Journalists

Tables at this tiny Irish Michelin star restaurant sold out in just ONE minute 

Tables at Heron and Grey – one of Ireland’s 13 Michelin star restaurants – sold out in one minute yesterday.

13 of the most exciting toys in Ireland for Christmas 2017 

From board games to robots to construction games, there are some very exciting toys on the market for Christmas 2017.

First Look: Magnificent Adare Manor opens its doors with brand new spa, golf course and new 42-bedroom wing 

Adare Manor, which has been undergoing major restoration and expansion works for the past 21 months, has opened its doors today.

'We won't be opening our front door tonight' - dad tells how Halloween frightens autistic son (12) 

Halloween night can be challenging for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a father has warned.

Pieta House founder Joan Freeman announces that she is leaving the charity 

Senator Joan Freeman, the Founder of Pieta House in Ireland, has announced that she is leaving the charity.

'Parents are already pinned to their collar without expensive ski trips,' says concerned dad 

Costly skiing trips abroad for secondary school children - with no apparent educational benefit - can be an added expense for parents who are already to the pin of their collar, a concerned parent has said.

Drug found to have 'very significant benefit' for children and teenagers with multiple sclerosis 

A drug which is used to treat multiple sclerosis in adults will now be recommended for treatment in children and teenagers with the condition.

Ten foods that are actually choking hazards for babies and young children 

Babies and young children have a natural habit of putting things into their mouths - even foods that could easily cause them to choke.

This €8.45m mansion is the most expensive house sold this year - and has a swimming pool and a tennis court 

This is Fintragh 11 Shrewsbury Road in Dublin 4 - the most expensive house sold in the first six months of this year, at €8.45m.

'The nurses have fallen in love with him' - Little Harry (1) is the only person in Ireland living with cruel genetic disorder 

Three months ago, Maria and Denis O’Brien were told that their baby Harry had a rare genetic disorder.

‘Double trouble, and a wish come true’ – proud dad of twins born on the SAME date as their twin sisters 

Donegal couple Seamus and Elizabeth Doherty are celebrating the birth of their second set of twins.

Little Casey (5) who suffers from excruciating skin disease reaches major milestone and starts school 

A five year-old-girl who suffers from a severe form of an excruciating skin disease has reached a major milestone in her life as she starts primary school.

'I lost a good friend that night. A mother lost her son' - mother-of-four on traumatic impact of car crash 

A 28-year-old recovered drug and alcohol addict has revealed how she was so high one night that she doesn’t remember trying to stab a family acquaintance.

'I spent the last four years cooking with cannabis for Hollywood elite' - Irish chef on working in LA 

An Irish chef who works as a private chef to rock stars and celebrities in the US has spent the last four years cooking with cannabis.

'He thought that I was just some air-brained piece of totty' - Irish actress Caroline Morahan on the 'Weinstein effect' 

LA-based Irish actress and former RTE presenter Caroline Morahan has claimed that every woman has experienced the “Weinstein effect”.

WATCH: Is this 'eyebrow man' the new Late Late Show audience legend? 

When the camera spots you, give a nod to the nation.

Two very simple cocktails - with only three ingredients - to kick off your weekend 

Irish gins and whiskeys have been undergoing a huge resurgence with the popularity of cocktails in recent years.

Warning as Boots recalls two baby soothers over potential fault 

Pharmacy chain Boots has recalled two of its baby soothers due to a potential manufacturing fault.

'I just want to save him. I want to keep him' - mother urges HSE to give life changing drug to her boy (5) 

The mother of a five-year-old boy who has a severe progressive disease fears that he will be permanently consigned to a wheelchair if the HSE does not make a new life changing drug available to him.

'I thought it was just a pimple' - Irish man (27) on shock skin cancer diagnosis 

A 27 year-old man has revealed he was diagnosed with eye cancer after he got an innocuous-looking pimple under his eye checked.

This restaurant has been voted the best takeaway in Ireland - and it's cheap! 

Fifteen restaurants have been voted the best takeaways in Ireland.

B&B owner offers free accomodation and breakfast to people stranded in Hurricane Ophelia 

A Dublin bed and breakfast is offering all of its rooms - and a breakfast - for free for anyone who is homeless or stranded tonight.

Seven great things to do with your children today - and they're VERY simple 

Are your children showing signs of boredom already? Here are a few things you all can do together to make today a day to remember.

'I'm worried for my daughter coming home later' - Independent.ie readers name heroes at work during Hurricane Ophelia 

Hurricane Ophelia - the most extreme weather event in Ireland since 1961 - is hitting Ireland.

WATCH: Take a peek inside Ireland’s very first 'cat lounge' 

Ireland’s first cat lounge is having a very successful opening week in Dublin - and could have the potential to expand nationwide, according to its owner.

Ireland’s very first 'cat lounge' opens its doors this week 

Ireland’s first cat lounge is opening in Dublin this week.

'There are over 300 support groups available for breastfeeding mothers' - HSE 

Some 58 per cent of mothers are breastfeeding their babies on discharge from maternity hospital now in Ireland. At three months, this drops to 38.8pc.

The best drink to pair with fish and chips - and it's not beer 

Sherry, once the drink of Christmas, is undergoing quite a revival.

Spiders with a venomous bite now invading Ireland 

The false widow spider is taking over Ireland and is an invasive species with a detrimental effect on native species, researchers have found.

'Our son Liam passed away on our wedding anniversary... now we have a happy day' - children's respite centre gets go-ahead 

“Three years ago our son Liam passed away on our 13th wedding anniversary and since then we’ve been hoping for a “happy” day to mark in the calendar. This news from An Bord Pleanala is the perfect news to cap off a brilliant week.”

Independent.ie readers share their photos of False Widow spiders - and more 

The False Widow spider is taking over Ireland and is an invasive species with a detrimental effect on native species, Irish researchers have found.

False Widow spider is taking over Ireland and is a potential health risk - Irish experts 

Researchers at NUI Galway have published research which shows that the False Widow spider is taking over Ireland and is an invasive species with a detrimental effect on native species.

'Young people are really lost when it comes to consent' - Rape Crisis Centre sees 24pc increase in calls 

Over 13,300 contacts for help were made to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre last year - including 12,400 calls to the National 24-Hour Helpline.

'33 per cent of Irish adults will be obese in eight years' - obesity experts 

Some 33 per cent of Irish adults will be obese by 2025, and this will be at an annual cost to the State of €2.1bn a year.

Peek Inside: Elaine Cassidy's lavish home in RTE's Acceptable Risk actually belongs to a rock star 

The lavish home of rock star Def Leppard guitarist Rick Savage is being used as a filming location for RTE series Acceptable Risk.

Anxiety most common problem among young people in Ireland - Jigsaw 

Seventy-five per cent of all adult mental health problems arise before the age of 25, according to new research by Jigsaw, the national centre for youth mental health.

Pop-up cafe giving free beans to customers opens its doors 

Imagine stepping into a café where everything on the menu includes beans.

'You should be resting but you're worried about IVF costs' 

Fiona Gibson, who is now due twin babies in December, and her husband Eoghan O'Toole have spent €47,000 on fertility treatments since 2013.

'You just take it day by day' - mum welcomes extra maternity benefit for premature births 

One woman whose baby was born 16 weeks early has welcomed the government’s decision to give extra maternity benefits to mothers of premature babies.

'It’s the most worrying thing you’ll ever do, you don’t need the financial stress' - woman welcomes State funding for IVF treatment 

One Irish woman who lobbied the government to give funding for treatment to couples who are struggling with fertility has welcomed indications by government that this will now happen.

Revealed: Top toy predictions in Ireland for Christmas 2017 

LEGO, NERF, Paw Patrol and PJ Masks are all on the list for the top toys this Christmas.

Some of the world's worst body art with absolute howlers 

Imagine going through all the pain of getting a new tattoo, only to discover a spelling mistake etched onto your skin when it's over.

The Wild Honey Inn becomes the first pub in Ireland to be awarded a Michelin star 

The Wild Honey Inn has become the first pub in Ireland to be awarded a Michelin star.

Three simple tips on how to help your child's anxiety, according to an Irish psychologist 

The number of Irish teenagers showing signs of clinical anxiety is on the increase, according to an Irish-based psychologist.

'When they’re 18, our child can find the donor' - Same-sex couple on joy at becoming pregnant 

A same-sex couple has expressed how they feel “so lucky” to be pregnant after going through a process of Intrauterine insemination (IUI).

This viral Irish cooking star is bigger than Nigella Lawson in the US - with over 120 million online views 

A 34-year-old professional Irish cook is going from strength to strength in the US with her online cooking show.

This Irish pub's boozy hot chocolate is the stuff of dreams 

Take a look at this Captain Morgan’s hot chocolate.

Former The Voice Ireland contestant embarks on new career jamming with babies 

A former contestant of The Voice Ireland is busy hosting “baby jam” classes, while being eight months pregnant herself.

Jeremy Irons throws open the doors of his Irish castle for Vanity Fair magazine 

Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons has thrown open the doors of his beloved West Cork pile Kilcoe Castle for a Vanity Fair shoot.

'People think when they’ve reached a certain age, there’s nothing for them' - Line dancing Doris (72) 

If you think life slows down once you retire, you can think again.

'We want to banish the outdated stereotypes... older people are Skypers and Facebookers' - Age Action 

One Dublin school hosted arguably its most diligent students ever yesterday when it held ‘Bring Your Grandparent’ Day.

'Marriage would have cramped my style' - Meet this incredible 74-year-old woman who travels solo around the world 

“I like to get to know the people. I wouldn’t be bothered with five-star hotels.”

'In a weird way, I blame myself a little for him dying' - Vogue Williams on her late father 

TV star and model Vogue Williams has opened up about her father's death ahead of her new TV series.

Tesco launches ‘The Community Chill’ to help charitable groups receiving surplus food 

Tesco has invited applications from charities and community groups to receive its surplus foods and refrigerators to restore them.

'I knew that I could not leave her behind' - Rugby legend and his wife appeal to help adopted daughter Nisha walk again 

Rugby legend Eric Miller and his wife Jenny have appealed for help to enable their adopted daughter Nisha to walk again.

Irish father-of-three to become 'second organ transplant recipient ever to compete in New York marathon' 

An Irish 41 year-old father-of-three who will compete in the New York marathon this November is believed to be the second organ transplant recipient who will complete the race.

'There’s a bull in the field... what can I do?' - oddest calls for help to the HSE 

The Irish public is turning to the Health Service Executive for counsel on every aspect of their lives, not just health, according to recent research.

'The ambulance crew tried everything but it was too late' - heartbroken mum on the pain of losing her son to asthma 

The heartbroken mother of a man who died after a severe asthma attack has made a moving video to highlight the fact that the condition can kill.

'I would have been blind by now, God forbid' - Pensioner on how routine eye test saved her sight 

It’s hard to imagine that Margery Duffy (83) would today be blind, if it weren’t for a routine eye test.

'Fear of clowns on the rise in Ireland as Stephen King's 'It' makes comeback' - psychologist 

An Irish hypnosis clinic is experiencing a surge in the number of people requesting help to conquer their coulrophobia – or fear of clowns – with the release of the Stephen King film “It” this month.

'People would call us to say they'd found her in town' - brave son on the pain of his mother's (69) dementia 

“She does have some moments. She’d recognise me and she’d know. Then she’d look at me again in the chair and say ‘where’s Michael?’.”

'He broke my jaw, broke my hips, he raped me multiple times' - Former Senator and rape victim Niamh Cosgrave 

A former Fine Gael Senator who was raped in France four years ago said Irish society must do more to educate itself about sexual violence and rape.

Have Your Say: 'Most Irish mothers want to be at home, not at work' 

Almost two out of three of Irish mothers would prefer to stay at home to raise their children, given the choice, a new survey has found.

'I was going island hopping in Greece when doctors told me I had a one-in-a-million cancer' - mouth cancer survivor 

A survivor of mouth cancer has urged Irish people to be aware of the dangers posed by mouth cancer disease and to get checked out by their dentist if they have any concerns.  

'I'll never be able to ride a bike or swim' - Beautician (18) who suffers from dyspraxia 

When Natasha O Byrne (18) was in school, she had dreams of becoming a paramedic or a nurse.

'Children as young as nine exposed to porn on sleepovers' - Irish psychotherapist 

Parents need to be alert that Irish children as young as nine are being exposed to pornographic images on sleepovers with their friends, a leading child psychotherapist has warned.

'Seven times I have been brought to A&E' - Heartbreaking public plea by mother of autistic son for intervention by the HSE 

A mother has issued an emotional public plea to the HSE to urgently provide care for her severely autistic 14-year-old son who has been having "psychotic and violent episodes".

Incredible mum (46) who reared younger siblings and now cares for son with special needs hailed a hero 

A mother-of-two who cared for her two younger sisters when their father died, and now cares for her son with special needs, has been hailed a hero.

RTE radio presenter on his battle with eczema: 'I had lesions and scratch marks' 

RTE radio presenter Paul Herriott (56) believes he wouldn’t be able to do his job if it weren’t for the help of doctors to bring his eczema under control.

This inspiring 82-year-old man is tirelessly working to fight suicide nationwide 

An 82-year-old man has received an award in recognition of his tireless work for suicide prevention.

#WarOnCancer: Ex-Made in Chelsea star describes how his world fell apart when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia 

When ex-Made in Chelsea actor Fabian Bolin was diagnosed with Leukaemia, his world fell apart.

'Don’t wait for the rash' - warns mother whose little boy contracted life threatening meningitis 

A mother whose son contracted meningitis as a baby has warned parents to act fast if they feel their baby is seriously ill.

Why are more tongue ties being diagnosed in babies in Ireland? 

Poor latch, mastitis, blisters, blocked ducts... If you're a breastfeeding mother, or if you have been, the chances are you'll have heard of these.

'From the bottom of my heart, if people with mental health issues are sent home, it's a disgrace' - mother who lost three sons to murder-suicide 

A heartbroken mother who lost three sons to murder-suicide says she will never stop her campaign for better services for people with mental health issues.

This is how the Dutch get rid of head lice – and it's really simple 

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

'Don't tell me that any parent wants an obese kid. So don't blame the parent' - Ireland's new obesity professor 

Ireland's new clinical lead for obesity Professor Donal O'Shea has said parents are not to blame for Ireland's obesity epidemic.

'I'll be walking around town and suddenly I don't know where I am' - Man (59) on the reality of early onset Dementia 

A 59-year-old man who has early onset Alzheimer's disease has told how he now has "blanks" when walking around Dublin city centre.

'Imagine your worst hangover for nine months' - Irish mothers' sympathy for Kate Middleton's pregnancy sickness 

When 36-year-old Michelle Dolan became pregnant with her second son Jake, she thought she'd have a pregnancy glow to look forward to.

Head lice and nits reach 'epidemic' levels among Irish schoolchildren, warns treatment centre 

Head lice and nits have reached "epidemic" levels among Irish schoolchildren because parents don't know how to get rid of them effectively, the owner of head lice treatment centres has said.

'He had 15 different tubes going into him' - Former RTE reporter Valerie Cox reveals husband in a coma for months with rare illness 

Retired RTE reporter Valerie Cox has revealed that the same virus that causes cold sores resulted in her husband getting a rare, near-fatal, illness on a remote Greek island last year.

'It all started with an abscess on my tooth... then they told me I had cancer' - mother-of-one (58) 

A Wexford woman has revealed how a series of unexplained minor illnesses – including an abscess on her tooth – were signs that she had stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Single mother drops six dress sizes after son was bullied in school: 'I was the embarrassing mother at school gate' 

A single mother-of-three who recently dropped six dress sizes by changing her diet, says she knew she had to get in shape when her son was teased in school about her weight.

'Oh Jesus' - Irish granny (68) conquers fear of heights with tandem skydive from 10,000 feet 

A 68-year-old woman conquered her fear of heights this week when she jumped out of a plane from 10,000 feet in a tandem skydive.

Inside this landmark seafront Dublin home which just sold for €1.3m 

With a private pier and steps into Scotsman's Bay in Dublin, the new buyer of this salubrious seafront home virtually has their very own water park.

'Stop this verbal bull-dozing and wake up and listen,' charity founder tells HSE boss in relation to HPV vaccine 

The founder of a children's charity has asked HSE boss Tony O'Brien to stop "verbal bull-dozing" in relation to the HPV vaccine.

High Hopes: New Kodaline video aims to draw British holidaymakers to Dublin 

Irish rock band Kodaline will star in a new campaign aimed at highlighting Dublin to British holidaymakers.

Watch: Inspiring video by Irish tattoo artist will make you think again before judging someone with tattoos 

An Irish artist underwent a physical transformation for a day by hiding his tattoos to show how they empower him.

Poor Katy is traumatised all over again in tonight's Fair City when Oisin locks her in bedroom 

Katy O' Brien's worst nightmare comes true tonight in Fair City when Oisin locks her in her bedroom.

Actress Gillian Anderson on motherhood: 'I see other mothers who seem to find it less of a struggle' 

The Fall actress Gillian Anderson is gaining a loyal following since she published her self-help book "We: A Manifesto for Women Everywhere" earlier this year.

Irish shop named one of the world's top 12 'weird and wonderful' eateries 

If you like nuts, you'll like this Irish shop which has been named one of the world's top 12 weird and wonderful eateries.

Tragic 'Fault in Our Stars' couple die within days of each other 

The US couple who were compared to the characters in the 'Fault in Our Stars' book and film have died within days of each other after complications from cystic fibrosis.

Mrs Brown's Boys stars to appear on tomorrow night's Ray D’Arcy Show 

The stars of 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammies and Mrs Brown's Boys will appear on tomorrow night's Ray D’Arcy Show.

'Mel Gibson is about to see a naked Jesus in cling-film get beaten by ten people' - actor samples Irish theatre 

Hollywood actor Mel Gibson is attending a Dublin Fringe Fest play tonight, according to performer Miss Panti Bliss.

Wife of 'Fault In Our Stars' couple dies just five days after her husband 

Katie Prager (26), the wife in the real "Fault in Our Stars" couple, died today after complications from cystic fibrosis and a lung transplant.

Tourist sustains serious injury in street attack - just hours after earlier theft 

Gardai are investigating an assault in Dublin city where a male tourist received a serious eye injury.

Irish blogger recording her baby's birth live on Snapchat from the Coombe Hospital 

An Irish woman is giving a blow by blow account of her birth, live on Snapchat today.

FIRST LOOK: Brad Pitt's electric on-screen chemistry with Marion Cotillard in new film Allied 

Brad Pitt’s on-screen chemistry with Marion Cotillard can be seen in this just-released trailer for their World War II thriller Allied.

Carrey sued over suicide of his Irish girlfriend 

Hollywood actor Jim Carrey is being filed for wrongful death in connection with the suicide of his former girlfriend.

'We don’t know where Amy is and we just want her home' - Father of missing Amy Fitzpatrick in first ever television interview 

The father of missing Irish woman Amy Fitzpatrick has issued an appeal to the public for information about his daughter’s whereabouts.

Cathriona White's husband claims Jim Carrey illegally obtained prescription drugs for her in lawsuit 

A new lawsuit filed by Cathriona White’s husband claims that comedian Jim Carrey illegally obtained prescription drugs for her.

'Witches or women, these are our bodies' - Leading Irish women in powerful Repeal the Eighth film 

Some 80 Irish leading women have come together to appear in a powerful new ‘Repeal the Eighth’ campaign.

Culture Night 2016: The coolest things you'll see and do tonight 

Here are some of the highlights for tonight's Culture Night - both in Dublin and around the country:

How to get to Dublin's Culture Night in spite of bus strike 

Today's Dublin Bus strike will hit tonight's hugely popular annual Culture Night across the city.

Sex and The City director to turn Irish author's debut novel into a TV series 

Irish author Lisa McInerney is set to have her award-winning novel made into a TV series.

Family Camping tickets for Electric Picnic have SOLD OUT 

Tickets for Electric Picnic 2017 went on sale this morning at 9.00am.

'I love competition' - RTE presenter Claire Byrne 'interested' to see Pat Kenny’s return to prime time TV 

RTE presenter Claire Byrne has said she is unfazed by her ex-colleague Pat Kenny’s return to prime time current affairs TV.

‘To everyone that had my back, thank you’ – Conor McGregor addresses his fans 

Conor McGregor has recorded a message for his fans ahead of his coach John Kavanagh’s appearance on tonight’s Late Late Show.