Photographs of 2018: Life

Barry Mottershead, originally from South Africa, and a Sligo resident for the past 12 years, tackles the first big winter swell of the surfing season (above) at Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, in November. International riders from Hawaii, Brazil and the United States took to the waters 1km off Mullaghmore Head.

Tadgh Boddy, from Limerick, cooling down with friends in June at the Pollock Holes in Kilkee, Co Clare.

Thomas, Anna, Demelia and Declan jnr Ward at St Mary’s halting site in Finglas, in Dublin, in June.

Nine-year-old Dermot O’Neill, from Clontarf in Dublin, reaches for master flyer Andrew Beattie’s giant whale kite on Dollymount Strand in June, during Dublin Kite Festival.

Pampering presents: Beauty gifts from under €10 to over €100

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Cooking Christmas dinner: The ultimate guide to the big day

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Brilliant beauty gifts that also happen to be Irish

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What’s really in after-dinner mint chocolates?

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Rough sleepers in central Dublin. The hot summer meant some could go without their sleeping bags, exposed to the ground.

Thrills in July as the carnival comes to Bray, Co Wicklow.

Damien Grey, chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Heron & Grey restaurant in Blackrock, Co Dublin (centre), foraging on Killiney Hill in April with Ailish O’Neill, front of house; Roisin Dillon, chef; and Jozef Radacovsky, sous chef.

Communion girls Emma McAuley, Ava Byrne, Hayden Delvin, Nicole Clinton, Emily Boylan, Laila Glynn and Teggan McGlynn, with Sean Rooney, at Ringsend and Irishtown community centre May Day parade.

The Indian Society of Trinity College Dublin hosted the festival of Holi on the university’s Front Square in March.