AGB refuse to die, and finish strongly to conquer Tinahely in Division One Cup
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Economic Times
21 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Irish data regulator opens new inquiry into TikTok over data stored in China
Ireland's powerful Data Protection Commission has opened a new inquiry into TikTok over the storage of European users' data on servers in China, the regulator said on owned by China's ByteDance, was in May fined 530 million euros ($620 million) by the Irish commissioner over the transfer of European user data to new inquiry, by TikTok's lead regulator in the EU as it is registered in Ireland for its HQ in the bloc, will look specifically at the storage of data.
The Journal
23 minutes ago
- The Journal
Simon Harris says 'careful consideration' was given to Palestinian GAA team's visa applications
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said 'careful consideration' was given to a number of Palestinian visa applications who wished to travel to Ireland for a GAA tour this month. As reported by The Journal yesterday , the group has been informed by the Irish Immigration Service that their visa applications have been refused due to 'insufficient documentation'. The GAA Palestine group, which helped to lodge the visa applications for 47 Palestinians who belong to sports clubs in the West Bank, has said they are shocked by the decision, and have refuted that any of the requested documentation was not provided. GAA Palestine had plans in place for 47 Palestinians to travel here, including 33 children aged between 9 and 16 years of age. A total of 152 families in Ireland had signed up to host the group as they were to travel around Ireland. The tour was due to kick off on 18 July, and it had garnered major support from Irish host families who were to welcome the Palestinians into their homes, and from clubs that have been fundraising to help finance the trip. Asked about the matter in the Dáil this morning, Harris said the government does not doubt the 'good faith' of those organising these events, but added that there are many factors which must be considered before a visa can be granted. The Journal / YouTube 'Unfortunately, not all people will be able to demonstrate that they satisfy the conditions to be granted a visa to come to Ireland. The granting of a visa is a very important legal document in our migration system. 'There was a request for 47 people to travel to Ireland from Palestine. 33 of these were children who were not traveling the company of their parents. 'And these applications were given very careful consideration, and like I say, a visa officer has to be satisfied that children are traveling under the company of their parents or an appropriate guardian. Additional documents, such as birth certs, consent letters are regularly requested to establish the relationship,' said the Tánaiste. He added that an appeals process is now underway. 'Devastated' Organisers behind the tour have said that they are 'devastated' and they have disputed that the department did not have all the documentation required to approve the visa applications, which they claim were submitted in mid-May. Advertisement GAA Palestine said in a statement this morning that it is 'deeply disappointed and shocked' by the recent decision to refuse the visas, stating that comprehensive documentation and detailed plans about the various visits to GAA clubs across Ireland were submitted. 'Contrary to the information communicated in recent correspondence, Irish immigration officials have claimed that the visa applications were refused due to 'insufficient documentation'. 'We understand from letters sent by the Irish Embassy in Israel that the reason cited was a lack of detailed itineraries and financial arrangements — information that had been provided with the application. In fact, GAA Palestine was under the impression that all necessary documentation and information had been provided and met the requirements for visa approval as stated by the Irish Embassy in Israel,' said the group. Steven Redmond, chairperson of GAA Palestine, expressed his profound dismay stating that just seven days before these young boys and girls were meant to leave the West Bank, they are now being told that additional documentation is now required. 'We went as far as sending a volunteer to the West Bank to assist with additional documentation that was requested as part of our application,' he said. He said GAA Palestine remains committed to collaborating closely with the Department of Justice to resolve this matter swiftly. 'We have a dedicated team of volunteers ready to respond and take immediate action,' he added. GAA Palestine has now called on the Irish authorities to reconsider the decision stating that the unfortunate setback 'will not deter us'. Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy is one of a number of opposition TDs who has hit out at the decision. He has called on the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to intervene to review the 'inexplicable decision'. 'We are talking about 33 children aged 9 to 16 years of age and their adult chaperones who intended to play GAA and visit a beach and Croke Park. 'It is incomprehensible that a resolution could not be found to address any issues with visa applications. I had written to both the Justice Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Harris, three weeks ago urging them to ensure that the visa process was concluded swiftly. Neither Minister replied to me,' he added. The department must work with GAA Palestine to make a success of this incredible opportunity for cultural exchange, he said. With original reporting by Eimer McAuley. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
30 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Iraqi music collaboration set to premiere in Sligo tomorrow night
Mshakt Collective playing with some of the North West Folk Collective during a week-long music residency in Derry-Londonderry last summer The project, titled Macalla (meaning echo in Irish), brings together Derry/Londonderry's North West Folk Collective and Iraq's Mshakht Collective. Supported by the British Council, the collaboration has been two years in the making and explores the musical connections between Irish and Middle Eastern traditions. At the heart of the ensemble are two iconic instruments: the Irish harp and the Iraqi qanun, a zither-like instrument played horizontally. They're joined by the Middle Eastern oud (a short-necked lute), Irish pipes, bouzouki, Iraqi violin, Donegal fiddle, and Middle Eastern percussion. Together, the eight-piece group weaves a rich, cross-cultural sound rooted in the musical traditions of Ireland and Iraq. The roots of Macalla lie in a previous British Council-supported initiative, Citadels of the Sun, which saw musician and composer Martin Coyle working with musicians from Rajasthan. A life-changing first visit to Iraq soon after inspired him to form the Northwest Folk Collective, now a hub for globally-minded musicians based in Derry/Londonderry. 'In Mosul, the city we were working in, the community brought us in - they cooked for us, played music with us, and made space for us in the middle of tragedy,' said Martin, recalling a devastating fire that struck shortly before their arrival. 'That welcome really shaped how I see music as a tool for connection.' Since then, both collectives have been working together remotely and in person — arranging music, translating melodies and composing new pieces that reflect the shared storytelling roots and traditions of both places. This performance, taking place at St John's Cathedral, promises to be something special. With its soaring acoustics and intimate atmosphere, the space offers a rare opportunity for the ensemble to share not just their music, but the story behind it. Martin said: 'St John's will have quite a dramatic backdrop, giving us the chance to tell the full story of how this project came about and how it's developed over the past two years. What's exciting is that audiences might recognise certain melodies, but not in the way they're about to hear them. The qanun, in particular, has silenced entire rooms — people stop in their tracks. There's something powerful about hearing familiar music played through the lens of another culture. 'I really hope it challenges some stereotypes too - it's about showing how much we actually have in common. A lot of our traditional music is rooted in dance and folklore, and even rhythmically, things align. We've found loads of crossover - for example, a lot of Middle Eastern music is in 6/8 time, just like Irish jigs. It just fits. 'So whether Macalla is performed in a theatre, a cathedral, or on a festival stage, it'll be a different experience every time — but each version of the show carries that spirit of collaboration and discovery.' Alongside their performance at the Cairde Festival in Sligo, the collective will also perform at the Earagail Arts Festival in Letterkenny on the Saturday (12 July). 'What I'm most looking forward to,' said Martin, 'is just getting everyone back in a room and playing together. We don't get to do that often. So much of this has been developed remotely - now it's time to bring it to life on stage, bounce off each other, and enjoy the gigs.' Jonathan Stewart, Director of the British Council Northern Ireland, praised the collaboration, saying: 'Macalla is a powerful example of how international collaboration can lead to something truly unique and unexpected. The Cairde Festival in Sligo, with its strong focus on creativity, inclusivity, and global perspectives, is the perfect stage to share this kind of boundary-crossing work. We're delighted to support this project and proud to see it come to life in a setting that champions both cultural exchange and artistic innovation.' The collective will play Cairde Festival in Sligo on Friday, 11 July. To find out more and to purchase tickets visit: This initiative continues the British Council's work fostering connections, understanding, and trust between the UK and the world through education, arts, and English language teaching. To find out more about British Council's work in Northern Ireland, visit or follow on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
