News
Daniel O’Connell sculpture unveiled at Leinster House
A sculpture of Daniel O’Connell, the Liberator, was unveiled by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy at Leinster House on Wednesday to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth.
O’Connell, who was born in Kerry, was the foremost Irish nationalist leader of the 19th century.
He was the first Irish Catholic to speak in British Parliament and advocated for the abolishment of slavery.
His last speech in the British Parliament focused on the plight of the Irish people during the famine.
The unveiling took place in the coffee dock of LH2000.
The Ceann Comhairle opened the event with a short welcome address to guests in attendance including members of both Houses of the Oireachtas and the staff of Bank of Ireland.
Addressing those in attendance, the Ceann Comhairle said that sculptures have a way of slowing us down, asking us to pause, look and examine from different angles.
She said: “We are not here to simply unveil a statue today, but to acknowledge a chapter in the history of this island. A statue is never only about the person it depicts. It is also about us, the people who choose to remember, to reflect, and to learn. This sculpture marks moments in time; reminders of choices and a tale of a man who shaped the path we walk today.”
The sculpture, created by Andrew O'Connor in 1932, was donated to the Houses of the Oireachtas by Bank of Ireland.
The Daniel O'Connell sculpture will sit on the Kildare Street side of the Leinster House complex, outside the entrance to LH2000.
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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