A large chasm has opened up between women whose employers pay full maternity benefit and those who receive nothing beyond the statutory State maternity benefit for six months after giving birth.  As our annual Slice of Ireland survey once more revealed what’s really going on in the hearts and homes of families across the country, one […]

11 years ago

A new law will see convicted sex offenders chemically castrated in Indonesia.  The law was passed by President Joko Widodo following public uproar over the vicious rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Kasie Kasubun village in Bengkulu province, Sumatra. The child, Yuyun, was walking home to her village after class wearing her school uniform […]

11 years ago

It’s been a dull week, weather wise (we genuinely regretted putting all those cosy cardigans away at the first sign of the last ‘heatwave’) but there’s some very good news for sun worshippers this weekend. The cooler temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately are set to rise, making way for highs in the early 20s throughout […]

11 years ago

Times have changed and, thankfully, we no longer live in a society where the wooden spoon is a viable disciplinary tool. If you still feel like the odd smack didn’t do you any harm, however, a new study should convince you it’s entirely the wrong approach, for once and for all.  When 50 years worth […]

11 years ago

A first-time mum has given birth to the world’s heaviest baby girl, weighing in at a healthy 15lbs. After a relatively smooth pregnancy, nineteen-year-old Nandini was as surprised as the rest of the world to discover her new arrival would be a record-breaker and potentially the biggest baby girl ever. Mum, 19, gives birth to […]

11 years ago

French air strikes have led to travel chaos in airports all over Europe, with dozens of Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights from Dublin already cancelled.  Passengers travelling between the capital and Barcelona, Lyon, Perpignan, Marseilles, Alicante, Murcia and Basel today are advised to check with their airline as these flights are among 80 that are no longer […]

11 years ago

It’s no secret that Kim, Kourtney, Khloe et al have taken the small screen by storm, but if the latest news is true, they could be hitting your local cinema too. The Kardashian clan have reportedly been offered a positively ginormous sum of money to turn their hit TV show into a feature-length movie. And […]

11 years ago

We have a reputation for being old romantics, but a new survey reveals our Romeos and Juliets are actually quite young: almost half of Irish people enjoyed their first romantic kiss between the ages of fifteen and nineteen. However, while over 56 per cent described their first snog as a positive experience, a quarter of […]

11 years ago

So we knew she wasn’t exactly going to be hiring a doula or participating in the Domino scheme, but the sheer number of medical experts who were on hand in Kate Middleton’s delivery room is quite impressive.  The Duchess of Cambridge had no less than 23 doctors and midwives on call for the births of […]

11 years ago

A child who was removed from the home of his grandparents after four years when they were deemed ‘too old’ to look after him has been placed with other relatives who are not significantly younger.  The nine-year-old boy was removed from the family farm and is currently being cared for by a grand aunt and […]

11 years ago

The summer camp has saved many a parent’s bacon during the school holidays and now a new website is aiming to make it even easier to find the perfect fun fit for your kids. Scamps provides a listing and promotional service for all local and national camps in Ireland – no matter how big or […]

11 years ago

If a rasher sandwich doesn’t help ease your pain, a tub of Ben and Jerry’s is usually worth a shot, but a South Korean company claim their new ice cream really does cure a hangover.  God knows many of us need it today! The Gyeondyo-bar (which translates to ‘hang in there’) is a grapefruit-flavoured ice […]

11 years ago

A coroner has warned parents to check their windows for looped blind cords after a toddler choked to death after becoming entangled in one.  Speaking at an inquest into the death of two-year-old Bryan Saba, who tragically lost his life at his home in Portadown, Co Armagh, last September, Northern Ireland’s coroner Joseph McCrisken said there had been […]

11 years ago

Staff at Childminding Ireland, the national organisation promoting quality family home-based childcare, have threatened to begin indefinite strike action.  According to a report in the Irish Examiner, five of the six staff members have voted in favour of taking industrial action from Tuesday, June 7 until management withdraw compulsory redundancy notices and discuss their proposed restructuring plans […]

11 years ago

They just posted a profit increase of 43 per cent to over €1.2 billion this year, so they can well afford it, but Ryanair has announced it has a treat in store for its loyal flyers.  According to David O’Brien, the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, customers can expect “reduced bag fees and a more personalised offering […]

11 years ago

A devastated Tipperary couple have appealed to the Minister for Children to intervene after their grandchild was taken into foster care when they were deemed too old to care for him.  According to a report in The Journal, Independent TD Mattie McGrath has urged new Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone to demand clarification from child and family […]

11 years ago

Kath Gorman is Artistic Curator of the Cork Midsummer Festival, which kicks off in June. She lives in Cork with her husband Ian and their daughters Leah (16), Charlotte (10) and Rachel (8). “I wake between 6.45am and 7.45am – depending on who is doing the early shift and getting our eldest daughter out the door for school.  […]

11 years ago

Are you making a costly laundry mistake when it comes to the weekly wash? One third of people have absolutely no idea how much detergent to put into the washing machine when washing clothes… and it could be about to cost them a pretty penny. A new survey of 2,000 householders reveals that 35 per cent […]

11 years ago

A heartwarming photograph of a Belgian child giving his tiny sibling some ‘skin-to-skin’ care has gone viral. The child is pictured propped up against his dad on a hospital bed, with each of them carefully cradling a premature baby on their chests. The image was posted on Facebook by NINO Birth (Neuroscience for Improved Neonatal […]

11 years ago

Periods. Just when you’ve debuted that white Topshop bikini or slipped into your dream wedding dress, you can be on high alert for a visit from Aunty Flo. Until now, that is. A pharmacy has launched a period delay service designed to make menstruation more manageable. Boots in the UK have launched the Utovlan Period Delay […]

11 years ago

Do you painstakingly blot your bacon and pizza with kitchen paper to soak up excess grease? Now there’s a plate that promises to do this annoying job for you… simultaneously removing up to 1.5 teaspoons of oil (roughly 30 calories) from every plate of food you consume.  Thirty calories per plate may not sound like much, […]

11 years ago

Bad behaviour, smoking and drinking on class trips resulted in suspension for almost eighty students at Dublin’s prestigious Belvedere College in the past twelve months.  In a statement published by the Irish Independent, Belvedere College explained that the school stood by the suspensions and has a “zero tolerance policy to alcohol consumption”. Situated in the heart […]

11 years ago

Stuck in a rut as far as your daily diet is concerned? A few smart food swaps could help you feel better instantly, boosting your energy and helping curb sugar cravings. You may even lose a few pounds from your waist in the process- without even really trying! Bookmark this list and keep it close […]

11 years ago

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the Zika virus is expected to reach Europe in the coming weeks, although the risk of an outbreak in Ireland is very low. Infection with Zika virus has been strongly linked with a serious birth condition called microcephaly, where the baby’s brain may not have formed properly during […]

11 years ago

About to bite into your morning toast? Stop right there. Brennan’s Bread has issued a recall for their Family Pan.  The company’s bakery has issued a recall for all 800g Brennan’s Bread Family Pans with a best before date of May 20, 2016 and a Code 18, according to the Irish Independent. The recall has […]

11 years ago

Seven hours after flight MS804 disappeared from radar over the Mediterranean, officials have confirmed that it crashed. A huge search operation is underway after the EgyptAir plane took off from France’s Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday night and vanished with 66 people on board. The Airbus A320, which departed from Paris last night at 23.09, […]

11 years ago

A huge search and rescue operation is underway after an EgyptAir plane which took off from France’s Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday night vanished with 66 people on board. The Airbus A320, which departed from Paris last night at 23.09, disappeared from radar just 20 minutes from its final destination of Cairo. An EGYPTAIR official declared […]

11 years ago

A viral video shared by a new mum gives a special glimpse into the fascinating world of ‘gentle’ or ‘natural’ C-sections.  Sarah Saunders says her son essentially delivered himself, slowly wriggling his way into the world after doctors made the incision. Like many fans of the method, Sarah believes it allows for a less distressing […]

11 years ago

Fianna Fáil wants to give the Central Bank new powers to force lenders to cut their variable mortgage interest rates.  If passed, the new bill, which has been reintroduced after it was voted down last summer, would equate to serious savings for homeowners. In fact, more than 300,000 householders across the country would benefit. At present, […]

11 years ago

Still trudging around in Uggs half-way through May? The warm weather is here to stay so now’s the time for a footwear overhaul.  The high street is awash with gorgeous espadrilles, minimalist pool slides and towering heels in poppy shades, so book a pedi, hide the socks and get ready to wiggle your toes in […]

11 years ago

We’ve been adding antioxidant turmeric to our soups and curries by the spoonful for years now, but according to those in the know, we should be sprinkling it on our eggs and into our tea too. Why? Well, turns out that curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its lovely bold yellow colour, has some pretty […]

11 years ago

We love a cheese toasty or a Reuben as much as the next person, but if you’re trying to lose a few pounds before the holidays, that daily oversized sandwich has gotta go.  Luckily, it’s super easy to whip up a tasty, satisfying lunch without relying on bread. These five recipes look as good as […]

11 years ago

We really hope she’s cool with this, because 2,500 viewers tuned in to watch a woman give birth when her husband live streamed the event on Facebook.  Dad-to-be Fakamalo Kihe Eiki, from California, posted a 45 minute video on the social media platform alongside the caption ‘Let’s try pushing baby out’. As his wife huffs […]

11 years ago

As if the ability to produce another human being wasn’t mind-blowing enough, pregnancy brings with it a host of other truly incredible changes that are almost impossible to believe until they happen to you. Here are five fascinating pregnancy facts that prove (as if we ever doubted it) that women have serious super powers: 1. […]

11 years ago

Two teenage girls are to face trial in Britain after they allegedly abducted a child from a busy clothing store as her mother shopped.  Police believe the girls, sisters aged 13 and 14, planned the kidnap and took the two-year-old with the intention of committing a sexual offence. They are also charged with shoplifting, having […]

11 years ago

Alice Halliday is a West Cork-based fashion designer and stylist. Her ranges include ethically-made ready-to-wear, accessories and couture, bespoke bridal gowns and stunning headpieces, all beautifully handmade in her home studio. She lives in Skibbereen with her son Naythan (4).  “The five words that sum up my fashion label are ethical, ethereal, elegant, bohemian and […]

11 years ago

Summer 2016 is finally here, with many parts of Ireland basking in temperatures hotter than Ibiza this week and MORE glorious sunshine forecast for the weekend.  In Sligo the mercury tipped 22.7C on Thursday, just a touch hotter than it was in the Spanish holiday hub, while Donegal, Roscommon and Mayo enjoyed 20C peaks… all […]

11 years ago

The baby girl whose body was found by workers at a recycling factory will be laid to rest today. Gardaí, who named the child Alannah, meaning ‘precious’ or ‘dear child’, are expected to attend the ceremony, which will be led by Fr Enda Lloyd of Bray’s Holy Redeemer Church and Rev Alan Breen of St Patrick’s […]

11 years ago

Worried parents are waiting up to two weeks for a GP to see their children as free GP care creates a surge in doctor visits across the country. Mums and dads who do manage to secure an appointment are often left waiting up to three hours to reach the doctor’s office as clinics struggle to […]

11 years ago

Winter 2016 was essentially the period in history when Ireland completely lost its mind for decadent donuts in every conceivable flavour, so summer is going to have a lot to live up to in the sugar stakes. Never one to disappoint, Sweet Republic on Bachelor’s Quay has unveiled their latest creation: the donut ice cream sandwich. […]

11 years ago

Pregnancy: it ain’t always pretty. As the mercury begins to rise, swollen, puffy feet are pretty much par for the course.  The main culprit is water retention, caused by increased blood flow and the ever-increasing pressure of your uterus on the pelvic veins. As a result, swelling (also known as edema) can get worse later […]

11 years ago

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so if your other half is due some TLC, you’re in the right place.  Whether you’re baking for Himself or yourself, nothing beats a warm, fudgy brownie topped with a scoop of ice cream. A big tray of brownies goes down a treat […]

11 years ago

We understand that (post-conscious uncoupling) Gwyneth Paltrow may have had to take things into her own hands, so to speak, but now the queen of the vagina steam is recommending a €12,000 dildo.  The star’s website Goop has just released their first ever Sex Issue, with Gwynnie and her merry band of Goopsters promoting a […]

11 years ago

An Australian couple who lost all three of their children in the flight MH17 disaster have welcomed a baby girl. The Maslin children (twelve-year-old Mo, ten-year-old Evie, and eight-year-old Otis) were travelling home to Perth with their granddad Nick Norris after a family holiday in Amsterdam. Safe in the knowledge their children were well looked […]

11 years ago

The benefits of adding extra folic acid to your diet before and during pregnancy are well documented, but a new study suggests that adding too much could be detrimental to your baby’s health.  Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health found that if a new mother records a very high folate level (more […]

11 years ago

Scientists have developed a new rapid blood test to diagnose pre-eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy condition that affects up to ten per cent of first-time mothers.  The initial symptom of pre-eclampsia is hypertension (high blood pressure), which affects 10-15 per cent of all pregnancies, however the presence of protein in the urine is a good indicator […]

11 years ago

Turns out, a little of what you fancy really does do you good. Scientists have revealed that one beer a day could keep the cardiologist away.  And just in time for beer garden season too! A teams of boffins from the IRCCS Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Pozzilli, claim that indulging in a pint a day could […]

11 years ago

We’ve long been advised to ‘take a deep breath’ when faced with a stressful situation, but it turns out there’s a breathing technique that’s much more effective. In a new video by the Big Think, author Jane McGonigal explains how something she calls ‘the power breath’ can actually fool your body into thinking you’re already […]

11 years ago

Your seventies are generally a time for afternoon golfing and early bird restaurant meals, but one couple will be spending their twilight years changing nappies and singing lullabies after welcoming their first child.  The healthy 4.4lb baby boy was born to 72-year-old Daljinder Kaur, from Amritsar in India, on April 19, 2016 after years of treatment […]

11 years ago

Ever struggle to decide between pizza and bacon on cheat day? Well you can say goodbye to that particular first world problem if Pizza Hut’s new trial comes off. As spotted by the eagle eyes of our Joe.co.uk bros, his week saw Pizza Hut launch the bacon stuffed crust, with little bits of bacon goodness cooked […]

11 years ago