Pass the selection box.

7 years ago

Gold, frankincense and ALL OF THE CHEESE. Who among us isn’t hoping that Santa brings us a stay at Adare Manor in Co Limerick? (With a babysitter thrown in!) In the meantime, you can create a taste of five-star glamour at home by following this guide from Liam Simpson – Food & Beverage Manager at The […]

7 years ago

Doing the Big Shop today? Then, as mammy taught you, it’s all in the planning – and making a good list in key. Below, Nisea Doddy, Somellier of The Shelbourne, shares her top tips on what drinks to stock up on, as well as telling you how best to serve them on Christmas Day. Kick things off […]

7 years ago

We love wine. We love cheese. But we haven’t a clue which types of which go together tbh. If there was a worldwide shortage of turkey and selection boxes, the cheeseboard would more than get us through Christmas. But eating our body weight in cheese is, as everyone knows, very thirsty work – so what […]

7 years ago

Over 270,000 boxes were collected! This year, HerFamily has been supporting the Team Hope Ireland Christmas Shoebox Appeal. We asked our wonderfully generous readers to get on board with the campaign and pack a shoebox to send to a child in need this Christmas. Over the past two months, colourfully-wrapped boxes packed with toys, sweets […]

7 years ago

Edible eggnog? Yes please! Having enjoyed a stay at The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford, I can vouch for it being a place that – with its Michelin-starred food and its stunning sea view – knows how to wow. So, if you’re on dessert duty this Christmas and looking for something that will seriously […]

7 years ago

In life, we all need a little reassurance from time to time. Whether that is because we are unsure about our actions or choices in study, work or relationships, it can be nice to hear ‘I have been there too and this is why it’s ok’. I have never questioned myself or doubted myself in […]

7 years ago

Did you know that chestnuts are high in folic acid? Neither did we. If you don’t fancy your chance of roasting them over an open fire this Christmas, try this nutritious recipe from plant-based chef Gemma Ogston’s new book instead… Roasted golden quinoa pilaf A beautiful fruity pilaf made with protein-rich quinoa instead of rice. […]

7 years ago

The colder months call for hearty dinners – the downside of which are hours spent cooking and mountains of dishes to be washed. This potpie recipe from the new Tasty cookbook is simple to make and keeps the scrubbing to a minimum too… Chicken potpie Chicken potpie is the ultimate in comfort food, and since there’s […]

7 years ago

Dubliner RuthAnne is one of the foremost musical talents to come out of Ireland in recent years. An acclaimed songwriter, who was recently nominated for a Grammy, she also released her debut album, Matters of the Heart, this year. But while 2019 has been one of her most successful years career-wise, behind the scenes the 31-year-old […]

7 years ago

Life is hectic, particularly at this time of year. Our own to-do lists are lengthy, and a lot more seems to get added than get crossed off. So, we totally understand if you saw HerFamily‘s appeals to fill shoeboxes with Christmas presents for children in the developing world, and meant to get around to it… but […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by Donegal Catch A delicious way to get in that Omega 3. Fish can be a bit of a struggle in the house when you have kids. It’s one of those weird foods that the vast majority of adults love but a lot of kids hate. We’re not quite sure where exactly […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by Donegal Catch We can’t forget about those healthy fish fats! Getting kids to eat fish can be a struggle. Though it’s a struggle we have to endure if we want our little ones to get the necessary Omega 3 into their diets. It’s important that we don’t forget Omega 3 when […]

7 years ago

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, is there anything more sweet than when your little girl wants to be just like her mum? Obviously you’d prefer to stop them growing up and keep them under your wing forever, but when kids copy what they see adults doing it can be seriously cute. (Albeit […]

7 years ago

TWO MILLION SHOEBOXES! The staff and volunteers at Team Hope Ireland celebrated a landmark this week, when box number 2,000,000 was collected for their Christmas appeal. The record number was reached after 10 years of donations from families, schools, workplaces and teams all across the country – and with thanks to the many readers across […]

7 years ago

Because a tree is for life, not just for Christmas. This has been the year where there wider world woke up to the realities of climate change. Spurned on by the likes of Great Thunberg, we are all keenly aware of the need for positive environmental action. As we head into the traditional season of […]

7 years ago

A 12-year old billionaire, an orangutan butler, and a company called ‘Bumfresh toilet paper’… Not since Roald Dahl has there been a children’s author so imaginative, so irreverent and so delightfully wicked as David Walliams. Some of his best-selling books, such as Gansta Granny, have been turned into equally successful TV shows in recent years, […]

7 years ago

Tasty, warming and full of goodness, this French recipe from chef and food writer Rick Stein’s latest book will see your family through the cold months… AUTUMNAL VEGETABLE SOUP WITH BASIL, GARLIC & OLIVE OIL SOUPE AU PISTOU SERVES 6–8 Ingredients 100g dried beans, such as flageolet, cannellini or haricots, soaked overnight in cold water […]

7 years ago

Chef Rick Stein’s latest book explores the recipes passed down through generation of Fresh families. Get your kids involved with making the pastry for this tart, and they’ll be dying to taste the finished result. LEEK TART FROM PICARDY FLAMICHE Many versions of this leek tart or pie from Picardy exist, some with a top of […]

7 years ago

Help Team Hope reach two million shoeboxes! There’s been festive cheer spreading across the country in the past few weeks, as people in every county packed boxes for the Team Hope Christmas shoebox appeal. Collection centres have been filling with brightly coloured boxes – as the Her crew witnessed when we dropped our own carefully-wrapped […]

7 years ago

“Gay was the world’s greatest broadcaster” Ireland is a nation united in sadness today following the announcement of the death of Gay Byrne. Best known and loved as the host of The Late Late Show, Gay was widely acknowledged one of the most accomplished broadcasters, not only in Ireland but anywhere in the world – […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by the National Childcare Scheme If you’re a parent, especially to a baby or toddler, there’s no doubt that autumn and the lead up to Christmas can really leave you feeling the pinch in your pocket. That’s why it’s entirely worth understanding and availing of schemes available to help reduce the cost […]

7 years ago

New legislation granting legal recognition to same sex parents is too narrow in focus, says the Equality For Children campaign. Today, Ireland takes an important step forward in granting legal recognition to same sex parents. The news this morning that Health Minister Simon Harris was due to sign off on the relevant parts of the Children […]

7 years ago

Yum!

7 years ago

The daily struggle. Mornings are a crazy time in every house, especially when you’ve lunchboxes to fill. If like us, you end up eating the same lunch as your little ones to save time, then why not make something you’d all enjoy. So, we’re saying goodbye to ham sandwiches and trying something a little different. […]

7 years ago

It’s all one big learning curve.

7 years ago

We oohed, we aahed, we squealed excitedly and took a million photos – and that was just the adults. The new Wonderlights opens at Palmerstown House Estate in Kildare tonight, and it genuinely is a wondrous experience. HerFamily was lucky enough to get the chance to preview what’s the ‘multi-sensory trail’ before the grand opening, and […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by McDonald’s Happy Halloween! We haven’t forgotten how busy this time of year can really be. Between the costumes, the extra sweets, decorations and making sure the kids’ Trick or Treating goes perfectly, it’d be nice to have a fun day out where you can sit back and let someone else organise […]

7 years ago

It’s the question that you’ll be asked a hundred times in the run up to your due date: have you got your bag packed yet? But what are you supposed to put in it – and what are the extras that you’ll be glad you thought to bring? Influencer Pippa O’Connor is mum to two […]

7 years ago

Time to organise a festive family trip. Aside from the fact that Galway is Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2020, there’s another reason to visit the City of the Tribes because the much-loved Christmas market is returning for the festive season. It’s only October but as parents know, Santa lists start way ahead of time […]

7 years ago

“A watershed moment” The cervical cancer patient support group 221+ has responded to the Taoiseach’s apology for the “many failures” of the healthcare system. The independent group was established in July 2018 to provide information, support and advice to families affected by the national cervical smear screening scandal. The group’s name symbolises the 221 women who […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by McDonald’s Costumes at the ready! As if Halloween wasn’t exciting enough, McDonald’s has come to add even more fun to October 30 between 12pm and 4pm. Once again, McDonald’s is playing host to a spectacular family fun day in restaurants across the country where you can bring the entire family together […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by Cadbury We’re celebrating family because, well… we can! There’s undoubtedly at least one family member who’s entirely worthy of a very special treat. Perhaps they’ve been so good, or exceptionally good to you for as long as you can remember. Maybe they’re the support you just can’t do without, maybe they […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by AVEENO® Baby No one likes dry skin and babies are no different. Dry, itchy skin and eczema-prone skin occurs much more commonly in childhood. So, as a parent, it’s always reassuring to know what’s out there to help and what to do if you think your child is developing a skin […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by Aptaclub Newborn on the way? Exciting times ahead mums and dads! No doubt things are a little busy right now while you try and get all those essentials ticked off the list. Just think of the clothes, having to paint the nursery, the bibs you’ll need, the pram, the crib… THE […]

7 years ago

Halloween is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my favourite day of the year. It’s got all of the excitement of Christmas with none of the present-buying-house-cleaning-visitors-calling-dinner-cooking stress. Plus you get to dress up and eat lots of sweets – that’s what I call magical. Much as I love all of the amazing new costumes […]

7 years ago

Prams, buggies and nappy bags be gone.

7 years ago

Sonia Harris Pope is the MD of Harris PR and mum to Ruby. She is working with UNICEF Ireland to encourage support for breastfeeding women. Here, to celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, she gives an honest and uplifting account of her own experiences, and a plea to the nation to give more new mums more support… I’ve been breastfeeding for […]

7 years ago

A mile a day keeps the doctor away. Today’s children will be the first generation the history of humanity who will not outlive their parents… That’s the stark warning from Prof Niall Moyna, Ireland’s leading Clinical Exercise Physiologist, who says that poor lifestyle choices and physical inactivity in particular will cut lives short. We are […]

7 years ago

These are the women who can inspire your little ones to take up sport. Vera Pauw has named the women’s senior soccer squad that will line out against the Ukraine on October 8. The 23 players are the first squad assembled by the newly-appointed manager, and the list includes familiar Ireland stars such as Megan […]

7 years ago

Miracles can happen.

7 years ago

Come cheer the girls in green! On October 8, the Ireland women’s soccer team take on Ukraine in a UEFA Euro 2021 qualifier. The upcoming match will be the team’s first under newly arrived coach Vera Pauw, who is an experienced manager and former Dutch international. It’s hoped that team can continue their winning streak, […]

7 years ago

With the Rugby World Cup in full swing, no doubt your little ones will want to do anything that makes them more like the boys in green. So, use these recipes from Fiona Uyema to expand their palates and, um, eat like Johnny Sexton! Negima yakitori (chicken & spring onion skewers) These chicken skewers taste much […]

7 years ago

Halloween comes early with this magical one pot (cauldron?) stew from Darina Allen’s latest book Black-eyed bean, pumpkin & chickpea stew One of the very best vegetarian one-pot dishes. What’s not to like about black-eyed beans, chickpeas and pumpkin with lots of spices? Delicious on its own, but equally good with roast chicken or a […]

7 years ago

Ward off the autumn chill, and expand you brood’s tastebuds, with this nourishing soup from Darina Allen’s latest book Red lentil soup with turmeric, masala yogurt, toasted seeds & coriander Serves 6 This soup was inspired by a soup I ate and loved at The Little Fox in Ennistymon in Co. Clare. I’m not sure how they […]

7 years ago

For Vicky Phelan, writing her memoir was a “cathartic” experience. Although Vicky became a household name due to her taking a stand that broke the cervical cancer scandal, a terminal cancer diagnosis is just one of the battles the mum-of-two has faced in her life. In her newly-released book, Overcoming, Vicky details her experience of […]

7 years ago

“What’s wrong with me? Why don’t I love my baby?” Vicky Phelan has come a household name thanks to her tireless activism for women’s health. It was she who first brought the cervical cancer screening scandal to light when she refused to sign a gagging order and instead spoke out after she settled her case. It […]

7 years ago

“If no one talks about this, then how are they supposed to know that it’s not something that you should just live with?” By going public after settling a court action in April 2018, Vicky Phelan broke the cervical cancer screening scandal that rocked the country. In the weeks and months that followed her brave stand, […]

7 years ago

“One of the saddest but most uplifting stories I have ever read” To hear Vicky Phelan talk about the events of last year is somewhat jarring. Was it really only in 2018 that she spoke to the press on the steps of the Four Courts? Was it was it really only last year that we learned […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by AIG Insurance Dublin take on Galway in Croke Park this Sunday – and you and your family could be there! HerFamily has teamed up with the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association and the Croke Park Hotel to give away a fantastic prize of a family weekend in Dublin to attend the All-Ireland Ladies’ […]

7 years ago