The Explainer

The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New CSO data shows the average age of a homebuyer in Ireland has hit 40. What does that mean for an entire generation stuck in the 'deposit trap'? And...

Can Ireland really qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It has been 24 long, long years since the Republic of Ireland men's team last played in a World Cup, but suddenly, the dream is alive again. This week...

Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For generations of teenagers, it was the go-to high street spot for ear piercings and fashion jewellery., but now, the iconic retailer Claire's Access...

What is it actually like inside the White House on St Patrick's Day?

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every March, our news feeds are flooded with pictures of the Taoiseach, the US President, and a very famous bowl of shamrock. It’s a massive day for...

How bad could the looming energy crisis get?

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The price of oil has surged again. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to shipping. Major Middle Eastern production hubs have declared for...

Is the US-led attack on Iran illegal?

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trump promised no more forever wars, but that didn't stop him wading into an intense bombing campaign against Iran - a conflict most Americans oppose ...

Why is Ireland asking foreign navies to patrol its waters?

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With the EU Presidency looming and a massive funding shortfall in the Department of Defence, a new plan proposes something unprecedented: asking Briti...

Will a social media ban for under-16s actually work?

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a debate that is taking place at kitchen tables across the country: are smartphones and social media apps doing more harm than good for our chi...

Why are hundreds of suspected suicides invisible in official stats?

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Internal HSE figures obtained by The Journal Investigates reveal that hundreds of people have died by suspected suicide within weeks of being in conta...

What's stopping flood defences from being built?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's a heartbreakingly familiar cycle: devastated homeowners, ruined businesses, and politicians promising defences are on the way. For towns like Mid...

What exactly are the rules for scramblers and e-scooters?

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The sound is instantly recognisable and, for many communities. can become a source of constant dread: the high-pitched whine of a scrambler bike teari...

How is an Irish general shaping EU defence strategy?

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The warnings are getting louder, and we're hearing more and more often that Europe is in the grips of a hybrid war. But is the rhetoric matching ...

Has Brand Beckham been destroyed by their own son?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all seen the headlines about "celebrity family feuds" before, but Brooklyn Beckham’s unprecedented six-page Instagram statement attacking hi...

Is this the end of the Islamic Republic?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It began with anger over soaring prices, but it has spiralled into what may be the most serious challenge to the Iranian regime since the 1979 revolut...

Where will Trump send the US military next?

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The events of Saturday night in Caracas saw Donald Trump rip up the international rulebook again, if there even was any of it left to begin with.With ...

Our best explanations of 2025

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we look back at some of our best episodes from the past year. What did we learn about how drugs like Ozempic actually work? Why are compani...

Can you get a cash refund for a gift you don't want?

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all been there: the forced smile as you unwrap a jumper you wouldn’t be caught dead in, or the gimmicky gadget someone already gave you last...

Is your favourite chocolate still actually 'chocolate'?

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've likely noticed the price of your favourite treats creeping up, but now there's a new element: look at the label, and some of the most iconic ch...

Why is Enoch Burke back in the news - and what's different this time?

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Enoch Burke is, yet again, back in Mountjoy Prison, but this time, the legal stakes for him and his family have risen dramatically. After weeks of cha...

How did drones look to target Zelenskyy's plane over the Irish Sea?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid his first official visit to Ireland this week. As his plane was flying towards Dublin Airport late on Mon...

Why are taxi drivers protesting against Uber?

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Taxi drivers have held several demonstrations in Dublin city centre over recent weeks that have caused gridlock traffic in the capital. The target of ...

What did the world actually agree to at COP30?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After two weeks of fraught negotiations in Belem, Brazil, COP30 reached a fragile agreement that triples adaptation finance but fails to chart a cours...

Why do children go missing so often from Tusla care?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows a pattern of repeated disappearances from Ireland’s State-run residential centres, with...

Why did a year-old documentary take down the BBC's director general?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's just the latest seismic shock to rock the BBC: the resignation of Director-General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness. The trigger was a P...

How did DJ Carey become a fraudster?

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Journal's News Correspondent Eimer McAuley and Gaelic games writer with The 42 Declan Bogue join us to look at the rise and fall of iconic hurler ...

Why are new community safety meetings being held in private?

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A major change is underway in how local communities, gardaí, and councils discuss safety in Ireland. But you might not be allowed to hear about it ju...

How did one glitch break half the internet?

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was something many people noticed on Monday: the internet was slow to load, maybe your banking app was acting up, or you weren’t able to complete...

After the ceasefire, what now for the people of Gaza?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After months of intense conflict, genocide, and a devastating humanitarian crisis, what seemed at times impossible has been achieved: a ceasefire in G...

How did a Budget with billions in spending leave people unhappy?

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the political paradox of Budget 2026: a multi-billion euro package that seems to have left almost everyone underwhelmed. The government has annou...

Is the government's childcare funding scheme falling apart?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government’s Core Funding scheme was designed to keep childcare affordable by giving providers government funding in exchange for them agreeing ...

How could the killing of Charlie Kirk reshape the American right?

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The murder of Charlie Kirk sent shockwaves through an already deeply divided America, and the fallout has become emblematic of the country's dangerous...

Could Eurovision collapse over Israel's inclusion?

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Israel's involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest has been the subject of protests for years, with calls for a boycott gaining significant momentum ...

Who gets to decide who can run for president?

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The presidential election is just weeks away, but before candidates face the public, they must first find a way to get themselves on the ballot paper....

Will ChatGPT's new parental controls actually work?

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined by Elaine Burke, tech journalist and host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast to ask: are these new controls a meaningful step towards saf...

What is The Traitors' secret formula for turning a TV show into a global hit?

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The hugely successful reality competition series The Traitors is about to land in Ireland, following much loved versions in the UK, US, Australia and ...

Why is Pope Leo facing criticism after his first 100 days?

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Leo XIV took charge of the Catholic Church in May this year and already opinions are sharply divided between conservative and progressive Catholi...

Why are bosses turning against remote work?

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For many, the flexibility of working from home was one of the few silver linings of the pandemic. But now, that flexibility seems to be disappearing. ...

Will more countries recognising Palestine make a difference?

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A coordinated international approach to events in Gaza appeared to emerge last week, with countries like the UK, France and Canada announcing their pl...

Is the EU-US tariff deal the best we could do?

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An all-out trade war between the EU and US has been averted - but only just. After months of tense negotiations, a tariff deal has been struck, a...

How is Trump caught up in the Epstein files saga (again)?

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jeffrey Epstein's name has long cast a shadow over America's elites, but new reporting has dragged one prominent figure back into the swirl of accusat...

Why does Ireland still invest in companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements?

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In 2024, Ireland made announced it would divest from six companies associated with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories...

Why are people in Ireland so lonely?

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland was named the loneliest country in Europe, but how did we get here?This week on The Explainer, we’re looking at the scale and impact of lone...

What really happened on board the MV Matthew?

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It had all the makings of a Hollywood thriller — a dramatic high-seas chase, elite Army Rangers fast-roping onto the deck, and a massive cocaine hau...

What do new US visa rules mean for Irish travellers?

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Irish travellers are facing new hurdles when applying for US visas, but what exactly has changed From students applying for J1s to families planning h...

Can the Iranian regime survive a war with Israel?

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Israel and Iran are now trading direct military strikes, a dramatic and dangerous escalation after years of tensions simmering in the background. It g...

How was the secretive founder of Tattle Life unmasked?

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tattle Life became notorious as a message board where anyone in the public eye — influencers, businesspeople and celebrities, many of them women —...

Are SUVs making roads more dangerous for pedestrians?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We can all see that cars are getting bigger, but a new report shows just how much and the danger it creates. The average height of car bonnets is risi...

Why is Google search so bad?

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For years, Google was the go-to tool for sorting fact from fiction online, a way to find trusted information in the chaos of the internet. Now? Well, ...

Why is Ireland still culling badgers to stop TB?

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, thousands of badgers are killed under a State programme aimed at eradicating bovine tuberculosis. It’s a disease that can cause major di...

How can Ireland stop another bike shed-style controversy?

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From the €300,000 bike shed to the still-unfinished National Children’s Hospital, Ireland has a habit of letting public projects, big and small, d...

What is going on at Castletown House?

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A €500,000 vandalism incident, months of protests, and a stately home at the centre of a controversy that drags on and on. Castletown House in Celbr...

What is the reality for aid workers in Gaza?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, the Israeli government's response in Gaza has escalated into a prolonged and deadly campaign. Human rights...

Is Ireland vulnerable to power blackouts like Spain and Portugal?

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At just after midday last Monday, electricity grids across the Iberian Peninsula failed almost simultaneously, cutting off power to tens of millions.&...

Who will be the next pope?

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Francis leaves behind a complex legacy. He championed the poor, clashed with conservatives, and opened new conversations about the role of the Ch...

Is porn driving a rise in youth sexual violence?

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about the online world and its effects on the minds of young children. A new The Journal Investigate...

How can the world fight back against US tariffs?

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has followed through on his threats to impose tariffs on many countries in the world, promising rapid economic prosperity for the US in t...

What’s happening with the rollout of free HRT?

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a vital treatment for many women navigating perimenopause and menopause. In recent years, public understanding of...

What has Adolescence done to highlight the dangers for children online?

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Netflix drama Adolescence has gripped viewers globally with its uncompromising look at the influence of toxic social media on young, teenage boys....

Could Tesla protests spark the end of Musk's car company?

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the modern driver who wanted to signal their willingness to go green, Elon Musk’s Tesla was the brand to drive. But now, as he becomes a powerfu...

Who are the Alawites, and is Syria on the brink of more violence?

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Syria has seen weeks of relative peace since the fall of the decades-long Assad regime, with a newly formed caretaker government overseeing the end of...

What are tariffs and why should we care?

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The world is watching anxiously as the United States moves to introduce tariffs on key trading partners. But what exactly is a tariff? What are the pr...

How is a new Pope selected?

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Francis has been in the headlines in recent days as he battles pneumonia. He has since rallied, but this latest illness has brought the issue of ...

Why is the US cosying up to Russia?

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not even a month since Trump took office, and already his actions are starting to reshape — or at least unsettle — the global order. First ...

Will drugs like Ozempic change how we view obesity?

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is a simple injection really that effective a treatment for obesity? Ozempic has already taken the medical world by storm, and now another is about to...

How can Ireland prepare for future storms and other risks?

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Storm Éowyn exposed how vulnerable modern Irish society is to widespread disruption. What lessons can be learned to help us deal with not only storms...

What has a new investigation uncovered about vaping?

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Vaping has rapidly grown to become a part of modern life, with shops selling vapes popping up almost on every street corner. But what is actually bein...

What did Trump do in his first days back in office?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump is back in the White House. Some are rejoicing, others can't bear to look. This week, Larry Donnelly — law lecturer at the University o...

What is Shein and what is it doing to the clothing industry?

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Take a look around an Irish charity shop, and it won't be long before you find clothes from Shein. They might be completely unworn, still with their l...

Elon Musk and accusations of political interference — what’s going on?

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Elon Musk has been an almost ever-present figure beside Donald Trump. Initially a supportive donor, he was elevated to a much higher standing soon aft...

Our best explanations of 2024

29 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another year coming to an end means another year of explanations to look back on. This week on The Explainer, presenter Laura Byrne takes a look back ...

A look back at 2024 and ahead to 2025 in US politics

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Larry Donnelly, Boston lawyer and law lecturer at the University of Galway, joins us to look at the world of US politics in 2024, and examines what 20...

How do you dial down the stress of Christmas?

14 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Counselling psychologist and lecturer in TU Dublin Leslie Shoemaker joins us to examine how we can make this busy time of the year less of a handful. ...

How many homes are at risk from coastal erosion in Ireland?

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Homes built near the sea have always been at risk as coastlines moves closer and closer — and in our warming climate, rising sea levels will become ...

What will the Green Party's wipeout mean for climate action in Ireland?

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Cara Augustenborg, assistant professor in Environmental Policy at UCD, joins us to look at the fallout from the Green Party's collapse in the 2024 ...

How exactly does Ireland's system of voting work?

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the 2024 general election just around the corner, we're revisiting a valuable episode from earlier this year: Virgin Media's political correspond...

Are we about to see a further escalation in the Ukraine war?

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's now more than 1,000 days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and there are signs that the conflict is taking on a new dimension. The use of Weste...

The general election campaign is now underway — what happens next?

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After weeks of what felt like endless speculation, the Taoiseach Simon Harris finally put us out of our misery last week (with a bit of a jump on him ...

What is AI slop and did it lead to a Halloween parade hoax in Dublin?

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You likely saw the images from Dublin city centre last week: hundreds of people lining O’Connell Street on Halloween night, all eagerly awaiting a p...

What will win or lose the US election for Harris and Trump?

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined by our own political columnist, Larry Donnelly who is a law lecturer at the University of Galway, to check in on the final days of the ...

Why is Israel targeting peacekeepers in Lebanon?

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Dr Shelley Deane, researcher at DCU’s School of Law and Government, to examine the deepening crisis in southern Lebanon following Is...

How does Nepal deal with hundreds of landslides every year?

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If asked to name some things we know about Nepal, most of us would probably say Mount Everest. The next might actually be landslides. The country is p...

What does the Strictly scandal mean for the future of British TV?

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most successful BBC TV shows, Strictly Come Dancing, is back on air for its 20th year after it was rocked by a summer of in-house scandals....

How much of a difference will the Budget really make?

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Budget has been dubbed a giveaway — but will it really make that much of a difference to your pocket? Barra Roantree from TCD's Department of Ec...

What is happening with rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs?

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy, Love or Sean Combs — many of us would have grown up with the numerous names of that rapper over the last 30 years or so....

How did the plan to redevelop Casement Park fall apart?

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 42's Gavin Cooney joins us to examine where it all went wrong for Casement Park. The redevelopment of one of Northern Ireland's largest stadiums w...

What can be learned from the government's handling of an IPAS centre in Tipperary?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The village of Dundrum in Co Tipperary has been the site of protests and division in recent months over the housing of international protection applic...

What is the reality of health crises in places like Palestine and Sudan?

07 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To look at what emergencies can tell us about how connected, or not, our healthcare systems are, we're joined on this week's episode of The Explainer ...

How is Ireland still uncovering stories of widespread abuse?

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The numbers alone stopped the country in its tracks this week: 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. 844 a...

What is Telegram and why was its founder arrested?

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tech journalist and author Chris Stokel-Walker joins us to examine what's going on with messaging app Telegram and its owner Pavel Durov. Telegram is ...

Why are the victims of paedophile Michael Shine speaking out for the first time?

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, The Journal has published a series of in-depth interviews with a number of victims of convicted paedophile, Michael Shine. Editor Sinéad ...

Who are Kneecap?

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Arts writer and Sunday Times columnist Aoife Barry joins us to explore the world of Kneecap. The bilingual hip hop trio are surging in popularity, cha...

What do we know - and don't know - about the Olympic boxing controversy?

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Ireland takes home what seems to be an ever-growing pile of medals, the Olympics has also been navigating a headline-grabbing controversy in the wo...

What is Hezbollah?

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Senator Tom Clonan, a retired army officer who served as a peacekeeper in Lebanon, joins Lauren Boland on this week's episode to share his insights in...

With Biden out and Harris in, what will the Republican party’s next move be?

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The world of US politics has evolved dramatically over the past few weeks, with the latest curveball being the decision by Joe Biden to step down as D...

What was the political fallout from previous attacks on US presidents?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Lucas, professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, UCD and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView, joins us to examine the history of...

Can US President Joe Biden really continue in the election race?

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Explainer we hear from The Journal's US columnist Larry Donnelly on his thoughts after the press conference and ask our very own Assi...

What next for UK politics after Labour's landslide election win?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic McGrath, UK correspondent with the Business Post, joins us for an essential overview of the latest in the United Kingdom's seismic election re...

What is 'go-away money' and how is it being used in Ireland's planning system?

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan Slattery, a solicitor with McCann Fitzgerald specialising in expert in planning and environmental law joins us to look at 'go-away money' in t...

What do the next five years hold for the European Parliament?

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University John O'Brennan joins us to look at what the next five years hold for Ireland's new or returning ...

What is the shape of Irish politics after the local and European elections?

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The seats are filled, the dust is settling, and the count centre staff enjoying some well-earned rest. To take stock of where we're at now, Laura Byrn...