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Mon, Dec 16, 2019
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Nighttime is frequently a time of peak anxiety for children and as a result, lots of children find it hard to fall asleep alone. Photograph: iStock 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

Uzbekistan: the ridiculously good-looking country that’s becoming a hotspot for travellers Uzbekistan: the ridiculously good-looking country that’s becoming a hotspot for travellers
  • Long Haul
  • Shilpa Ganatra
  • December 15, 2019, 06:10

Central Asia returns as a popular destination due to centuries of globally-important history and culture

I’m not a mother. Please don’t judge me I’m not a mother. Please don’t judge me
  • Health & Family
  • Bernadette Fallon
  • December 15, 2019, 06:10

Almost one in five Irish women in their mid-40s are childless. Why is it still such a taboo?

‘Send it to me next year’: The Christmas card sent between two friends since 1956 ‘Send it to me next year’: The Christmas card sent between two friends since 1956
  • People
  • Louise Ní Chríodáin
  • December 15, 2019, 06:10

Eunice Baily and Clare Brazil met in school and have exchanged the same card since

“At the end of the day it is about encouraging people to be more active” “At the end of the day it is about encouraging people to be more active”
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Welcome to my place ... Brittany Welcome to my place ... Brittany
  • Abroad
  • Niall O’Reilly
  • December 15, 2019, 06:01

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

We have two Christmases every year: when Polish and Irish traditions meet We have two Christmases every year: when Polish and Irish traditions meet
  • Food & Drink
  • Aoife Carrigy
  • December 15, 2019, 06:00

One Polish-Irish couple reveal how they marry their different ways of celebrating Christmas

Vegan mince pies that will put everyone in the festive spirit Vegan mince pies that will put everyone in the festive spirit
  • Food & Drink
  • Vanessa Greenwood
  • December 15, 2019, 06:00

Omitting the butter gives the filo pastry a wonderful crunch without a greasy finish

Block up the fireplace. Stow the stove. ‘We have to stop burning stuff’ Block up the fireplace. Stow the stove. ‘We have to stop burning stuff’
  • Homes & Property
  • Sylvia Thompson
  • December 15, 2019, 06:00

Ireland has one of Europe’s worst records in burning fuel to heat our homes

I just got married – but I’m still in love with my best friend I just got married – but I’m still in love with my best friend
  • Health & Family
  • Roe McDermott
  • December 15, 2019, 06:00

Ask Roe: I wouldn’t cheat on my husband, but I can’t stop thinking about the friend

Gifts for him: 13 great ideas Gifts for him: 13 great ideas
  • Life & Style
  • December 15, 2019, 05:00

Delight the men in your life with one of these gorgeous gifts

At home on the open road: Vanlife’s modern nomads At home on the open road: Vanlife’s modern nomads
  • Homes & Property
  • Peter Murtagh
  • December 15, 2019, 05:00

Fed up with conventional life? You could always swap your home for a camper van

Health Board: Upcoming conferences, talks, campaigns and events Health Board: Upcoming conferences, talks, campaigns and events
  • Health & Family
  • Damian Cullen
  • December 15, 2019, 04:01

Lovers in Auschwitz, reunited 72 years later Lovers in Auschwitz, reunited 72 years later
  • People
  • Keren Blankfeld
  • December 14, 2019, 07:00

David and Helen arranged to meet after the war. It took them until 2016 to do so

Our Columnists

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

Laura Kennedy Laura Kennedy -

Burnout: a slow dissolution of the tether that attaches you to the moment

Homes and Property

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’
  • Homes & Property
  • Sylvia Thompson

Ireland has one of Europe’s worst records in burning fuel to heat our homes

At home on the open road: Vanlife’s modern nomads
5 Broomhill Park, Malone Road, Belfast Romantic Belfast villa looking for its perfect match
  • Auction results and forthcoming sales
  • ‘It was costing us €4,000 a month to live in Dublin – we couldn’t make ends meet’

Food & Drink

Hen’s Teeth Diner in Dublin 8: the diner’s lunchtime offering of soup, salads and sandwiches is more exciting than it sounds. Photograph: Starick A new diner in Dublin’s up-and-coming culinary hot spot
  • Food & Drink
  • Marie Claire Digby

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

Frank Kavanagh and Peter Sztal in Cloud Picker, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, with Peters mother Anna Sztal holding a dish of pierogi, a traditional Christmas food in Poland. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill We have two Christmases every year: when Polish and Irish traditions meet
Vegan mince pies: a real Christmas treat. Photography: Harry Weir Photography Vegan mince pies that will put everyone in the festive spirit
  • Four fantastic wines to go with your Christmas dinner
  • Lose the booze: Why bars and restaurants are embracing the alcohol-free trend

Health and Family

Nighttime is frequently a time of peak anxiety for children and as a result, lots of children find it hard to fall asleep alone. Photograph: iStock My 11-year-old is too anxious to sleep by himself
  • Parenting
  • John Sharry

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

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
‘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
  • Health Board: Upcoming conferences, talks, campaigns and events
  • Middle age is dead. Long live (a long-lived) middle age

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

Photograph: iStock/Getty 50 tips for a more sustainable (and cheaper) Christmas
  • Life & Style
  • Sorcha Hamilton

Being more environmentally conscious can be kinder to our pockets, too

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?
India, despite its economic transformation, has managed to preserve a culture and philosophy grounded in sustainability. Photograph: iStock 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
  • Gardeners, give up buying peat compost – it’s a disaster for the environment

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

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
  • Long Haul
  • Shilpa Ganatra

Central Asia returns as a popular destination due to centuries of globally-important history and culture

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: The original castle dates back to 1228, when it was built as a stronghold for the Anglo Norman de Burgo family. Ashford Castle: Eighty years old and more gorgeous than ever
  • Ireland wins best destination in Europe award in New York prizes
  • Walk for the Weekend: Cuilcagh Boardwalk, Co Fermanagh

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
  • Michael Viney: These hills are made for walking
  • Bring back my bunny to me: Readers’ nature queries

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

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
  • People
  • Hugh Linehan

Pioneering journalist in new technology who was immersed in the Irish language

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?’
  • Seán Moncrieff: I met a friend 40 years on, in strange circumstances

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There’s plenty to learn about whiskey according to Ger Garland, whiskey ambassador at Irish Distillers, and single pot still Irish whiskey is a good place to start

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

A tradition worth starting this Christmas A tradition worth starting this Christmas

We are at the beginning of a season marked by tradition. Perhaps you could start a new one by giving the gift of warmth and comfort to families forced to flee

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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Atlantic Podcast A three-part series exploring the mystery of Peter Bergmann - the man who came to Sligo to disappear
 
The definitive delicious list 100 of the best restaurants, cafes and places to eat in Ireland 2019
 

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 Lovers in Auschwitz, reunited 72 years later
2 Move to the country: Gavin Glass and Amy Walsh with daughter Emmy-Mae in their home in Curracloe, Co Wexford. Photograph: Patrick Browne ‘It was costing us €4,000 a month to live in Dublin – we couldn’t make ends meet’
3 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’
4 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
5 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
6 Somewhere, Arlene Foster is WhatsApping Boris Johnson, but the cad hasn’t responded. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty The more the British learn about Ireland’s loyalists, the less they like
7 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
8 Alcohol-free bar: Anna Walsh of the Virgin Mary, in Dublin, makes a Ceder’s spritz. Photograph: Tom Honan Lose the booze: Why bars and restaurants are embracing the alcohol-free trend
9 ‘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
10 The multiple orgasm: Does it exist and who knows for sure?
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