Michael Marsh

Jan 17, 2025 | belfastlive.co.uk | Michael Marsh

The sun glistens off the sea as people congregate in nothing but swimwear and Santa hats. The smell of suncream fills the air while music and the sound of cocktail shakers ring out. This is Christmas with a difference - the Dubai way. Christmas in the UAE doesn't exactly scream snow or cosy pubs, but the winter sunshine is exactly what persuaded me to head abroad for December 25 for the first time ever.

Nov 29, 2024 | irishmirror.ie | Michael Marsh

Sinn Fein’s Director of Elections has said that “the nightmare scenario” would be Fianna Fail and Fine Gael returning to government in Ireland. Matt Carthy told RTE’s Morning Ireland that if Sinn Fein emerge as the largest party it would be a “phenomenal result”, adding the exit poll putting support for Mary Lou McDonald as the next Taoiseach at 34% was a “huge vindication” for her.

Nov 29, 2024 | irishmirror.ie | Michael Marsh

Counting is under way after millions of people across Ireland voted in the 2024 General Election. The polls opened at 7am and closed at 10pm, with a total of 174 seats to be filled – more than ever before. An exit poll released on Friday night showed Sinn Fein and Fine Gael virtually tied, making the likely result too close to call. Taoiseach Simon Harris said he expects a “fascinating couple of days” after he submitted his ballot minutes after polling stations opened on Friday.

Nov 29, 2024 | irishmirror.ie | Michael Marsh

People across Ireland went to the polls on Friday to vote in the 2024 General Election. A lot has changed since we last went to the polls nearly five years ago. We have survived a global pandemic, saw Donald Trump re-elected US President and watched as two wars broke out. Another thing that has changed since you last voted in 2020 is the redrawing of several Dáil constituencies. You might have voted in a new area or may even have more or fewer TDs representing your constituency.

Nov 19, 2024 | fruitgrowersnews.com | Michael Marsh

I called a friend in California the other evening. As soon as he picked up, I could tell that I had roused him from slumber. When I asked him what was going on, he told me that he had been asleep because they were going to start picking winegrapes that night. He told me the grapes were coming quick, but the crop wasn’t quite as heavy as last year. Fruit quality, however, was exceptional. Overall, he and his wife could have a pretty good year.