IN our always-on lives all too often one of the first casualties is sleep. For TV presenter Elaine Crowley, it’s a constant challenge. “I have awful trouble getting to sleep. And if I wake up I can’t go back,” says the host of Virgin Media’s show, Elaine.

Growing up in the quirkily named Newtwopothouse near Mallow, a young Elaine Crowley dreamed of one day becoming an actor and filmmaker.

Who came away with the title of for being one of the most stylish people in the country?

There was loud praise when X-Factor singer Mary Byrne faced her fears of heights on Celebrity Operation Transformation and abseiled down the side of a tall building in Dublin to raise money for the children’s charity Make-A-Wish. But behind the scenes it was a different story.

The singer urged Irish men to not shy away from getting regular checks and not to be embarrassed.

The grand-niece of Patrick Kavanagh, Katherine Lynch enjoys reading poetry.

 

Five well-known characters will be shedding pounds and maybe a few tears in the first series of Celebrity Operation Transformation.

The average bra size is now 34DD, but some designers haven’t got the memo, says         Deirdre Reynolds.

It is an abhorrent feature in too many homes today and a human rights issue that affects one in five Irish women.

Roz Purcell, Natalie B Coleman, Elaine Crowley, Courtney Smith and Glenda Gilson reveal their favourite restaurants, bars and gyms in Dublin’s city centre.

Good evening. Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on IrishExaminer.com today.

What happened when a woman breastfed her son live on Irish telly?

WHAT’S your favourite Christmas tradition? From staying up to watch The Late Late Toy Show to the Finnish custom of visiting the graveyard on Christmas Eve, the history of festive traditions is as long as Santa’s present list. We asked celebrities for their favourites.

The head of TV3 has called on the Government to end the “failed dual-funding mechanism” which allows RTÉ to earn revenue from both advertising and the TV licence fee.

Television presenter Elaine Crowley has spoken for the first time of her battle with depression and the heartache it has caused her and her family.

IT’S one of the oldest kickstarters of a dull dinner party: ‘What’s your favourite film, and why?’

Not sure what to wear? Deirdre Reynolds asks four fashionistas, spanning four decades, for their top tips.

PJ Gibbons and Colette Sheridan ask a bunch of celebrities to reveal their plans for tonight, and to reflect on the year gone by

IRELAND’S leading independent children’s charity Barnardos is really embracing “budget chic” with the opening of its new bridal room and boutique in Carlow.

THERE was no need for a steward’s inquiry in Ireland’s most award-winning winter hunt race yesterday.