Across Ireland, people have struggled with horror and outrage, as measures to halt the genocide in Gaza have been repeatedly blocked at the UN.    Led by South Africa and Colombia, the Hague Group of countries have come together to demand an end to this criminal cruelty. Ireland attended the Hague group's emergency conference held recently in Bogota. They joined the thirty states who unanimously called for an immediate ceasefire. Twelve states have also committed to six pledges, designed to end international complicity in the genocide, to uphold international law, and to hold perpetrators of war crimes responsible for their actions. Ireland and other states are asked to join them in committing to these pledges by September 20th.   Like South Africa and Colombia, we in Ireland understand the key role of international solidarity. We understand deeply the importance of a just peace.    The six pledges are :  1.Prevent the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment and dual-use items to Israel.  2.Prevent the transit, docking and servicing of vessels where there is a clear risk that they are carrying military goods to Israel.  3.Deny carriage of such items by ships under national flags, and impose penalties, including de-flagging, for non-compliance.  4.Review all public contracts to ensure that state funds and institutions are not supporting Israel's illegal occupation.  5.Pursue national or international investigations and prosecutions for serious international crimes.  6.Support the use of international jurisdiction in domestic legal systems to enable prosecutions for crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.    We urge all political representatives to ensure that Ireland join the Hague Group in committing to these six pledges before September 20th, in removing Ireland from complicity in genocide and in upholding international law.     

ESB is not the only public charging system in Ireland and should be leading the way in helping people move to clean energy EV cars. Transport is responsible for most of the pollution in our air. We need to speed up the move to EV not slow it down.  

20+ Irish university students in Gaza have been excluded from a recent evacuation of Irish students out of Gaza. We demand that the Irish government immediately facilitate another evacuation for these students. All of them have worked incredibly hard during the ongoing genocide to earn places at these universities; despite being under constant bombardment they have walked long distances to connect to the internet, they have written personal statements while starving, and they have filled out government forms while mourning the violent deaths of family members.  Their tenacity in the face of indescribable devastation is a testament to their steadfastness and work ethic, qualities that have been noted and honoured by the corresponding universities and communities. We are anxiously waiting to welcome them to Ireland and have organized internationally to provide funding and accommodation in order to facilitate their arrival as soon as possible. The students have met every single requirement for their student visas. In April, at least one student was told by the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv that their student visa had been processed and would be approved as it met every requirement, but that it would not be issued until an evacuation had been planned. The Irish embassy has the names and applications of every single Irish university student in Gaza who has applied for a student visa and yet the vast majority of them were seemingly intentionally left behind in this evacuation.  It is within the authority and capacity of the Irish Government to facilitate the immediate evacuation of these students and/or coordinate with other European countries that have repeatedly done so for their students, such as France.  The failure to do so fits into a concerning pattern of the Irish government delaying and/or denying visas and evacuations for Palestinians who have gone through the appropriate channels. Each day that passes brings with it unimaginable loss for these students, the people that love them, and the communities that would benefit from their hard work and talents.  Learn more at: bit.ly/pal2eire

Louth County Council is considering cutting rates on empty properties for 2026. Working class people will still have to pay rates on their homes. Councillors have defended this proposal by stating that this would aid vacant property owners to more easily find residents. This is a grossly naive view of the situation with property across not just our county, but the entire country. Those who own vacant properties that have been left empty long term should not be rewarded for that, particularly when ordinary working people are struggling to get by. Property hoarders & vulture funds should be penalised, and forced to either put the vacant buildings into use or face harsher financial sanctions. A 2023 report into property vacancy by Louth Council surveyed 1599 properties and found at least 832 as either vacant or derelict across the county. Those buildings should be used, not left empty. Many of those buildings could be used for homes.  Louth Council was granted €7 Million fund to Compulsory Purchase Order vacant and derelict properties in Louth. This funding has been completely unused for 2 years in a row. This fund should be put to work immediately to take properties from their feckless owners and provide social housing to working families. People Before Profit councillors in Dublin have successfully forced the purchase of empty houses in places like Palmerstown, the same would be possible in Louth. Most councils in Ireland, including Louth’s haven’t collected a single penny from the Derelict Sites Levy in 2 years. That’s €20.5m. A figure which would be much higher now, considering the push activists across the country have given councils into recent years to register these derelict sites. This figure could fund Derelict Sites departments around the country by itself.

Please help us stop the Clerihan Hall Commitee from painting it into bland obscurity. Choose History, Art and Charm over another beige wall!

Ireland’s nomination of Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize matters for several significant reasons: 🕊️ 1. A Voice Calling Out Genocide As the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since May 2022, Albanese has produced groundbreaking reports—such as Anatomy of a Genocide—presented to the UN Human Rights Council. In them, she lays out compelling legal evidence suggesting Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, earning recognition as “the foremost voice exposing the horrors inflicted upon the Palestinian people”  ⚖️ 2. Championing International Law and Accountability Her work is rooted firmly in international law. She’s called for member states to develop credible plans to end occupation and apartheid, insisted on an immediate ceasefire, and escalated matters to bodies like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC). When many officials remained silent, Albanese stood her ground in defense of human rights and legal standards . 💪 3. Moral Leadership in the Face of Pressure Despite significant pushback—including public accusations of bias, U.S. sanctions labeling her a “specially designated national,” and threats from political actors—Albanese maintained her dedication to truth and accountability . Ireland’s endorsement highlights the need to support those who defend human rights even under immense pressure. 🌍 4. Symbolic Support from Western Democracies When many Western political leaders have been criticized for “wilful ignorance” or avoiding hard questions, Ireland’s nomination sends a clear message: upholding human rights—even when it means confronting allies—is essential for lasting peace . ✊ 5. Amplifying Vulnerable Voices Albanese doesn’t just issue reports—she amplifies the stories of Palestinian children and families stripped of their childhoods and rights. She emphasizes the lived reality of those suffering and the danger of “living silence” in the international community. In Summary Ireland’s nomination of Francesca Albanese is not just about recognizing one person—it’s about recognising a steadfast commitment to: • Exposing and documenting alleged genocide by using legal and factual rigor. • Upholding international law precisely when it's most contested. • Withstanding political pressure as a beacon of moral clarity. • Amplifying marginalized voices under threat. • Reinforcing that peace requires accountability, not indifference. By championing her, Ireland signals that defending human rights—even against powerful nations—must be a cornerstone of peacebuilding.

This is an appeal on behalf of our friends, the The Billa family—Fitnete, Arber and their two children, Luna and Arios—who have been notified that they will be pulled out of the lives they have built in Ireland and sent back to Albania without any consideration for their personal rights or complex needs.  We understand that Albania has been classified as a "safe" country and that much of the decision has been based on this blanket classification, but I would like to remind all stakeholders that rulings are made on a case-by-case basis and that this family has complex needs that will not be addressed in Albania.  Arios, the youngest child, has required multiple surgeries in his short life, and requires complex care that will simply not be available to him should this family be deported. Without access to medical services, Arios' state will decline rapidly. No authority should make decisions that knowingly put a child's life at risk.  In addition to Arios' health concerns, we are deeply distressed about the risks that Luna will face as a young girl in Albania. The United States TIP report for Albania 2024 states clearly that the county is still experiencing high rates of child trafficking. Children are disappearing every day and the government is unable to keep up with investigations or with implementing solid child protection mechanisms. It is simply not acceptable to put Luna in this kind of danger.  Fitnete and Arber are active members in the Tramore community. They have lived in Ireland for almost three years and have built a life here. Both are employed and involved with local charities and initiatives. Luna is an important member of our Junior Infants class and her friends would be devastated to lose her. They'd be too young to understand why she'd disappeared, but the loss would be felt very deeply. This family has put down roots. They have contributed towards our school culture and they have made our lives richer with their presence.  Factually, deportation to Albania will endanger the lives of the Billa family. This cannot be understated or glossed over. A decision to deport them is a decision to inflict irreparable trauma on each of them. We demand that you reconsider this deportation directive and treat it with the nuanced, discerning approach that is required when human lives are at stake. 

33 children are ready to take part in the trip of a lifetime. Clubs and families across the island are ready to welcome them.  GAA Palestine have been organising this trip for months. The only thing standing in their way is the Irish government who have refused their visas at the last minute.   GAA Palestine demands immediate action from the Department of Justice to allow these children to come and visit Ireland. Plans were in place with over 150 Irish families who would host the children, bring them to matches and show them the beach for the first time in their lives. GAA Palestine is a symbol of hope for children who've been denied a proper childhood. LET THEM PLAY!

 Because the current bidding system is unfair, unregulated, and deeply frustrating for homebuyers.  Everyday people are misled by advertised prices, only to be drawn into unpredictable and often secretive bidding wars. This drives up costs, fuels anxiety, and locks more families out of home ownership.  This isn’t just about one sale — it’s about restoring trust, transparency, and fairness in how homes are sold in Ireland.  By joining this campaign, people are standing up for a housing system where:  • Prices mean what they say • Buyers are treated with respect • Homes aren’t auctioned off behind closed doors. Together, we can send a clear message to the Government that this system must change — for the good of every person trying to buy a home in Ireland.  

The GPO is the most important historical site in the City of Dublin, the centre of a rebellion that marked the start of the Irish revolutionary period.  The Rising was globally significant, preceding a wave of revolution against war and empire across Europe.  We can not allow the government dilute or bury our revolutionary past. We can not allow soulless corporate retailers or anyone else destroy such an important space in our City - people power can stop them! https://cdn.uplift.ie/assets/uploads/2025/07/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG-1-scaled.png

As dog ownership in Naas has increased, so too has the demand for safe, enclosed areas where dogs can exercise freely, without disrupting other park users. At present, the park does not have a designated space for off-lead dogs, which has led to safety concerns and limited opportunities for responsible dog socialisation. We believe that a designated dog park would bring meaningful benefits to the community, including: • ✅ Improved safety for children, walkers, and dog owners • ✅ Encouragement of responsible pet ownership • ✅ Enhanced social wellbeing for both humans and animals • ✅ More effective use of public green space

Why the GPO?  The GPO offers a rare and remarkable opportunity. Many of the great academies of Europe, such as the Royal Academy in London, the Repin Academy in St. Petersburg, the Ecole de beaux Arts in Paris, and the Royal Academy in Stockholm, are landmark institutions in landmark buildings, of which those cities are rightfully proud. Ireland has a unique opportunity to create something similar: an institution worthy of our capital city, the capital of the Gaelic world, that will stand as a rallying point for our national pride and national identity.  At a time when narrow, divisive forms of nationalism are on the rise, the Academy would offer a different vision: a symbol of shared cultural achievement and unifying values, honouring Ireland’s past but open to the world, and a source of pride we can all celebrate together. Honouring the GPO’s History The GPO is more than a landmark, it is the symbolic heart of the nation. It was the focus of Ireland’s struggle for freedom in 1916, and it is here that our modern nation was, in many ways, born. To establish an Academy of Fine Arts within the GPO would be to honour that legacy, continuing the spirit of what was called the Poets’ Rebellion. Many of the leaders of the Rising were writers, thinkers, and artists; their vision of independence was inseparable from a vision of cultural revival. In recent years, various proposals have been made for the GPO’s future: as a museum, as a place for shops and offices, even as a Garda station. Yet none speaks as powerfully to the ideals of 1916 as the creation of an Academy: a living institution that would nurture creativity, enrich the people of Ireland, and ensure the GPO remains a place of renewal and not only of our nation, but of our spirit. This proposal is not bound to any political party or ideology. Its purpose is larger: to give Ireland an institution that embodies the highest values of our history, while serving generations to come.  Reviving the North Inner City O’Connell Street, the principal street of our capital, should be a place about which Irish people can be proud— a vibrant, beautiful thoroughfare that reflects Ireland’s spirit. Yet today it feels diminished, its grandeur obscured by neglect and visual clutter, and much of the north inner city around it has become uninviting. The Academy of Fine Arts would help change this. By bringing life, learning, and creativity back into the heart of the city, it would restore O’Connell Street as a cultural landmark — a place where people go, not simply to pass through, but to gather, to experience art, beauty, and community. The Academy would act as a catalyst for renewal, helping to regenerate the north inner city and transform Dublin’s main street into a space worthy of its national importance. Art for humanity?  All human beings share three universal values: Goodness, Truth and Beauty. Our shared sense of Goodness (or Morality) prompts us to care for and nurture each other, and cultivate communities. Our shared sense of Truth prompts us to be just, allows societies to function, and academic and technological progress to happen. And our sense of Beauty prompts us to appreciate and care for the physical world that we live in. These values are common to all mankind and comprise the core of our shared humanity. They are innate in all of us, but they are corruptible, and must be cultivated and defended. When any of these values become undermined, our humanity becomes undermined, and societies can begin to act in ways that are uncaring, regressive, and destructive. There are many examples of this from history, and sadly, from the present day.  It is as important to a harmonious, just and humane society that it has highly trained artists as it is that it has highly trained doctors or soldiers.  In Ireland, we have done much to protect and advance Goodness and Truth through our social and academic institutions. But beauty has too often been neglected. The erosion of artistry, craftsmanship, and the abandonment of the pursuit of beauty in art education, over successive generations, has left its mark on our culture and our environment. The establishment of an Academy of Fine Arts will not undo this damage overnight, but it can begin to restore the balance, helping Ireland to move forward again with a renewed commitment to Beauty, alongside Goodness and Truth, as the foundation of an enlightened and flourishing society.