Watching Home Alone, seeing the Coca-Cola trucks, hearing the opening bars of Fairytale Of New York. These are just some of the ways to finish any sentence which starts with ‘it’s not Christmas until…’ For the past few years, however, another festive milestone has paved the way for Irish people to enter into the spirit […]

7 years ago

Saoirse Ronan is busy promoting her upcoming movie Little Women but took some time out to watch Paris Saint-Germain take on Galatasaray in the Champions League last night. The Carlow actress was joined in the French capital by co-stars Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet, as well as the movie’s director Greta Gerwig, to see the […]

7 years ago

Isn’t it great living in Ireland? A historic land of saints and scholars, beautiful greenery, stunning castles and other cool stuff like that. A playground for culture vultures from around the world, Ireland offers something for anyone who loves a bit of history, scenery, sport or entertainment. Any of this lot should be able to […]

7 years ago

Still stuck for a present for that 25-40 year-old in your life? Fear not, as there’s a heap of nostalgic Christmas gifts out there that will transport them straight back to their childhoods on Christmas morning. 90s nostalgia is all the rage at the moment with retro gifts in the areas of gaming, clothing, movies […]

7 years ago

Cork restaurant Sajna was forced to close last month due to the presence of a dead rodent on the premises. The closure order was issued on November 19 under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998. The reasons given were ‘the presence of a dead rodent in the dry goods store which opens directly […]

7 years ago

The nominations for the 2020 Golden Globes are here and Saoirse Ronan has been recognised for her role in upcoming period drama Little Women. The Carlow star has been nominated in the category of Best Actress In A Motion Picture – Drama alongside Renée Zellweger (Judy), Charlize Theron (Bombshell), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story) and Cynthia […]

7 years ago

For those that are feeling smug about putting up their Christmas tree over the weekend, the nominees for Ireland’s most Christmassy home are sure to bring you back down to earth. The six finalists are spread across the country with Dublin, Roscommon and Wexford all represented while Limerick has outdone itself with three nominations this […]

7 years ago

While 2019 brought some memorable moments, it’s fair to say that it’s been a fairly mixed year for Irish sport. Notably, Shane Lowry reached the top of the golfing game by winning The Open in July, Rhys McClenaghan claimed a bronze medal at the World Gymnastics Championships and Katie Taylor continued to scale the heights […]

7 years ago

Irish people are feckin’ mad for a bit of nostalgia so today we thought we’d take you right back to the heyday of modern Irish entertainment. We are of course referring to the era when RTÉ’s ‘The Den’ absolutely ruled television and brightened up our little lives whenever we got home from school. From the […]

7 years ago

While fans worldwide have been falling over themselves today to get tickets for Stormzy’s 2020 world tour, the rapper has been busy adding some extra dates. Dublin is one of the cities which have been treated to an extra performance of the star’s Heavy Is The Head tour and if we are to follow the […]

7 years ago

A new festival for Westport has been announced for next summer and it will be headlined by Dublin singer Dermot Kennedy as well as Johnny Marr of The Smiths fame. The Saltwater Festival will take place over the June Bank Holiday weekend or, in the case of 2020, from Friday May 29 until Sunday May […]

7 years ago

You’ve seen The Snapper, you’ve quoted it a million times and you might even have read the book. That doesn’t mean you won’t sit down on the sofa for its traditional Christmas screening this year. The Irish classic is on our screens more than any big-budget Hollywood effort and for good reason, anyone who has […]

7 years ago

The city of Liverpool has always had an affinity with Ireland and it’s easy to see why so many make the short trip across the Irish Sea every weekend. When we say short we’re not exaggerating either. If you buy a newspaper to pass the time on the flight from Dublin to John Lennon airport, […]

7 years ago

Three Ireland has confirmed that it will end its sponsorship deal with the Football Association of Ireland next year. The telecommunications company began sponsoring Ireland’s international squads in 2010 and renewed its deal in 2015. In a statement released this afternoon, Three said that it “has made the decision not to renew its sponsorship of […]

7 years ago

The first headliners for Sea Sessions 2020 have been confirmed and Norwegian singer Sigrid leads the way. The annual Bundoran festival confirmed its first set of performers this afternoon and joining the Scandinavian star will be some Irish representatives in the form of rap group Versatile and Dublin singer/songwriter Gavin James. There are more homegrown […]

7 years ago

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has got a fancy new job and yesterday it took him to Belfast for a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The Frenchman recently took up the post of head of global football development at FIFA and one of his first assignments took him Laganside to discuss issues […]

7 years ago

Spraoi, Súgradh, Siamsa, Sonas – they’re all here! We’re told to enjoy our schooldays because they’re the best days of our lives but nobody ever really believes it until the cold, harsh reality of adulthood smacks us square in the face as soon as we leave the school gates forevers. It was a more innocent […]

7 years ago

The dust may just have settled on the 2019 Rugby World Cup but attention is already turning to the British & Irish Lions tour of 2021. The schedule for the quadrennial series was announced this morning and will see the best players from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales pit their wits against world champions South […]

7 years ago

For Irish people of a certain vintage, Into The West is a movie that holds a special place in our hearts and thanks to TG4, we can relive it all on Christmas night. The station has revealed a whole host of films it will be screening over the course of the festive season but it’s […]

7 years ago

US rock band The National have today announced three big Irish shows which will take place in June of next year. The five-piece, led by frontman Matt Berninger, will take to the stage at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast on June 6 before appearances at the Docklands Festival in Limerick on June 7 and Live […]

7 years ago

The Irishman is one of Netflix’s most-anticipated releases of the year but if there’s one thing putting people off watching it, it’s the running time. Yep, believe it or not, some people find it difficult to get the time for a three-and-a-half sitting, even if the reviews of the Martin Scorcese crime flick have been […]

7 years ago

The 2019 Toy Show has been and gone and one of the most heartwarming stories this year involved young Sophia Maher facing down her bullies live on air. The youngster appeared on Friday’s show and told Ryan Tubridy that she is often slagged about hairstyle, kicked and called a “weirdo”. Sophia captured many a heart […]

7 years ago

Premier Sports has announced that the former RTÉ punditry team of John Giles, Eamon Dunphy and Liam Brady is reuniting to cover a series of Premier League matches this December. The trio were a fixture on the television screens of Irish football fans form 1998 until 2016, when Giles departed the national broadcaster. Dunphy left […]

7 years ago

Liverpool FC have announced plans to expand their Anfield stadium and are looking into the possibility of hosting Gaelic Games at the venue. The European champions have issued a statement this morning which outlines proposals to increase the capacity of their Anfield Road stand by around 7,000 seats. If approved, the overall stadium capacity would […]

7 years ago

When planning a trip to the Far East, it’s usually cities like Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong that spring to mind but there’s one other spot that tends to slip under the radar. Seoul has the perfect blend of rich history, culture as well as amazing food and having lived in South Korea for close […]

7 years ago

Take cover parents because RTÉ has revealed that Frozen will be the theme of tonight’s Late Late Toy Show. The 2019 edition of the annual extravaganza gets underway at 9.35pm and host Ryan Tubridy says that it will feature the “most outrageous opening number yet.” That’s saying a lot considering some of his previous performances… […]

7 years ago

Bengal Brasserie in Belfast will be offering free meals to people who are alone this Christmas. Luthfer Ahmed, owner of the Ormeau Road eatery, is inviting anyone who ‘finds themselves on their own at Christmas to join him and the staff at Bengal Brasserie Ormeau road on Wednesday 25th December 2019 to share a Christmas […]

7 years ago

There are plenty of things to love about the Late Late Toy Show. Musical performances, rogue toys regularly acquiring a mind of their own and that’s before we even start talking about Ryan Tubridy’s jumpers. But the one thing that keeps most of the population tuning in every year is the opportunity to see the […]

7 years ago

Are you a fan of llamas? Silly question, who isn’t? They’re fluffy, their faces are filled with expression and they’re kind of like a camel’s hipster cousin. If you’re nodding as you read then Cusco is the place for you. The Peruvian city has long been a stop-off point for pilgrims heading to Machu Picchu, […]

7 years ago

For many people, picking out a Christmas tree is one of the most exciting activities of the festive season. Going to one of the many Christmas tree yards around Dublin, taking in the smell of the conifers, squeezing the chosen one into the boot of your car and driving home as it tickles the back […]

7 years ago

You’ve done all the talking and now it’s time to plan. South America seems to be the continent on everybody’s bucket list and anyone who’s been there will tell you what a life-changing experience it is. You usually read about the same places in the travel books so we’ve put together an itinerary that […]

7 years ago

When it comes to sunkissed scenery, Asia isn’t exactly short on stunning destinations. From the islands of the Philippines to the sprawling beaches of Thailand, you won’t be long finding your ideal location to spend a relaxing week or two. That said, if you’re looking for something a bit different to the usual backpacking destinations, […]

7 years ago

It’s been a few weeks since crime drama Dublin Murders wrapped up on RTÉ after entertaining and confusing people in equal measure during its run. The eight-episode show, based on the novels of Tana French, had Irish viewers gripped but it’s fair to say that some felt the series petered out a bit after a […]

7 years ago

Ah, payday. The one day every month we can live likely royalty before another 30 days of paying bills and staying in. You’ll want to make the most of it before all your hard-earned cash disappears. All of these Galway restaurants have delectable menus and with a bit of extra cash in your pocket at […]

7 years ago

When you hear the word ‘Copacabana’, you’ll most likely immediately think of the bustling beach in Rio De Janeiro, one of the most famous tourist sites in South America. All while humming the Barry Manilow classic of the same name, of course. Well, I’m here to tell you something that will change the way you […]

7 years ago

Dust off the Gareth Keenan ‘quiet night at the library’ memes because the Republic Of Ireland face a trip to Belfast to seal a place at Euro 2020. Bit of an obscure reference for those who aren’t fans of the undoubtedly superior version of The Office but let’s move on. After a draw this morning, […]

7 years ago

Are you and your mates mad about musicals? Well, there’s a table quiz you might actually have a chance of winning taking place in Galway next week. The Black Gate on Francis Street will be holding the Musicals Quiz on Tuesday and it will suit anyone with any knowledge about the biggest musicals from stage […]

7 years ago

Popular Kilkenny spot Paris Texas was named National Pub Of The Year at the Irish Pub Awards 2019 last night. The High Street venue has long been a hit with locals and visitors alike and the team were rewarded at a glitzy ceremony at Dublin’s RDS. Paris Texas takes over from 2018 winner The Glyde […]

7 years ago

The 2019 Late Late Toy Show hits our screens next week so it’s about time we had a little taster, don’t you think? Thankfully, RTÉ has delivered just that by unveiling the promo for this year’s extravaganza. Featuring a young boy quizzing his mam on Toy Shows of years gone by, it will leave viewers […]

7 years ago

International food chain German Doner Kebab has announced that it will be opening 40 new restaurants in Ireland. The ‘fast-casual’ brand will expand here next year, with a flagship store confirmed to be coming to Dublin in the coming months. German Doner Kebab already operates stores in the UK, Sweden, Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, Oman and Bahrain, […]

7 years ago

The line-up for the 2020 European Championship is almost complete and figuring out how we got here will require 500 points in next year’s CAO. The good news is that most of the complicated business is over and Ireland’s path to the tournament is now quite straightforward. Kind of. Having finished third in the group […]

7 years ago

I’m A Celebrity 2019 is underway and Ian Wright’s shaky start to the programme seems to have gone down well with one man in particular. Along with Roy Keane, the former footballer provided one of the most viral moments of the 2018 World Cup when the pair butted heads on whether England were celebrating success […]

7 years ago

Ireland v Denmark in the middle of November. Where have we heard that before? The nightmare of our 5-1 defeat against the Danes two years ago is still fresh in the memory but the Boys In Green can go long way towards banishing those ghosts later this evening. Like an awkward relative who turns up […]

7 years ago

Gig announcements are ten a penny at this time of year but anyone who has ever seen the Chemical Brothers live will know that they pretty much top the lot. The British electronic duo have confirmed that they will play a show at Cork’s Irish Independent Park on Saturday June 20 2020 and the gig […]

7 years ago

‘Tis the season to be jolly and also visit as many Christmas markets as you can. Of course, it would be impossible to visit them all over the course of one festive season unless you had some kind of magic sleigh that allows you to travel the world in the space of one evening. But […]

7 years ago

As I was planning a trip to Galway City a while back, I naturally wanted to be right in the heart of the action. It was only a one-night stay so I wasn’t exactly keen on wasting precious minutes wandering the streets looking for decent cafés, bars and restaurants in one of Ireland’s most vibrant […]

7 years ago

Great news for those who love a late-morning McMuffin because McDonald’s has announced that it will be extending its breakfast hours. The fast food chain has confirmed that from next Wednesday, people will be able to get their fix up until 11am, as opposed to 10.30am which is the time breakfast currently finishes at. As […]

7 years ago

Scanning the front pages today, you might notice that there’s significantly less coverage of Ireland beating New Zealand than there was when the rugby lads did the same 12 months ago. Mick McCarthy’s men came away with a 3-1 win over the All Whites last night but if you’re hoping to fill your stocking with […]

7 years ago

A couple of weeks ago, a pair of budding singers drew plenty of attention when they performed a Christina Aguilera song at Connolly Station in Dublin. The duo, namely Darragh Smith and Stephanie Starpong, wowed rail passengers with their rendition of Say Something by A Great Big World and Xtina herself, who was actually in […]

7 years ago

Have you seen the one where Tom Cruise nearly gets knocked out for stealing a pack of smokes down in Kerry? You wouldn’t have because unlike most of the Mission Impossible star’s escapades, this one wasn’t documented on the big screen and in fact happened in real life. That’s according to Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae […]

7 years ago