IrishCentral Irish Christmas - b5cc3275d518416eacb61d676e8d84d1

Survey shows mixed sales figures in Ireland over Christmas shopping season (IrishCentral)

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:59:51 PST

By: IC Staff Writers

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the volume of retail sales fell by 0.1% in December compared with November on the back of weak car sales.

The Christmas lights are in the bin but the Irish shine on in Jersey - Music and events of St. Patrick's Day celebrations begin to raise their heads (IrishCentral)

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:31:00 PST

Union County St Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Jim Tansey (left) plays the pipesThe Christmas season is truly done with all the decorations stored away and with Honey Badger removing my strings of colored lights outside the house with wire cuttersThankfully there are many happenings before I have to debate buying new lights next December and hiding the tools away from herWe didn’t quite make it to the Ancient Order of Hibernians Polar Bear Plunge in Sea Bright two Sundays past READ MORE

Irish government knew of horsemeat burger scandal before Christmas (IrishCentral)

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 04:54:08 PST

By: PATRICK COUNIHAN

The Irish government kept the horsemeat burger scandal from the public for almost four weeks, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has admitted.

The Irish Homecoming - There’s no place like home for the Christmas holidays - food laughter, love and being spoilt by Santa (IrishCentral)

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:57:55 PST

By: APRIL DREW

It was the first Christmas back in Ireland for APRIL DREW and her family, filled with food, laughter, love and too many toys from Santa.

Home thoughts from abroad can cause serious January blues - New year blues for immigrants leaving their families again (IrishCentral)

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:30:54 PST

Heading back to reality after the holidays can be hardAs I start writing this, on the 6th January, it's not the just the Christmas decorations that are on a come downPost-Christmas malaise hitting you like a juggernaut of omni-problems and January's role as an austere counterweight to all the December revelry is a familiar trope and a feeling we're all au fait with, but for the emigrés among us who returned home for the holidays, the feeling hits a little harderI, for instance, now living in Manchester, got home for a little over a fortnight At least, that's what the calendar indicated, but I'm convinced I've been swindled by the space time continuum somehow READ MORE

Saying farewell to a dear friend and feeling strength in the community -- A sad Christmas as family and village mourn a great son and a true pal (IrishCentral)

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 06:00:36 PST

Mount BrandonThey say that a dark cloud follows Christmas around, hence the amount of deaths we have at this time of year I’m not too sure how scientific this is but it does seem to be the caseOur parish at home in Kerry is boxed in by three mountains one of them Mount Brandon the second highest in Ireland, the other side of the parish opens up onto the Atlantic at Smerwick harborWhen Christmas comes there is a tradition in the parish as there is in many others to put candles in all the windows over the 12 days READ MORE

Nollaig na mBan – the day to celebrate the iconic Irish Mammy (IrishCentral)

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 04:32:08 PST

By: MOLLY MULDOON

Today is a special day in Ireland when we celebrate the women who worked so tirelessly during the holiday period.

Are Irish men mean? Scrimping on gifts and how to tackle the issue (IrishCentral)

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:00:32 PST

Dear MTN,As I am writing this I realize it is not a huge problem however, it is something that has bothered me for years and I do not know how to approach the subject with my boyfriend Every holiday and every birthday, I always spend time and money getting my boyfriend a gift that I know he will love, and every year my gift seems like an after thought We have been dating for five years and we have discussed that we plan on getting engaged next year when we both turn 25 As for the gifts he gives me, he obviously spends a substantial amount less than I do on gifts and I am not materialistic by any means, but it does bother me READ MORE

Brandy butter cookies recipe - an excellent solution to using up this Christmas leftover (IrishCentral)

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 04:15:31 PST

Every year after Christmas I discover a tub of brandy butter lurking in the back of my fridge And every year I end up throwing it out, as it has gone rancid This year I left the bowl out to remind myself to think of something to do with it Then on Twitter last night several people mentioned that they too end up throwing their brandy butter away READ MORE

A Christmas interrupted by bad flu and canceled Irish trip -- But it’s not all bad news as Notre Dame tickets magically arrive (IrishCentral)

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 05:00:26 PST

Tickets to Notre Dame/Alabama game a special Christmas giftI had planned to go to Ireland this Christmas as we always do after spending Christmas Day with my wife's folks and New Year's with mine but we got poleaxed by a nasty fluHow nasty? Here we are spending it at home in New York surrounded by medication, antibiotics, heating blankets and every other healing remedy from hot whiskies to Advil, not to mention assorted curses and holy water deliveries by worried relativesWe're fine, but Christmas Day was a blur I felt as weak as a kitten and as useful as one too READ MORE

Top ten toasts for Christmas and the New Year (IrishCentral)

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 04:11:13 PST

By: DARA MCBRIDE

Slainte!

Irish New York lotto winner reaches settlement with ex-husband in time for Christmas (IrishCentral)

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 01:26:07 PST

By: KERRY O'SHEA

Patricia Daly, the Irishwoman who won $8 million in the New York lottery in early 2011, is relieved to have reached a divorce settlement with her estranged husband Jamie Eisel. Eisel claimed he had a right to half of Daly’s winnings, despite the two having been separated at the time of her winning.

Sean Quinn keeps a low profile during three day break from Mountjoy prison (IrishCentral)

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 04:27:00 PST

By: PATRICK COUNIHAN

Jailbird Sean Quinn kept his head down on his return home to Cavan for Christmas – but he did get to attend his grand-daughter’s christening.

Top Irish Christmas adverts that will be bring a tear to your eye - VIDEOS (IrishCentral)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:17:48 PST

By: BERNIE MALONE

It might sound completely crazy but when you flick through some of the adverts below you’ll find yourself holding back a tear.

Top ten reasons to date an Irish person this Christmas - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:31:32 PST

Dating at Christmas - sur why not!If you find yourself enduring pangs of loneliness this holiday season, maybe it's time you ventured out and tried to find yourself an Irish companion Here are some reasons why your search for that special someone should be focused on those of Irish descent1 We are great for the banter READ MORE

Christmas time at Ballymascanlon House Hotel - a real treat for the traditional traveler (IrishCentral)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:31:29 PST

Ballymascanlon House Hotel Ballymascanlon House Hotel is a home away from home in Co Louth so if you are looking for somewhere different to celebrate Christmas this hotel is the place to be The Ballymascanlon does exactly what it says on the tin; it provides luxury, warm hospitality and comforts all under one roof It oozes tradition and history and lacks nothing READ MORE

Tim Ryan - the ultimate in luxury Irish knitwear (IrishCentral)

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:00:18 PST

I've been a huge fan of Tim Ryan since I first set eyes on his wonderful pieces They are truly breathtaking and you can only really appreciate just how special they are when you try them on I'm not a 'girly girl,' I prefer tailoring and slouchy t-shirts but when I wear Tim's pieces (I have two) I feel utterly feminine and otherworldly, ladylike even which is a rarity! He is so talented and has managed to keep his feet firmly on the ground despite, ahem, gushing fans! Everyone from Kate Moss to Lily Allen and Cheryl Cole are collectors of the label Read an interview I did with Tim for Grazia here READ MORE

Ideas for Irish Christmas gifts - a wool stool from Claire Ann O'Brien (IrishCentral)

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:30:25 PST

Claire Ann O'Brien's wool stools Knits may be everywhere this season but if you're not getting off on Jil Sander then you might just get on to a fluffy, wool stool This is the coolest piece of interior kit I've seen in ages and for Winter it seems like the ultimate indulgence In fairness, you probably have a million jumpers already so save on another and grab some handcrafted loveliness instead, you'll be thankful when the cold snap rolls in and you're lounging in PJ's and cashmere socksIrish born Claire-Anne OBrien spends between 1 day to 3 days making these stools, mixing hand knitting with machine before constructing 3d patterns by hand READ MORE

The Divine Providence Village Rainbow Irish step dancers prep for Christmas show - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:16 PDT

The Divine Providence Village Rainbow Irish Step Dancers are eagerly awaiting their first public performance It’s hard to tell who is more excited, the nine amazing developmentally challenged women who make up this extraordinary group, or myself, their instructor Since I started volunteering to teach Irish dancing to these women last January, I have watched them grow in ability and confidence And now, thanks to Dawn and Jacque Parker, owners and instructors of the Irish Stars Parker School of Irish Dance, where I am a student, these amazing women will have an opportunity to perform READ MORE

Brown Thomas reminds Dubliners of proud Irish culture this Christmas (IrishCentral)

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:50:03 PST

There’s something distinctly beautiful about Christmas in Ireland While walking down the busy shopping district of Grafton Street, you’re more likely to hear a melancholy pan flute version of "Carrickfergus," or a squeaky busker’s violin solo of "Danny Boy” floating about the cold streets than one of those hackneyed, tiresomely cheerful Christmas songs I’ve seen the famed holiday displays in the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue, and experienced the madness of a midtown Macy’s run far too close to the big day, but this year, I found myself pausing to take in all of the beauty in this year’s Brown Thomas Christmas window display While I stood there taking in the view – depictions of different scenes from old Irish folk tales – a little girl came up to stand beside me, also mesmerized by the figures on the other side of the glass READ MORE