Marie Boran

Ireland

Science and Technology Writer at Freelance

Technology Reporter at Newsweek

I’m @ https://t.co/IFm4KfbEbS on Bluesky.

Articles

Festivals pump €3m annually into Carlow economy - News - Carlow Nationalist

1 week ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

CARLOW’S trio of premier cultural events – the Carlow Arts Festival, Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas, and the Pan Celtic International Festival – collectively inject around €3 million into the local economy each year. Carlow Arts Festival alone generates an estimated €1.2 million for local businesses annually, according to figures from the Local Enterprise Office, with more than 25,000 visitors attending the arts event each June.
Carlow rents surge 10.9% as housing crisis deepens - News - Carlow Nationalist

1 week ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

CARLOW renters are facing increasingly unaffordable housing costs as average rents in the county have jumped by 10.9% in the past year, according to the latest Daft.ie Rental Price Report for the first three months of 2025. The report reveals that the average monthly rent in Carlow now stands at €1,649, reflecting a sharp quarterly increase of 5.9% between January and March alone. This places Carlow among the counties experiencing the most severe rental inflation in the country.
Carlow tech firm aiming to tackle AI’s environmental problem

1 week ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

CARLOW-BASED tech company Feedalpha is leading a new project aimed at tackling the significant environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI), which has surged dramatically since tools like ChatGPT became widely available. The project, named GreenSphere, is a collaboration between Feedalpha and researchers from the Walton Institute at South East Technological University (SETU).
Rathanna Drama Group brings laughter to local stage

1 week ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

THE curtain rises on comedy this week as Rathanna Drama Group presents their latest production, ‘Fortunes & Misfortunes’, a three-act comedy by playwright Jimmy Keary. The amateur drama group’s newest offering promises audiences plenty of laughs during its eight-night run at Rathanna Hall. After opening performances on Saturday 24 May and Monday 26 May, the show continues on Thursday and Friday of this week, with additional performances on Sunday 2 June through Wednesday 5 June.
New sensory room at resource centre is a great step forward for Tullow

2 weeks ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

A NEW sensory facility aimed at supporting children with autism and ADHD opened its doors in Tullow last week. Forward Steps FRC (Family Resource Centre) officially launched its sensory room on Tuesday 13 May, supported by funding from Carlow County Council’s Local Enhancement Fund.
Residents voice safety concerns at housing estate

2 weeks ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

RESIDENTS of Ballyknockan Manor in Leighlinbridge have raised concerns about safety issues and access to green space at their housing estate, where newly-built homes have remained unoccupied since completion in September 2024. Jayme O’Mara, a long-time resident of the estate, described the entrance as dangerous, explaining that the one-way system on the hillside forces residents to reverse out if another vehicle is coming down.
Community champions honoured at Muinebheag Cathaoirleach Awards - News - Carlow Nationalist

2 weeks ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

MUINEBHEAG Municipal District celebrated its local heroes at the annual Cathaoirleach Awards ceremony on Wednesday 7 May in the local McGrath Hall. About 70 attendees gathered to honour seven recipients, whose extraordinary contributions have strengthened the fabric of the local community. Cathaoirleach cllr Tommy Kinsella presented the awards and praised the recipients for their dedication.
Carlow Fire & Rescue upgrades fleet with three eco-friendly jeeps - News - Carlow Nationalist

3 weeks ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

CARLOW County Fire & Rescue Service has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the addition of three new eco-friendly jeeps to its fleet. The service took delivery of two Skoda Kodiaks and one Ford Ranger 4×4 on 30 April. The vehicles will be powered exclusively by ‘hydro-treated vegetable oil’ (HVO), a green fuel manufactured from renewable waste materials that can reduce emissions by up to 90%.
Carlow scouts triumph at county shield competition - News - Carlow Nationalist

3 weeks ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

THE Fifth Carlow Town Scout Group achieved remarkable success at the recent Carlow/Kilkenny County Shield competition with its Sionnach patrol claiming first place overall and the Eagle patrol securing third position. The prestigious scouting event, held from 25-27 April in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, saw scout patrols from both counties compete in a range of challenging activities designed to test their scouting skills and teamwork.
Rathvilly student crowned champion at county spelling bee - News - Carlow Nationalist

3 weeks ago | carlow-nationalist.ie | Marie Boran

THE letters of success spelled sweet victory for Lorcan Britton as the sixth-class student from Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Rathvilly claimed the top spot in the County Carlow Eason Spelling Bee final. Lorcan outspelled six other talented competitors in a contest that showcased the county’s brightest young linguistic talents. The avid reader, who cites by Tui T Sutherland as his favourite book, will now advance to represent the county in the provincial spelling bee at the end of the month.