With only days to go, INDIE18 is shaping up for its biggest festival to date as the three-day event at Deer Farm, Mitchelstown, Co Cork gets ready to open its gates.

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Publisher turned author Thomas Morris talks to Tony Clayton-Lea about the joy and challenges of becoming a writer — and sibling rivalry as a wonderful motivating force.

Marco Pierre White’s Bar and Grill offers good food without glaring brilliance, is Tony Clayton-Lea’s summary.

Sorrento is a terrific base to explore the likes of Pompeii and the Isle of Capri, says Tony Clayton-Lea.

Tony Clayton-Lea says we take Dublin for granted – it’s time to revisit the city and see it through the eyes of a tourist.

Emily Lockhart writes for young adults but does not shy away from themes no matter how difficult they are but, she tells Tony Clayton-Lea that it is important to realise that her readers are on a journey of exploration.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

They look after us all year — so where do Ireland’s top hoteliers take time out? Tony Clayton-Lea talks holidays of a lifetime with Francis Brennan, Kevin Dundon and more.

It’s the coastal route where a marketer’s dream meets the reality of world-class scenery. Tony Clayton-Lea sings the virtues of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Dublin aside, there are more hotel and B&B beds in Killarney than in any other Irish town. It more than deserves its tourism status, says Tony Clayton-Lea.

From the Burren to the Cliffs of Moher, Tony Clayton-Lea is stone mad for the charms of Co Clare.

Galway remains the most idiosyncratic of Irish cities. Tony Clayton-Lea pays a visit to Connaught’s capital.

As a new Dublin-Liverpool route opens for business, Tony Clayton-Lea takes a trip to the city that skips to the same beat as Ireland    

Sofi Oksanen writes in Finnish and getting her work translated into English was difficult at first but now she has the kind of sales publishers crave. She explained all to Tony Clayton-Lea on one of her regular visits to Ireland.

Yes, we like the sun, the sea, the sand beneath our feet, and the tourist attractions. But if we’re honest, the majority of us love the food the most. Tony Clayton-Lea highlights his favourite foodie places across the world.

Want to keep costs down on your summer holiday this year? From banking to bottled water, Tony Clayton-Lea has a dozen ways to save.

Bored of London and Brussels? Then try Oxford and Bruges instead. Tony Clayton-Lea picks the best destinations 30 miles from Europe’s top airports. 

Dermot Bolger talks to Tony Clayton-Lea about his new book Tanglewood and how he believes that the introduction of free secondary education in the late 1960s was at the root of the 1980s burst of Irish creativity.

The administrative seat of the EU is also a fun, beautiful city of elegant restaurants, splendid architecture and museums, says Tony Clayton-Lea.

Paula Hawkins is glad she took a gamble with The Girl On The Train, writes Tony Clayton-Lea

Tony Clayton-Lea flies into Venice and makes his way around one of Italy’s most famous regions to experience beautiful landscapes, hidden gems, vineyards and glorious late spring sunshine

Tony Clayton-Lea offers a list of holiday destinations at home and away.

Every country has its hidden gems, but it’s possible that Portugal has more than most in its collection of pousadas — or high-end historic lodging houses. Tony Clayton-Lea travelled to Portugal to road-test a few of these palatial pousadas, as well as taking in the Portuguese interior.

Tony Clayton-Lea says time is of the essence if you don’t want to be left behind - and early booking is crucial when it comes to popular sun destinations.

Tony Clayton-Lea explores the most romantic destinations to wine and dine your beloved and (re)ignite the passions.

Julian Baggini’s mission is to make us think about what we eat and to learn more about it by exposing some of our absurd beliefs about food production, sourcing and cooking. Tony Clayton-Lea enjoyed the repast.

Research is key when planning a fulfilling — and financially viable — break. Among other things, it pays to shop around and be flexible in terms of your travel days, writes Tony Clayton-Lea.

Goran Rosenberg’s parents survived the Nazi’s Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and made a new life in Sweden but, as he told Tony Clayton-Lea, they never fully escaped it— neither should we.

The tradition of Christmas markets dates back to the late-Middle Ages throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe, but these days they pop up all over the world. Tony Clayton-Lea chooses the best and most atmospheric to visit in the UK and Europe.

Confessions

From Monday October 27 to Friday October 31 the children are off school. This can mean one and one thing only: you need to keep them busy. Very busy.

Friends and Central Perk introduced Ireland to the concept of the coffee shop. Today, business is booming with cafes dominating the high street. But which ones are best? Food writers Tony Clayton-Lea and Joe McNamee decide.

Irish music fans have the chance to vote for the Meteor song of the year for 2012 after the shortlist was announced yesterday.

DUBLIN singers Imelda May and Cathy Davey are among the top acts battling it out for the Irish Album of the Year 2010.