BREAKING: Entrepreneur and podcaster Ashley McDonnell shares her transformative travel experiences that have shaped her life and career. In an exclusive interview, McDonnell highlights her recent adventures and the profound impact they have had on her worldview.

McDonnell, born in New York and raised in Galway, has traveled to 60 countries and continues to inspire others with her passion for exploration. “Travel has always been my greatest teacher,” she stated, emphasizing the emotional and educational rewards of her journeys.

One of her most eye-opening trips was to Cambodia in 2013. There, McDonnell witnessed the resilience of its people amidst the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge genocide. “It was a mix of feelings—pleasant warmth from the locals, but heartbreaking to understand their past,” she described. This experience propelled her into action; she fundraised for the construction of a school, providing essential educational resources like electricity, Wi-Fi, and computers to underprivileged areas.

This year, McDonnell fulfilled a long-held dream by visiting Botswana. She embarked on a thrilling two-week overland adventure that included a breathtaking stay in the Okavango Delta. “We lived on a houseboat with no luxury—just magic,” she recounted. The journey solidified her belief in seeking unique experiences that challenge the norm.

When asked about her favorite city, McDonnell instantly cited Paris. “It’s a city I’m eternally tied to,” she said, praising its stunning architecture and rich culture. “Every time I leave, I find my way back.”

Her travels also led her to exceptional culinary experiences, notably a dinner at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, L’Olivo in Italy. “It was perfection from start to finish,” she stated, urging fellow travelers to savor the sunset views in Anacapri.

Looking ahead, McDonnell is preparing for a horseback trek across Kyrgyzstan’s largest mountain range. “Camping in yurts with no electricity will be a true adventure,” she expressed.

With her sights set on visiting every country in the world, McDonnell’s journey reflects an inspiring commitment to exploration and growth. “Every country is on my bucket list,” she affirmed, encouraging others to embrace the world’s vastness.

As McDonnell continues her adventures, her story serves as a reminder of the transformative power of travel. For those inspired by her journey, the call to explore and understand our world has never been more urgent.

BREAKING: Tipperary’s Michael Breen was spotted in a heartfelt embrace with his girlfriend, Sharlene Mawdsley, just moments after their thrilling victory in the All-Ireland Hurling Final against Cork on July 15, 2023. The couple’s joyful celebration is making headlines, highlighting both their romance and the dramatic turnaround of the match.

In a nail-biting battle, Tipperary surged back in the second half to clinch the title with a score of 1-30 to 1-21. As the final whistle blew, Breen and Mawdsley were seen sharing a warm hug, with Sharlene wrapping her arm around him, beaming with pride. The couple’s connection has captured the hearts of fans, especially given Sharlene’s enthusiasm for supporting Breen throughout the championship.

Earlier in the tournament, their budding romance was confirmed after Tipperary’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship win over Waterford. Sharlene celebrated with a charming photo of them at Semple Stadium, sharing the caption: “Tippin’ on.” Breen humorously responded, teasing her about the lack of a tag in her post.

Fans are buzzing about the unexpected turn of events in the final. With a six-point lead at halftime, Cork appeared set to lift the Liam McCarthy trophy. However, Tipperary’s explosive second-half performance, scoring a goal and five points before Cork could respond, left spectators in disbelief. Social media lit up with reactions, with one user joking, “A Cork fan caught speeding out of Croke Park will get more points than their team in the second half.”

Sharlene, a 26-year-old Olympian sprinter, expressed her excitement about attending her first-ever hurling match at Croke Park during a Q&A with fans, saying: “Looking forward to it!! I’ve never been to a hurling match in Croke Park.” Her presence in the stands has added a personal touch to the massive event, further engaging fans across social platforms.

As Tipperary celebrates their hard-fought victory, the couple’s relationship continues to blossom under the public’s gaze. Fans are eagerly sharing their thoughts and well-wishes, making this story not just about a sports victory, but also about love and support in the spotlight.

Stay tuned for more updates as Tipperary revels in their triumph and Breen and Mawdsley navigate their blossoming relationship in the wake of this historic win.

UPDATE: In a significant report released by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, it has been confirmed that three babies have been born to inmates in Irish prisons this year. This urgent update highlights a notable increase in the number of births compared to previous years.

As of now, two infants were born at the Dochas Centre in Dublin, with one additional birth occurring at Limerick Women’s Prison. These figures reflect a stark contrast to the 2023 statistics, where no babies were born to inmates, and only one infant was born in 2021 and 2020.

The report also reveals that there are currently 19 pregnant women incarcerated across Irish prisons in 2025, with 13 at Dochas and 6 at Limerick. This is an increase from 27 pregnant women jailed in 2024 and more than double the 12 from the previous year.

Minister O’Callaghan emphasized the importance of privacy and care for these women, stating,

“Pregnant women in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms.”

The Dochas Centre offers mothers and their infants single-occupancy double rooms, while Limerick Women’s Prison utilizes ‘independent style apartments’ for mothers and babies, albeit without a dedicated building for this purpose.

The Minister has also announced that tailored risk assessments are in place to ensure the health and safety of pregnant women and their newborns. This includes ongoing collaborations with health services to provide adequate maternity care, comparable to that available to women outside of prison.

Looking ahead, the Irish Prison Service is working with a multi-agency group to update their Mother and Baby Policy, aimed at improving care and support for mothers in custody. Minister O’Callaghan noted,

“The level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody is comparable to that available to women in the community.”

This developing situation raises critical questions about the treatment and support of incarcerated women, and how the prison system is adapting to meet the needs of mothers and their children. As this story unfolds, further developments are expected regarding the policies and conditions surrounding pregnant women in Irish prisons.

Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent issue as it continues to develop.

UPDATE: Motorists are expressing outrage as parking fees at Limerick Colbert station have surged by nearly 86%, jumping from €3.50 to €6.50 per day. This sudden price hike has left daily commuters and city workers furious, as they now face significantly higher costs for parking at one of the city’s main transport hubs.

The new charges, effective immediately, apply to both the mobile parking app and on-site machines, which have also raised their rates to €6.50. Irish Rail has attributed this increase to a previous pricing anomaly that allowed non-rail customers to park at lower rates. An official spokesperson stated, “This resulted in non-rail customers taking up spaces for very cheap daily city parking.”

Motorists are already reacting to the price increase. One regular user noted, “People are voting with their feet. The station car park was very quiet this morning.” Another commuter voiced concern, saying, “In these straightened times when people are under financial pressure, it’s not a great thing to do.”

Local political leaders are also voicing their discontent. Clare Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe called the price hike “outrageous,” emphasizing that the near doubling of parking costs took many rail users by surprise. He highlighted the impact on those who rely on the station for commuting to Dublin and other destinations along the route. “These are all people who have made a conscious decision to use multi-modal transport and to minimize car use,” he stressed.

Crowe criticized the disproportionate nature of the increase, arguing that a smaller hike would have been more acceptable. “I’ve had texts, calls, and emails from many people who are frequent users of the service, and they feel let down by Irish Rail,” he said. He expressed concern that this price hike undermines efforts to promote sustainable travel options.

Despite the parking fee increase, a €20-per-week parking option remains available, though there are currently no monthly or annual tickets offered at Limerick Colbert station. The recent €20 million upgrade to the station, completed last year, has also changed the car park’s location, contributing to reduced parking availability. Crowe noted seeing vehicles parked “haphazardly on footpaths and open areas” due to this cut in spaces.

Additionally, Crowe has previously raised concerns with Irish Rail management about the parking situation, suggesting that linking parking fees to train tickets could better regulate parking usage. “I think this would be a much better solution to control use of parking spaces at the station instead of a price hike,” he argued.

As the situation develops, commuters are left to grapple with the immediate financial impact of these changes. Many are calling for Irish Rail to reconsider the parking fee increase and implement a more equitable solution that encourages rather than discourages public transport usage.

With increasing public anger and dissatisfaction, the future of parking at Limerick Colbert station remains uncertain. Commuters are now watching closely to see if Irish Rail will respond to the backlash and consider more reasonable options for users.