Innehållsförteckning för February 2025 från The Primary Planet

Slow down, 2025! Can you believe we are in month two of 2025 already? That’s one sixth of the year! Regardless, we hope you enjoyed every page of last month’s issue and now have the finest of grasps on the year ahead. Keep your January issue in a safe place, as it is almost like a diary of 2025 events that you won’t want to miss. Before we consign 2024 to the history books, have you tried out last month’s audio quiz: A Look Back on 2024? And more importantly, if you have, how did you do? We don’t like to brag here, but TPP is the ideal way to keep you informed and entertained! In this month’s issue, we have a feast for all you techie heads out there.…

Igloo Record Four friends have broken a UK and Ireland record by building an igloo on the summit of Slieve Donard, the highest of the Mourne Mountains, County Down. Stewart Thomson, Donnacha Kimber mac Fhionlaoich, Ross Clarke and Jake McBride, all in their 20s, took on the challenge in January. A local artist, Stephen Rooney, built an igloo on nearby Slieve Muck in 2021, at about 630 metres altitude. Also, the Inverness Backcountry Snowsports Club in Scotland hosts an annual igloo-building weekend, but their highest altitude to date is 730 metres above sea level. The Slieve Donard igloo is 850 metres above sea level. It took nine and a half hours to build, with the lads finally getting to sleep in it around 3am. ‘We were exhausted towards the end,’…

This month in history 20 years ago On this day the Hunting Act 2004 came into force, banning the hunting of most wild mammals (like foxes, deer, hares and mink) with dogs in England and Wales – although it had some exemptions. Fox-hunting was already banned in Scotland by the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002. Such hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland. Despite some protests, up to 85% of the UK public still support the ban. Here in the Republic of Ireland, fox-hunting is still legal, despite strong opposition to it. 30 years ago On this day the environmental campaign group Greenpeace discovered Shell’s plan to dump its old Brent Spar oil storage and tanker-loading rig in the Atlantic, 25 km from the coast of Scotland, at…

Dog Man: The Movie Where: In cinemas from February 7Cert: UStarring the voices of: Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu and Ricky GervaisDirected by: Peter Hastings Scan here to watch the official trailer Get ready for an action-packed, laugh-out-loud adventure as Dog Man: The Movie brings Dav Pilkey’s beloved hero to life on the big screen! This hilarious and heartwarming adaptation follows Dog Man – part dog, part cop, all hero – as he teams up with his loyal friends to save the city from a mischievous villain. Packed with the slapstick humour and wild escapades that fans adore, plus heartfelt messages about friendship and bravery, this film is perfect for new audiences and longtime Dog Man enthusiasts alike. Whether you're discovering Dog Man for the first time or grew up with…

Maker: NIO IncCountry: ChinaModel: Electric Performance 9Year: 2016-19 Fuel: ElectricTransmission: AutomaticTop Speed: 313 km/hHorsepower: 1,360 hp Materials: The NIO EP9 is made from carbon fibre and other super-light materials. However, its two giant batteries mean it weighs in at 3,825 kg – over twice the weight of a Lamborghini Revuelto. 5 Fast Facts 1 NIO is a Chinese company but it also has bases in Germany, USA and the UK – and it’s in the latter that the EP9 was created. Silverstone is the base of the NextEV Nio Formula E team. 2 Not only is the EP9 a fully electric vehicle with zero emissions, it actually has four different electric motors – one at each wheel. They are called MGUs (electromagnetic motor-generator unit). They work together, along with…

TPP's Book of the Month Check out The Last Boy by Eve McDonnell, our book of the month for February. Title: The Last BoyAuthor: Eve McDonnell Publisher: Everything with WordsYear: 2024 Set in 1866 in Birr, Co. Offaly, The Last Boy is the story of 12-year-old Brewster, sold by his brother to a tyrannical Master Sweep when he was only six years old to become a ‘climbing boy’ – a child chimney sweep. Brewster’s life as a chimney sweep is one of misery, danger and cruelty. However, Brewster has a magical power – he is a genius with numbers, using them to predict a storm of stars. When he is given the opportunity to use his power to make the impossible possible, Brewster knows it’s his chance to make…

Sport not to be missed this month Highlighting the best sporting action taking place this month Scotland vs Ireland Ireland travel to Murrayfield for round two of the Six Nations, seeking an 11th successive victory over Scotland. The Scots suffered a pre-tournament blow when captain Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out due to injury but they will still provide a stern test. Premier League Darts The Premier League is back, with Belfast and Dublin hosting two of the opening three rounds. Luke Littler, who celebrated his 18th birthday last month, is the defending Premier League champion and has since become the youngest world champion in history. Everton vs Liverpool This is the final Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park before Everton move to their new stadium, and how they…

Ward Takes Charge Carla Ward will hope to make a winning start as Republic of Ireland manager when they face Turkey in their UEFA Nations League opener. The Girls in Green play two games this month, with Turkey visiting Tallaght Stadium on February 21 (7.30pm kick-off), before Ireland travel to Slovenia four days later (February 25, 5pm Irish time). After the disappointment of missing out on qualification for Euro 2025, which brought an end to Eileen Gleeson’s time as manager, Ward will look to make an immediate impact and lift Irish spirits. Aged 41, Ward may be young in managerial terms, but she boasts plenty of experience. She spent three seasons in charge of Aston Villa in England’s Women’s Super League and was part of the United States coaching staff…

Welcome, young farmers of Ireland, to Issue #3 of AG MAG! We’re delighted to have you with us again for another mini-mag filled with all things farming and agriculture! We hope you enjoyed the last issue of AG MAG, where we showcased the incredible work of scientists and researchers from Ireland’s agricultural sector. Through The Science of Farming, we wanted to highlight the fascinating and vital scientific efforts happening not just in labs and research centres, but also in the fields and sheds of farms across Ireland. This month, we’re going dairy crazy as we invite you to dive into our mega serving of fun facts about our world-famous milk and dairy products. Don’t miss the From Grass to Glass infographic on pages 8 and 9, and meet Ireland and…

You often hear a coach or manager say: ‘Even though we lost, I’m happy with how we played.’ Well, that sums it up for me and Seamie based on last month’s hiding spot. Yes, he was found. But the manner in which he competed was admirable, to say the least. Like all good competitors following a defeat, the important thing to is pick yourself up, dust yourself down and go find the best hiding place you can! Well, in the case of Seamie anyway. If you manage to find him, let me remind you: log on to www.theprimaryplanet.ie/competitions (or scan the QR code) and leave the location, along with your name and school details, in the comment box provided. If you are correct, you will get entered into a draw…

Brazil Magical Medina Winner Last year’s Olympics saw some incredible moments being captured on camera and sent around the globe within seconds, but there was probably no photo quite as awe-inspiring as this one. Taken by photographer Jerome Brouillet, the photograph of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina looks almost otherworldly as the bronze-winning Olympian appears to be standing on air, with his surfboard also in the air. The photo was taken as Medina celebrated riding a ginormous wave in the surfing event, which was held in French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. And now Jerome Brouillet also has something to celebrate, as he took the prize of overall winner of the 2025 Sports Photography Awards. He beat off competition from 13,000 other images, with entries sent in from 96 countries from…

Title: Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and her Son (also known as The Stroll)Date: 1875 Artist: Claude Monet Born: 1840, FranceDied: 1926, FranceNationality: FrenchStyle: ImpressionismMedium: Oil on canvasOn Display: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA The Impressionist painters were very keen on painting in the open air. They turned their backs on studios and headed outdoors to capture the changing details of weather and light and paint nature as it actually is. The invention of portable canvases, easels and ready-mixed tubes of oil paint made it easy for them to work outdoors. This painting of Monet’s wife and seven-year-old son Jean is a perfect example of Impressionism. Instead of doing a formal portrait, he captures the impression of a moment in the open air on a breezy…

First House On the Moon The first house on the Moon won’t be anything like what NASA has had in mind. No, nothing like their moondust-filled sandbag buildings. And not big enough for a human at all – not unless the astronaut is 10 cm tall. It’s a sculpture by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg, who has dreamed of putting it on the Moon for years. Japanese lunar robotics company ispace launched it from Cape Canaveral in January, attached to its RESILIENCE lander, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Previous versions of the house have been placed underwater, on top of Stockholm’s Globe Arena, at the Great Wall of China, and aboard the ISS as a companion to Sweden’s first astronaut. RESILIENCE will land in about four months; it will then…

1. BMW’s Panoramic iDrive Imagine a car dashboard that feels more like a spaceship control panel! That’s how many people described BMW’s new panoramic iDrive, unveiled at last month’s show. Stretching right across the car’s front windscreen, this ultra-modern display combines touch and voice commands to ensure the driver never has to look down. Not only that, the steering wheel comes with hidden buttons that appear only when they are needed, and the main touchscreen knows when to adjust its brightness so it’s easy to use at all times of the day and night. BMW promises this tech update will make driving smarter and safer – and not just cooler. Let’s hope they are right! To see iDrive in action, scan this code. 2. Roborock – a Robot with Arms…

Rat Pack! A team of researchers has trained African giant pouched rats to sniff out endangered animal products. Illegal smuggling of items like elephant ivory, rhino horns and pangolin scales is a major challenge in trying to protect endangered species. Thanks to their incredible sense of smell, the rats can detect these items hidden in cargo and luggage. Unlike dogs, the rats are small enough to squeeze into tight, dark spaces, making them uniquely suited to the job. When they locate an illegal item, the clever rats 'nose poke' to alert their handlers and are rewarded with a treat. Who knew rats could be such heroes? DID YOU KNOW? Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, saved lives by sniffing out more than 100 landmines in Cambodia! In 2020, he made…

In today's world, the internet and digital devices are integral parts of everyday life, offering essential tools for communication and entertainment. For many of you, mobile phones, apps and games are a constant presence. However, this can sometimes blur the lines between offline and online relationships. While online apps and games offer countless opportunities and benefits, they also come with risks. That’s why it’s important to have open conversations about staying safe, feeling in control, making good choices, and ensuring that our online experiences remain positive and enjoyable for everyone. Unfortunately, some people think it’s OK to write mean and nasty things to, or about, other people online. This is called cyberbullying, and it is NEVER acceptable. They seem to think that because they can’t see the other person, or…

Most of us know the rules of Gaelic football, many of us have a fair grasp on how soccer is played, we know throwing the sliotar is not allowed in hurling, and that double dribble is forbidden in basketball. But what about other sports – ones we have all heard of but might not yet have had the chance to play? In this series, we want to take you through some of these sports and explain (in a nutshell) how they are played. The excitement and challenge of darts blends strategy, precision, an eagle eye and quick thinking – a skill combination that makes it a captivating sport to watch. Matchplay One of the most popular ways to play darts is '501'. Players start with 501 points each and take…

The January transfer window saw a number of big moves, last-minute deals and some surprise departures in the Premier League, but very few marquee signings. So, other than Man City, who else splashed the cash, who made a smart bargain, and which deals could shake up the second half of the season? Let’s take a look! IN Omar Marmoush Position: ForwardFrom: Eintracht FrankfurtTo: Manchester CityFee: €70 millionTPP Value Rating: 9/10 IN Abdukodir Khusanov Position: DefenderFrom: LensTo: Manchester CityFee: €40 millionTPP Value Rating: 8/10 IN Vitor Reis Position: MidfielderFrom: PalmeirasTo: Manchester CityFee: €35 millionTPP Value Rating: 8/10 IN Jaden Philogene Position: MidfielderFrom: Aston VillaTo: Ipswich TownFee: €24 millionTPP Value Rating: 7/10 IN Donyell Malen Position: ForwardFrom: Borussia DortmundTo: Aston VillaFee: €24 millionTPP Value Rating: 7/10 N Diego Gomez Position: ForwardFrom: Inter…

AG MAG NEWS FEED IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY IRELAND'S LARGEST FARMING NEWS PORTAL FROM FARM FIELDS TO SOCIAL MEDIA STARDOM Eoin Lynch, the teenager from Mitchelstown, Co. Cork who’s famous for his love of slurry spreading, became a viral sensation in 2024. His enthusiastic chat with Agriland reporter Breifne O’Brien at the National Ploughing Championships earned over 5.4 million views on TikTok and made him a household name! A YEAR OF SURPRISES Eoin described his sudden fame as ‘madness’ and ‘very unexpected’. After the Ploughing Championships, he found himself recognised by people everywhere – even tourists from India spotted him in Cork city! LOOKING TO 2025 For now, Eoin is busy doing what he loves most – farming. And while he’s focused on drawing silage and spreading slurry, he's also…

This month we’re featuring the John Deere 9RX 830 – one of the world’s most impressive and wanted tractors, designed to tackle the toughest farming tasks with ease. Whether it’s working on vast fields, towing massive loads or handling heavy-duty ploughing, the 9RX 830 is designed to deliver unbeatable performance and efficiency. With a savage 15-litre engine producing up to 913 horsepower, this is one of the most powerful tractors John Deere has ever created. Its four-track system provides serious traction and stability, making it perfect for uneven or soft ground. With its smooth design and iconic green and yellow colours, the 9RX 830 is one tractor that will definitely stand out – both in the field and on the road! SCAN ME Watch a short video on the John…

The Dáil convened on December 18, 2024, following the general election on November 29. This assembly comprises 174 TDs (short for Teachtaí Dála), an increase of 14 from the previous Dáil. On January 23, 2025, Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil (which won the most seats at 48) was elected Taoiseach, leading a coalition (combined) government with Fine Gael (who came third with a total of 38 seats) and a number of independent TDs. That same day, Micheál Martin announced his ministers in the 34th Dáil. These TDs are tasked with leading various government departments and addressing critical issues such as housing, healthcare, education and climate change. The newly appointed ministers of the 34th Dáil, along with the leader of the opposition, are as follows: DID YOU KNOW? At 24 years…

Our Island’s History Proudly Sponsored By Throughout the 18th century the civil rights and religious rights of the Catholic and Presbyterian populations were severely restricted by the Penal Laws. The Presbyterian religion had split from the established Church of England (the Anglican Church) in the 17th century. By the 18th century, the country was ruled by an elite group of Anglican Protestant landlords and business people known as the Ascendancy. They sat in and controlled the Irish Parliament, and passed laws that favoured their own interests. Grattan After almost 100 years, the Penal Laws were finally relaxed in 1792 – largely due to the efforts of Henry Grattan, who was regarded as the leader of the Irish Parliament. Grattan was a very fair-minded and noble politician, and as leader of…

# 1 Public Transport Gone to the Dogs Public transport in Seattle has ‘gone to the dogs’ after a black Labrador started taking the bus all by herself. Two-year-old Eclipse waits for the bus, hops on, takes a seat, and even knows when to get off at the local dog park. In fact, Eclipse keeps an eye on where the bus is by watching keenly from the window! ‘She's a bus-riding, sidewalk-walking dog,’ says owner Jeff, who used to accompany his dog on every step of the journey. Now he sends her along on her own before catching up with her later. Fellow commuters are more than happy to have Eclipse on the bus. ‘All the bus drivers know her and she makes everyone happy,’ said passenger Tiona Rainwater. A…

Oh, Éowyn, Here We Go Again! Ah, Planet Farmers, I don’t know what to say this month. Many of us put in a rough January, especially when Storm Éowyn ripped through the country leaving a trail of violent destruction behind. Many people had no power, water or phone signal for days after, never mind the damage done to houses, sheds and trees. In the middle of the night, my little one slipped into the bed and whispered, ‘I am scared. The wind is so frightening.’ To tell you all the truth, I was frightened myself. At 6am I heard the first of the ridge tiles and slates come off our house. While the little one went back to sleep, I was wide awake with terrible thoughts. How much damage was…

USA Flag of Colorado Located 89 km northwest of Denver, Colorado, US, the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) covers 1,075 square kilometres. It includes a spectacular range of landscapes, from meadows and alpine lakes to tundra and towering mountain peaks. And it’s got 483 km of hiking trails! From season to season it can look like a different world there – deep snow in winter, flourishing vegetation and wildlife in spring and summer, and gloriously coloured trees in autumn. You can explore by horseback, on foot, or by car. Geology, hiking, climbing, camping, skiing, photography, painting, botany, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mosses, astronomy, riding … the list goes on – there’s something for everyone. The park’s history The Rocky Mountain National Park’s boundaries were established in 1915, protecting it for future…

It’s probably too late for you to book the March 25 Astronomical Tour of Chile, organised by New Scientist magazine. At 13 days for only €13,000, it’s a bargain. Actually, your return flight to South America isn’t covered by that price … but it does cover your hotels, food, transport in Chile, lectures, entrance to the observatories for stargazing, and the company of an expert astronomer throughout. Yes, astronomical holidays are now the thing – for those who can afford them. And Chile is truly the world capital of astronomy. Did you know it has 70% of the world’s telescopes? And maybe the clearest skies on earth. It has some of the world’s most advanced observatories, many of which are in remote places at altitudes of over 2,000 metres, and…

The survival of all orangutans is threatened – but especially that of the Tapanuli orangutan, which lives in Tapanuli on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The area is about 1,000 km2 of tropical and subtropical forest. The Tapanuli is one of three species of orangutan. The Sumatran orangutan lives farther northwest on the island, and the Bornean orangutan lives on the island of Borneo to the east. All three are critically endangered, but the Tapanuli is particularly at risk. The next step on the IUCN is EW: Extinct in the Wild. And then EX: Extinct. There are only about 800 Tapanuli alive today, as a result of hunting by humans, the illegal wildlife trade, destruction of the forest for agriculture and mining. And now a hydroelectric dam – the Batang…

Connacht Air Dome ‘will be back’ Connacht GAA have committed to rebuild the Air Dome in Mayo after it was destroyed by Storm Éowyn. The indoor facility in Bekan, which cost €3.1m to build, was opened in December 2022 and used for games in all codes and age grades. It quickly became a valuable venue for Connacht GAA, particularly during winter months when many pitches are left unplayable due to bad weather. Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty said last month’s high winds had ‘completely destroyed’ the dome covering the pitch, but the playing surface survived. ‘It’s probably the most iconic GAA building in the country because it was unique,’ said Prenty. ‘Nobody else had it. It's gone, but it’ll be back.’ Dublin Club’s Crowned Champions Cuala became only the second…

Gatland Targets Irish Upset Ireland come up against a familiar foe later this month who would love nothing more than to derail their Six Nations title bid. Warren Gatland has endured a desperate 12 months as Wales head coach but has shown down through the years his ability to produce shock results against Ireland. Ireland travel to the Principality Stadium on February 22 where a win will keep alive their hopes of winning a record third championship in succession. However, they have lost on four of their last five visits to Cardiff, with Gatland overseeing all but one of those Welsh victories. Gatland spent three years as Ireland's head coach around the turn of the millennium and was credited with bringing through a crop of talented youngsters, including Brian O’Driscoll…

Welcome to The Safety Zone, in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The Safety Zone is an important part of AG MAG, bringing you the latest tips, news and events on farm safety. In this month’s Safety Zone, HSA Farm Inspector Róisín will walk us through the dangers of slurry and how to prepare for the upcoming calving and lambing season. DANGERS OF SLURRY SLURRY GAS JUST ONE BREATH OF SLURRY GAS CAN KILL On all farms across Ireland, the animals have been kept warm and fed in their houses. The waste produced by the animals is collected in large underground, or sometimes above-ground, tanks. Farmers refer to them as slurry tanks or slurry towers. As the microorganisms break down the slurry into the vital nutrients needed for…

This month, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Ireland and Leinster rugby star Garry Ringrose. Recognised as one of Ireland’s most skilled centres, Garry knows what it takes to stay at the top of his game. ‘I am proud to be working with the National Dairy Council as Trademark Guarantee Ambassador and to promote the significant benefits of milk. Eating well is essential and adapting your nutritional intake to your sport is a necessity.’ To help you get to know Garry, we’ve compiled a multiple-choice quiz, based on his life as a star rugby player for both Leinster and Ireland. Let’s see how well you do! FARM TOOL QUIZ Each tool that Garry holds in these pictures can be found on many Irish dairy farms and helps farmers…

Ask your teacher for the answer! Age: 24County: KildareSport: Golf Lauren Walsh is gearing up for her second season on the Ladies European Tour after an impressive rookie year. In May 2024, less than a year after turning professional, the Kill golfer claimed a fourth-place finish at the Jabra Ladies Open in France, just three shots behind the victor. Walsh has been playing golf since the age of 10, when she and her sister Clodagh would compete at their local club, Castlewarden. Camogie and Gaelic football were her preferred sports during those early years, but upon realising she had a natural talent, Walsh began to focus on golf. Having been crowned Leinster and Connacht Girls champion, Walsh was chosen to represent Ireland at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina and…