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Esther_McCarthy

Esther N McCarthy

Esther McCarthy is a columnist covering the chaos, comedy and complexities of life for Irish women.

Stressed caucasian woman is doom scrolling. Girl reading morning news on smartphone in her bedroom.

Esther McCarthy: I spent 9 hours and 59 minutes on a single app last week

I think I’ll just get ‘hypocrite’ tattooed across my forehead and be done with it.

Sat, 30 May, 2026

Making granola bars. Woman putting mixture of oat flakes, dry fruits and other ingredients onto baking tray at table in kitchen,

Esther McCarthy: Is the world ready for the Cork version of the trad wife movement?

Enjoy this exclusive, first look, step-by-step guide to my Flapjack Surprise.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Birthday cake decorated with colorful sprinkles and ten candles

Esther McCarthy: As I age, a (tiny) bit of wisdom emerges

Here’s to another 12 months of living badly.

Sat, 16 May, 2026

clothes hanging on a rack in a flea market

Esther McCarthy: My addiction to Vinted isn’t very sustainable

I do love a charity shop haul, but for me, 2026 signalled the Year Of Vinted

Sat, 09 May, 2026

Esther McCarthy: Enough mansplaining, here's some womansplaining for ye

Esther McCarthy: Enough mansplaining, here's some womansplaining for ye

Like it or lump it, listen up jerks!

Sat, 02 May, 2026

Stack of bath towels

Esther McCarthy: Every era has its own type of weirdness, and my descendants will have questions

Good Towels, cluttered shelves, and the plastic bag drawer

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Esther McCarthy: Going cold turkey on HRT leaves me in a flux

Trigger warning: This column contains psychotic, perimenopause-induced ramblings. You can’t say you weren’t warned.

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Couple relaxing in their home at night.

Esther McCarthy: Are Irish families really compatible with open-plan living?

Open-plan is an open SCAM

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Sad woman complaining alone sitting on a coffee shop terrace

Esther McCarthy: They say you get calmer with age, what a load of rubbish

I’ve decided to embrace the fury.

Sat, 04 Apr, 2026

Unbreakable bond, a woman sharing a tender moment with her dog

Esther McCarthy: Do owners really end up looking like their pets?

I had hoped that by adopting a lurcher, I too would magically become slender and svelte. Alas, the opposite seems to have occurred.

Sat, 28 Mar, 2026