Advertising Standards Authority Releases Latest Complaints Bulletin

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ASA’s Independent Complaints Council has upheld fifteen cases in full, and one case in part in its latest complaints bulletin. Advertisements across Online, Social Media, Radio and Brochure were found to be in breach of the ASA Code. The Complaints Council chose to not uphold four complaints.

 

A TonyBet ad suggested gambling could be a source of income; VHI claimed to cover all oncology treatments despite exclusions in its plans; and a product marketed as ‘100% Irish Made’ that was being shipped from China.

 

Cases were upheld against:

 

  • Glaze Aura
  • Irish Supply
  • Dpharmacy.ie
  • Inglot and @twins_and_me_
  • VHI
  • Body Ballancer
  • TonyBet
  • Leonard Wilson Keenan
  • UBER Eats
  • Simple Life (AM APPS Ltd) and @twins_and_me_
  • Lidl Ireland
  • Current Body
  • Abbey Blue Legal
  • SIRO
  • KamaGames

 

Commenting on the latest Advertising Standards Authority rulings, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, said: “The Advertising Standards Authority is dedicated to protecting consumers from advertising that is misleading, harmful, or offensive. Our latest complaints bulletin highlights the range of cases we address, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to honesty, transparency, and integrity across Ireland’s advertising landscape.

 

These rulings underscore the importance of transparency, and responsibility in all forms of advertising. Beyond enforcing compliance, we are committed to promoting the principles of the Code across the industry, helping to build public trust in marketing communications.

Additionally, to assist advertisers, we offer a free and confidential copy advice service, guiding them in creating responsible and compliant advertisements. This service provides invaluable guidance for advertisers, agencies and media that carry advertisements who may have questions or concerns about the compliance of marketing communications. We encourage anyone in the industry to take advantage of this resource to ensure their advertising is both responsible and effective.”

 

Below is a list of 15 advertisements that have been found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code:

 

Advertiser Glaze Aura
Medium Online (Social Media / Website)
Status Issues 1 and 2: Upheld
Category Misleading / Substantiation
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-96/
Description
 

Advertising on Glaze Aura’s social media and website for the product Glazevale Tallow Honey Balm included a number of statements including ‘100% Grass-Fed Tallow’ and ‘Irish Made,’ and highlighted ingredients including raw honey, olive oil, and essential oils.

 

Issue 1:

The complainants considered the social media advertising misleading as it claimed that the product was Irish made however, upon placing an order, they noted the product was shipped from China.

 

Issue 2:

A complainant considered the ingredients listed in the advertising were misleading as while the product name on the label was ‘Woodsleep Tallow Honey Balm’, the list of product ingredients on the label did not include any of those listed in the advertising.

 

 

Advertiser Irish Supply
Medium Online (Company’s Own Website)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/household-55/
Description
 

The advertisement was a listing for the BRAVA Mandoline Vegetable Slicer, showing several differently coloured mandolines demonstrating the product’s various applications. The listing also included a series of customer reviews, all of which rated the product five stars.

 

The complainant stated that they ordered the product but received an inferior imitation of the product depicted in the advertisement. They further noted that the product supplied differed in appearance and quality from the advertised version, including variations in the handle design and blade area.

 

 

Advertiser Dpharmacy.ie
Medium Online (Company’s Own Website)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Price
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-97/
Description
 

The advertisement was a listing on the advertiser’s own website for Ariana Grande Ari EDP 50ml perfume. Under the picture of the product, the price was listed as €40.00 with €100.00 crossed out.

 

The complainant considered the advertisement misleading as they claimed the product had never been on sale for €100.00.

 

 

Advertiser Inglot Cosmetics Ltd. and @twins_and_me_
Medium Online (Social Media)
Status Upheld (Issues 1 and 2)
Category Misleading / Recognisability
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-98/
Description
 

The advertisements were Instagram stories posted by the influencer, @twins_and_me_, showing the application of Inglot Cosmetics products. In the first story, text on screen stated ‘I have 30% off Inglot website – Julie is code,’ with the word ‘Ad’ displayed in small white text in the bottom right corner. In the second story, the text read ‘Spot the difference – Mascara is linked – Julie’ is discount,’ with the label ‘@inglotireland ad’ in cursive white text in the top right-hand corner.

 

Issue 1:

he complainant believed that the advertising disclosures were not sufficiently clear or prominent. They said the labels were small, placed in the corners of the screen, and blended into the background, meaning viewers may not immediately recognise the content as advertising.

 

Issue 2:

The complainant also claimed that a filter had been applied while the makeup was being demonstrated, which they considered misleading as it could alter the appearance of the products.

 

 

Advertiser VHI
Medium Advertiser’s Own Website
Status Upheld
Category Misleading
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-99/
Description
 

The advertisement appeared on the advertiser’s own website and featured a webpage promoting VHI Cancer Care. The page included statements such as ‘Complete support when you need it’ and ‘With you every step of the way,’ and outlined benefits including fast access to treatment, new cancer drugs, and that ‘All your oncology treatment… will be fully covered by your VHI plan.’ Disclaimers were included on the page stating that benefits vary by plan and directing consumers to check their individual Table of Benefits in MyVhi.

 

The complainant considered the advertisement to be misleading as they believed the wording suggested that all cancer treatments would be covered under VHI plans. They said that they were later advised that their particular treatment was not covered under their plan, or any plan offered by VHI, and therefore felt the claims created a misleading impression about the extent of cover available.

 

 

Advertiser Body Ballancer
Medium Online (Social Media)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Substantiation
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-and-beauty-16/
Description
 

The advertisement appeared on a community Notice Board Facebook page and promoted a lymphatic massage device called Body Ballancer®. The advertisement included statements such as ‘Try the amazing Body Ballancer Kinsale…’ and ‘book your appointment for a lighter more energised YOU!’ It also featured a testimonial from a named magazine claiming that the treatment could lead to shapelier legs, improved circulation and a reduction in cellulite.

 

The complainant believed the advertisement was promoting a beauty product with unsubstantiated medical claims and played on the fears and insecurities of menopausal women by promising elements like reduced cellulite and more slender limbs.

 

 

Advertiser TonyBet
Medium Online (YouTube Advertisement)
Status Upheld
Category Gambling
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/leisure-49/
Description
 

The advertisement appeared as a sponsored video on YouTube promoting the gambling brand TonyBet. The ad depicted a man using his phone while sitting on the toilet and included the on-screen statement, ‘Only 3% of people can do this. Make money while sitting on the toilet.’ A footnote also appeared containing a responsibility message and terms and conditions relating to the offer.

 

The complainant considered the advertisement to be misleading and irresponsible, as they believed it suggested that gambling was easy, while downplaying the potential risks and harms associated with gambling.

 

 

Advertiser TonyBet
Medium Online (YouTube Advertisement)
Status Upheld
Category Gambling
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/leisure-50/
Description
 

The advertisement appeared as a sponsored video on YouTube promoting the sports betting casino at TonyBet. The ad depicted a woman holding a baby with on screen text saying, ‘It’s hard to pay my rent and take care of my babies.’ Later in the video, the woman was shown giving a thumbs up alongside text that stated, ‘But I made $8,500 last month.’ A footnote also appeared containing a responsibility message and terms and conditions relating to the offer.

 

Two complainants objected to the advertisement. One complainant considered that the advertisement depicted gambling as financially beneficial. The second complainant believed the advertisement created the dangerous impression that gambling could resolve personal or financial difficulties, targeting vulnerable individuals, and encouraging harmful gambling behaviour.

 

 

Advertiser Leonard Wilson Keenan
Medium Online (Third party)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Substantiation
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/property-21/
Description
 

The advertisement appeared as an online property listing and described the property as a ‘3 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Mid Terrace Cottage’.

 

The complainant considered the advertisement to be misleading as they believed the property was, in fact, a two-bedroom house. They said that one of the rooms described as a bedroom consisted of a curtained-off area which they did not consider large enough to function as a bedroom.

 

 

Advertiser UBER Eats
Medium Brochure
Status Upheld
Category Misleading
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/food-beverages-25/
Description
 

The advertisement was an Uber Eats leaflet which stated ‘Try Uber Eats and get 80% off*’ and ‘New customers can enjoy 80%* off their first 3 orders.”’  An asterisk linked to text at the bottom of the leaflet which explained that the offer was ‘80% off (save up to €15), when you spend €15 or more on menu items

.’

The complainant considered the advertisement to be misleading, as they believed the headline claim of ‘80% off’ was contradicted by the terms of the offer, given that savings were capped at €15 and the discount was therefore limited.

 

 

Advertiser Simple Life (AM APPS Ltd) and @twins_and_me_
Medium Online (Social Media)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Recognisability
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-100/
Description
 

The advertisement appeared as stories on the influencer’s own Instagram account promoting the weight loss app Avo. An affiliate link to the app was provided in the advertisement offering a 50% discount with the word ‘Ad’ in white text.

 

The complainant considered the advertisement misleading as it was not immediately clear that the content was a marketing communication due to the size and prominence of the text.

 

 

Advertiser Lidl Ireland
Medium Online (Company’s Own Website)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Price
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/retail-supermarket-17/
Description
 

The advertisement featured as a listing on the Lidl website promoting a Massage Gun at a 37% discount for Lidl Plus members. The advertisement stated that the offer was available ‘From 15.09’ and ‘only in store from 15.09.’

 

The complainant stated that no end date was included and observed that when they attempted to purchase the product on October 11th, the promotion was no longer available and they were charged the full price.

 

 

Advertiser Current Body
Medium Online (Influencer’s Social Media Account)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Substantiation
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-101/
Description
 

An Instagram story featured an influencer wearing the Current Body LED face mask where she said the

product was “proven to reduce wrinkles by 35%.”

 

The complainant stated that the claim was misleading, as neither the influencer nor the brand had included substantiation for the figure.

 

 

Advertiser Abbey Blue Legal Ltd
Medium Online (Company Own Website and Social Media)
Status Upheld
Category Misleading
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/40947/
Description
 

Online content on Abbey Blue Legal Ltd’s website and LinkedIn included a number of statements such as ‘We specialise in Irish immigration services, offering over 50 years of combined expertise to help you achieve your dreams’ and ‘Talk to an expert about your Irish immigration needs’, In the footer of each webpage, a disclaimer stated ‘We are not solicitors.’

 

The complainant objected to the advertisement as they believed it implied that the service provided was offered by solicitors or qualified legal practitioners. While they noted the disclaimer in the footnote, they considered that the content was written with the intention to give the impression the service was provided by a legal practitioner.

 

 

Advertiser KamaGames
Medium Online (Third Party Website)
Status Upheld (Issue 2)
Category Misleading / Substantiation
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/leisure-48/
Description
 

A paid online advertisement on X for KamaGames Blackjackist game stated ‘No annoying notifications. No purchases. Just. Good. Old. Blackjack.’

 

Issue 1:

The complainant considered that the claim ‘no annoying notifications’ required substantiation.

 

Issue 2:

The complainant considered that the claim ‘no purchases’ was misleading as they believed that the game included in-game purchases.

 

 

The Complaints Council chose to uphold one complaint made by an intra-industry (competitive) complainant in the following cases:

 

Advertiser SIRO
Medium Radio
Status Upheld
Category Misleading / Substantiation
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/telecommunications-102/
Description
 

A radio advertisement from SIRO promoted the company’s fibre to the home broadband, stating that it offered “the fastest, most reliable, futureproofed fibre broadband” through retail many different partners.

 

The complainant stated that the advertisement was misleading and contained unsubstantiated claims, noting that there was no evidence to support the claim that SIRO’s network provided the fastest or most reliable broadband to all customers. The complainant also highlighted that, as SIRO’s retail partners did not exclusively use SIRO’s network, some customers could receive broadband via alternative technologies, meaning the claim could not be applied universally.

 

 

Below is a list of four advertisement that have been found to not be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code

 

Advertiser Glen Grant Limited t/a Campari UK (Aperol)
Medium Online (Third Party Website)
Status Not Upheld
Category N/A
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/alcohol-43/
Description
 

An online advertisement for Aperol appeared on YouTube and showed an Italian bar scene with customers ordering Aperol spritz.

 

The complainant argued that alcohol advertising should not have been served to their account while they were streaming historical content to their television for their children during the afternoon. They believed this placement effectively circumvented broadcast-style restrictions on alcohol advertising and resulted in the ad being seen by both them and their children.

 

 

Advertiser Richmond Marketing (Peroni)
Medium Online (third party)
Status Not Upheld
Category N/A
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/food-non-alcoholicbeverages-18/
Description
 

An online advertisement on YouTube for Peroni 0.0 showed a group of friends at a train station setting up a table at the station bar to have a drink while waiting for their train.

 

The complainant argued that an alcohol-related advertisement should not have been served to their account while they were streaming historical content to their television for their children during the afternoon. They believed that this placement effectively circumvented broadcast-style restrictions on alcohol advertising and resulted in the ad being seen by both them and their children.

 

 

Advertiser An Garda Síochána
Medium Radio
Status Not Upheld
Category N/A
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/recruitment/
Description
 

A radio advertisement for An Garda Síochána recruitment featured a 999 call from a child asking for help as their father had a knife and had hurt their mother, followed by the sound of Gardaí arriving at the scene and ordering the assailant to drop the weapon. A voiceover stated “An armed incident is usually over in seconds, but the people we help, that stays with us forever. It reminds us that it’s a tough job but it’s a job worth doing. Join An Garda Siochána today.”.

 

The complainant argued that the advertisement was inappropriate to air during a late afternoon radio programme when children were likely to be present, and said that their six-year-old child became distressed after hearing it and questioned whether the incident was real.

 

 

Advertiser Irish Ferries
Medium Online (Company’s Own Website)
Status Not Upheld
Category N/A
Link https://adstandards.ie/complaint/travel-12/
Description
 

An online advertisement on the advertiser’s own website promoted the Irish Ferries Club loyalty programme, encouraging customers to sign up, collect points on eligible spend, and progress through green, silver, and gold tiers to access savings and travel benefits.

 

The complainant argued that the advertising was misleading because not all spend was eligible to earn points, and that a significant proportion of booking costs were excluded, meaning customers might need to spend more than they expected to reach higher loyalty tiers.

 

 

The Advertising Standards Authority conducts ongoing monitoring of advertising across all media and since 2007, has examined over 27,000 advertisements, with an overall compliance rate of 98 percent. The Advertising Standards Authority Monitoring Service monitors compliance with the Complaints Council’s adjudications.

 

Media are reminded that advertisements found to be in breach of the Code cannot be accepted for publication.

 

Visit adstandards.ie to learn more

 

To keep up to date on Advertising Standards Authority activity, follow the organisation on:

 

X                      @AdStandardsIRE

Instagram        @adstandardsireland

LinkedIn          @Ad-Standards-Ireland

Kinahans Downfall, a gripping new true crime podcast from The Irish Sun, explores the dramatic unravelling of Ireland’s most notorious crime gang

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  • Narrated by The Irish Sun’s Damien Lane, the podcast examines how the mob was dismantled in Ireland as the Hutch-Kinahan war raged
  • Reconstructed Garda wiretaps provide rare insight into the Kinahan organisation’s woefully unsuitable hit teams
  • Podcast explores how the Cartel’s international business grew despite the U.S. sanctions and collective $15 million bounty on the heads of the Dapper Don Christy Kinahan Sr, and his sons Daniel and Christopher Jr.
  • Following on from the award-winning Irish Sun series The Kinahans, Kinahans Downfall examines what the very near future looks like for Ireland’s most notorious gangsters in the face of a rapidly evolving global landscape

 

 

The Irish Sun, Ireland’s bestselling daily tabloid newspaper, is launching a hard-hitting new true crime podcast series called ‘Kinahans Downfall’, which explores the extraordinary domestic demise and fragile future of the Kinahan Cartel.

 

Hosted by The Irish Sun’s Damien Lane, the distinctive voice behind The Kinahans, the ten-part series, which premieres today, exposes the Irish mob’s unlikely growth as a transnational criminal force – a decade on from the murder of gangland figure David Byrne at Dublin’s Regency Hotel, a killing that shocked the nation and changed the face of organised crime in Ireland.

 

Following on from the award winning Irish Sun podcast ‘The Kinahans’, which told the story of the crime family’s rise under the stewardship of Christy ‘The Dapper Don’ Kinahan Sr, Kinahans Downfall goes further – delving into the crime groups’ shady alliances with Iranian networks, Hezbollah and South American drug gangs.

 

Featuring Crime Editor Stephen Breen and News and Correspondent John Hand from The Irish Sun, alongside contributions from John Mooney, Investigations Editor of The Sunday Times Ireland, Kinahans Downfall goes to the very heart of the State’s relentless campaign against the criminal organisation that waged open war on Irish streets between 2016 and 2018.

 

Utilising reconstructed Garda wiretaps and expert contributions from Gardaí, FBI agents, former criminals, sanctions experts, and others, Kinahans Downfall brings listeners inside the world of the Kinahan mob and their crimes.

 

The series also explores a rapidly shifting global landscape, as the United States ramps up its crackdown against international cartels and Dubai slams its door shut on crime lords – raising the question – could this finally be the end of the Kinahan empire?

 

Kinahans Downfall premieres today with two episodes released weekly and is available on all popular podcast platforms.

 

Fiona Wynne, Editor of The Irish Sun, says: “We are delighted to present another thrilling true crime podcast, following on from the success of The Kinahans in 2023. The crime gang once seemed untouchable, but behind the scenes, their empire has been cracking for years. Kinahans Downfall reveals how a combination of international pressure, Garda intelligence and catastrophic mistakes have brought Ireland’s most infamous crime family closer to collapse than ever before.”

 

You can listen to Kinahans Downfall on Spotify or Apple

 

The Irish Sun is Ireland’s bestselling daily tabloid newspaper, with the latest local and global news, fashion, entertainment and sport.

 

Check out www.thesun.ie or follow us on @IrishSunOnline

 

National house prices set to rise by 5.3% this year with estate agents forecasting increases of 8% in Limerick and Cork and 10% in Kildare and Longford – The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide

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  • Lower price increases of 2-4% expected in counties Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Louth, Monaghan, Waterford and Wicklow

 

  • While many homes sold above asking price in 2025, estate agents predict fewer bidding wars in 2026

 

  • Second-hand housing stock remains a challenge across all counties, with estate agents indicating that 10–20% more listings than 2025 levels are required for the market to function normally

 

  • Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Tipperary Town and Strokestown, Co. Roscommon among most affordable areas for three bed semi-detached houses

 

Agents across Ireland expect property values to rise by an average of 5.3% this year, as first-time buyers continue to be pushed out of the Dublin market and supply falls short of demand nationwide, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide, in partnership with AIB.

 

This represents a more cautious outlook than in 2025, when estate agents predicted an average 7% nationwide increase. There is a growing sense that the dramatic price growth of recent years is behind us, and that a period of stabilisation may be emerging.

 

New-build activity is beginning to alleviate pressure in Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Cork, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Galway city, while lower price increases of 2–4% are expected in Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Louth, Monaghan, Waterford, and Wicklow.

 

Although mortgage approval is becoming more accessible for first-time buyers, those purchasing newly released A-rated homes are typically couples. In the second-hand market, Irish first-time buyers are competing with international professionals, downsizers, and an increasing number of Americans and Asians with substantial purchasing power looking to settle in Ireland.

 

The dedicated 32-page supplement, now in its 24th year, will be published free with The Sunday Times this Sunday, 18th January.

 

The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide is the authoritative guide to the Irish property market, featuring interviews with a number of estate agents from around the country who outline their predictions for the year ahead. It also includes a detailed analysis of property prices for a wide variety of house types across all of the nation’s postcodes outside Dublin.

 

Key insights include:

 

  • Estate agents in Clare, Galway, Limerick, Laois, Longford, Tipperary and Wicklow cite a lack of new home schemes as a key constraint. Some of them foresee little change over the next three years due to issues around viability and, in some cases, infrastructure deficits

 

  • Turnkey family homes with high energy ratings remained in high demand during 2025, often reaching premium prices. In contrast to Dublin, certain houses around the country that required renovation sold well, as buyers took advantage of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

 

  • First-time buyers with mortgage approval, mainly couples, drove activity in 2025, while investors are increasingly absent from the market

 

  • There is an exodus of private landlords from the market nationwide, with more expected to follow ahead of changes to tenancy laws on March 1st. This will increase the level of second-hand stock but further tighten the rental market

 

  • The most expensive location for a second-hand three-bed semi-detached home is Greystones, Co. Wicklow (€630,000), followed closely by Salthill near Galway City, where prices are expected to rise from €550,000 to €620,000 this year

 

The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide also reveals that the top ten most affordable examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses are in the following locations:

 

  1. Mohill, Co. Leitrim (€175,000)
  2. Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim (€185,000)
  3. Ballymote/Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo (€185,000)
  4. Tipperary Town (€195,000)
  5. Granard, Co. Longford (€200,000)
  6. Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (€200,000)
  7. Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (€200,000)
  8. Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan (€205,000)
  9. Clara, Co. Offaly (€210,000)
  10. Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford (€215,000)

Sorcha Corcoran, editor of The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide, says:“Estate agents across Ireland are predicting a more measured year for the property market in 2026, with an average nationwide increase of 5.3%. While growth is slowing compared to the dramatic rises of recent years, demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly in cities and other high-employment areas. First-time buyers remain the main drivers of activity, yet competition from international professionals and downsizers is intensifying. The ongoing shortage of second-hand homes, coupled with construction delays in certain regions, means the market will remain challenging, even as new-build activity starts to ease pressure in some counties.”

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, in association with AIB, will be published on Sunday, 18th January. For full details, pick up a copy of The Sunday Times this weekend or online at Thesundaytimes.com/ireland

 

For more information visit Thesundaytimes.com/ireland

or follow The Sunday Times Ireland on X @ST__Ireland, Instagram @sundaytimesireland and

Facebook @thesundaytimesIE

Ashview Consultants, one of Ireland’s leading business risk management consultancies, announces four senior appointments amid ongoing European expansion

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Ashview Consultants is currently delivering a portfolio of projects across six European countries

 

Ashview Consultants, one of Ireland’s leading business risk management consultancies, has announced a series of senior leadership changes amid the company’s ongoing European expansion.

 

Justyna Kluska and Tony Fox have been promoted to Senior Associate Director roles, Dylan Coughlan has been promoted to Associate Director, and Neil McKenna has been appointed Associate Director.

 

In their new roles, all four will work closely with Ashview Consultants CEO Paul O’Shea and the wider senior management team to support the implementation of the company’s strategic vision, driving continuous improvement and delivering exceptional service to clients.

 

With offices in Dublin, Newry and London, Ashview Consultants, which is celebrating 20 years in business this year, works with clients across the world to optimise their performance by identifying, assessing and mitigating risks that could impact their business operations or their workplace health and safety standards. This includes operational, financial, business, compliance and health and safety systems as well as industry-specific challenges. Client sectors include construction, aviation, transport, commercial, pharmaceutical, hospitality, retail, residential, logistics, data centres and student accommodation.

Ashview Consultants has also taken a significant step forward in its growth journey with a strategic expansion into a number of European countries, marking a significant milestone in the company’s development. The business is now delivering a portfolio of projects across six European markets. This expansion is further strengthened by the business’s collaboration with a number of key clients and delivery partners who specialise in highly customised, build-to-suit data centres, reinforcing Ashview Consultants’ commitment to enhancing its European offering and extending the reach of its expertise across the region.

Commenting on the appointments, Paul O’Shea, CEO of Ashview Consultants, says: “On behalf of myself and the wider team at Ashview Consultants, I am delighted to announce the strengthening of our senior management team with the promotion of Justyna, Tony and Dylan, alongside the appointment of Neil. Their expertise, leadership, and deep industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue our European expansion, delivering exceptional service to clients across new and existing markets. These appointments reflect our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring we have the strongest possible team in place to drive innovation, maintain the highest standards of risk management, and support the long-term strategic growth of Ashview Consultants.

Justyna Kluska has been promoted to Senior Associate Director following nearly a decade with Ashview Consultants. Justyna has successfully delivered over 350 projects across a number of sectors including civil works, residential, commercial, data centres, and breweries. She has extensive experience working on projects of significant scale, nature and complexity.

As Senior Associate Director, Justyna will continue to foster a positive business risk and safety culture across Ashview Consultants’ portfolio and will lead Ashview Consultants’ Women Enterprise Network, promoting leadership through webinars, events, and collaborative initiatives.

Justyna holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety from the Communications Management Institute in Dublin. She also holds a Certificate in Construction Health and Safety and Leadership Excellence and is a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), a global professional body that recognises excellence, leadership, and best practice in risk, safety, and health management.

 

Tony Fox has also been promoted to Senior Associate Director following a number of senior roles at Ashview Consultants including Senior Health and Safety Consultant and more recently, Associate Director. Tony specialises in early planning and design of project management, helping clients to identify, eliminate, and control foreseeable risks to their organisations. He also leads on a broad range of advisory and compliance projects including the rollout of Safe365, a digital health and safety cultural tool that helps businesses track, measure and improve their safety performance and compliance in real time.

 

With almost three decades of experience in the construction and built environment industry, Tony started his career with a trade background before progressing into management and later specialising in health and safety.

 

Tony holds a number of qualifications, covering areas such as construction, risk assessment, regulatory risk, and risk control. He was also a construction lecturer in South Eastern Regional College, Belfast.

Dylan Coughlan has been promoted to Associate Director from his role as Senior Risk Consultant at Ashview Consultants where he plays a key part in the early review of design risks for each project, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to mitigate risks during construction and for end users.

Prior to joining Ashview Consultants in 2022, Dylan worked as a Health and Safety Officer with Sonica, an interior fit-out contractor, and with HML Construction, a leading construction company operating in Ireland and the UK. Dylan has extensive experience across key sectors, including commercial, residential, logistics, and data centre projects.

Dylan holds a Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Management from South East Technological University, a Higher Diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work from University College Dublin and a Certificate in Project Management and Entrepreneurship in the Built Environment from Griffith College. He also holds a number of professional Health and Safety certifications.

Neil McKenna, who has been appointed Associate Director, has over two decades of experience in the construction and health and safety industry. Prior to joining Ashview Consultants, Neil served as Health and Safety Manager at Townmore Construction, where he managed and trained Senior Safety Advisors, Safety Officers, and Subcontractor Safety Officers across all construction projects.

Neil also worked on design-and-build warehouse projects for high-profile clients during his time as Senior Environmental Health and Safety Manager at Park Developments, including Northwest Logistics Park and North West Business Park. He spent almost a decade as Senior Environmental Health and Safety Advisor / Manager at Balfour Beatty Ireland, working on projects such as the refurbishment of runway 16/34 at Dublin Airport, construction and fit out of student accommodation buildings at Gloucester Place, Dublin and the redevelopment of primary healthcare centres across Dublin city and county.

Neil is a Chartered Member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) and holds a Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice (City and Guilds), a Diploma of Higher Education in Business Supervisory Management from IBAT College, and a Certificate of Higher Education in Health and Safety Practice from NIFAST, Dublin. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Trinity College Dublin.

 

Celebrating 20 years in business this year, Ashview Consultants is a 100% Irish owned and fully independent company. The team of 30 professionals combine deep sectoral expertise with innovative technology to provide practical and proactive solutions to clients that enhance operational, financial, business, compliance and health and safety systems or address industry-specific challenges.

 

Ashview Consultants’ professional staff are third-party accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), and the Association for Project Safety (APS). Ashview Consultants also hold the following ISO accreditations:

 

  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System

 

Ashview Consultants – setting new standards in the global business risk management industry

 

For more information about Ashview Consultants, please visit:

www.ashviewconsultants.com

LinkedIn          @Ashview Consultants

Instagram        @ashviewconsultants

Dublin house prices set to increase by an average of 5% in 2026 amid ongoing supply shortages, as estate agents strike a more cautious tone than in recent years – The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide

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  • Property values in Dublin 3,4,9 and North County Dublin forecast to rise by up to 8% this year

 

  • Price growth in the south of the city is cooling, with estate agents anticipating an average increase of 4.65% and rises as low as 3% in Dublin 2,10,14,18 and 20

 

  • In several parts of the capital 80-100% of estate agents’ sales in 2025 exceeded asking prices, with homes selling for an average 10% above guide price

 

  • A continued rise in private landlords exiting the market has coincided with strong activity from first-time buyers holding mortgage approval

 

  • Ballsbridge, Sandymount, Ranelagh, Milltown and Rathmines rank as Dublin’s five most expensive areas for a three-bedroom semi-detached home, while Neilstown, Darndale and Clondalkin are the most affordable

 

  • Demand for turnkey homes with high energy ratings remains strong but rising construction costs and a shortage of builders continues to hinder renovation projects

 

Dublin estate agents expect property values across the capital to rise by an average of 5% this year, driven by continued shortfalls in new housing supply and intense bidding wars for energy-efficient turnkey homes, according to The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide 2026, in partnership with AIB.

 

However, the findings indicate that estate agents are adopting a more cautious outlook for the year ahead than they did last year for 2025, when they predicted average price increases of 6.25%, rising to as much as 12% in some areas.

 

The dedicated 28-page supplement, now in its 24th year, will be published free with The Sunday Times this Sunday, 11 January.

 

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide is the authoritative guide to the Dublin property market, and features interviews with a number of Dublin estate agents who outline their predictions for the year. It also includes a detailed analysis of property prices for a wide variety of house types across all postcodes in the capital.

 

Key insights include:

 

  • Second-hand three-bed semi-detached homes in Artane have breached the €700,000 mark and are expected to exceed that level in Killester during 2026

 

  • While Ballyfermot remains one of Dublin’s more affordable areas, properties are increasingly achieving prices above €400,000

 

  • Agents in Howth and Sutton and Dublin 16 are the least optimistic about house values rising in 2026. They expect price increases of 2-4% in Howth / Sutton and 2.5% in Dublin 16

 

  • Bidding wars were most common for turnkey properties with high energy ratings – the area of the market also facing the most limited supply

 

  • Many buyers in the second-hand market are couples with mortgage approval, often finding themselves competing for properties in parts of Dublin they had not previously considered buying in

 

  • There is some cause for optimism, however, with the Government’s new housing plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030’, alongside measures in Budget 2026 which are expected to improve supply over time. Lower interest rates will also provide buyers with some additional breathing space

 

The Sunday Times Property Price Guide also reveals that the top five most expensive examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses in Dublin are in the following locations:

  1. Ballsbridge                    €1.15 million
  2. Sandymount                 €1.15 million
  3. Ranelagh                      €1.06 million
  4. Milltown                        €1.02 million
  5. Rathmines                    €870,000

 

The top five most affordable examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses are unveiled as:

  1. Neilstown                      €310,000
  2. Darndale                       €330,000
  3. Clondalkin                     €340,000
  4. Ballymun                       €350,000
  5. Springfield, Tallaght       €350,000

 

Sorcha Corcoran, editor of The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, says: “Once again, this year’s Dublin Property Price Guide shows a market being driven primarily by a mismatch between supply and demand. Although new homes are being delivered, they are absorbed quickly and at high price points, while the exit of private landlords has intensified pressure on buyers. With bidding wars still widespread – particularly for energy-efficient, turnkey homes – estate agents expect prices to continue rising in 2026, albeit at a more moderate pace. There is some hope on the horizon, however, as housing policy reforms and lower interest rates begin to shift the focus towards longer-term solutions.”

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, in association with AIB, will be followed by The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide which will be published on Sunday, 18th January. For full details, pick up a copy of The Sunday Times this weekend or online at Thesundaytimes.com/ireland

 

For more information visit Thesundaytimes.com/ireland

or follow The Sunday Times Ireland on X @ST__Ireland, Instagram @sundaytimesireland and

Facebook @thesundaytimesIE 

 

Unique Media

Vacancy for PR Account Executive at Unique Media (Onsite)

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Unique Media

Want to work with an extremely enthusiastic and creative team who are results driven and make things happen?

Unique Media is a Dublin based strategic communications advisory firm which provides PR, Public Affairs, Brand, Reputation, Social, Digital and Event Management services. Our on-site radio and television broadcast studios facilitate Media Training, podcast and video production, VO’s and all other audio-visual requests.

We work across an extremely varied client roster that covers consumer, corporate, financial, health, food and drink, technology, lifestyle, charity and media brands. We currently have a vacancy for a motivated and like-minded professional to join our team and embrace the opportunity to progress their career very quickly within our dynamic operation.

Candidates interested in the PR Account Executive role must have:

  • 1+ year of agency experience
  • Outstanding verbal, written and aural communications skills
  • Thorough understanding of the media landscape in Ireland and good media contacts
  • Exceptional attention to detail
  • A creative mindset that can be applied to campaign brainstorming as well as day to day media relations
  • A good problem solver who is able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
  • A hunger to learn and ability to take direction
  • Ability to work independently within a dynamic team environment
  • Desire for continued self-development

 

Please forward applications to [email protected]. Closing date 15 January

 

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence.

Find the perfect Irish-made gift this Christmas at stunning new retail offering in the Shackleton Experience, Athy, Co. Kildare, the only institution in the word dedicated to Kildare-born polar explorer Ernest Shackleton

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  • Stockists include Ciara O’Keefe Ceramics, Tamzen Lundy Designs, John Hanley & Co., Kildare Candle Barn, Baressential Soap and merchandise from the Shackleton Experience

 

  • The Shackleton Experience is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm

 

  • Visitors can also relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and delicious treats at onsite café Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience led by Athy native Graham Herterich aka The Cupcake Bloke

 

The Shackleton Experience in Athy, Co. Kildare, the only institution in the world dedicated to the extraordinary life and achievements of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer who was born just outside Athy, has unveiled a stunning new retail offering just in time for the festive season, featuring beautifully crafted Irish-made gifts that will make the perfect present this Christmas.

 

The Shackleton Experience has reopened to the public following a €7.5 million redevelopment funded by Department of Rural Community and Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and Kildare County Council and has been totally transformed into a world-class visitor attraction that combines the largest collection of Shackleton artefacts in the world with cutting-edge technology and immersive, interactive exhibits.

 

The retail offering, which is open to the public and accessible without a ticket, showcases a curated selection of unique, Irish-made gifs perfect for Christmas gifting. Highlights include:

 

  • Ceramics and framed / unframed Shackleton quotes by Ciara O’Keefe Ceramics
  • Handcrafted felt woollen animals including penguins, robins and foxes and dream catchers from Tamzen Lundy Designs
  • Candles and diffusers from Kildare Candle Barn
  • Luxurious throws, scarves and ladies and men’s hats – all made and designed in Ireland from John Hanley & Co.
  • 100% natural soaps from Baressential Soap
  • A range of Shackleton merchandise including mugs, hoodies, books and stationery
  • Stationery and crafts for children

 

Visitors can also relax and unwind at the cosy onsite café, Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience, which is also open to the public. Led by Graham Herterich, also known as The Cupcake Bloke, the café serves delicious treats, homemade breads, gourmet toasties and, of course, Graham’s famous ‘Retro Biscuits’. Everything can be enjoyed with a hot cup of tea or coffee in the welcoming café space or taken away to savour on the go.

 

Those paying a visit to The Shackleton Experience itself can look forward to tracing Shackleton’s inspiring journey from his Kildare roots to the vast Polar ice caps, capturing the determination and leadership that defined his legacy. They can also explore in detail the three expeditions he led to the Antarctic, including the legendary Endurance expedition (1914–1917) where Shackleton managed to bring the entire crew home safely without the loss of a single life after their ship sank in a frozen sea hundreds of miles from civilisation.

 

Highlights include:

  • The actual cabin in which Ernest Shackleton died of a heart attack on the ship ‘Quest’ during the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition in 1922
  • The sledge and harness used on the Nimrod Expedition
  • Replica models of the Endurance and Quest ships as well as the James Caird lifeboat that rescued the crew after the Endurance shipwreck
  • A deeply immersive experience that allows visitors join the crew of the Endurance as they make their remarkable escape from the ice-bound ship, with crashing waves and wind effects making the journey feel as real as possible
  • A reconstructed 1920’s cinema showcasing archival footage and historic clips of Shackleton’s various expeditions and activities, bringing his amazing story vividly to life

Aline FitzGerald, General Manager of the Shackleton Experience, says: “We’re delighted to launch our new retail offering just in time for the festive season. Championing Irish designers and locally crafted pieces is incredibly important to us at Shackleton Experience, and it’s a real privilege to celebrate their creativity here. With our welcoming café open to all, it’s a wonderful place to meet up, enjoy a treat, and make a day of your Christmas shopping.”

Located less than an hour from Dublin and served by regular trains from Dublin’s Heuston Station, the Shackleton Experience in Athy, Co. Kildare is easily accessible from surrounding counties including Carlow, Laois, and Kilkenny.

 

The Shackleton Experience – Unmissable for families, schools, polar enthusiasts, culture and

history fans as well as adventure and endurance sports devotees

 

Visit shackletonexperience.ie to learn more about the Shackleton Experience

Six titles in the running for prestigious overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year Award’ 2025

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  • Books by Manchán Magan and illustrator Megan Luddy, Roisín O’Donnell, Joseph O’Connor, Gráinne O’Brien, Andrew Porter and Sarah Corbett Lynch nominated for significant accolade

 

  • Winner will be revealed during one-hour television special on RTÉ One presented by Oliver Callan on Thursday, 11th December

 

Books by Manchán Magan and illustrator Megan Luddy, Roisín O’Donnell, Joseph O’Connor, Gráinne O’Brien, Andrew Porter and Sarah Corbett Lynch are in the running for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025’.

 

The six titles competing for the overall An Post Irish Book of the Year Award were drawn from the category winners at the An Post Irish Book Awards, and were chosen on the principle of the highest number of votes secured during the shortlist voting process across all categories.

The six nominated titles are the category winners for the Eason Novel of the Year; Dubray Biography of the Year; The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award; Eason Sports Book of the Year; International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy; and TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year:

Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) – Manchán Magan, illustrated by Megan Luddy (Gill Books)

  • Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) is an illustrated book that uses Irish words to explore the rich, lost world of weather wisdom. Authored by Manchán Magan and illustrated by Megan Luddy, it features terms from historical cloud-watchers and stargazers who observed nature for signs of weather changes. It delves into a past wisdom that is still relevant today. 

 

Nesting – Roisín O’Donnell (Sribner Books from Simon & Schuster)

  • On an ordinary spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision that will change her life forever. Grabbing an armful of clothes from the washing line, she straps her two young daughters into the car and drives away. All she knows is that home is no longer safe. What begins as an escape soon turns into a battle for survival. With little money, no job, and her family across the sea, Ciara finds herself trapped in a broken housing system, forced to raise her children in a hotel room. As the seasons shift from summer to winter, she faces an impossible choice – rebuild her life from scratch or return to the husband who refuses to let her go.

 

The Ghosts of Rome – Joseph O’Connor (Harvill, Penguin)

  • In February 1944, six months after Nazi forces occupy Rome, Contessa Giovanna Landini works covertly with the Escape Line network known as “The Choir,” smuggling refugees and aiding Allied soldiers while evading the brutal oversight of Gestapo chief Paul Hauptmann. When a mysterious parachutist drops into the city during a fierce air raid and vanishes into Rome’s backstreets – uncertain whether he is friend or foe – his arrival threatens to expose the entire network. As Hauptmann’s unsettling fascination with the Contessa deepens, she becomes entangled in a perilous game of deception whose stakes could prove deadly for her and for The Choir.

 

Solo – Gráinne O’Brien (Little Island Books)

  • This novel in verse follows Daisy, a passionate classical musician whose first love is music and second was David, as she navigates the emotional fallout of a breakup, a best friend’s betrayal, and her father’s illness during her final year of school. Feeling sidelined at home by her twin brothers’ close bond and isolated at school, Daisy struggles to reconnect with the music that once anchored her. But when an unexpected new friendship enters her life, she slowly begins to rediscover her voice, her confidence, and the pieces of herself she feared were lost.

 

Heart on My Sleeve – Andrew Porter (Eriu)

  • From the heartbreak of losing his mother to breast cancer at just 12 years old, to battling mental health struggles throughout his teens, Andrew Porter’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience. In this deeply personal and inspiring account, the Irish rugby star opens up about the challenges that shaped him – on and off the pitch. He reflects on the emotional highs and lows of his career, including earning 75 caps for Ireland, winning three Six Nations titles and becoming one of the sport’s most respected figures.

 

A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing – Sarah Corbett Lynch (Hachette Books Ireland)

  • In the early hours of the 2nd August 2015, eight-year-old Sarah Corbett Lynch was carried from her bed by a police officer, unaware that her beloved father, Jason, had been killed by her stepmother Molly Martens and Molly’s father, Tom. In A Time for Truth, Sarah recounts for the first time the hidden reality of life inside their North Carolina household, revealing the manipulation and gaslighting she endured from the only mother she had known. She reflects on the traumatic aftermath of Jason’s death, as she and her brother Jack fought for justice while rebuilding their lives within the safety and love of their family’s home in Limerick. Her story is a powerful testament to devastation, resilience, and the enduring hope that carried her through against all odds.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards says:

“Six exceptional titles have been shortlisted for the prestigious An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025. Each one showcases the very best of Irish writing, highlighting the creativity, depth, and talent that define Ireland’s dynamic literary landscape. This year’s finalists range from beautifully illustrated books and gripping fiction to powerful memoirs and outstanding teen and young adult works, reflecting the remarkable diversity of voices and stories that have captivated readers nationwide. I extend my warmest congratulations to all the nominees on this wonderful achievement and wish them every success.”

 

The overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025’ winner will be decided by a distinguished panel of judges, chaired by a five-time Irish Book Awards winner.

 

The judging panel consists of:

  • Paul Howard, Judging Chair – An author, screenwriter, and newspaper columnist, he is best known as the creator of Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, whose exploits he has chronicled across 24 novels. Paul is also a former Sports Journalist of the Year and Newspaper Columnist of the Year. As a screenwriter, he contributed to the BAFTA-winning series Bad Sisters on Apple TV and has most recently written for The Young Offenders and the Irish-Canadian co-production Sisters

 

  • Madeleine Keane – Literary Editor of the Sunday Independent, lecturer at University College Dublin and the Irish Writers Centre. She is also Chair of Children’s Books Ireland

 

  • Cyril McGrane – A certified public accountant by profession, Cyril has worked with An Post for the last 27 years, holding a succession of senior roles in retail, operational and logistics management. Cyril is An Post’s key liaison lead with IPC and UPU and he is leading An Post’s Customs 2020 and Brexit programmes

 

  • Sinéad McCorry – With over 30 years’ experience in the book trade, Sinéad is the Retail Manager at Waterstones Ireland, where she has led the brand’s expansion to 12 shops and, more recently, oversaw the ambitious refurbishment of Ireland’s oldest bookshop, Hodges Figgis

 

  • Sara Keating – A reviewer of children’s books for The Irish Times and founder of the Baby Book Club at Dún Laoghaire Libraries – where she served as Writer in Residence at the DLR Lexicon in 2021

One of the six titles will be revealed as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025’ during a one-hour television special on RTÉ One hosted by Oliver Callan on Thursday, 11th December at 10:15pm.

 

Since its inception, the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award has been won by a series of landmark titles which have gone on to become Christmas bestsellers and firm favourites with readers.

 

Previous winners of the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award include Donal Ryan for Heart, Be At Peace, Paul Murray for The Bee Sting, Sally Hayden for My Fourth Time, We Drowned, Fintan O’Toole for We Don’t Know Ourselves, Doireann Ní Ghríofa for A Ghost in the Throat, the late Vicky Phelan for Overcoming, Emilie Pine for Notes to Self, John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, Mike Murphy and John Borgonovo for Atlas of the Irish Revolution, Mike McCormack for Solar Bones, Louise O’Neill for Asking For It, Mary Costello for Academy St, Donal Ryan for The Spinning Heart, Michael Harding for Staring at Lakes, and Belinda McKeon for Solace.

 

Tune into RTÉ One at 10:15pm on Thursday 11th December to find out who wins the

An Post Irish Book of the Year Award 2025

 

Celebrating its 20th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards continue to champion and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year, the An Post Irish Book Awards bring together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent and 2025 is no different.

 

The 2025 winners, outlined below, were announced last month:

 

TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

  • Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) – Manchán Magan, illustrated by Megan Luddy (Gill Books)

 

Irish Book Week Non-Fiction Book of the Year

  • Deadly Silence: A Sister’s Battle to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of Clodagh and Her Sons by Alan Hawe – Jacqueline Connolly with Kathryn Rogers (Hachette Books Ireland)

 

Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year

  • Sophie’s Swaps – Sophie Morris (Gill Books)

 

Eason Sports Book of the Year

  • Heart on My Sleeve – Andrew Porter (Eriu)

 

Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year

  • Great Irish Wives – Nicola Pierce (The O’Brien Press)

 

Dubray Biography of the Year

  • A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing – Sarah Corbett Lynch (Hachette Books Ireland)

 

The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award

  • The Ghosts of Rome – Joseph O’Connor (Harvill, Penguin)

 

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior

  • Run Home, Little Fox – Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann, illustrated by Shannon Bergin

(The O’Brien Press)

 

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior

  • Animalopedia – Kathi and John Burke (Gill Books)

 

International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy

  • Solo – Gráinne O’Brien (Little Island Books)

 

Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana

  • Bódléar – Darach Ó Scolaí (Leabhar Breac)

 

New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent

  • All the Birch Trees Were Waving – Pádhraic Quinn

 

New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent

  • ‘There’s never a crowd at the poetry section’ – Vincent Barton

 

Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year

  • Show Me Where It Hurts – Claire Gleeson (Sceptre, Hachette)

 

WHSmith Popular Fiction Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM

  • Paper Heart – Cecelia Ahern (Harper Fiction, HaperCollins)

 

The Book Centre Crime Fiction Book of the Year in association with The Irish Independent

  • It Should Have Been You – Andrea Mara (Bantam, Transworld)

 

Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year

  • Elaine Feeney

 

Eason Novel of the Year

  • Nesting – Roisín O’Donnell (Scribner Bools from Simon & Schuster)

 

An Post Bookshop of the Year

  • Chapters Bookstore, Dublin 1

 

For further information, please visit to the An Post Irish Book Awards website

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

“Pause before you post” – Core launch international campaign highlighting the potential harms of ‘sharenting’ on behalf of the Data Protection Commission

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Core is proud to have developed a dramatic new campaign “Pause before you Post” on behalf of the Data Protection Commission.

Highlighting the potential harms of ‘sharenting’ (the practice of parents sharing extensive information, images, and videos of their children on social media). This campaign will run across Cinema, TV, AV and Social, aiming to reach all parents of children under 18, with a compelling message about child safety.

The ad, originally filmed in Irish, was dubbed into French for Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés, the French Data Protection Authority.

Creative Director Mark Tuthill says:

“Every day, proud parents post pictures of their children on social media, oblivious to the inherent dangers. This work is a first step in highlighting the associated risks that come from strangers knowing your child’s name, as well as their date of birth and more. 

It’s been a wonderful partnership with the team at the Data Protection Commission, working closely together to craft a campaign with a tone that is grounded in the real world and designed to feel more like TV drama than advertising. After all, there’s nothing more dramatic and unsettling that knowing your child’s image and personal data is being exploited by strangers.”

 

Jennifer Dolan, Deputy Commissioner, Head of Children’s Policy, Inter-Regulatory Affairs, and ePrivacy Prosecutions, says:

“The simple act of parents sharing personal information, photos, or videos of their children online (“sharenting”) can unintentionally create a digital footprint, which can lead to serious risks.

 “This campaign aims to raise awareness of how easily a child’s identity can be pieced together from the personal data that their parents share online — from names and ages to images, voice recordings, and everyday moments, often without realising the long-term consequences.”

 “It was truly a pleasure to work with Spark Foundry and their incredible team throughout this project. From our very first meeting, there was a true meeting of the minds, and that strong collaboration carried throughout every stage of the work.”

 

Credits

 

Advertiser: Data Protection Commission

Agency: Core Creative/Spark Foundry

Campaign title: Pause before you Post

Creative Directors: Mark Tuthill

Art Director: Udi Ovadia / Helena Jones

Copywriter: Mark Tuthill

Business Director: Jo Mullins

Senior Client Manager: Anthony Hughes

Agency Producers : Andrew Counihan / Aisling O’Dwyer

Managing Director: Dave Griffin

Production Company: Sweet Media

Directors: John Hayes

Producers: Andy Bradford

DOP: James Mather

Editor: Lee Hickey

Colourist: Gary Curran

Sound Design & Mix: Will Farrell (Blast Audio)

Post Production : Outer Limits / Eoghan Reidy

 

Former President Michael D. Higgins to be honoured with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025

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  • Michael D. Higgins has published a significant body of literary works including five poetry collections and several collections of essays and speeches on arts and politics

 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Michael D. Higgins at the annual An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony in Dublin on 27th November

 

  • Michael D. Higgins joins a host of distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Martin Waddell, Professor Roy Foster, Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry, Maeve Binchy, Colm Tóibín, Eavan Boland, Edna O’Brien and Seamus Heaney

 

The An Post Irish Book Awards is delighted to announce that former President, Michael D. Higgins, is the recipient of this year’s ‘Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award’. The award will be presented on the 27th November at the 2025 Awards Ceremony in The Convention Centre, Dublin.

 

As the 2025 Lifetime Achievement honouree, Michael D. Higgins will join a host of other distinguished recipients including Sebastian Barry, Colm Tóibín, Thomas Kinsella, Eavan Boland, John Montague JP Donleavy, Paul Durcan, John Banville, Maeve Binchy, John McGahern, Edna O’Brien, William Trevor, Seamus Heaney, Anne Enright and Professor Roy Foster. All previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award can be found at https://www.irishbookawards.ie/history/hall-of-fame/

 

Michael D. Higgins has had a profound impact on Irish art and culture, both as a public figure and as an artist in his own right. Throughout his distinguished career, his influence has spanned the full cultural spectrum – from literature and visual arts to film, music, and public cultural policy.

An accomplished writer, Michael D. Higgins has published five poetry collections, including Against All Certainty (2025), which was published in September in conjunction with his spoken word album of the same name in collaboration with musician Myles O’Reilly, New and Selected Poems (2011), An Arid Season (2004), The Season of Fire (1993) and The Betrayal (1990), along with several acclaimed volumes of essays such as Causes for Concern – Irish Politics, Culture and Society (2006), Renewing the Republic (2011), When Ideas Matter: Speeches for an Ethical Republic (2016) and Reclaiming the European Street (2021).

These works reflect his lifelong commitment to creativity, social justice, and human rights. From 1983 to 1993, Higgins also contributed a fortnightly column to Hot Press, Ireland’s leading music and politics magazine, where he wrote passionately on issues including apartheid, U.S. foreign policy, and Irish social reform. A book bringing together a collection of these columns, Power to the People: The Hot Press Years (2024), was published last year.

Higgins has also published three collections of speeches from the period covered by the Decade of Commemorations – 1916 Centenary Commemorations and Celebrations: Speeches by President Michael D. Higgins (2018) and Machnamh 100: Centenary Reflections volume 1 (2021) and volume 2 (2023).

A visionary policymaker, Higgins has reshaped Ireland’s cultural landscape through landmark achievements including the reestablishment of the Irish Film Board, the founding of Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4), the establishment of a rich network of local arts and cultural venues which brought a crucial access to citizens across Ireland and his leadership in promoting support for cultural institutions and artists across Europe. Having presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Seamus Heaney in 2011, Michael D. Higgins will now be honoured in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish cultural life.

In conferring the award, the Board of the Irish Book Awards stated:

“Both politically and personally, Michael D. Higgins has exerted a profound and lasting influence on Irish art and culture. His stalwart championing of Irish writers has been a particular source of inspiration to many who have participated in the An Post Irish Book Awards over the years and Irish creatives in general have felt a real sense of comfort in having a poet in The Áras.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Higgins has combined his creative vision with courageous public engagement. From his columns in Hot Press addressing pressing social and political issues, to his landmark cultural policies, he has consistently championed the arts and strengthened Ireland’s cultural institutions. His commitment to human rights, social justice, and the nurturing of Irish creativity has left an indelible mark on our nation.

Having presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Seamus Heaney in 2011, it is a particularly fitting moment that we now confer this honour upon Higgins himself. The Board of the An Post Irish Book Awards is proud to recognise his outstanding contribution to Irish cultural life, and we look forward to celebrating his achievements at the 2025 Awards ceremony at the Convention Centre Dublin on 27 November.”

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says:

“Michael D. Higgins has consistently demonstrated the power of culture to connect, challenge, and inspire society. Through his engagement with the arts and his unwavering support for creative voices across Ireland, he has nurtured an environment where ideas, imagination, and expression can thrive. His leadership has ensured that the arts remain a central part of national life, valued not only for their beauty but for their capacity to shape how we see the world.

The An Post Irish Book Awards is proud to honour Michael D. Higgins with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising a lifetime devoted to fostering creativity, cultural dialogue, and artistic excellence. This award celebrates a figure whose vision, commitment, and advocacy have left an enduring imprint on Irish cultural life, and whose influence will continue to inspire generations of writers, artists, and audiences alike.”

Celebrating its 20th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards continue to champion and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year, the An Post Irish Book Awards bring together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent. The winners will be announced on 27th November 2025.

 

Other categories include:

  • Eason Novel of the Year
  • TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
  • Dubray Biography of the Year
  • Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year
  • Irish Book Week Non-Fiction Book of the Year
  • Eason Novel of the Year
  • Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year
  • Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year
  • Eason Sports Book of the Year
  • Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana
  • Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior
  • Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior
  • International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy
  • The Book Centre Crime Fiction Book of the Year in association with the Irish Independent
  • Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
  • WHSmith Popular Fiction Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM
  • The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award
  • New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent
  • New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent
  • An Post Bookshop of the Year

A one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 11th December, giving viewers an exclusive insight into the six books and the authors competing for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2025’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

 

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