record numbers of Irish went to the movies in 2010

The top ten movies in the Irish box office took in over $5 million more than their counterparts in 2009. They took in an incredible $49 million.

James Cameron’s “Avatar” was the highest grossing film on the planet last year and it took in $8.25 million in Ireland.

Ireland has to second-biggest cinema going popular in the world with 4.5 annual cinema trips per capita. The United States are the top cinema goers with 4.3 admissions per person.

In the past decade the sale of cinema tickets in Ireland have grown by 40 percent from 12.5 million in 1999 to 17.7 in 2009.

Increasing numbers of Irish women cross the border to give birth

Almost 200 babies were born to mothers with addresses in the republic of Ireland at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry in 2010.

Between January and December 23 of last year, 193 babies were born at Daisy Hill Hospital to mothers who resided in the Republic according to a spokesman.

There are already 61 women from the Republic booked for 2011 deliveries at the same private hospital.

In the first quarter of 2010 alone, there were 64 infants born to mothers from the republic of Ireland

1,300 Irish pubs have shut down in the last five years

READ MORE- An old pub, a cold day, a warm welcome - despite all the hard times, Irish spirits still up

Pub licences in Ireland have decreased by 1,300 over the past five years in Ireland, amid claims by publicans’ groups that the cheap availability of alcohol is causing “death of the Irish pub”.

The decline in the pub trade has been most widespread in counties Cork, Dublin, Mayo, Kerry and Limerick, according to figures from the Revenue Commissioners.

The Vintners Federation if Ireland (VFI), which represents over 4,000 members outside of Dublin said that pubs in rural areas represent the majority of pub closures in recent years.

Garry Mellett, the president of the VFI says that a combination of below-cost selling by grocery stores, drink-driving laws and the smoking ban has led to a major decline in pub-trade throughout Ireland.

“The removal of restrictions on below-cost selling has really broken the back of the industry because they’re selling at prices that we can never compete with,” Mr Mellett told the Irish Times.

“When you combine this with stricter drink-driving regulations and the smoking ban, we’re making it increasingly difficult for people to socialise. The authorities seem intent on over-regulating everything,”

“It is no exaggeration to say the closure of rural pubs in particular is having a devastating effect on the fabric of life in rural Ireland,” said Mr Mellett.

“In many areas the pub functions as an important community focal point, and provides a great social hub for many people.

“Pub closures have inhibited social lives, and have disrupted the community spirit and life of many neighborhoods.”

The breakdown by county of the number of pub licences lost over a three-year period:
CORK 90
GALWAY 46
KERRY 46
MAYO 44
LIMERICK 42
DONEGAL 41
CLARE 36
DUBLIN 20

IrishCentral's Top Irish Tunes of 2010

It has been a triumphant year for music in Ireland with many Irish bands achieving global success. Here is a look at some of Ireland's most popular tracks from 2010. From the powerful vocals of Imelda May, to chart topping hilarious Rubber Bandits, as always, Irish music tailors for all tastes.

The Divine Comedy- At the Indie Disco
Marking the tenth album for this Northern Irish band, Indie Disco proved to be one of the most popular tracks for their 2010 album “Bang Goes the Knighthood”. Lead by front man Neil Hannon, the band have been on the go since 1989.


Ham Sandwich- Ants
On the go since 2003, this is one Irish band who have enjoyed success this year. The Indie rock band released their second album, “White Fox” in October of this year,


Villagers – I saw the dead
Having previously toured with Tracy Chapman, 2010 saw the release of Villager’s debut album “Becoming a Jackal”. Fronted by Dublin man, Conor O’Brien, their album was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury prize.


Cathy Davey- Army of TearsThe Dublin singer-songwriter released her third album this year “The Nameless” in May. Last year Davey was named third on the list of “The 50 Best Irish Acts Right Now” compiled by the Irish Times.


Fight like Apes- Ice Cream Apple F**kNo stranger to the tour circuit here in New York, “Fight like Apes” are one Irish band going from strength to strength. This track was the first track taken from their second studio album “The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner”.


Imelda May- MayhemUndeniably one the last decaded superstars of Irish music, Imelda May has been described as flawless. She has shared the stage with Eric Clapton and Van Morrison among others.


Rubberbandits- Horse OutsideThe Limerick comedy set that got the whole world talking. Their single may not have made it to number one this Christmas but their hit “Horse Outside” will never be forgotton.


Brad Pitt Light Orchestra- The Devil and MeOriginally formed by a group of college students, Brad Pitt Light Orchestra perform regularly at music festivals throughout Ireland. This year saw the band release their eagerly awaited debut album “Lowering the Tone” in August.


Oliver Cole- What will you do?
A former member of popular Irish band “Turn”, Oliver Cole has managed to make a considerable impact with his first solo album “We Albatri”.