Featured Image Credit: Cork Dog Rescue (Facebook)
Topics: Ireland
Paul Farrelly
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If you’re like me, you’ve just eaten two leftover Easter Eggs for breakfast and are questioning your life choices. But fear not, because your weekly dose of cheerful news is here to distract you. So, pop a couple of Rennie, stick on the kettle, and relax with some feel-good stories from across the country. Let’s get into it!
It was a close call for one adventurous pup in Cork, but thanks to some eagle-eyed passers by and the city’s lightning-fast firefighters, Bán the dog is back on dry land—and probably swearing off swimming for a while. On Sunday evening, Bán decided to go for an unauthorised dip in the River Lee near Lower Glanmire Road, just across from Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Spoiler: it did not go well.
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Locals out for a stroll spotted the young escape artist struggling to keep his head above water by the quay wall. With no time to lose, they rang the Cork City Fire Brigade, who rocked up in record time, ready for action. One firefighter went full superhero, jumping into the river to help Bán onto a basket stretcher, while the rest of the crew hauled them both out—firefighter dangling off the side, Bán looking like he’d just run a marathon in a swimming pool.
Once safely ashore, Bán got a quick check-up, posed for a victory photo, and was soon wagging his way back to his very grateful owner. Hats off to Cork’s firefighters for proving, yet again, that no rescue is too ruff for them!
Ann Teehan of Greystones is making a real difference in Wicklow’s fight against single-use plastics. As the founder of AnniePooh, an eco-living shop and refillery in Greystones, Ann has become a passionate advocate for sustainable living and waste reduction.
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Her journey began when she was searching for chemical-free products for her daughter, who suffered from eczema. Frustrated by the lack of eco-friendly options in Ireland, Ann launched AnniePooh to provide alternatives not just for babies, but for everyone looking to cut down on waste and single-use plastics.
Ann’s shop offers a wide range of Irish-sourced, reusable, and plastic-free products, making it easier for people in Wicklow and beyond to adopt greener habits. She encourages the community to reuse, upcycle, and buy second-hand whenever possible, emphasising that the most sustainable choice is often to use what you already have.
AnniePooh now works with over 30 Irish suppliers, supporting local businesses and helping to build a more circular, eco-conscious economy.
Ann’s efforts have inspired many in Wicklow to make small but impactful changes in their daily lives, showing that everyone can play a part in protecting the environment. Her work is a testament to how one person’s commitment can ripple out and create positive change across an entire community. Well done, Ann! Now, which colour bin do I hide my Easter Egg wrappers in?
History was made last week in Galway as the city hosted Ireland’s first ever schools’ Rubik’s Cube competition, and no, I wasn’t allowed to compete with my expert sticker-peeling technique—which is a real shame! Teams from Galway City and Claregalway squared off at Galway Community College, twisting and turning their brains (and cubes) in the ultimate test of speed, skill, and not accidentally launching a cube across the room.
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The event was the brainchild of the school’s Rubik’s Cube Club, which started with just four students in September and has now grown to over a dozen cube-crazed competitors. Not only did students from Galway Community College get to battle it out with cube whizzes from Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, but they also swapped tactics, made new friends, and probably discovered at least three new ways to get a cube hopelessly stuck.
Special shoutout to Junior Rubik’s Cube captain Denis Molebalwa for designing the competition logo and teaming up with Engineering teacher Peter Perrill to craft some seriously cool trophies—though, again, none for “Fastest Sticker Remover,” which feels like a missed opportunity. With plans already brewing for even bigger events next year, Galway’s cube scene is officially on a roll. Maybe by then, they’ll finally let me in with my secret weapon.
And there you have it—just a few reasons to smile from across Ireland this week. Whether it’s daring dog rescues, eco-friendly heroes, or cube-solving masterminds, it’s clear that there’s never a dull moment. Keep on smiling folks!