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<p>Joe Twomey is among a growing number of first-generation funeral directors changing the face of the industry. In recent years, he quit his lucrative career in quantity surveying for a vocation he had long dreamed of. Picture: Noel Sweeney</p>

spotlight

Meet the new generation of Irish funeral directors reshaping a traditional industry

From Cork to Tralee, a new generation of first-time funeral directors is reshaping an old profession with compassion and skill

Michael Clifford

SMick Clifford: Why successive governments put landowners ahead of the common good

<p>Miriam Hussey has published a new book, Light Up. Picture: Gareth Chaney</p>

people

Miriam Hussey: I ended up in hospital after travelling — it was quite frightening to see that

Wedding of the week: Abbey and Tadhg wed nine years after meeting in Cork's Havana Browns

people

Wedding of the week: Abbey and Tadhg wed nine years after meeting in Cork's Havana Browns

Discover the Cork GP who introduced Turkish baths to Europe

people

Discover the Cork GP who introduced Turkish baths to Europe

Ireland’s planning system ‘no longer fit for purpose’, experts warn

development and construction

Ireland’s planning system ‘no longer fit for purpose’, experts warn

World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 - Day 8

sport

'It's just insane': Why Kate O'Connor's stunning Tokyo silver could be just the beginning

Dursey cable car among final public spaces in Cork to offer free period products

munster

Dursey cable car among final public spaces in Cork to offer free period products

Kerry murder mystery: Michael Gaine’s killing and the haunted life of suspect Michael Kelley

munster

Kerry murder mystery: Michael Gaine’s killing and the haunted life of suspect Michael Kelley

Regular Columnists

Michael Clifford

S Mick Clifford: Why successive governments put landowners ahead of the common good

Colin Sheridan.png

Colin Sheridan: Sometimes the simplest messages are the most difficult to deliver

Paul Hosford: Gareth Sheridan may find real work is only beginning as he eyes presidency

Clodagh Finn: Great Irish wives, the club with so many overlooked members

Insight: Must Reads

Anthony Boyle on House of Guinness, growing up in Belfast, and what comes next

Anthony Boyle on House of Guinness, growing up in Belfast, and what comes next

Anthony Boyle talks about taking the lead in House of Guinness and his work on future projects, writes Esther McCarthy

GAA managers: Full county-by-county guide for football and hurling

GAA managers: Full county-by-county guide for football and hurling

Inside life at Ireland’s castles: Blackwater, Birr and Glin owners share their stories

Inside life at Ireland’s castles: Blackwater, Birr and Glin owners share their stories

Ombudsman probes case of Army officer who endured ‘tortuous’ legal ordeal

Ombudsman probes case of Army officer who endured ‘tortuous’ legal ordeal

News

Scrabble — Seven letters and a triple word score away from All-Ireland glory

Scrabble — Seven letters and a triple word score away from All-Ireland glory

From a veteran who discovered Scrabble 50 years ago to upcoming teens, Ireland's top players tell SARAH HORGAN they are looking forward to next month's tournament in Waterford

Midleton residents to protest over slow rollout of flood defences after Storm Babet devastation

Midleton residents to protest over slow rollout of flood defences after Storm Babet devastation

Bras, prayers and pilgrimages: Devotion to Derry nun tipped for sainthood grows

Bras, prayers and pilgrimages: Devotion to Derry nun tipped for sainthood grows

Irish presidential election

Sinn Féin backs independent Catherine Connolly for the presidency

sport

Rugby Borough v Liverpool - Adobe Women's FA Cup - Fifth Round - Nationwide Windows Arena

Ireland captain McCabe pays tribute to Beard after shock death of former Liverpool boss

Beard had two spells as manager of the Reds and most recently left the Women's Super League club in February this year.

Fulham v Brentford - Premier League - Craven Cottage

Defensive gaffes hurt Brentford as Fulham come from behind

Blarney seize control to roll on into Cork Senior A semis

Blarney seize control to roll on into Cork Senior A semis

Rugby Borough v Liverpool - Adobe Women's FA Cup - Fifth Round - Nationwide Windows Arena

Former Liverpool women’s team manager Matt Beard dies aged 47

Lifestyle

Ancient fights and double-dealing politics — a visit to Boyne battle site

Ancient fights and double-dealing politics — a visit to Boyne battle site

Explore the River Boyne Battle site by following the arrows along a series of walkways before joining the Boyne Canal Towpath and returning by the entrance gates to Oldbridge, having enjoyed a 5-km outing

Birds of Ireland: Storm petrel

Birds of Ireland: Storm petrel

Culture That Made Me: Cork-born singer Flo McSweeney selects her touchstones

Culture That Made Me: Cork-born singer Flo McSweeney selects her touchstones

I spent a week walking the Donegal Camino — here are the moments that stood out

I spent a week walking the Donegal Camino — here are the moments that stood out

Viewpoints

Emma DeSouza: There's no 'gotcha' in Heather's Orange Order connections

Emma DeSouza: There's no 'gotcha' in Heather's Orange Order connections

The challenge for Heather Humphreys is not her family's history, but how she handled the question of her husband’s prior membership of the Orange Order, writes Emma DeSouza

How the global far-right uses Ireland to spread anti-immigrant narratives online

How the global far-right uses Ireland to spread anti-immigrant narratives online

'Sleep in peace, little Daniel': Donabate mourns child as his suspected remains exhumed

'Sleep in peace, little Daniel': Donabate mourns child as his suspected remains exhumed

Charlie Kirk Shot

Media unequipped to decipher Charlie Kirk suspect’s politics

Subscriber

Business as usual for Bride Rovers as Inniscarra feel the backlash

S Business as usual for Bride Rovers as Inniscarra feel the backlash

The rare group phase defeat proved no setback at all for Bride Rovers, whose quarter-final answer was to completely overwhelm Inniscarra in the opening half and eventually quell their second-half comeback

Munster Ronan O'Gara supported by James Coughlan Paul O'Connell and Conor Murray 28/10/2011

S Conor Murray book reveals training ground clash with O’Connell and Sexton friendship

Cian McPhillips celebrates winning the semi-final ahead of Max Bergin as he crosses the finish line setting a new national recor

S Cathal Dennehy: Cian McPhillips' talent was hiding in plain sight, now everyone can see it

Christy O'Connor: How many GAA Mourinhos profit after modest playing careers?

S Christy O'Connor: How many GAA Mourinhos profit after modest playing careers?

LISTEN NOW

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Cork businessman arrested in €750k fraud probe

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Cork businessman arrested in €750k fraud probe

A Cork businessman, previously unknown to Gardaí, was arrested after €750,000 in ATM withdrawals sparked an international fraud probe

Dalo's Hurling Show: Cork’s new direction, pieces of the truth, and putting on the club warpaint

S Dalo's Hurling Show: Cork’s new direction, pieces of the truth, and putting on the club warpaint

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Eoin O'Malley on the rivalry that defined Irish politics

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Eoin O'Malley on the rivalry that defined Irish politics

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Fraudster Catherine O’Brien facing jail, with Ann Murphy

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Fraudster Catherine O’Brien facing jail, with Ann Murphy

Watch Now

Watch: Jerry from Kerry bought a camper van and surfboard

Watch: Jerry from Kerry bought a camper van and surfboard

Jerry from Kerry spills the beans at the National Ploughing Championships, from camper van life to catching waves in Banna. Jerry says surfing’s like riding a bike… once you get back on, you never forget!

Watch: Moss Trant from Tralee speaks about horse ploughing

Watch: Moss Trant from Tralee speaks about horse ploughing

Watch: Jerry from Kerry weighing up a presidential run

Watch: Jerry from Kerry weighing up a presidential run

farming

Tiktok star Fiona Bergin helps to champion farm safety at the Ploughing

Tiktok star Fiona Bergin helps to champion farm safety at the Ploughing

Popular 'FarmTok' influencer Fiona Bergin was at the National Ploughing Championships to promote farm safety with Agri Aware and TikTok

New secretary-general appointed at Department of Agriculture

New secretary-general appointed at Department of Agriculture

Ploughing survey to shape farm safety and farmer health plans

Ploughing survey to shape farm safety and farmer health plans

Martin Heydon not looking for 'a pat on the back' on his TB plan

Martin Heydon not looking for 'a pat on the back' on his TB plan

Property

Elegant Calla Lily Arrangement in Keukenhof, Netherlands

GARDEN Q&A: My calla lilies will not flower

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Typical UK terraced housing street derelict

Power Me Up: Your guide to connecting your new build to ESB Networks

Victorian semi-detached home in Carrignafoy, Cobh for sale after 39 years of family ownership

Victorian semi-detached home in Carrignafoy, Cobh for sale after 39 years of family ownership

Bantry Bay home with golf course views attracting international interest for €795k

Bantry Bay home with golf course views attracting international interest for €795k

World

MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for the Soviet Air Forces by the Mikoyan design bureau as a replacement fo

Russian jets over Estonia ignored signals from Nato pilots, officials say

Russian pilots ignored signals from Italian jets responding from Nato’s Baltic Air Policing Mission when they violated Estonian airspace, a senior Estonian military official has said.

Hong Kong WWII Bomb

Thousands evacuated in Hong Kong after Second World War bomb discovered

MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for the Soviet Air Forces by the Mikoyan design bureau as a replacement fo

Russia denies violating Estonia’s airspace

APTOPIX Israel Palestinians Gaza

Israeli strikes on Gaza City kill at least 14 people

Sponsored Content

Landmark celebration to mark 50 years of Blarney Woollen Mills

Landmark celebration to mark 50 years of Blarney Woollen Mills

Guests at the event had the opportunity to watch Aran sweaters being crafted before their eyes, connecting Ireland’s deep tradition of knitwear with a modern audience

Curated winter sun holidays, designed by Oroko Travel

Curated winter sun holidays, designed by Oroko Travel

Budget 2026: Bold steps needed to secure Ireland’s future growth

Budget 2026: Bold steps needed to secure Ireland’s future growth

The Land Cruiser Commercial has arrived and is coming to the National Ploughing Championships

The Land Cruiser Commercial has arrived and is coming to the National Ploughing Championships 

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