Here are some issues of Gretchen Barretto, despite being away from the limelight for many years now. GRETCHEN BARRETTO – The former actress has stepped out of the limelight for decades now, but still found herself tied to many issues. For many years now, Gretchen Barretto has largely stepped away from acting and from any ... Read more
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AN acclaimed Netflix reality show looks set to return for a third series with an even bigger prize pot.
Ahead of the premiere of the second series, Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game: The Challenge will also have a third series.
The reality competition show was spawned as a spin-off of the acclaimed drama series, Squid Game.
In one of TV’s biggest jackpots, players have the chance to win up to a whopping $4.56million.
It launched with a first series last year and earlier this week, Netflix confirmed that a second series would land in November this year.
It is expected that the third series will follow next year.
The challenge show has become known for its notoriously tough tasks – some of which have pushed contestants to the limit.
One contestant on the first series previously lifted the lid on what filming was like for the programme.
Elliott Burgess was number 429 in the show out of a total of 456 players.
The Surrey-based contestant reached the second-to-last challenge and secured 7th place when the winner, Mai, discovered his involvement through his suspicious beard scratch.
Elliot revealed that contestants were allowed 10 minutes of fresh air every two days and had no contact with the outside world.
They had no idea what time it was, as the masked men decided when it was lights out.
Elliott assumed he had gotten enough sleep. But he was starving.
He recalled: “It was tough because they had to keep it as immersive as possible. It’s $4.56m, they’re not just going to give you that for free. They had to make it as challenging as possible”.
Squid Game: The Challenge returns 4th November on Netflix.
PAUL O’Connell says Jack Crowley deserves his chance at out-half against Portugal.
But the interim Ireland chief admits that it will always be a tough choice between the Munster No 10 and Sam Prendergast.
Crowley has got the nod in Lisbon tomorrow after Leinster man Prendergast started in the 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi last Saturday.
O’Connell’s call adds fuel to the debate over the long-term heir to Johnny Sexton.
Crowley, 25, appeared to be in pole position when he won the 2024 Six Nations and started Ireland’s first nine games of the post-Sexton era.
But Prendergast, 22, started the tenth against Fiji and has been Ireland’s first-choice No 10 for all but one game — Italy last March — since.
O’Connell said: “It’s a very important position, out-half, more important than it’s ever been.
“They probably don’t touch the ball as much as the 9s but they make more decisions than anyone else in the field.
“Having two guys that can get in and play the game, make mistakes, learn and get it right and learn from that is good.
“This is an opportunity for Jack to own the week, run it and get after it. The two of them are quite supportive of each other.
“It’s another opportunity to give Jack more experience. Sam was excellent last week.”
O’Connell has handed out three debuts, with Connacht ace Shayne Bolton starting on the wing, while Munster’s Alex Kendellen is named in the back row.
Connacht centre Hugh Gavin was a late elevation to the starting XV after Leinster utility back Jamie Osborne — originally named at No 13 — got a Lions call-up.
Ex-Ireland and Lions star POC said: “We’re not giving them a go and hoping the experience will kick them on, they’re good players.
“Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby.
“We’re in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters.”
IRELAND: J O’Brien, T O’Brien, H Gavin, S McCloskey, S Bolton, J Crowley, C Casey; J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson, T Ahern, D Murray, R Baird, A Kendellen, C Prendergast.
Reps: T Stewart, M Milne, T O’Toole, C Izuchukwu, M Deegan, B Murphy, C Frawley, C Nash.
MET Eireann has issued a new six-hour high temperature warning for 17 counties on Sunday.
Weather boffins have warned mercury could soar to a sweltering 32C as high pressure grips Ireland and sunshine beats down across the country.
A Status Yellow high temperature alert has already been issued today for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary.
The alert will remain in place until 6am tomorrow.
Met Eireann has slapped the entire country with a high temperature warning from 12pm tomorrow until 6am on Sunday morning.
And the weather forecasters have placed 17 more counties under the same heat warning from 12pm on Sunday afternoon until 6pm that evening.
The entire Connacht region, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary are subject to the Status Yellow warning.
Met Eireann issued the alert after it was confirmed that maximum temperatures will reach 27C combined with night-time minimum temperatures over 15C for the weekend.
The weather bosses highlighted water safety issues – due to increased use of lakes and beaches -, forest fires, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress as possible impacts of the extreme weather.
Cathal Nolan – founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel – warned that some areas could hit a boiling 32C this weekend.
He pinpointed the Shannon basin area, low laying areas of Sligo and Leitrim and around the west shore of Lough Neagh and Lough Foyle in Derry as the spots most likely to experience the hottest weather.
And looking at the forecast for the entire country, Nolan said Ireland can expect “wall to wall sunshine” alongside warm and humid conditions.
He warned those in built up areas that buildings and cement holding heat could cause temperatures to feel even higher than forecast.
SINGER Lewis Capaldi has revealed a major update for his sold out UK and Ireland tour this summer.
The 28-year-old has issued a heart-felt apology which will come as a huge blow for fans.
Last month, the Scots singer revealed that he was hitting the road in September for a string of huge arena gigs following his incredible comeback at Glastonbury.
Lewis was due to perform in Sheffield, Aberdeen, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cardiff and Dublin from September 7 to September 29.
Due to high ticket demand Lewis announced a whopping seven extra dates.
But, even with the extra dates fans have struggled to get tickets and his tour is now officially sold out.
And now the Someone You Loved hitmaker has taken to Instagram to reveal that no more dates will be added.
In caption alongside a pic of the sell out tour, he penned: “Honestly didn’t expect this at all… genuinely had no idea what to expect after taking a break for so long so by seeing this tour sell out faster than any tour i’ve ever played is the most incredible surreal feeling.
“Thank you to every single one of you who got a ticket and i’m very sorry to any of you who wanted to come and missed out this time.
There won’t be any other shows for now, want to make sure I don’t push myself too far too soon. means more than ya know how many of you were waiting to get tickets this morning x”
Some fans who didn’t manage to secure their tickets have been left saddened by the news and took to the comments to express their disappointment.
One user said: “ I was gutted not to secure any tickets but I’d much rather you keep recovering and you stay healthy!”
“Chuffed for you but GUTTED I couldn’t get any (sad face emoji),” chimed another.
“Will sell a kidney for two tickets ? Any takers,” a third joked.
A fourth commented: “I’m gutted that despite preordering the album & being member for another presale that I wasn’t able to get any tickets.
“I know it’s not your fault but it’s so frustrating seeing them all listed for resale when genuine fans miss out. I wish I could be there! (heart emoji).”
Lewis recently opened up about his troubling 2023 Glastonbury set, in which he couldn’t sing after struggling with Tourettes and anxiety from which he then took a two-year hiatus.
Lewis says the performance was a wake-up call after neglecting his mental and physical health for years.
He told The Sun at the time: “I think I probably knew two songs into the set at Glastonbury that I couldn’t do it.
“I was on stage and I was on complete autopilot. In my head I was feeling a thousand miles away and I watched it back and I feel sad. As far as I was concerned, I was done indefinitely.
“I didn’t take a break to just focus on getting better. I took a break because I needed a break to release the pressure value a little bit.”
He said he’s no longer taking antidepressant Sertraline after successfully battling his demons and has learned to accept he will always have some level of anxiety.
He revealed: “I am doing much better. I’m not on antidepressants any more.”
TRAIN passengers are being urged to “plan ahead” as bosses are expecting a busy weekend – with seats sold out and some seaside services cancelled.
Irish Rail has said that there are some changes to its most in-demand services ahead of a GAA-filled weekend.
Croke Park will host the All-Ireland Football Championship, which will see Meath face off against Donegal.
And on Saturday, Kerry will take on Tyrone in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Kildare will play against Limerick in the Tailteann Cup final in Croke Park.
With such a packed weekend, rail services are set to be brimming with passengers.
Irish Rail said that customers should book tickets in advance to avoid missing out.
And they advised that some services have already sold out.
They asked that all passengers have their ticket ready for inspection before boarding to avoid delays.
On Saturday, multiple services will be serving Dublin and the surrounding counties.
There will be a 9.43 service from Newbridge to Heuston, a 10.45 train from Dundalk to Connolly, serving Drogheda, Laytown, Gormanston, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk, Donabate, Malahide, Portmarnock, Clongriffin, Howth Junction and Donaghmede, and an 11.10 service from Newbridge to Heuston, serving Sallins.
There will also be a 12.20 Newbridge to Heuston service, an 18.05 service in the opposite direction, and a 19.20 service following the same route.
And at 21.15 there will be a service from Heuston to Limerick.
On Sunday, there is an 11:00 service from Drogheda to Connolly, serving Laytown, Gormanston, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk, Donabate, Malahide, Portmarnock, Clongriffin, Howth Junction and Donaghmede.
Train bosses also urged people to stay hydrated during the hot weather this weekend.
There are water bottle refill stations and drinking fountains available in train stations at Connolly, Pearse, Heuston, Malahide, Dundalk, Athlone, Galway, Tralee and Killarney.
And a DART service in Dublin used by thousands of commuters has been suspended on Saturday.
The route between Dún Laoghaire and Bray will not operate on July 12.
Train bosses said the reason for the suspension is renewal works.
The DART will only operate between Malahide/ Howth and Dún Laoghaire.
But Dublin Bus and Go Ahead Ireland will accept valid rail passes between the closed stations as an alternative form of travel.
And on the Rosslare Europort line, services will only operate between Rosslare and Bray.
Bus transfers will be in place between Bray and Connolly station.
These are the rail routes operating across Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13
Saturday:
Sunday:
EVERYONE loves a freebie, and nothing is better than those with (almost) no strings attached! In an ongoing effort to attract more players to their sites, many operators in Ireland have started offering bonuses such as free spins without any deposit requirements.
These are fantastic for trying out new games or testing out a new casino risk-free, but they do come with some limitations you wouldn’t normally see in promotions that require a deposit. We’ll talk more about those later, but for now, here are our favourite picks with no deposit bonuses for Irish players in 2025:
Best no deposit bonus offers at Irish bookies
A closer look at our top free bet picksHere’s a closer look at our favourite no deposit bonuses at Irish casino sites in 2025:
888’s welcome offer includes a massive 50 deposit-free spins you can play on a selection of nearly 20 slot games, including fav-faves such as John Hunter and the Book of Tut, and Crown of Fire. Here’s how it works:
Note that the free spins must be claimed within 3 days of activating the promotion, aren’t interchangeable for real money, and the total winnings you may receive from this promotion are capped at €100. You’ll have 90 days to meet the wagering requirement, though, so no rush.
Slotbox is one of the more generous casinos around when it comes to promotions, offering a wealth of rewards for both new and existing players. You can get as much as €1000 in bonus funds over your first three deposits on the site, but also 25 free spins just by registering, no deposit required. Here are the details:
You’ll have seven days to meet the 25x wagering requirements before your free spins expire. Also note that the maximum winnings from the free spins are capped at €300. To get another 100 free spins, you’d have to make a minimum deposit of €20 or more, as part of the larger welcome offer that also includes matched bonus funds.
21 Casino offers something good for every type of player, from slots to live casino games. Whether you’re after a freebie or want to get a hefty matched bonus, their welcome offer is a generous one, including a 100% match up to €500 with a deposit of €10 or more, and 21 free spins just for signing up. Here’s how to grab the free spins:
The free spin offer is for the popular Book of Dead slot, and you’ll need to wager the sum of your deposit plus initial bonus amount before any funds can be withdrawn. You’ll have 10 days to make use of the spins before they expire, and 30 days for the matched deposit offer. Also note that the maximum bet you can place while the welcome bonus is active is €5 and that you’ll be able to earn no more than €100 in total from the no deposit free spins promotion.
While most online casinos offer free spins (and especially ones with no wagering requirements) only as a lure for new players or loyalty reward for seasoned veterans, Lucky Wins decided to reward everyone logging in to play on their site each Monday. The promotion is called “Magic Mondays”, and the only requirement is that you’ve already used all four of their welcome bonuses when signing up. Here’s how to get it:
You’ll have another 2 days to meet the 40x wagering requirement before cashing out. Note that all free spin winnings from the “Magic Mondays” promotion are capped at €200. There is also a version of this promo that awards 300 free spins, but for that, you’ll need to deposit €30.
Playfina is another casino that does things a little differently: instead of a deposit-free offer for newcomers, this casino rewards loyal players with a birthday bonus, with the current VIP level determining the amount. Here’s how it works:
As mentioned, the size of your bonus will be based on your VIP level on the site. For example, it will be just €10 for the Tier I Bronze status, but up to a cool €1,000 for the most accomplished Diamond Tier players.
What is a no deposit bonus?A no deposit bonus is a very popular type of casino promotion that allows players to claim rewards (usually free spins or bonus credits, sometimes both) without needing to make an initial deposit. Unlike traditional welcome offers, which typically require players to fund their accounts to unlock a bonus, no deposit bonuses are risk-free for players upfront, but typically come with other restrictions, such as a cap on maximum winnings. Furthermore, not all online casinos in Ireland offer these bonuses, as they represent a higher cost to the operator.
The most common form is free spins, often limited to specific slots, and free bonus credits, which may be used on a selection of games. These offers usually come with stricter terms and conditions (such as wagering requirements, maximum win caps, and time limits) compared to more traditional promotions, which require upfront deposits.
While many no deposit bonuses are advertised as part of a new player offer, some casinos also distribute them through VIP or loyalty programmes, or as part of special, time-limited promotions. These offers can often be found listed on the promotions page of the casino or as direct email offers to registered players.
The key to making the most of them is not only being in the right place at the right time, but also making sure you read the fine print so you know exactly what you’re getting and what kinds of pre-requisites and limitations you might have to work with.
Free Spins deposit offers for Irish playersThere are plenty of deposit bonus free spins for Irish players, and here, we highlight some of the best we have found.
When assessing no deposit bonuses available to players in Ireland, we look beyond the headline offer to understand the real value and potential of each promotion.
Not all casino bonuses are worth your time, and sometimes, if an offer looks too good to be true, it’s because it is! To truly ensure that we’re only recommending the best casino offers which will give players a fair shot at winning something, we put every offer through a series of tests.
We look at everything from the face value of the offer and the reputation of the operator, to how well-explained and usable the offer is in practice, and what time and money limits or other snags may be attached to it.
We examine how much gameplay a bonus actually provides. For example, are the free spins limited to low-value slots, or can they be used on popular slot games like Book of Dead? We also consider how realistic the wagering requirements are: some casino sites may offer a tempting number of free spins, but with steep wagering rules that make it tough to turn bonus funds into withdrawable cash. The amount of bonus credits and how much each spin is worth are also key to judging the true value of an offer.
It pays to remember that no depositing wagering offers are risky for the operators, so you can’t expect the same terms and conditions as you would on offers that require upfront deposits by the players. With that in mind, we still expect fair terms such as not having to wager your winnings 50x or more, or having a low winning cap of €20 or so.
Can you use the bonus across a decent selection of casino games, or is it restricted to just one slot or game type? Will you be able to use only a select handful of payment methods to become eligible for the bonus?
We prioritise casinos that allow players a bit more flexibility, but we also realise that these offers are often a way for the operators to promote new games on their site, and some operators simply dislike certain payment methods, such as e-wallets. Even so, casinos with more flexible eligibility criteria for their no deposit bonus offers are almost always the best option, and we make sure to highlight such offers in our reviews.
Most no deposit bonuses come with strict time limits, whether that’s a requirement to activate the bonus shortly after registration, or to use it within a specific number of hours or days.
If an offer expires quickly, that limits its usefulness, especially for more casual players, so we always try to find casinos with fair and manageable time limits on their promos, and ensure those limits are clearly communicated to the players.
Speaking of limits, while not always a deal-breaker, many online casinos place a cap on how much you can withdraw from your bonus winnings on their no deposit offers.
We highlight any such restrictions – whether it’s a limit on bonus funds converted to cash, or a maximum payout of, say, €100. Understanding this helps manage expectations around what you’ll really get from the no deposit offers.
We only recommend online casinos and bookmakers that are licensed in Ireland or by reputable international regulators. The sites we review must be sanctioned by an approved body like the MGA or UKGC, ensuring fair games, secure deposits, and reliable customer support. We also check reviews, responsiveness to player complaints, and overall trustworthiness, so you don’t need to worry about shady sites or unfair business practices.
By weighing all factors from the type of bonus to the fine print on wagering requirements, we aim to give you a clear picture of which no deposit bonuses are truly worth your time and which ones you can safely skip.
How to claim and maximise no deposit bonuses at Irish bookiesClaiming a no deposit bonus at an Irish online casino or bookmaker is a pretty simple affair, but making the most of it can take a bit of strategy. Whether you’re after free spins on popular slots or bonus credits for selected casino games, knowing how to claim and use the offer correctly and what sort of limitations you may run into is essential to maximising your chances of walking away with something to show for your efforts.
How to claim a no deposit bonusHere’s the typical process most players in Ireland will follow when claiming a no deposit bonus:
Tips to maximise your bonus and cash outTo give yourself the best chance of turning a no deposit bonus into withdrawable cash, keep the following tips in mind:
By following these tips, you can enjoy the benefits of no deposit bonuses while giving yourself the best possible opportunity to walk away with some extra money. Don’t expect massive game-changing wins from these offers, but if you play your cards right, you may just walk away with some boast-worthy winnings.
What NOT to do when using a no deposit bonusEven though no deposit bonuses are designed to be a risk-free way for players to explore online casinos, it’s surprisingly easy to mess up and lose your potential winnings or worse. As we mentioned earlier, one of the most common mistakes is diving straight into gameplay without checking which games are actually eligible, which will pretty much instantly void your entire bonus.
Another common mistake is forgetting about the allotted timeframe – some offers expire just hours after activation, and unused spins or bonus credits won’t be refunded. Many players also skip over the small print and miss crucial details like the maximum bet limits during bonus play, which can instantly forfeit your bonus if ignored.
Others get caught out by assuming they can withdraw bonus funds or winnings without completing the wagering requirements, which is rarely the case. It’s also risky to register multiple accounts with the same casino in an attempt to claim the same bonus several times – this often leads to the account being suspended or permanently closed.
Lastly, don’t assume every casino advertising a “free” offer is legitimate—always make sure the site is properly licensed and has a good reputation before sharing any sensitive personal or financial information.
The easiest way to check is by visiting the site’s promotions page or looking for trusted links on review platforms such as our page.
Some online casinos in Ireland also advertise their no deposit bonuses on their homepage or during registration, and you may need to use a bonus code to apply. Keep an eye out for offers like free spins, bonus funds, or instant rewards, especially during seasonal promotions.
It depends. If your bonus only applies to low-payout slots or restricted casino games, your chances of turning bonus funds into withdrawable money drop significantly.
Choosing slots with high RTP, like Book of Dead (if you CAN choose), will increase the potential value of your free play, especially if your free spins are tied to just one slot game. Always check the promotion terms and conditions for game eligibility.
To qualify, you need to meet the full wagering requirements attached to your bonus. This usually means playing through the bonus amount a certain number of times (35x being the industry standard, but the number often being higher for no deposit offers), typically on select eligible games only.
Avoid using bonus funds on excluded slots or casino games, and never exceed the maximum bet amount listed in the requirements. If in doubt, check the terms, read one of our reviews, or reach out to customer support staff on the site.
You can only make a withdrawal once you’ve met all the wagering requirements, and only if your winnings exceed the minimum cashout amount. Some casinos also place caps on winnings from free spins (for example, €50 or €100), so be sure to read the bonus terms carefully.
Withdrawals are typically made via the same method used during account setup, and you may need to verify your phone number or submit some form of government-approved ID before accessing your money. Finally, always keep potential time limits and other payout rules in mind so you don’t forfeit your chance at withdrawing your winnings.
James Anderson
James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing.
A responsible gambler is someone who:
If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who does, help is out there. Extern Problem Gambling is the leading provider of information, treatment, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Ireland.
Top casino sites in July 2025