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The Explainer
Why is Google search so bad?
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For years, Google was the go-to tool for sorting fact from fiction online, a way to find trusted information in the chaos of the internet. Now? Well, Google will often serve you up the misinformation immediately with an inaccurate AI summary. Users have found that search results are dominated by ads and low-quality content, and the platform isn’t what it used to be. We dug into this on The Journal, and now on The Explainer, we’re joined by tech journalist and author Chris Stokel-Walker to unpack what’s gone wrong. Is this just a business model in decline, or is the rise of AI accelerating a wider shift?
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How do you start tracing your family tree?
19:02|The recent release of the 1926 census has sparked a huge wave of interest in Irish family history. It was the first census taken after the foundation of the State, capturing a snapshot of the country after a period of massive upheaval. But between missing records, complex transcription errors, and endless name variations, building your family tree can quickly become a daunting puzzle. Jennifer McLachlan Doherty, a Donegal-based genealogist and family history expert from IrishAncestral.com, tells us where to start.Will the government's fuel package actually work?
22:45|In response to the fuel protests, the government scrambled to announce a €505 million euro support package, slashing excise duties on petrol and diesel. But with the Strait of Hormuz now blockaded by Donald Trump and global oil prices continuing to surge, will these cuts actually be felt by consumers at the pump? And what does this massive supply chain disruption mean for Ireland's food and energy security? We’re joined by Dr Emma Howard, an economist at TU Dublin.How far can a protest go before the State steps in?
22:37|Ireland's fuel protests have brought parts of the country to a standstill this week, with blockades at refineries and slow-moving convoys on major roads - and currently with no end in sight. But the disruption has raised a much bigger question: where exactly is the legal line when it comes to protest in Ireland? Dr Illan Wall, professor at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway, takes us through the law, the policing of demonstrations, and why Ireland's protest landscape may be shifting in ways we haven't seen before.The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?
14:43|New CSO data shows the average age of a homebuyer in Ireland has hit 40. What does that mean for an entire generation stuck in the 'deposit trap'? And is this opening up a whole new front in the pension crisis? Rachel McGovern, deputy chief executive at Brokers Ireland, joins us to break down the wider knock-on impacts of delayed homeownership.Can Ireland really qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
23:31|It has been 24 long, long years since the Republic of Ireland men's team last played in a World Cup, but suddenly, the dream is alive again. This week, Ireland faces Czechia in a high-stakes qualifier, as the nation holds its breath. How did we get here after years of disappointment? We're joined by David Sneyd, Senior Sportswriter at The 42.Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?
12:58|For generations of teenagers, it was the go-to high street spot for ear piercings and fashion jewellery., but now, the iconic retailer Claire's Accessories is rapidly closing its doors across Ireland, leaving staff furious and suddenly out of pocket. It follows a failed rescue attempt by an investment firm last year, which cited legacy debt, inflation, and weak consumer confidence. How did a high street staple fall so far? We're joined by our reporter Eoghan Dalton.What is it actually like inside the White House on St Patrick's Day?
32:27|Every March, our news feeds are flooded with pictures of the Taoiseach, the US President, and a very famous bowl of shamrock. It’s a massive day for Ireland on the world stage, but we usually only get to see the polished, posed moments. What is it actually like to have a front-row seat to the entire day, and to be in the Oval Office for that chaotic press scrum? We’re joined by our own Political Editor and White House visit veteran Christina Finn.How bad could the looming energy crisis get?
19:46|The price of oil has surged again. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to shipping. Major Middle Eastern production hubs have declared force majeure. Is Ireland looking at a repeat of the economic shocks of the 1970s, or is there still a chance for the damage to be more short-term? We’re joined by Dr Emma Howard, an economist at TU DublinIs the US-led attack on Iran illegal?
21:25|Trump promised no more forever wars, but that didn't stop him wading into an intense bombing campaign against Iran - a conflict most Americans oppose and, crucially, one Congress wasn't consulted on. It has brought the War Powers Act back into the spotlight: what checks and balances exist, if any, to restrain a president? Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal, talks us through the legal and political mess, from the constitutional questions in Washington to the growing splits inside MAGA.