Columns - Irish Examiner

Louise O’Neill

Why is it brave for a woman or a man to say that that they have been raped?

While filming my Reality Bites documentary for RTÉ 2, Asking For It? (available on RTÉ player now, nudge nudge etc), I had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people, writes Louise O’Neill.

Sat, 05 Nov, 2016

You’re not betraying the feminist cause by revelling in the pleasure of finding the perfect shade of red lipstick

If you don’t care about clothes then you shouldn’t feel pressured into conforming and similarly, you shouldn’t feel compelled to wear cosmetics in order to be a ‘real woman’, writes Louise O'Neill

Sat, 29 Oct, 2016

Do men just instinctively dislike movies and TV shows that star women?

White Girl isn’t the first female-centric movie to suffer negative feedback from male critics. 

Sat, 22 Oct, 2016

I no longer want to be famous but I do think about how I would like to be remembered

I try and use my platform to raise awareness for issues I think are important and hopefully I can be part of a movement that will enact real change in social policies and cultural norms.

Sat, 15 Oct, 2016

Amanda Knox committed the 'sin' of openly enjoying her sexuality

Succumbing to peer pressure, I watched the Amanda Knox documentary this week.

Sat, 08 Oct, 2016

I want you to give us a date for a referendum on repealing the eighth amendment Enda

“We are walking in the rain,” my friend Dave tweets, “to support thousands of women who have to face an ocean.”

Sat, 01 Oct, 2016

Virginity has been framed as something a girl must safeguard and hold on to as long as possible

Girls need to understand that sex is normal and natural, not something that needs to be contained to protect their reputation.

Sat, 24 Sep, 2016

Pretence as an art form results in women accepting ill-treatment by others

I refuse to pretend to be different to my true self in a misguided attempt to please others.

Sat, 17 Sep, 2016

Thin or fat, we are so much more than our appearance

Women are constantly encouraged to be thinner, to take up as little physical space in the world as possible.

Sat, 10 Sep, 2016

My name is Louise O’ Neill and I am a social media addict

At the time of writing this column, I have 18 days left until I can reinstall the apps on my phone.

Sat, 03 Sep, 2016