Christmas time can be quite stressful for parents. Busy trying to ensure they’ve checked every list twice (wink wink), shops being closed has made things particularly difficult this year. Hoping to help give people a headstart on the mad Christmas rush, Smyths Toy Store has launched an early Black Friday sale with over a hundred […]

6 years ago

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that “there is no appetite to not exit level 5 in two weeks”. Speaking on RTÉ News about current restrictions and what the public can expect to happen further down the line, Minister Donnelly said: “There is no appetite to not exit level 5 in two weeks. There […]

6 years ago

Twitter users may have noticed that Queen of country music, Dolly Parton is trending on Twitter this evening. Why you may ask? Well, as it turns out the US singer has part-funded research that went towards the Moderna vaccine – a new vaccine seen to show over a 94.5 per cent effectiveness rate against Covid […]

6 years ago

Government has decided against the introduction of fines for groups of people spotted drinking alcohol outdoors. Earlier this morning it was reported that government authorities were looking to introduce fines for large groups congregating to drink alcohol outdoors, however, plans have since been put on hold due to significant opposition from members of Cabinet. Minister […]

6 years ago

Lyons Tea has become the first major Irish black tea brand to introduce a completely plant-based and biodegradable range of teabags. Hard to beat a good cuppa. Made from a plant material derived from cornstarch the new tea bags can go straight in the compost bin – as opposed to those from competitors which end […]

6 years ago

When is the latest I can post my Christmas presents and cards this year? All your Christmas post questions answered. Christmas time is one of the busiest times of the year for postal workers, with the demand for services this year already proving to exceed that of other years given current circumstances. With non-essential retail […]

6 years ago

Lonely Planet has named their best in travel for next year and one of our own has made the list with The Burren EcoTourism nabbing one of the top spots in the community tourism category.  Rounding up over 30 global tourism enterprises, Lonely Planet has compiled a list of what they consider to be the […]

6 years ago

It’s the third time that the UK funnyman has added more Irish dates in the past few months.  Clearly, we’re all very fond of Jimmy Carr so much so that the UK comedian has just added two new shows to his 2021 lineup – his third time to do so in just a matter of […]

6 years ago

Level 5 restrictions aren’t due to be lifted for another two weeks, but government is looking ahead to next month putting plans in place that will hopefully allow businesses to reopen and run as smoothly as possible in the run-up to Christmas. Countless industries have been suffering at the hands of Covid-19 with the hospitality […]

6 years ago

A true Irishman through and through, Hozier has proven that he’s a braver man than most and peeled himself from the bed at the crack of dawn this morning to go and plunge himself into the cold Irish water with the rest of the daily sea swimmers. Jumping aboard the winter swimrise bandwagon, the talented […]

6 years ago

One of many stars to join the Small Steps Celebrity Shoe Auction, Ricky Gervais is a longstanding supporter of the humanitarian charity which delivers shoes and emergency aid to children and families who live on landfill sites around the world. Joining the likes of supermodel Kate Moss and Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright in donating […]

6 years ago

John Lewis has just unveiled their Christmas ad for the year. Usually, one of the most highly anticipated festive ads of the season, this year’s offering is all about giving love and while the sentiment is nice, the ad itself hasn’t really done it for viewers with many saying it’s their least favourite one to […]

6 years ago

Tomorrow night’s Late Late Show is set to be a cracker as host Ryan Tubridy has confirmed a slew of high profile guests including Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, US chat show host Conan O’Brien, Hollywood actor Gabriel Byrne and Irish band The Coronas.  Announcing the guests for this week’s Late Late Show, it sounds […]

6 years ago

Already part of the Phantom alumni having previously played Phantom in a school show, Paul Mescal has set his sights on yet another musical – confirming that he’ll take over from Jamie Dornan as the male lead in the upcoming movie adaptation of Carmen.  Presumably, Dornan already has his hands full with Wild Mountain Thyme […]

6 years ago

Going into the details over on Instagram, organisers have updated the public on what to expect at this year’s Cork Christmas Market.  Christmas and markets go hand in hand but with current public health restrictions posing a threat to their viability, many places have decided to forgo the annual tradition this year. Not the Marina Market […]

6 years ago

Single? 2021 could be your year because it sounds like Love Island bosses are already planning ahead and have opened up applications for next year’s show. Hopeful that things will have gotten back to ‘normal’ (or as close as can be expected) by the time summer 2021 rolls around, Love Island producers have said that […]

6 years ago

An Post has warned of potential delays this Christmas, with staff noting a 130 per cent increase in the number of parcels being sent this year.  Encouraging people to do their shopping/sending well in advance, An Post has noted a huge spike in demand in recent weeks. Coming into their busiest time of the year, […]

6 years ago

Festive advertisements tend to have a bit of a reputation for pulling on the heartstrings and the SuperValu Christmas ad is no different – this year’s edition is a real tearjerker lads, you’ve been warned.  The Christmas ads are rolling in at lightning speed this year and I think it’s safe to say that there […]

6 years ago

Met Éireann has this morning issued an updated Status Yellow weather warning. In place for 10 counties, forecasters have advised that heavy rainfall is on the way bringing with it the chance of localised flooding. Issued this morning, the new warning covers Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary and Waterford. Further spells […]

6 years ago

Hot chocolate given the festive upgrade.  2020 has been a year of firsts – many of them things we’d all rather not have experienced but one positive has to be the universal shift in attitude towards Christmas. Christmas etiquette is a contentious topic and much debate arises each year, with vehement advocates for both sides. […]

6 years ago

Cabinet has reportedly agreed on new rules regarding travel restrictions and those travelling to Ireland from red-listed countries. Due to come into effect on midnight November 29th, the new rules will mean that travellers coming into Ireland from red-listed countries will be required to self isolate for a period of at least five days. After […]

6 years ago

One of the finest bakeries in all of Wicklow, Firehouse Bakery is well-known to locals and blow-ins alike. An award-winning bakery and café in Delgany, they run on the motto “eat, knead, sleep, repeat” and their sourdough is testament to this. Due to open a brand new brick and mortar location in Wicklow town, staff […]

6 years ago

Part of an initiative called Imagination Library, the free book gifting project was first launched by Dolly Parton back in 1995 with the aim being to encourage reading amongst young children. Dolly Parton has gifted thousands of free books to Irish readers, with young children down in Cork the lucky recipients of the generous donation. […]

6 years ago

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for five counties this morning, advising that heavy rainfall and spot flooding are on the way. Between 30 to 50mm of rain is expected to fall overnight – with higher amounts predicted in mountainous areas. Motorists are also being warned to expected reduced visibility and hazardous […]

6 years ago

On the hunt for some Irish self-care gifts for yourself/someone you love? Look no further.  Self-care looks different for everyone. It’s not always face masks and bubble baths. Sometimes it’s realising that the reason you can’t sleep is because something is bothering you. So you get up, make some tea and toast and stop beating […]

6 years ago

College in the Covid age – putting your head down and working your way through a college course is challenging at the best of times. Factor in a global pandemic and it’s even more so. Impacting absolutely all aspects of university life, it’s affected students in a myriad of different ways and while some have […]

6 years ago

Sundays = lazy days and what better way to close out the laziest of weekends than by plopping yourself in front of the telly. Here’s what movies are on tonight. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – FilmFour – 7:15pm  Based on the second novel in The Hunger Games trilogy of books. Jennifer Lawrence reprises her […]

6 years ago

It may not be cold and miserable outside (hooray!) but those are not necessary requirements for you to justify getting a hot chocolate. Any weather is hot chocolate weather in our eyes and sure isn’t it all the better that you can enjoy it without your cup having to double as an umbrella in between […]

6 years ago

This Irish newspaper has just earned themselves a gold star for their coverage of the presidential campaign – winning hearts with their article breaking the news that ‘West Clare hotelier’ Donald Trump had lost the election.  Notorious for many reasons, Donald Trump is generally referred to under three main job titles: former President of the […]

6 years ago

Yesterday evening it was announced that Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States – a piece of news that has gone down exceedingly well in the west of Ireland where his extended Irish family and admirers have been celebrating the news. Ballina supporters celebrate the news that their man is on […]

6 years ago

“Mayo for the White House.” A mere five seconds long, in the clip UK reporter Nick Byrant can be heard asking Mr Biden for a “quick word for the BBC” as he passes by… to which Biden responds: “The BBC? I’m Irish.” It’s the cheeky smile at the end that really nails his delivery of […]

6 years ago

Yesterday evening it was announced that, after several days of counting, a decision had been made and Joe Biden would become the 46th president of the United States of America.  Already having claimed the new President-Elect as their own, Irish people have joined in on the celebrations since word first broke with locals down in […]

6 years ago

All major US news networks and the Associated Press have called the race for Joe Biden with it being reported that he is now deemed the President-Elect. After a tense week of election counts, it’s being reported that Joe Biden is projected to win the race for president against current POTUS Donald Trump. On 273 […]

6 years ago

They even gave a shout out to honorary Irishman and Dalkey’s “temporary lockdown resident” Matt Damon. Ever thought about what places would feature in a roundup of the most beautiful Irish towns and villages? The folk at Condé Nast Travel sure have. Compiling a list of just that, they’ve ranked their top 12 picks and […]

6 years ago

This week has been one hell of a week so consider this your cue to throw on a pizza, crack open a bottle of wine and settle in for an evening of pure relaxation. Here’s what movies are on TV tonight: Shrek 2 – RTÉ One – 6:35pm  Just back from their honeymoon, newlyweds Shrek […]

6 years ago

A combination of sweet and savoury, its inside are filled with a mix of pork, veg and caramelised onion, while the outside is coated in pancake batter and deep-fried for good measure. One Derry coffee shop has shared a look at their latest masterpiece and it’s certainly grabbed our attention. A sausage roll with a […]

6 years ago

Statutory wording regarding wedding regulations has lead to some confusion on the matter but Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has since spoken out to clarify the guidelines. A maximum of 25 people are permitted to attend weddings under current Level 5 restrictions. Not including the bride, groom or those actually working at the wedding, hairdressers […]

6 years ago

Caveating the statement with a reminder that the run-up to Christmas will be very different than to previous years,  An Taoiseach Michéal Martin later commented that there is still cause for hope. With level five restrictions due to be lifted on December 1st, many people are looking ahead to next month in anticipation of what’s […]

6 years ago

Viewers have already made calls for it to be an annual occasion. Last night’s Late Late Show went down a treat with viewers, who have been heaping praise on the programme for shining a spotlight on struggling Irish businesses. An incredibly tough time for local traders and restaurateurs, last night’s show gave people a platform […]

6 years ago

One Brussels sprouts pizza with all the trimmings, please. On second thoughts, maybe not… Time has lost all meaning this year – anything from March on is a blur and so the fact that November seems to have become the new Christmas doesn’t surprise me all that much. Under normal circumstances, I’d be fighting tooth […]

6 years ago

Joining Ryan on the show this week is former One Direction star Niall Horan and comedian Deirdre O’Kane. The weekend is within touching distance and though we don’t necessarily have anything special planned, it’s still nice to have two days off to look forward to. Announcing the lineup for tomorrow night’s Late Late show, this […]

6 years ago

Hark! Christmas FM is back online and it’s about to get a whole lot more Christmassy (is that a word?) up in here.  Pulling a Beyoncé on it and surprising us all with their return, the guys at Christmas FM have confirmed that they’re back online as of today. Clearly on the fast track to […]

6 years ago

Irish hotels have been having a great run of it this awards season with several of the country’s finest picking up prizes at the World Travel Awards. Ranking hotels on a number of different factors, the experts compiled their findings into one neat little list with only the cream of the crop being recognised. Where […]

6 years ago

Locals down in Kildare are being asked for their help to reunite a lost dog – going by the name of Shadow – with its very worried owner. Where, oh where, oh where is Shadow? Where could Shadow be?  It’s the question Bear in the big blue house first asked us way back when we […]

6 years ago

Christmas will look a little different this year due to current circumstances and while many of the annual traditions may have to be put on hold (including Dublin’s Mistletown Fair), one Wicklow spot is making sure that their popular Christmas markets go ahead as planned. Revealing that it’s still very much all systems go when […]

6 years ago

Mourning the loss of two well-known local fishermen, one Galway café is honouring their memory by fundraising for the RNLI.  Two well-known members of the Galway area, the loss of Tom and Martin Oliver has rocked the local community in recent days with news of the men’s passing being met with an outpouring of love […]

6 years ago

Working to help end hygiene poverty, volunteers have said that the demand for services offered by The Hygiene Bank has increased dramatically since the onset of the first lockdown in early March. A community initiative giving hygiene and personal care products to those in need, The Hygiene Bank Ireland has just launched its new ‘it’s […]

6 years ago

Rumours of an online shop have been swirling for quite some time, but the Penneys bigwigs have spoken… and no such thing is in the works. When will Penneys reopen? It was the question on most Irish people’s lips during the first lockdown, and it’s the same one many are asking this time around as […]

6 years ago

A short film written by and starring Bray native Laura Whitmore, Sadhbh tells the tale of a young mother struggling to keep her life together. A short film starring Laura Whitmore is amongst those chosen to premiere at the LA Indie Film Festival. Titled Sadhbh, the film marks the Whitmore’s first foray into the screenwriting […]

6 years ago

Ireland’s best hotel spa… if this place wasn’t on your bucket list before, you should probably add it in fairly lively. Ashford Castle has been playing a blinder this year – nominated as one of the best honeymoon resorts in all of Europe, Condé Nast readers also ranked it within the top five best resorts […]

6 years ago