Relationships

Sign in

Relationships

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Jane Cowan: 'Being friends with girls is a full time occupation. We are essentially on call, round the clock, just waiting to jump into action the second our friend’s suitor responds to a text. He doesn’t breathe without our knowing about it.'</p>

people

Diary of a Gen Z Student: Let's celebrate the girls who listen to tales of romantic woe

For girls, the job of being a good friend also involves being there for the heartbreaks. Listening to the ranting and delivering chocolate to your friend’s bedside — that’s a major part of the deal

<p>Rage against the machine: At the cinema, you grit your teeth while people around you light up their phones to send texts, put their feet on seats, and talk throughout the movie.</p>

people

Are we getting ruder? How to be kinder in everyday life — and break the contagion of rage

<p>Carmel Wynne: 'Put a timer on for two minutes, and for that two minutes, just look at your partner. Usually even couples who are fighting will often just hug after that without saying anything, because that rekindles the intimacy.'</p>

people

Three simple exercises couples in a romance rut can try at home to reconnect

Birthday boy

columnists

Dear Dáithí: Should we attend or ignore a 'non-communion party'?

Beckham family rift

people

Family relationships are important — here's what therapists suggest you do when problems arise

Suzanne Harrington

Suzanne Harrington: Dear Brooklyn, thanks for the distractions...

Richard Hogan: New partners, old habits, simmering tensions... families are complicated

Richard Hogan: New partners, old habits, simmering tensions... families are complicated

Things get problematic when we think we have ownership of our adult children. Parents can forget that they did it themselves when they met their partner and had children and moved off into their new world together

Sat, 24 Jan, 2026

Young man reading a book in a coffee shop

Diary of a Gen Z Student: Why we cannot trust a performative male

He may be ‘Mr Right’ but he can still break your heart

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

Move!

Richard Hogan: Learning to cope with being ‘triggered’

Whenever I see a person in a shop overreacting to the shop assistant that isn’t moving quickly enough, or someone raging in traffic, all I see is the hurt little child that felt unseen or abandoned

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Mature couple enjoying quality time in their cozy kitchen while sharing laughter and joy

Richard Hogan: What are the likely causes of a waning sex drive?

How we talk to each other during conflict impacts on intimacy. I hear this so often in my clinic

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

Grandmother arrives home to visit the family and embraces granddaughter

Dear Daithí: Our granddaughter’s new life has left us, her family, behind

She’s been home now for a year since she finished her degree but has barely come near any of us. She has a busy job and a whole set of new friends, and I believe is quite serious with a guy she met on her course. She doesn’t call to me or any of the aunties or even her own mum

Sun, 21 Dec, 2025

Senior Adult's Hand on the Steering Wheel

Dear Dáithí: Should we tell my dad he’s not driving any more?

We don’t want him to get a more serious injury or cause a bad accident. But it’s a hard conversation to have as he nods and agrees but then goes and does his own thing anyway

Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

Young frightened driver woman and a man

Dear Dáithí: My husband acts like I'm a dangerous driver

if you had a video on my husband's face when he's a passenger in my car you would think he was in a Grand Prix... Are all men like this when they're passengers or do you reckon I can get him to relax a bit when I'm driving?

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Lazy Christmas at home

Dear Dáithí: My brother thinks his presence is our real present every Christmas

We used to actually get along when we both lived at home but ever since he got a job in Canada he acts like he invented work

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Christmas time

Richard Hogan: In my experience, children who get everything come to enjoy nothing

I’m not suggesting we don’t give our kids anything, I’m saying that we should help them to also think about others at this time of immense gift receiving

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

A child using smart phone lying in bed late at night

Richard Hogan: Parents are often unaware how pornography has changed over the years

People who create this incest-themed or violent content understand very well that the more extreme the material is, the more taboo it is, the more people will consume it. They know that dopamine fires when someone views a hardcore image

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Couple not speaking after an argument on the couch

Dear Dáithí: My stressed husband is overeating and cranky — can we get back on the right track?

We don't have children; the plan was to get our careers to the right place and then start a family. The way things are going, that's never going to happen. Do you have any advice?

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Couple reading a guide in a hotel room

Sex File: My husband is talking dirty but it's not working... how do I tell him?

His style — basically just narrating what he's doing as he's doing it — pulls me out of the moment and turns me off

Mon, 11 Aug, 2025

Sex File: I feel uninterested in sex — might it drive a wedge between us?

Sex File: I feel uninterested in sex — might it drive a wedge between us?

I enjoy sex but I'm far more interested in other things, which I know frustrates my husband (although he has never complained)

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Richard Hogan: Don't let schadenfreude make you forget there are real people affected

Richard Hogan: Don't let schadenfreude make you forget there are real people affected

Depending on how long an affair has been going on, it can be one of the most psychologically disturbing events a couple can experience. It rocks the very foundation of the relationship, and is the reason why most couples break up

Wed, 23 Jul, 2025

Young Couple Arguing and Fighting. Domestic Violence Scene of Emotional abuse, Stressed Woman and aggressive Man Having Almost V

Dear Dáithí: My perfect girlfriend is horrible to me behind closed doors

We’ve built a life together, but I don’t feel I can relax or be myself around her, like I need to improve on everything. I keep hoping things will get better, but they don’t. How do you know when it’s time to stop trying — and start walking away?

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Falling for a younger man: Are we finally ditching the age-gap double standard?

Falling for a younger man: Are we finally ditching the age-gap double standard?

When an older woman-younger man relationship happens in real life, does it still elicit sniggers or disapproval or are we finally ditching the age-gap double standard?

Fri, 31 Jan, 2025

Dear Dáithí: 'My wife is mad because I'm texting a female co-worker - but it's completely innocent'

Dear Dáithí: 'My wife is mad because I'm texting a female co-worker - but it's completely innocent'

'I feel it shouldn't matter what gender my friend is, and my wife is being ridiculous. I think she's taking her feelings of frustration out on me - unfairly.'

Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

With you by my side I could never get lost! - Christmas vacations

Cuffing season: What is cuffing, why we do it and how to do it successfully

We instinctively want the warmth of another person when the nights are long and dark, to stave off the loneliness, says Jenny McEntegart

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Man spying his girlfriend mobile phone.

Dear Dáithí: My girlfriend follows muscular lads — I'm not muscular, and am now feeling insecure

The main thing to remember here is that nobody has done anything wrong: all that has happened is that your insecurities in your head have overtaken reality in real life

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

Mature couple walking on the beach at sunset or sunrise.

Long-term relationships: Navigating the ups and downs of lasting love

Long-term relationships can be wonderful. But being with the same person for decades is not always easy. We get expert advice about the questions you need to ask to keep communications open

Fri, 01 Nov, 2024

Jennifer Horgan: How do you break up with a friend when the fire has died out?

S Jennifer Horgan: How do you break up with a friend when the fire has died out?

You might see one another again and find yourself recalling memories and laughing. But you won’t look at each other and say, what we had is gone; it is no longer

Fri, 21 Jun, 2024

Three-way therapy for throuples? Yes please — and demand in Cork is growing

Three-way therapy for throuples? Yes please — and demand in Cork is growing

'Throuples' seeking professional therapy are changing the face of traditional marriage counselling as demand for three-way therapy sessions rises, says one Cork-based practitioner

Sun, 05 May, 2024

My beautiful woman.

Sex File: I can't keep up with my new, younger man

Who can tell whether people who have more sex have happier relationships, or people who have happier relationships have more sex?

Mon, 05 Feb, 2024

Dear Dáithí: How do I save myself from a Christmas filled with hints about starting a family?

Dear Dáithí: How do I save myself from a Christmas filled with hints about starting a family?

I know my mother will mention it at every opportunity this Christmas and she will have my aunts on my case too - I can feel her looking at me when there are babies in ads on TV

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

Dear Dáithí: My brother turned my family against me and cut me out of a will

Dear Dáithí: The thought of Christmas at my in-laws' depresses me

Should I insist we go to my family this Christmas or should we go our separate ways for the day and meet up again after Christmas?

Sat, 23 Dec, 2023

'I don't expect to get my money back': Women left in the dark by Dublin dating agency

S 'I don't expect to get my money back': Women left in the dark by Dublin dating agency

When Fionnuala Bourke signed up with Dublin based dating agency Intro Matchmaking she had high hopes of meeting her life partner

Sat, 21 Oct, 2023

Iris Murdoch

Terry Prone: Who is protecting the privacy of vulnerable people, or the dead?

The demented and the dead often need privacy protection from those who once vowed loyalty to them in sickness and in health

Mon, 16 Oct, 2023

Sad woman sitting on bed with partner in background

Should you forgive a cheating partner? Two people share their experiences of infidelity

When things go wrong in a relationship, some of us are hard pressed to forgive any kind of betrayal, as the hurt can be multi-layered and complex, writes Geraldine Walsh

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

Family barbecue party

Joanna Fortune: My daughter and her kids are staying for two weeks but I'm worried about chaos

"I had a tense relationship with my daughter during her teenage years and want to ensure the trip is a success"

Wed, 19 Jul, 2023

Winner

Meaningful happiness can take work — but it's possible

While some of us are more predisposed towards happiness than others, happiness does not come as natural to some and so they may attempt to buy into a manufactured happiness

Mon, 12 Jun, 2023

Pensive middle aged lady looking away sit alone at home

Talk To Me: Daughter-in-law leaves my son at home with the children

Psychologist Caroline Martin is here to answer your questions on whatever issues you are dealing with in life, from work pressure and stress to loneliness and grief

Fri, 14 Apr, 2023

The importance of female friendship and the power of finding your 'tribe'

The importance of female friendship and the power of finding your 'tribe'

Why do we prioritise romatic relationships over platonic ones? Filomena Kaguoko finds out

Fri, 17 Mar, 2023

The New Infidelity: What makes polyamory and open relationships work?

The New Infidelity: What makes polyamory and open relationships work?

Naoise Dolan’s anticipated follow up to Exciting Times is just one of many books and TV shows exploring open relationships. Is polyamory having a moment?

Wed, 15 Mar, 2023

Getting into the morning groove

Tuning in to get off: The rise of audio erotica and five apps worth checking out

Audio erotica apps are booming — Nicole Glennon looks at why they're proving to be a new frontier for women and queer people in embracing sexual pleasure

Tue, 14 Mar, 2023

Humour, honesty and flowers: Couples share the secret to long-lasting love

Humour, honesty and flowers: Couples share the secret to long-lasting love

Three couples celebrating five decades of marriage share some real advice for a long and happy relationship

Tue, 14 Feb, 2023

Above photo of grey laptop and hands holding a red paper heart isolated on the red backdrop

Want to find your soulmate? You need to let your freak flag fly

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, Suzanne Harrington tries a flirting workshop with dating coach Jeanne Sullivan Billeci who is encouraging singles to stop playing it safe because they're worried about scaring people away

Sun, 22 Jan, 2023

Friends without benefits: How to 'break up' a toxic friendship as an adult

Friends without benefits: How to 'break up' a toxic friendship as an adult

Fraught friendships are winning awards for Colin Farrell, but is it time to reevaluate your friendships and if they're worth keeping?

Tue, 17 Jan, 2023

Couple not talking after an argument in bed

Sex File: I still fantasise about my ex — how do I finally move on?

One of the main reasons divorcees sabotage the possibility of a new sexual relationship is that they are still smarting from the pain of the end of their marriage

Mon, 12 Dec, 2022

Couple arguing in bed

Sex File: Our bedroom has become a battleground

Time apart will help you to appreciate each other a bit more

Mon, 31 Oct, 2022

Young couple having having romantic times in bedroom

Yes, yes, yes: How to discuss sexual consent in a long-term relationship

Negotiating about sex is not just for new lovers, it's an ongoing conversation that will help to make your relationship more satisfying

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

senior man in white t-shirt walks on empty wet beach in Brancaster Norfolk England

Talk To Me: I'm worried about my partner who is overweight and drinks

Psychologist Caroline Martin is here to answer your questions on whatever issues you are dealing with in life, from work pressure and stress to loneliness and grief

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Two Woman Unfriend With Each Other.

S Breaking up with your BFF and the truth about female friendship

The shame and guilt can last a lifetime when a female friendship breaks down. We look at the wall of silence that can surround the end of a relationship with your BFF

Fri, 16 Sep, 2022

Smiling teenager boy playing console with headphones sitting in the chair indoor

Richard Hogan: Kids want boundaries — give them to them for a happy home

A family without rules, principles and values so quickly descends into an inverted hierarchy

Thu, 15 Sep, 2022

Offended millennial couple avoid talking after fight

S Richard Hogan: My child is in an abusive relationship. What can I do?

It's a predicament that renders parents powerless and hopeless

Wed, 07 Sep, 2022