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Mon, Dec 16, 2019
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Greta Thunberg: ‘It would have been even nicer had you also reported how friendly and competently you were looked after by our team at your seat in the first class,’ said Deutsche Bahn. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane Greta Thunberg: German rail firm hits back in seat row
  • Travel
  • December 16, 2019, 12:30

Deutsche Bahn says activist’s tweet implied she had not been offered a seat on journey home

Revealed: The most-viewed properties of 2019 on myhome.ie Revealed: The most-viewed properties of 2019 on myhome.ie
  • Homes & Property
  • Ronald Quinlan
  • December 16, 2019, 10:25

From islands on the Wild Atlantic Way to three-bed starter homes to country estates

Which detergent is better for the environment - powder, liquid or sachets? Which detergent is better for the environment - powder, liquid or sachets?
  • Life & Style
  • Manchán Magan
  • December 16, 2019, 07:00

One Change: Pods are convenient, but they are not the environmentally-friendly option

‘I nearly gave up on Water Babies on day one, but I’m glad I didn’t’ ‘I nearly gave up on Water Babies on day one, but I’m glad I didn’t’
  • Parenting
  • Tanya Sweeney
  • December 16, 2019, 06:07

Tanya Sweeney: After a few minutes of ‘oh, this is new’ suspicion, the baby was fully committed

Working out on an empty stomach may have benefits Working out on an empty stomach may have benefits
  • Fitness
  • Gretchen Reynolds
  • December 16, 2019, 06:01

Whether and when we eat could affect how exercise affects us, new study reveals

The four-star hotel achieving a happy marriage of luxury and sustainability The four-star hotel achieving a happy marriage of luxury and sustainability
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Why do thousands undergo unnecessary appendix removal? Why do thousands undergo unnecessary appendix removal?
  • Health & Family
  • Dr Muiris Houston
  • December 16, 2019, 06:01

Review finds most people with suspected appendicitis don’t have appendicitis

How to cook Christmas: Turkey and ham made easy How to cook Christmas: Turkey and ham made easy
  • Food & Drink
  • Marie Claire Digby
  • December 16, 2019, 11:05

Christmas Dinner Part I: Neven Maguire and Darina Allen's top tips for putting a great dinner on the table

Irish Rail ban on reusable cups angers passengers Irish Rail ban on reusable cups angers passengers
  • Food & Drink
  • December 16, 2019, 11:04

Company says there are staff health and safety issues with passengers using keep cups

‘If someone seems to have all the answers, run’ ‘If someone seems to have all the answers, run’
  • People
  • Una Mullally
  • December 16, 2019, 06:00

Life Lessons: Dan Colley, theatre director and dramaturg

To cook your goose, first find a sod of turf To cook your goose, first find a sod of turf
  • Food & Drink
  • JP McMahon
  • December 16, 2019, 06:00

Long before turkey, goose was the traditional meat in an Irish Christmas dinner

What sold for about €265k in Dublin 7, Temple Bar, and Bettystown What sold for about €265k in Dublin 7, Temple Bar, and Bettystown
  • Homes & Property
  • December 16, 2019, 06:00

City centre apartments, a semi in a Meath seaside town and fixer-upper in Cabra

Mobile-free zone: go old-school with family-friendly board games Mobile-free zone: go old-school with family-friendly board games
  • Life & Style
  • Danielle Barron
  • December 16, 2019, 05:00

Forget Fortnite, nix Netflix and dig out some old-fashioned board games for real quality time with the family

My 11-year-old is too anxious to sleep by himself My 11-year-old is too anxious to sleep by himself
  • Parenting
  • John Sharry
  • December 15, 2019, 16:01

He can’t cope without one of us staying with him all night and gets distressed even if we just leave to go to the bathroom

A new diner in Dublin’s up-and-coming culinary hot spot A new diner in Dublin’s up-and-coming culinary hot spot
  • Food & Drink
  • Marie Claire Digby
  • December 15, 2019, 06:30

Food File: Hen’s Teeth Diner brings its lunchtime offering to foodie-friendly Dublin 8

Our Columnists

Tanya Sweeney Tanya Sweeney -

‘I nearly gave up on Water Babies on day one, but I’m glad I didn’t’

Jennifer O'Connell Jennifer O'Connell -

There’s a kind of homesickness only emigrants understand at Christmas

Hilary Fannin Hilary Fannin -

They let my father die. He would not have wanted to live like that

Padraig O'Morain Padraig O'Morain -

Mental health: we’re failing our young people

Homes and Property

Top of the props: Rathlin O’Birne Island, whose sale includes two lighthouse keeper’s cottages but not the lighthouse Revealed: The most-viewed properties of 2019 on myhome.ie
  • Homes & Property
  • Ronald Quinlan

From islands on the Wild Atlantic Way to three-bed starter homes to country estates

The average Irish home emits 58 per cent more energy-related carbon dioxide than the average EU dwelling. Photograph: Getty Images Block up the fireplace. Stow the stove. ‘We have to stop burning stuff’
At home on the open road: Vanlife’s modern nomads
  • Romantic Belfast villa looking for its perfect match
  • Auction results and forthcoming sales

Food & Drink

Christmas turkey, carved at the table. Photograph: iStock How to cook Christmas: Turkey and ham made easy
  • Food & Drink
  • Marie Claire Digby

Christmas Dinner Part I: Neven Maguire and Darina Allen's top tips for putting a great dinner on the table

It is against Irish Rail company policy for passengers to receive hot drinks directly in reusable cups Photograph: iStock Irish Rail ban on reusable cups angers passengers
Roast goose. iStock To cook your goose, first find a sod of turf
  • A new diner in Dublin’s up-and-coming culinary hot spot
  • We have two Christmases every year: when Polish and Irish traditions meet

Health and Family

We would walk into the swimming pool and the baby would burst with excitement. Photograph: iStock ‘I nearly gave up on Water Babies on day one, but I’m glad I didn’t’
  • Parenting
  • Tanya Sweeney

Tanya Sweeney: After a few minutes of ‘oh, this is new’ suspicion, the baby was fully committed

If you hope to use exercise to keep you healthy in the coming holiday period, you might try to get up and out early or after not eating for hours. Photograph: iStock Working out on an empty stomach may have benefits
More women present with appendicitis symptoms because, compared to men, there’s a bigger range of things that can cause right-sided tummy pain in females. Photograph: iStock Why do thousands undergo unnecessary appendix removal?
  • My 11-year-old is too anxious to sleep by himself
  • I’m not a mother. Please don’t judge me

Abroad

Brittany on a sunny day. Photograph: Niall O’Reilly Welcome to my place ... Brittany
  • Niall O’Reilly

Brittany is the vegetable basket of France and the food markets are a joy to visit

Homesickness isn’t really about place. It’s about experiences. It’s a longing for memories of another time, memories that don’t yet exist, and now won’t ever exist. Photograph: iStock There’s a kind of homesickness only emigrants understand at Christmas
British prime minister Boris Johnson arrives back in 10 Downing Street after Conservative party win in UK general election. Photograph: Vickie Flores/EPA Irish people living in UK react to election: ‘We’re looking for an exit strategy’
  • Irish in Britain: Share you reaction to the election result
  • ‘Ireland is modern now; I’m not holding on to an illusion like many expats’

One Change

The outer packaging of pods are made from a water-soluble polymer (polyvinyl alcohol) which is safe, though this polymer contains a toxic monomer called vinyl acetate, which can harm aquatic lifeforms and causes tumours in rats. Which detergent is better for the environment - powder, liquid or sachets?
  • Life & Style
  • Manchán Magan

One Change: Pods are convenient, but they are not the environmentally-friendly option

Photograph: iStock/Getty 50 tips for a more sustainable (and cheaper) Christmas
Nordmann firs – which are the most popular Christmas tree – absorb carbon from the air while they’re growing. Photograph: iStock Real or fake Christmas tree – what’s better for the environment?
  • What’s the point in recycling when China and India pollute so much?
  • I’ve been trying to eat less meat, but now I like it more than ever

Fashion

This honey grey cashmere sweater (€495) is from Paula Marron’s fifth knitwear collection on her label Castanea Paula Marron’s new collection marks her out as a rising Irish cashmere queen
  • Fashion
  • Deirdre McQuillan

Style File: Also, stylish long johns for the man in your life and baby shower gifts

Bow flats, Û240, J.Crew Fancy Feet: from evening flats to bejewelled heels, the best shoes for party season
Beauty gift sets from Nars, Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Lush, Spectrum and ghd Our 15 favourite beauty gift sets for spreading a little joy this Christmas
  • Beat the frizz: styling products that withstand winter weather
  • Jen Nollaig: Ireland’s most Christmassy woman is back

Travel

Greta Thunberg: ‘It would have been even nicer had you also reported how friendly and competently you were looked after by our team at your seat in the first class,’ said Deutsche Bahn. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane Greta Thunberg: German rail firm hits back in seat row
  • Travel

Deutsche Bahn says activist’s tweet implied she had not been offered a seat on journey home

The scale of the Po-i Kalan Islamic complex of 16th century buildings in Bukhara brought Shilpa Ganatra to tears. Uzbekistan: the ridiculously good-looking country that’s becoming a hotspot for travellers
Bruegel Box: three of the artist’s painting are projected on to walls, floor to ceiling around you, at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts Brussels is buzzing with Bruegel artwork to celebrate 450th anniversary
  • Ashford Castle: Eighty years old and more gorgeous than ever
  • Ireland wins best destination in Europe award in New York prizes

Motors

Mercedes makes another stab at creating a car for the Russian mafia
  • Motors
  • Michael Sheridan

We’re still left wondering why anyone would opt for the GLE coupe over the excellent regular crossover version

Motoring in the right direction: the all-electric Mustang Mach-E crossover has made people feel a lot more positive about the Ford brand. Photograph: Ringo Chiu/EPA Job losses loom for Ford in Ireland, but has corner been turned?
Go to Rally School Ireland in Monaghan to sample sideways action in classic Escorts, Subarus and even a Nissan 350Z police car. Five top gifts for the car enthusiast in your life
  • Peugeot gives its new 2008 crossover the family look – and an all-electric option
  • 1: BMW 3 Series – Our top choice for 2020 reminds us why driving is fun

Outdoors

A freshwater terrapin found on White Rock beach in Killiney, Co Dublin Is this a baby turtle I found in Killiney? Readers’ nature queries
  • Ethna Viney

Ethna Viney on freshwater terrapin, tortoiseshell butterflies, birds and foxes

‘In my bicycling years, I once took a few weeks to trundle right around Ireland.’ All change on our once bustling highways and byways
Winter solstice lottery winners in the chamber at Newgrange on December 21st, 2017. Misty weather blocked the sunrise from entering the chamber. Photograph: Alan Betson Ireland’s shortest day will not fall on December 21st this year
  • Bring back my bunny to me: Readers’ nature queries
  • Michael Viney: These hills are made for walking

More Ross O'Carroll-Kelly

Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Goys, does Ronan look like he’s actually in control of that horse?’
  • Ross O'Carroll-Kelly
  • December 14, 2019

I’m like, ‘What the fock, Ro?’ because I’m suddenly thinking about the 20Ks I’ve just lost

‘Brian and Leo are crying their eyes out while calling their brother every F word, B word and C word under the sun.’ Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘When I say Lapland, I’m not talking about the gentlemen’s club’
‘Boisterous? They’ve mouths on them like rappers. What if one of them drops a fock-bomb live on air?’ ‘Tubs sees the boys then and – in fairness – he gives them the benefit of the doubt’
  • ‘The dude goes, the horse is a maniac. He’s the maddest animal I’ve ever seen’
  • ‘Oh my God,’ Honor goes, ‘there’s a focking horse in the gorden!’

People

Dan Colley: ‘I’m a paradoxical combination of space cadet and control freak. I’m sure it’s very annoying.’ Photograph: Enda Rowan ‘If someone seems to have all the answers, run’
  • People
  • Una Mullally

Life Lessons: Dan Colley, theatre director and dramaturg

Fiachra Ó Marcaigh: At the age of 25, he was appointed to the board of the weekly magazine Anois, and he would be associated with Irish language publishing for more than 30 years. An Appreciation: Fiachra Ó Marcaigh
Eunice Baily (left) and Clare Brazil have been exchanging the same Christmas by the post since 1956. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times ‘Send it to me next year’: The Christmas card sent between two friends since 1956
  • Lovers in Auschwitz, reunited 72 years later
  • Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Goys, does Ronan look like he’s actually in control of that horse?’

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Give the gift of relaxation, rest and rejuvenation with a spa package from Eden One Give the gift of relaxation, rest and rejuvenation with a spa package from Eden One

Setting unparalleled standards as Dublin's finest destination day spa, full facility gym and private members' club, a gift package from Eden One will make the perfect pampering gift this Christmas

Abbott developing habits for a healthy lifetime Abbott developing habits for a healthy lifetime

Global healthcare leader Abbott is empowering young people to develop good health habits that will remain with them for life with its new Future Well Kids initiative

Smartwatch Christmas gift guide: A little something for everyone Smartwatch Christmas gift guide: A little something for everyone

From kids to the family fitness fanatic, smartwatches and fitness trackers make a great Christmas present

Subscriber Only

‘I cannot get my best friend out of my head’. Photograph: iStock I just got married – but I’m still in love with my best friend
Taza Restaurant on Ardcollum Avenue in Artane, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times. This northside Dublin restaurant is a gem. Try the Molly Malone masala
‘I find this incredibly difficult to deal with, this is my son who I gave birth to, that I clothed as a boy and I dreamt of becoming a man, a husband and father.’ Photograph: iStock. ‘My son believes he is female and I am finding it incredibly difficult’
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Meet the Chef

The Irish Times Food & Drink Club Meet the Chef dinner with Garry Hughes in the Constitution Suite at the Shelbourne hotel. Photographs: Tom Honan Food Month: Michelin stars and magical meals
Michelin-starred Liath, in Blackrock, will open for dinner on Sunday, November 3rd, for an Irish Times Food & Drink Club event. Photograph: Alan Betson Want to eat at Michelin-starred Liath restaurant?
The Irish Times Food and Drink Club Meet the Chef event in chef Brian McDermott’s Foyle Hotel, Moville, Co Donegal. Photographs: Crispin Rodwell Like Indian food? Then this Irish Times Food & Drink Club event is for you
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Most Read in Life & Style

1 It is against Irish Rail company policy for passengers to receive hot drinks directly in reusable cups Photograph: iStock Irish Rail ban on reusable cups angers passengers
2 Top of the props: Rathlin O’Birne Island, whose sale includes two lighthouse keeper’s cottages but not the lighthouse Revealed: The most-viewed properties of 2019 on myhome.ie
3 Greta Thunberg: ‘It would have been even nicer had you also reported how friendly and competently you were looked after by our team at your seat in the first class,’ said Deutsche Bahn. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane Greta Thunberg: German rail firm hits back in seat row
4 If you hope to use exercise to keep you healthy in the coming holiday period, you might try to get up and out early or after not eating for hours. Photograph: iStock Working out on an empty stomach may have benefits
5 Christmas turkey, carved at the table. Photograph: iStock How to cook Christmas: Turkey and ham made easy
6 The outer packaging of pods are made from a water-soluble polymer (polyvinyl alcohol) which is safe, though this polymer contains a toxic monomer called vinyl acetate, which can harm aquatic lifeforms and causes tumours in rats. Which detergent is better for the environment - powder, liquid or sachets?
7 The average Irish home emits 58 per cent more energy-related carbon dioxide than the average EU dwelling. Photograph: Getty Images Block up the fireplace. Stow the stove. ‘We have to stop burning stuff’
8 Eunice Baily (left) and Clare Brazil have been exchanging the same Christmas by the post since 1956. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times ‘Send it to me next year’: The Christmas card sent between two friends since 1956
9 Bernadette Fallon: I’m the person your children can come to when they’re too scared, confused or ashamed to talk to you. Photograph: Rob Wilson jnr I’m not a mother. Please don’t judge me
10 We would walk into the swimming pool and the baby would burst with excitement. Photograph: iStock ‘I nearly gave up on Water Babies on day one, but I’m glad I didn’t’
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