Nordliana · Ireland https://microcast.club/en-ie Independent reporting, explainers and practical insights built for each local market. en-IE Sun, 01 Nov 2026 13:16:07 GMT Nordliana syndication Munster 3–15 Sharks: Lombard and Van Zyl score as visitors win at Thomond Park https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/munster-sharks-october-31-2026-kickoff-thomond-urc-ireland https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/munster-sharks-october-31-2026-kickoff-thomond-urc-ireland en-IE Sun, 01 Nov 2026 13:16:07 GMT Irish rugby and the URC The Sharks beat Munster 15–3 at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in the United Rugby Championship. Gianni Lombard scored the visitors’ opening try and Ivan van Zyl added the second after the interval. Lombard also kicked a penalty and a conversion. Munster’s only points came from a JJ Hanrahan pen Ireland's €40m tech innovation fund: the February 2027 deadline and who can apply https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-dtif-40-million-call-8-february-3-2027-deadline-eligibility https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-dtif-40-million-call-8-february-3-2027-deadline-eligibility en-IE Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:18:13 GMT Ireland business and technology funding Ireland's €40 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund Call 8 opened on October 1, 2026, and the final published deadline is February 3, 2027, at 3pm Irish time. Eligible applications generally need at least three qualifying consortium partners including an SME and another enterprise, with a minimum grant request of €1.5 million. This is competitive collaborative research funding, not a grant for an individual startup applying alone. Dublin's AI summit starts EU Innovation Month: what businesses need to know https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/dublin-international-ai-summit-october-14-2026-demis-hassabis-eu-innovation-month https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/dublin-international-ai-summit-october-14-2026-demis-hassabis-eu-innovation-month en-IE Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:55:07 GMT Technology Ireland's International AI Summit takes place at RDS Dublin on 14 October 2026, opening European AI Innovation Month. Demis Hassabis is a confirmed speaker, with applied AI and infrastructure on the agenda. This is a planned event, not evidence that a new grant or product has launched. Ireland’s €14.94 minimum wage starts in January: what a worker actually gains in Budget 2027 https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-2027-minimum-wage-14-94-january-tax-credit-employer-prsi https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-2027-minimum-wage-14-94-january-tax-credit-employer-prsi en-IE Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:51:12 GMT Pay, tax and household budgets Ireland's Budget 2027 raises the national minimum wage for eligible workers aged 20 and over from €14.15 to €14.94 an hour from 1 January 2027. It also proposes higher income-tax credits and thresholds. Gross hourly gains cannot be treated as the exact increase in take-home pay, which depends on tax, USC, PRSI and hours. Ireland's €40m innovation fund is open: why SMEs need two partners to apply https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-dtif-40m-innovation-fund-call-8-sme-consortium-rules https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-dtif-40m-innovation-fund-call-8-sme-consortium-rules en-IE Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:36:47 GMT Irish technology and business Ireland's €40 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund Call 8 has opened. Applications need a consortium of three or more eligible partners, including an SME and another enterprise, and a minimum €1.5 million request. Verify the closing date on the official DTIF page. Struggling with an energy bill in Ireland? New winter protections give customers at least 18 months to repay https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/cru-winter-energy-protections-2026-2027-18-month-repayment-disconnection-ireland https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/cru-winter-energy-protections-2026-2027-18-month-repayment-disconnection-ireland en-IE Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:15:45 GMT Household Energy and Consumer Rights The Commission for Regulation of Utilities announced strengthened Irish household energy protections on 12 October 2026, effective immediately. Suppliers must offer affordable repayment plans allowing at least 18 months, with upfront payments optional, alongside renewed safeguards for customers at risk of disconnection. Ireland's €550 childcare cap sounds like a saving for every family. Here's who actually benefits https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-budget-2027-childcare-550-euro-cap-who-saves-when https://microcast.club/en-ie/articles/ireland-budget-2027-childcare-550-euro-cap-who-saves-when en-IE Sun, 11 Oct 2026 11:12:27 GMT News and analysis Ireland's Budget 2027 provides for reducing the maximum monthly childcare fee to €550 from €735 for qualifying full-time places for children up to senior infants, with an expected implementation from September 2027. The cap applies to providers participating in Core Funding and does not guarantee an identical reduction for every family. National Childcare Scheme subsidy changes may also affect out-of-pocket bills.