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Sat, Dec 14, 2019
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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

Four fantastic wines to go with your Christmas dinner Four fantastic wines to go with your Christmas dinner
  • Drink
  • John Wilson
  • December 14, 2019, 06:10

John Wilson: My picks start at less than €15,and I’ve a range of other suggestions, too

Lose the booze: Why bars and restaurants are embracing the alcohol-free trend Lose the booze: Why bars and restaurants are embracing the alcohol-free trend
  • Food & Drink
  • Lisa Cope
  • December 14, 2019, 06:03

Nonalcoholic beers, ciders, wines and spirits are growing in popularity

Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Goys, does Ronan look like he’s actually in control of that horse?’ Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Goys, does Ronan look like he’s actually in control of that horse?’
  • People
  • Ross O'Carroll-Kelly
  • December 14, 2019, 06:03

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

Seán Moncrieff: I met a friend 40 years on, in strange circumstances Seán Moncrieff: I met a friend 40 years on, in strange circumstances
  • People
  • Sean Moncrieff
  • December 14, 2019, 06:01

Decades after we played on building sites, I met Frank again. His story was an inspiration

“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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Brussels is buzzing with Bruegel artwork to celebrate 450th anniversary Brussels is buzzing with Bruegel artwork to celebrate 450th anniversary
  • Europe
  • Sorcha Hamilton
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

City offers non-traditional approach to experiencing art and multimedia exhibitions

Make a move to Sallins: a tidy town that’s growing Make a move to Sallins: a tidy town that’s growing
  • Homes & Property
  • Tanya Sweeney
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Home buyers get more for their money in this commuter town with a fast rail link

First Christmas without Ma: Her box of decorations made me cry at last First Christmas without Ma: Her box of decorations made me cry at last
  • Homes & Property
  • Helen O'Rahilly
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Struggling after 30 years away, I’m reminded it’s the small things that are important

Romantic Belfast villa looking for its perfect match Romantic Belfast villa looking for its perfect match
  • Homes & Property
  • Jacqui Corcoran
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Professional matchmaker Liz Doyle is moving to London and letting go of her romantic home

‘It was costing us €4,000 a month to live in Dublin – we couldn’t make ends meet’ ‘It was costing us €4,000 a month to live in Dublin – we couldn’t make ends meet’
  • Homes & Property
  • Arlene Harris
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Gavin Glass and Amy Walsh have left the pricey capital for a fresh start in Wexford

Auction results and forthcoming sales Auction results and forthcoming sales
  • Fine Art & Antiques
  • Elizabeth Birdthistle
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Yeats wedding tokens, diamonds and a William Scott for €150,000

Lilly Higgins: My kids love this mild curried lamb dish Lilly Higgins: My kids love this mild curried lamb dish
  • Food & Drink
  • Lilly Higgins
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

I came across this dish as a child in South Africa. It’s like the Afrikaans’ twist on shepherd’s pie

Paul Flynn: My favourite recipe for Christmas turkey Paul Flynn: My favourite recipe for Christmas turkey
  • Food & Drink
  • Paul Flynn
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Cider roast turkey has an apple-infused succulence, with Spanish-inspired stuffg and a Brussels sprout gratin

This northside Dublin restaurant is a gem. Try the Molly Malone masala This northside Dublin restaurant is a gem. Try the Molly Malone masala
  • Restaurant reviews
  • Catherine Cleary
  • December 14, 2019, 06:00

Review: This place proves dinner in the suburbs needn’t feel like a consolation prize

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

Barges on the Grand Canal at Sallins. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Make a move to Sallins: a tidy town that’s growing
  • Homes & Property
  • Tanya Sweeney

Home buyers get more for their money in this commuter town with a fast rail link

Back at Ma’s old house, I climbed into the attic. In a cobwebby corner was a cardboard box, ancient, battered, packed to the gills with the Christmas trinkets I’d know since I was five. Every single gaudy bauble, every moth-eaten felt robin was there. Photograph: iStock First Christmas without Ma: Her box of decorations made me cry at last
5 Broomhill Park, Malone Road, Belfast Romantic Belfast villa looking for its perfect match
  • ‘It was costing us €4,000 a month to live in Dublin – we couldn’t make ends meet’
  • Auction results and forthcoming sales

Food & Drink

Christmas dinner wines: Muga Rioja Blanco; Les Deux Cols; Château Perron; and Greywacke Pinot Noir Four fantastic wines to go with your Christmas dinner
  • Drink
  • John Wilson

John Wilson: My picks start at less than €15,and I’ve a range of other suggestions, too

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
Lamb and lentil bobotie Lilly Higgins: My kids love this mild curried lamb dish
  • Paul Flynn: My favourite recipe for Christmas turkey
  • This northside Dublin restaurant is a gem. Try the Molly Malone masala

Health and Family

When you step back and see the brain and body thinking together, the old distinction between reason and emotion doesn’t seem to make sense. Photograph: Getty Images The brain isn’t the only part of your body that thinks
  • Health & Family
  • David Brooks

Scientists are now focusing on the thinking that happens in your gut

How much of ageing is really a reflection not of biology but of how society views and treats us? Photograph: iStock Middle age is dead. Long live (a long-lived) middle age
Levels of anxiety and depression among adolescents are higher now than they were during the recession. Photograph: iStock Mental health: we’re failing our young people
  • Diets of fathers can affect future health of offspring, study finds
  • I’m dreaming of a calm Christmas

Abroad

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
  • Jennifer O'Connell

Jennifer O’Connell: Our line was ‘it’s only a day, after all’, to be repeated over and over

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’
Conservative Party led by British prime minister Boris Johnson has won the general election with an overall majority. Photograph: Vickie Flores/EPA 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’
  • How a man from Kerry ended up running a B&B in rural Italy

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

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
  • Europe
  • Sorcha Hamilton

City offers non-traditional approach to experiencing art and multimedia exhibitions

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
Slieve League, Ireland’s highest sea cliffs, located in south west Donegal: about 2.05 million American and Canadian visitors wil have visted Ireland in 2019 Ireland wins best destination in Europe award in New York prizes
  • Walk for the Weekend: Cuilcagh Boardwalk, Co Fermanagh
  • And exhale… 8 great spa breaks around Ireland and abroad

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
A stream of sunlight passes through the window box and along the passageway leading into the burial chamber of Newgrange during the 2006 winter solstice, 21st December. 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

Lovers in Auschwitz, reunited 72 years later
  • People
  • Keren Blankfeld

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

Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Goys, does Ronan look like he’s actually in control of that horse?’
My friends and I played a lot on building sites. As with London, those friends were kids from Irish families who went to the local Catholic school. Photograph: iStock Seán Moncrieff: I met a friend 40 years on, in strange circumstances
  • Meet Paddy Fay, the first person Peter McVerry housed
  • David O’Keeffe obituary: Successful TV editor, equality advocate and Irish Cultural Centre manager

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"People ask where to get started with Irish whiskey. The first port of call is the label" "People ask where to get started with Irish whiskey. The first port of call is the label"

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

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’
‘Think of what lessons you want to teach your children regarding love and happiness and parenthood.’ After a broken marriage, I’m scared to let the perfect man love me
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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 Paddy Fay: ‘Peter taught me how to read and write... I never trusted adults until I met Peter.’ Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times Meet Paddy Fay, the first person Peter McVerry housed
2 Lovers in Auschwitz, reunited 72 years later
3 Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘Goys, does Ronan look like he’s actually in control of that horse?’
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 Cider roast turkey Paul Flynn: My favourite recipe for Christmas turkey
6 “His last Christmas present from his family was a firm launch into the deep waters of eternity. Usually we just bought him a book.” Photograph: iStock. They let my father die. He would not have wanted to live like that
7 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’
8 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’
9 Neighbours should engage a surveyor and solicitor before claiming waste ground between their homes. Can my neighbour and I claim the waste ground between out homes?
10 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
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