Let others do the hard work for you this Christmas and take a festive break at an Irish hotel. We check out what’s on offer    

Esther N McCarthy casts her eye over a selection of groovy products for your home.

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

A GIRLS’ weekend away was on the cards for months. Time for me (and a willing buddy) to ditch the husbands and the childers, hit the motorway, fork out for the tolls and head to the big smoke. Our check list: shoe shopping, a concert in the O2, plenty of pubs and lots of lie ins. Dublin, here we come.