Love ’em or hate ’em, Brussels sprouts are arguably the most contentious issue of the season. For some, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a bubbling pot of the miniature cabbages on the hob. For others, the pervasive scent overpowers all else, making the sprout public enemy number one at the dinner table. While there […]

11 years ago

If you hopped aboard the juice craze this summer, you might be finding your daily blends, while delicious and packed with vitamins, lack the necessary ‘oomph’ to see you through a frosty day now that winter has arrived.  A citrus fruit hit is great, but when the days are dull, our tummies cry out for […]

11 years ago

Planning on writing your Christmas cards this week? This year, one incredibly special little girl would really appreciate if you could add her to your list.  Eight-year-old Safyre Terry is the sole survivor of a fatal arson fire that killed her father David Terry (32), her sister Layah (3), and her brothers Micheal (2) and Donavan […]

11 years ago

An Archbishop has slammed parents who baptise their children in order to get them into local schools for abusing the sacrament.  Speaking at a schools Mass at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin this week, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said attending a Catholic school should be a choice that parents make after putting a lot of thought into […]

11 years ago

Are you responsible for bringing dessert this Christmas? If so, there’s something you should know: after the turkey and the roast potatoes, the grand finale is the part of the meal that carries the most expectation.  Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to wow everybody with a super sized homemade confection that […]

11 years ago

Most men his age are happily enjoying their freedom at the golf club or in the potting shed, but Rolling Stone guitarist (and irrepressible lothario) Ronnie Wood is to become a father again at the age of 68. Wood and his third wife Sally Humphreys (37) have announced the happy news to friends and family, […]

11 years ago

There’s something about this time of year that turns snacking into a sport. It’s not just the abundance of Christmas cookies, or the fact that everyone from the gynaecologist to the local librarian has placed a giant bowl of Quality Street on their desk. It’s more to do with the general cosiness of December and […]

11 years ago

Police in California have arrested the mother of a baby who was buried alive last month.  Just 36 hours old, the infant was found near a riverbed near a bike path in Compton by two sisters who heard a muffled cry and raised the alarm. The child, who was wrapped in a hospital blanket, was […]

11 years ago

An Australian politician has earned the respect of parents everywhere by using a very real image on in his family Christmas card this year.  Andrew Leigh, a member of the Australian House of Representatives, was taking part in the annual Christmas card photo shoot with his wife and three sons when his youngest, Zachary, decided […]

11 years ago

The turkey’s been demolished, Santa’s been and gone; all that’s left to do now is to raise a toast to the New Year and see out the old one with a smile. Here’s our pick of the best parties to ring in 2016: A wild bash in a country manor  Happenings & HomeBeat return to […]

11 years ago

Cookbooks mean different things to different people. For some they can herald a whole new way of living; a healthier diet; a more nourishing way of eating. For others they open the door to indulgent desserts and calorific treats to spoil others with at family celebrations.  Whether you’re the type to switch on the KitchenAid […]

11 years ago

A Dublin man has launched a social media campaign to help his dad solve a family mystery.  Graphic designer Andy Byrne is using Facebook and Twitter to appeal for information on his father’s adoption, something that was kept a secret in the family for half a century. “At 73 years-of-age my father still doesn’t know […]

11 years ago

The annual visit to see Santa is a part of the Christmas festivities for most families with young children. For kids with special needs however, it isn’t always so straightforward.  That’s why Erin Deeley was thrilled to discover an initiative called Caring Santa, which this year allowed her little boy Brayden, who has autism, to […]

11 years ago

A family is recovering this afternoon after a traumatic tiger kidnapping that ended in an incident at Dublin Airport.  According to reports, it started when a mother and daughter were abducted last night from their home in Artane. They were allegedly held overnight inside a van while a male member of the family was ordered […]

11 years ago

It’s prime cough and cold season, so hopefully you’ve already taught your sniffling offspring to cough and sneeze into their elbows (not their hand!), just like the experts recommend. But we’ll admit, it’s a little gross. Now, however, there’s a clever new invention to make it a little less so. Enter the Sneeve, an absorbent, disposable […]

11 years ago

You know the feeling. One minute you’re counting down the hours before 5pm Friday, then you blink and it’s 7am on a rainy Monday.  But what if Monday was a duvet day too? What if, instead of working the average five-day week, it was universally accepted that we should only work four? If scientists had […]

11 years ago

Admit it: at least once this month you’ve arrived somewhere with drenched hair or soaking socks because you didn’t adequately prepare for a deluge. For a nation that is underwater to some degree for 98 per cent of the year, Irish people are desperately under prepared for the rain. Sure, the kids are all set […]

11 years ago

If you’ve been feeling guilty about going back to work after a period of maternity leave, the latest results from a study of 20,000 children could make you feel a little better this morning.  According to the latest Growing Up in Ireland study report, it makes no difference to a child’s cognitive abilities whether they […]

11 years ago

Coeliac disease affects an estimated 46,000 people in Ireland. It’s triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, which is harmful to those affected and causes symptoms including abdominal pain, recurring mouth-ulcers, weight-loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. Festive, eh? This means that Christmas Day cooks should be especially considerate if one of your guests […]

11 years ago

Almost half of Irish shoppers mostly fill their trolley with brand name products, regardless of the price. According to the Love Irish Food annual Food Barometer, 43 per cent of shoppers look for the same branded items every week, with those who ‘seldom’ buy brands accounting for a mere eight per cent of shoppers. Of the […]

11 years ago

We’d all smother our mothers for a chunk of a certain chocolate or a specific type of pasta, right? That dreamy dish you tasted on honeymoon; a slice of your grandmother’s apple pie? Food, the cooking, eating and sharing of it, is an important part of life, so you can be sure there’s a bit […]

11 years ago

From the positions you favour in bed to the time of day you decide to get busy, there is plenty of advice on when, where and how to have sex when trying for a baby.  When it comes to conceiving however, the latest research suggests it may be a case of second time lucky. Researchers […]

11 years ago

We enjoy a scented candle as much as the next person, but we’re really not sure about the latest version.  Pringles, the crisp people, are trialing a new range of candles that promise to fill your home with festive scents like Pigs in Blankets, Texas BBQ and, er, Cheesy Cheese. Don’t all rush out at once […]

11 years ago

Determined to shop local and support Irish designers and retailers this year? Ireland is a wonderland of wild and wonderful gift ideas for children of all ages, you just need to know where to look. Here are some of the most innovative, timeless and creative items available: Dirty Bertie books Dirty Bertie – the boy […]

11 years ago

Kensington Palace has released two new portraits of the World’s most adorable princess.  The images, posted on the Kensington Royal Instagram page, were taken by proud mummy (and keen photographer) Kate Midleton in early November at the family home in Norfolk. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to be able to share two new […]

11 years ago

Tumbling curls are the holy grail as far as glam ‘dos are concerned, but who has time for grappling with a curling iron or unraveling heated rollers every morning?  Not me, that’s for sure. That’s why this genius little tutorial is bookmarked on many a stylista’s laptop; using just an old t-shirt and a quick […]

11 years ago

He plays up to his Mr Bad Guy personality on screen, but off-camera, Simon Cowell is a big softy at heart.  The music mogul made this Christmas one to remember for three Roscommon brothers when he personally invited them to watch The X-Factor in London. The Naughtons (Archie, age nine, and five-year-old twins George and […]

11 years ago

If paying your domestic water charges gets your goat, you’re going to love this.  Restaurants are planning to pass on their commercial rate increases to customers next year by charging €1 for a glass of Ireland’s finest filtered tap water. According to Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants’ Association of Ireland, the charge is “only […]

11 years ago

Do you have a caffeine fiend in the family? Is their daily java more of an obsession than a break time beverage?  Coffee lovers tend to be very serious about their brew. This Christmas, get them something that’s guaranteed to fuel their addiction in the best possible way. Rest easy Molly Hatch’s whimsical handpainted rustic […]

11 years ago

It’s a day for rain gear and welly boots. And, according to Met Eireann, conditions are not about to improve any time soon.  The forecaster has issued a Status Yellow weather warning across the country, and a Status Yellow rainfall warning for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry. The wind warning remains in place until […]

11 years ago

We’re big fans of Christmas here at HerFamily.ie HQ. We mull the wine, we advent the calendar, we deck the halls and we mince the pies.  This year however, we’ll be adding one extra tradition to the festive schedule: scoffing the wreath. Yes, you read that correctly: On one night this Christmas, we’ll be pouring […]

11 years ago

The hoverboard is one of the coolest (and most expensive) items on Santa’s list this year, but parents who shelled out up to €500 for one in the last few weeks may be unwittingly about to put their kids in serious danger. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has suspended the importation of approximately 1,400 […]

11 years ago

“It’s going to be a special night,” said Ryan Tubridy at the top of the show. And he wasn’t wrong. Another year, another night of high-octane silliness, hilarious kids and heart-wrenching performances: The Late Late Toy Show 2015 did not disappoint. Poor Ryan gave Fred Astaire a run for his money; launching into 145 minutes of […]

11 years ago

Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway is reportedly expecting her first child with her producer husband Adam Schulman. While there has been no official announcement as of yet, E News claims two sources close to the actress have confirmed the rumours, which began when the Les Miserables star was spotted with a fuller figure at the premiere […]

11 years ago

Grainne Ferreira and her husband Andy run Raise the Bar, a boutique pop-up cocktail catering and consultancy company. Parents to Luka Ferreira (9) and Ruby Jules (6), they live in East Cork, catering the coolest events and weddings all over the country.  “Creative, social and fun: those are the three words I’d use to describe our business. […]

11 years ago

Having a bit of a ‘blah’ week? Feeling a bit ‘meh’ in general?  You don’t have to be suffering from depression to feel a little down in the dumps sometimes. Mood swings, hormones, lack of sunshine and the daily crises of life can take their toll on the sunniest of dispositions. It’s usually not until […]

11 years ago

We all know that bed linen and pillows can be a breeding ground for dust mites, but now a team of researchers have released hard evidence showing just what’s going on between the fibres of your sheets.  A research team from the Ohio State University and Acarology Lab have released a video showing millions of […]

11 years ago

A number of Irish children have had their scheduled surgeries postponed today due to a bed shortage at Temple Street Children’s Hospital.  While a hospital spokesperson confirmed that emergency surgeries will be carried out as necessary, a sharp rise in number of winter-related admissions, especially babies under one with respiratory illnesses, meant the hospital was forced […]

11 years ago

The latest food craze to sweep the dessert world might have a terrible name, but the concept is pure gold.  Ladies and gentlemen behold: the piecaken; the trendiest dish on the Thanksgiving menu in the United States this year. T&C Thanksgiving tip no. 2: when in doubt, bring this year’s trendiest dessert to your #Thanksgiving […]

11 years ago

Ever attempted to prise open a can of tuna for lunch in the absence of a tin opener? As anyone who’s has ever played a game of finger roulette with a sharp knife and a tin can will attest, the rewards are not exactly worth the immense risk, even if you pull it off. That’s […]

11 years ago

A journalist who wrote an article explaining why she doesn’t want children received so much abuse online that the BBC had to send a security guard to protect her.  Tech writer Holly Brockwell, who is editor of Gadgette, contributed to the BBC’s ‘100 Women 2015’ series with an article entitled, ‘Desperate not to have children’. In […]

11 years ago

Swaddled in purple towels and with his umbilical cord still attached, the full-term newborn baby was crying alone in the manger when church custodian Jose Moran discovered him.  The nativity scene at the Holy Child Jesus Church in the New York borough of Richmond, Queens, had been finished only hours earlier. The 5lb infant was lying […]

11 years ago

He might be only three-years-old, but we predict big things for Cork’s Bodhi Yelverton.  A video of the Ballyvolane toddler’s rousing version of Kings of Leon’s The Bucket is collecting thousands of views on YouTube. Posted on the sharing site by Bodhi’s Dad Colin, the clip is recorded from the front, with the little performer sitting […]

11 years ago

The Gambia has become the latest country to ban female genital mutilation.  President Yahya Jammeh has finally banned the barbaric practice, which three quarters of women in the west African country are forced to endure, after it was initially criminalised in Nigeria earlier this year. Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of […]

11 years ago

So glitter beards are a thing this Christmas and we’re kind of thrilled about it. The sparkly facial hair phenomenon is the genius work of The Gay Beards, two best friends from Portland, Oregon, whose video ‘How to Glitter Beard’ proved an instant hit on Youtube. Despite Esquire labeling the trend ‘a menace to civilized […]

11 years ago

A Dublin mum has appealed to the public to help her find a very special teddy bear.  Roisin took to Twitter last night to ask if anyone had found the cuddly toy, which was lost on Henry Street in Dublin City Centre on Tuesday. Daughters Teddy got lost today. My life is over. — Roisin […]

11 years ago

If your knowledge of Irish craft is limited to the Aran sweater, you could be in for a major surprise this Christmas.  Some exceptionally beautiful things, from clothing and art to homewares and jewellery, are being produced in more than 6,000 hidden studios and workshops all over the country. Irish design is having a major […]

11 years ago

This week we reported on a fascinating new study that revealed how delaying the age your kids start school could boost their grades significantly… right up until they turn eleven. Scientists have discovered that keeping kids at home for an extra year can dramatically improve their self control and concentration, reducing inattention in 11-year-olds by an […]

11 years ago

Need some advice before filling Santa’s sleigh this Christmas? This week a panel of little experts from Temple Street Children’s Hospital got together to review some of the season’s most wanted toys. ‘The Temple Street Toy Review’ video, supported by Tesco, aims to raise funds for Temple Street, by calling on people countrywide to text […]

11 years ago

A simple test involving a raisin has shown that children who are born prematurely tend to have lower attention spans.  Researchers, working with a group of 558 20-month-olds, placed the raisin underneath a cup and instructed the children not to eat it. Children who were able to stop themselves from eating the raisin were found […]

11 years ago