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November 2025 Newsletter

Top News

New President, New Perspective: What Catherine Connolly's Election Means for Front Line Workers

Ireland has a new Head of State — and her background and values could strike a powerful chord with those working on the frontline.

Catherine Connolly, a long-time independent TD from Galway and former barrister, has been elected as Ireland’s 10th President, winning over 63 % of the national vote. A proud west-of-Ireland woman and fluent Irish speaker, Connolly is known for her advocacy on social justice, equality, mental health, and community service — all obstacles that resonate deeply with the emergency services community.

Why It Matters to You

🏥 Mental health awareness – Her professional background may encourage greater national dialogue on trauma, stress, and emotional resilience for frontline workers.
🚒 Public recognition – Her presidency is expected to spotlight everyday heroes, from fire crews and paramedics to community volunteers.
👮 National unity – A President focused on inclusion could help foster stronger public respect for emergency responders across all sectors.
🕊️ Moral leadership – By emphasising compassion and justice, she can help elevate the tone of conversations about frontline work, welfare, and dignity.

Listening to the Frontline

Connolly has long advocated for greater recognition of those who keep communities safe — including emergency responders, healthcare workers and local volunteers.

As we await her seven-year term, many anticipate that she will use the moral leadership of the presidency to draw attention to the challenges faced by first responders, such as insufficient funding, staffing shortages, and frequent exposure to traumatic events.

Fewer Halloween Fire Incidents Recorded — But Crews Warn Vigilance Still Needed

Fire and emergency crews were tested once again on Halloween night across the island, but this year brought a small but welcome improvement in call-out numbers.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) reported attending 53 operational incidents between 6 p.m. on October 31 and 1 a.m. on November 1, several being Halloween-related; however, this was a notable drop from 63 incidents last year. Firefighters also responded to 40 deliberate fires, compared to 53 in 2023.

Officials credited the reduction to community engagement campaigns, tighter local enforcement of bonfire and fireworks safety rules and increased visibility of fire crews.

While the figures relate specifically to Northern Ireland, the trends reflect similar patterns seen across the Republic, where Gardaí, fire brigades, and paramedics face their busiest night of the year, dealing with bonfires, anti-social behaviour, and fireworks injuries.

Drogheda Fireworks‑Related Incident — 31 October 2025

Location: George’s Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Time: Approx. 8 p.m. on Halloween Night

A serious fire broke out at an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre in Drogheda after fireworks were discharged into the building. Gardaí have since confirmed the incident was a deliberate act of arson.

Emergency Response:

Fire crews rescued five people, including four children and an infant, from the top floor.
28 residents were displaced, and several were treated at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Quick action by firefighters and Gardaí prevented fatalities.

Current Status:

Garda investigation ongoing — witness appeal for CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area (7:30 – 8:20 p.m., 31 Oct).
National security review of IPAS centres underway.

Why it matters:
This event highlights the growing risk of fireworks misuse and deliberate ignition in residential areas, particularly around Halloween. It underlines the importance of inter-agency readiness, rapid evacuation procedures, and community vigilance.

What’s On in Ireland This November

Science, stories and seasonal sparkle light up the month ahead

As autumn fades, Ireland’s November calendar is full of culture, creativity and early festive magic. Here are five standout events worth marking in your diary.

✨ Science Week (9–16 Nov, Nationwide)
Curiosity takes centre stage as Science Week returns with interactive workshops, demos and exhibitions across the country — from school labs to museum halls. Perfect for families, educators and anyone with a love of discovery.

📚 Dingle Lit Festival (21–23 Nov, Co. Kerry)
Writers and readers gather on the wild Atlantic coast for three days of conversation, readings and inspiration. Expect Irish and international authors, children’s events and plenty of seaside atmosphere.

🎄 Winterval (21 Nov – 23 Dec, Waterford)
Ireland’s biggest Christmas festival transforms Waterford into a winter wonderland of markets, lights, music and family fun — the perfect start to the festive season.

💡 Winter in Dublin (from 12 Nov, Dublin City)
The capital switches on its festive glow with light installations, concerts and street performances across the city centre. Ideal for an evening stroll or weekend getaway.

🎁 Yulefest Kilkenny (from 29 Nov, Kilkenny)
Local crafts, food stalls and live entertainment fill the medieval streets of Kilkenny as Yulefest kicks off, bringing a cosy community feel to the run-up to Christmas.

🩺 Upcoming Training: Emergency First Aid — Dublin, 14 Nov

Sharpen your life-saving skills before winter

A one-day Emergency First Aid Training Course will take place on Friday, 14 November 2025, from 09:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Guardian Safety, C1 Centrepoint Business Park, Oak Drive, Dublin 12.
👉 Register on Eventbrite

This hands-on session covers essential responder skills including CPR, AED operation, and emergency management of burns, bleeding, and strokes. Whether you’re on the front line or working in support roles, it’s a great refresher to keep your certification current and your confidence high.

Why attend:

Update your first-aid credentials before the busy winter period.
Gain practical, scenario-based experience with certified trainers.
Strengthen readiness across your team or station.
Whether you’re already trained or looking to refresh your certification, this course offers hands-on skill building that enhances daily readiness.

📅 Date: Friday 14 November 2025
🕤 Time: 09:30 – 17:00
📍 Location: C1 Centrepoint Business Park

⚠️ Places are limited — consider booking as a team to secure your spot.

Proud New Sponsors

Strengthening the Front Lines
Get to know the latest businesses and organisations supporting our emergency responders.

RS IRELAND

RS is a leading provider of industrial and electronic solutions. Founded in 1947 as Radionics, a distributor of radio spares, the company joined the Electrocomponents Group in 1981 and now operates in Ireland as RS Ireland.

RS offers over 750,000 products from 2,500+ manufacturers, including RS Pro, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Belden, Fluke, FESTO, and TENG Tools. Our website provides access to an extensive product range, stock availability, technical information, and easy ordering.

We also offer innovative solutions for procurement, inventory, maintenance, and safety, as well as calibration and managed inventory services. RS Local Dublin, at Dublin 12, stocks over 30,000 items and serves both account customers and the public.

As Ireland’s leading industrial components distributor, RS is renowned for service excellence and unrivalled delivery support.