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Paul Colgan
@paulcolgan.bsky.social
820 followers 52 following 54 posts
Award Winning Journalist and Broadcaster. Irish Politics and Economics.
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Paul Colgan @paulcolgan.bsky.social · Mar 25
'Trump, Tariffs and Us'.

A documentary film about 'America First' and what it means back home.

BBC NI this Sunday.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Trump, Tariffs and Us
www.bbc.co.uk
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Today's Inside Politics digest for The Irish Times - looking at the week ahead.

Starmer staggers, the EU frets and Trump scares the Dems.

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Irish adviser’s resignation may not be enough to save Keir Starmer
Democrats in US are getting worked up about what Donald Trump might do in advance of November’s midterm elections
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Episode 11 of Farm 999 on BBC NI at 730. Up in Down with Mourne Mountain Rescue.
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
A chat in the upstairs snug of Dublin's Palace Bar - about taking on 'Big Stout' and preserving Ireland's pub culture. ⤵️

Willie Aherne: ‘We wanted to be masters of our own destiny’.

www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
Willie Aherne on setting up a brewery to rival Guinness and Heineken: ‘We wanted to be masters of our own destiny’
The Palace Bar owner and fellow publicans established Changing Times as an alternative to ‘Big Stout’
www.irishtimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:02 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
The Irish government is going all-out with its St Patrick's day blitz in the US this year.

I discuss why - and whether it should at all - with @markcarruthers7.bsky.social and @markdevenport.bsky.social on BBC NI's Red Lines podcast.

bbc.com/audio/play/p...
BBC Audio | Red Lines | Mrs Little-Pengelly goes to Washington
But who else will join her in DC this year?
bbc.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:37 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Michael Flatley obtained an emergency injunction today after Lord of the Dance was reportedly cancelled.

Here's an explainer podcast I did on the saga for the Irish Times on Friday.⤵️

Michael Flatley: Why the Lord of the Dance was in a Belfast court

www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-...
Michael Flatley: Why the Lord of the Dance was in a Belfast court
In the News podcast: World’s best known Irish dancer fought civil case and won
www.irishtimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:44 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Gambling firms are betting on a big World Cup in 2026.

I look at the task awaiting the new Irish regulator.

‘A biologically driven brain disease’: Will new laws protect children from gambling ads?

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
‘A biologically driven brain disease’: Will new laws protect children from gambling ads?
One former addict fears late-night games during the Fifa World Cup will lead to reckless gambling with special offers
www.irishtimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:17 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Episode 11 of Farm 999 airs tonight on BBC NI.

I meet the Welsh farmer forced to shoot dead two XL Bullys - and the efforts to track dangerous dogs through DNA. ⤵️
January 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
With unemployment edging up, I took a look at the Irish jobs market for the Irish Times Biz pages. ⤵️

Nervousness pervades the Irish jobs market as days of strong multinational sector growth recede

www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
Nervousness pervades the Irish jobs market as days of strong multinational sector growth recede
Almost 20,000 more people are out of work last month compared with December 2024
www.irishtimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:45 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
I take a look at the Irish political landscape this lunchtime for The Irish Times' Inside Politics. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Poll blow for Micheál Martin amid Trump tightrope
Fellow Fianna Fáilers Jim O’Callaghan and Darragh O’Brien have been out promoting what they’ve been doing
www.irishtimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:27 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
A look ahead at a potentially pivotal week for Ireland and the EU's future relationship with the US. Boston or Berlin?

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
For how long can Ireland embrace both Boston and Berlin?
It’s getting tougher to sell the Irish message of ‘careful now’
www.irishtimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:32 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
‘If you’re doing it, we will know about it’: How Revenue is watching Ireland’s influencers.

A look at the taxman's crackdown on social media earnings.⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/media/2025/1...
‘If you’re doing it, we will know about it’: How Revenue is watching Ireland’s influencers
The latest guidance from Revenue makes it clear that all social media income-generating activity is taxable
www.irishtimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Neighbours at war: ‘I always try to talk people out of court. But sometimes it becomes an obsession’.

I report on the 'deluge' of cases coming before the Irish courts.⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
Neighbours at war: ‘I always try to talk people out of court. But sometimes it becomes an obsession’
Court is an increasingly common destination for warring neighbourts after a law change, but solicitors and judges are becoming increasingly weary
www.irishtimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Uber in Dublin: Are taxi fares about to become a lot cheaper?

Not necessarily. I look at the fixed fare row that pits Ireland's taxi drivers against the global transportation giant.⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Uber in Dublin: Are taxi fares about to become a lot cheaper?
Global transportation giant has started offering Irish customers fixed rates – but on Friday, drivers seemed reluctant to accept them
www.irishtimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Downsizing in Ireland: ‘It was horrific stuff. There has to be an easier system’.

I report on how difficult it is for older people to trade down to a smaller home. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
Downsizing in Ireland: ‘It was horrific stuff. There has to be an easier system’
People whose children have flown the nest often want to move to a smaller home, but finding one and organising finances and timing can be stressful
www.irishtimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:11 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Ireland's new defamation laws are grinding their way through the Seanad.

Why so slow - and what change will they make? Reporting for The Irish Times. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Filibustering or scrutinising? Slow passage of the defamation Bill through the Oireachtas
Legislation seeks to end to lawsuits designed to stymie comment and coverage on particular individuals or organisations
www.irishtimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Crypto is in freefall, so what has gone wrong?

Analysis for The Irish Times.⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/business/fin...
Crypto is in freefall, so what has gone wrong?
More than $1tn has been wiped off the combined $3.2tn crypto market in recent weeks and analysts think it could fall another 20%
www.irishtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:16 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Farm 999 Episode Three airs on BBC One NI tonight.

I reunite the crew of a Scottish air ambulance with the woman whose life they saved in the Highlands.
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
My contribution to the The Irish Times series on Ireland's changing suburbs.

Massive population growth and change in Balbriggan. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
Ireland’s Changing Suburbs: Balbriggan is young, diverse and growing fast
Some residents worry a lack of youth facilities leaves teens at a loose end around the area
www.irishtimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:29 AM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
The Irish State's investment plans for its sovereign wealth funds await sign off.

I spoke to the people who managed their ill-fated predecessor - the NPRF. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
Is putting some of corporation tax windfall into long-term funds the right thing to do?
And will we resist pressure to raid these reserves as happened to the National Pension Reserve Fund during the financial crisis?
www.irishtimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Episode Two of Farm 999 screens tonight on BBC1 NI.

Available on BBC iPlayer.
November 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Farm 999 debuts tonight at 730 on BBC One NI.

Available on BBC iPlayer.
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Now that 'Cable Cowboy' John Malone has more time on his hands - what does this mean for his Irish assets and VMTV in particular?

My article in The Irish Times business pages. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
The ‘Cable Cowboy’: The US billionaire who made Ireland his home-from-home
‘Cable cowboy’ also owns two large estates, at Humewood in Wicklow and Castlemartin in Kildare, and regularly stays at both
www.irishtimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Some big moves were announced in Ireland's diplomatic service last week.

My piece on what life is like on the ambassadorial merry-go-round. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
‘It is not an easy street for families’: Ireland’s diplomatic reshuffle
Partners of ambassadors struggle to continue careers while simultaneously playing unpaid support role
www.irishtimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:08 AM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Analysis of the Presidential social media battle for the Irish Times.

Connolly has the clear edge - but Humphreys has spending firepower. ⤵️

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Connolly keepie-uppies, Humphreys’s ‘quality videos’: The presidential social media battle
In online battle for support, Catherine Connolly is beating Heather Humphreys
www.irishtimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
paulcolgan.bsky.social
Jim Gavin's departure is good for Catherine Connolly - and the Presidential campaign has solidified the 'united left alliance' say political analysts.

My article for The Irish Times.

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
What does Jim Gavin’s withdrawal mean for this presidential race - and future ones?
Analysts are debating what this all means for the left-right political divide
www.irishtimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM