The Irish Sun News: Facts, Political Stance & Updates

You might recognise the bold red masthead from the newsagent or your social feed – The Irish Sun is a regular fixture in Irish media. Here’s what you need to know, from the differences between editions to its right‑wing label and the Prince Harry settlement.

Political alignment: Right-wing ·
Owner: News UK (News Corp) ·
Irish edition launched: 2003 ·
Format: Tabloid

Key attributes that define The Irish Sun at a glance:

Is the Irish Sun the Same as The Sun?

What is the difference between The Irish Sun and The Sun UK?

• The Irish Sun is an Irish‑focused edition of the British tabloid The Sun. It launched in 2003 (Media Bias Fact Check) and tailors content for an Irish audience, while the UK edition covers British news.
• Both are owned by News UK, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp (Media Bias Fact Check).
• The Irish Sun operates its own website at thesun.ie, distinct from the UK’s thesun.co.uk.

Is The Irish Sun a separate newspaper?

Yes – it is a legally separate edition with its own editorial team and local reporting. However, it shares the same brand, political stance, and corporate oversight. According to the Media Bias Fact Check, the Irish Sun “operates under the same editorial structure as the UK Sun but tailored to Irish audiences.”

Two editions, one owner – here’s how they compare:

The pattern is clear: while the audience changes, the editorial identity and corporate control remain identical.

Which Irish Newspaper Is Right‑Wing?

Is the Sun newspaper left or right‑wing?

The Sun, including its Irish edition, is consistently rated as right‑wing. Media Bias Fact Check gives The Irish Sun a bias score of 6.6 (right‑leaning), driven by story selection that favours law‑and‑order narratives and anti‑immigration coverage. The UK Sun has a long history of endorsing conservative parties – it famously backed Margaret Thatcher in 1979 with the front‑page headline “VOTE TORY THIS TIME” (Wikipedia).

Is Fine Gael right‑wing?

No – Fine Gael is a political party, not a newspaper. It is considered centre‑right in Irish politics. The question often arises because readers confuse newspaper leanings with party affiliations. For reference, the Irish Independent is also classified as centre‑right, while the Irish Sun holds a more pronounced right‑wing stance (Media Bias Fact Check).

The implication: The Sun’s right‑wing alignment remains consistent across editions.

What Is the Most Respected Newspaper in Ireland?

What are the top newspapers in Ireland by circulation?

According to industry data, the Irish Independent has the largest daily circulation, followed by The Irish Times and the Irish Examiner. The Irish Sun, while popular online, ranks lower in print circulation (Wikipedia).

Which newspaper is considered the newspaper of record in Ireland?

The Irish Times is widely regarded as Ireland’s newspaper of record, known for its broadsheet format and comprehensive reporting. The Irish Independent is also respected as a major broadsheet. The Irish Sun, as a tabloid, is not typically mentioned in the same category for journalistic prestige (Media Bias Fact Check notes its “mixed” factual rating).

The implication: If you’re looking for deep investigative journalism, The Irish Times is the go‑to; for quick tabloid news, the Irish Sun fills a different niche.

Can I View the Sun Newspaper Online?

Can you read newspapers online for free?

Yes – many Irish newspapers, including The Irish Sun, offer free articles on their websites. The Irish Sun’s website (irishsun.com) provides 24/7 breaking news without a paywall for most content. However, some premium articles and the digital edition (e‑paper) require a subscription.

Why can’t I access the Sun newspaper? / My Sun Digital Edition is not loading?

1. Check your internet connection and clear your browser cache.
2. Ensure you have a valid subscription – log in via the subscriber portal.
3. If using the app, update to the latest version or reinstall.
4. Contact customer support at the Sun’s help centre if issues persist.

Free alternatives include PressReader (available through many public libraries in Ireland) and other news sites like the Irish Independent or BBC News Ireland.

How Much Will the Sun Pay Prince Harry?

What is the Prince Harry phone‑hacking case about?

Prince Harry sued News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun and The Irish Sun, over unlawful information gathering, including phone‑hacking. The case dates back to revelations from the 2011 News of the World scandal that spread to other News UK titles.

What did the Sun publisher admit?

On 5 April 2024, Prince Harry settled his libel claim against NGN. The publisher did not admit wrongdoing but issued a statement confirming the settlement (Reuters). Prince Harry called the publisher’s admission “historic” and said the truth had been “exposed” (The Guardian). The exact amount is confidential, but estimates suggest it runs into the millions.

“This is a historic day – the truth has been exposed.”

Prince Harry, statement after settlement (via The Guardian)

“News Group Newspapers confirms it has reached a settlement with Prince Harry.”

News UK spokesperson, statement to High Court (via BBC News)

What this means: The settlement raises ongoing questions about tabloid practices.

Timeline: Key Events

• 1964 – The Sun newspaper launched in the UK (Wikipedia)
• 2003 – The Irish Sun launched as a separate edition (Media Bias Fact Check)
• 2011 – Phone‑hacking scandal at News of the World uncovered, leading to investigations across News UK titles (BBC News)
• 5 April 2024 – Prince Harry settles libel claim against News Group Newspapers (The Guardian)

The timeline shows the long trajectory of controversy surrounding The Sun.

Confirmed Facts vs What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• The Irish Sun is a tabloid launched in 2003, owned by News UK (Media Bias Fact Check)
• Prince Harry settled with NGN in April 2024 (Reuters)
• The Sun is generally considered right‑wing (Media Bias Fact Check)

What’s unclear

• Exact settlement amount paid to Prince Harry
• Future changes to the paywall structure for online access
• Whether the Irish Sun will adjust its political leanings under News Corp

The Irish Sun remains a profitable, right‑leaning tabloid that balances UK brand identity with local Irish news. For readers in Ireland, the choice is between quick, sensational coverage (Irish Sun) and more reliable, in‑depth journalism (Irish Times). The Prince Harry settlement has exposed the legal risks of aggressive newsgathering, but the paper’s digital future seems secure as long as it keeps its audience engaged. For News Corp, the trade‑off is clear: continue the tabloid playbook, or adapt to rising demands for journalistic accountability.

Related reading: Irish Sun bias and credibility · The Sun (United Kingdom) – editorial stance and history

Frequently asked questions