Summer features

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#Summer Features

Everything you need to get through a long, hot summer

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Research has raised concerns about learning loss over the summer break, particularly for poorer children.</p>

comment-analysis

Children's voices are missing from discussions about holidays

Academically, we know very little about how children and young people experience school holidays as leisure time. Shouldn't we start asking them?

<p>The warm weather is set to continue for now but drifting off can be a struggle in the heat. Picture: iStock</p>

health and wellbeing

Feeling the heat? Here’s how to keep cool at night

<p>How to keep safe if you're going swimming in the sea</p>

outdoors

Inflatables, rip currents and more: How to stay safe in the sea this summer

Heatstroke: How do I know if I have it?

health and wellbeing

Heatstroke: How do I know if I have it?

Here’s what you need to know about camping with your car this summer

motoring

Here’s what you need to know about camping with your car this summer

Five quick and easy barbecue recipes to cook while the sun shines

food

Five quick and easy barbecue recipes to cook while the sun shines

Sunscreen Sun Symbol on Back

Life Hack: How to treat sunburn and help it heal as fast as possible

Spent too long enjoying the recent sunshine before reapplying SPF? Here are some tips to help you heal quickly

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Young African American girl cooking a healthy meal with vegetables at home

Whisk up some fun with these online cooking classes for kids and teens

Sign up your teens and tweens this summer for an online cooking class where they’ll learn new skills, experiment with recipes and ingredients, explore better food choices, and even make you a rather lovely lunch

Fri, 04 Jul, 2025

The Saw Doctors review: Fans in Cork got everything they came for and more

S The Saw Doctors review: Fans in Cork got everything they came for and more

They even covered ‘After All’ by Cork legends The Frank & Walters in their encores. What more could you want?

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025

Review: The Corrs bring 90s nostalgia to Cork on first night of Summer Sunshine tour

S Review: The Corrs bring 90s nostalgia to Cork on first night of Summer Sunshine tour

The Corrs, who have seven studio albums and two Grammy nominations, are not short of material to entertain and the crowd, filled with all generations from babies to grandparents, enjoyed every minute of their set

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

Cleaning up after the crowds

The sound of sustainability: Why many concerts and festivals aren't as 'green' as they claim

As climate awareness grows, more festivals are touting their green credentials. But are these efforts real progress, or just a fresh coat of eco-paint?

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Best swimsuits for your summer holiday

Diary of a Gen Z Student: Finding a decent bikini in 2025 is no mean feat

From nip slips to covering those hips there's a lot to be worrying about

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Review: A homecoming for Macklemore as he shares Cork family links

S Review: A homecoming for Macklemore as he shares Cork family links

'This is my homecoming' Macklemore told fans at Musgrave Park before commending Ireland for its support of Palestine

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Hosepipe ban

Even plants that look terminally crispy can revive: How to rescue your garden after a heatwave

Our gardens took a battering lately from high temperatures. But you can repair the damage — and prepare better for next time

Tue, 20 May, 2025

CZECH-ENVIROMENT-DROUGHT

'If you see me, weep': What Ireland's dry spell can learn from history's dry past

When to enjoy a sunny spell and when to worry about prolonged drought...

Fri, 16 May, 2025

Five crowd-pleasing barbecue classics to try this weekend

Five crowd-pleasing barbecue classics to try this weekend

If you're thinking of getting the barbecue out this weekend, why not try some of these tasty options

Fri, 16 May, 2025

Tobarnault Holy Well, County Sligo, Ireland

May dew as a beauty treatment and holy wells for cures — superstitions and ancient beliefs

Our ancestors went out before sunrise with bottles and jars to collect the dew from the grass.

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Fire Starters: Easy midweek barbecue recipes to keep her lit without the effort

Fire Starters: Easy midweek barbecue recipes to keep her lit without the effort

With temperatures hitting 25 degreees this week, take the stress out of barbecue season by grilling meals with minimum fuss but maximum taste

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Teenage girl with allergy blowing nose

Peak sneezin’ season — are more of us than ever affected by hay fever?

Ireland’s high overlap between asthma and hay fever hints at a sizeable population affected, even if precise numbers are elusive

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Asian senior man with luggage walking in Airport Terminal.

Suzanne Harrington: Cheap airlines and their baggage limits have made us packing pros

We laugh at the priority boarding eejits, their queue longer than ours, with their mimsy little wheelie suitcases making the aviation moguls richer with every flight

Sun, 16 Mar, 2025

Visit a colourful, vibrant and beautiful world by snorkelling this summer

Visit a colourful, vibrant and beautiful world by snorkelling this summer

Popping on a snorkel mask is a great way to experience and appreciate our diverse water world says ecologist Pádraic Fogarty who has some handy tips for getting the most out of your next snorkelling trip

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Child with bag back to school. Faceless cute little boy back to school with blue schoolbag

Julie Jay: Oops, I dropped him off at school again — even though it was closed

When you forget a big thing like when your child is due to finish up for school holidays, you have to be prepared to pay the price

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

The Cork Proms: 'I love the idea of Frank and Walters songs with an orchestra'

The Cork Proms: 'I love the idea of Frank and Walters songs with an orchestra'

The popular orchestra series brings together some of our finest musicians for a mix of contemporary and classical music. Marjorie Brennan meets two of this year’s stars, MayKay and Cillian Donnelly

Sun, 09 Jun, 2024

The A-Z guide to Irish summer dining in 2024 — from asparagus to Zingibeer

The A-Z guide to Irish summer dining in 2024 — from asparagus to Zingibeer

Ireland's food scene is in an incredible place at the moment — here's Joe McNamee's guide to fine dining, brands to watch, rising restaurateurs, and summer experiences

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

The Hot List: 51 festivals, food spots, films and more to experience this summer

The Hot List: 51 festivals, food spots, films and more to experience this summer

From summer festivals, to cinema blockbusters, the best holiday reads and more — this is what should be on your radar for the balmy months ahead

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Brexit

Suzanne Harrington: Don't vote when you're angry, that's how Brexit happened

"...when a population has genuine grievances, it creates a perfect breeding ground for fake-ass populists to proliferate like fungus in the fridge, with their soundbites and their scapegoating and their social media savvy..."

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My daughter wants to go on a 'Junior Cert holiday' to London

Dear Dáithí: My daughter wants to go on a 'Junior Cert holiday' to London

'I think a lot of people will be reading this, and looking over at a son or daughter on the other side of the rooms saying, this lad is writing about you.'

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Wedding of the Week: Bandon couple share 'magic' big day with fur baby Molly

Wedding of the Week: Bandon couple share 'magic' big day with fur baby Molly

Clodagh and Jason exchange vows in St Patrick's Church, Bandon, and hold reception in Fernhill House Hotel, Clonakilty

Sun, 02 Jun, 2024

Restaurant Review: Margadh Café's fare is as artful as its RHA Gallery home

Restaurant Review: Margadh Café's fare is as artful as its RHA Gallery home

"...thoughtful, balanced dishes with a spark of joy, and artistry in every dish..."

Sun, 02 Jun, 2024

Saturday with Pippa O'Connor Ormond: 'I’ve had plenty of sleepless nights over the years'

Saturday with Pippa O'Connor Ormond: 'I’ve had plenty of sleepless nights over the years'

One of Ireland’s most popular social media influencers, entrepreneur Pippa O’Connor Ormond is the founder of POCO Beauty. She lives in Co. Kildare with her husband Brian Ormond and their three young sons.

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Israel-Hamas conflict

Séamas O'Reilly: Israel long ago realised attempting to defend their actions is unnecessary

"...there have been enough distinct massacres that they now bear shorthand names to be more easily distinguished from each other; the flour massacre, the Jabalia massacre, the Al-Shifa massacre, to name but three..."

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Date bars with oat crumble topping

Michelle Darmody: How to make date slices — and the mistakes to avoid

"They make a great picnic snack, or with the addition of a touch of ground ginger they transform into a warming rainy-day treat."

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Reader's Choice: 10 of your favourite spots for Fish and Chips in Munster

Reader's Choice: 10 of your favourite spots for Fish and Chips in Munster

We asked readers for their favourite fish and chip spots across Munster. From food trucks to seaside chippers, here's your pick of the best.

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

The edit: 9 of our favourite one-and-done dresses for summer events

The edit: 9 of our favourite one-and-done dresses for summer events

Stylist to the stars Corina Gaffey headed to Kildare Village to pick out her ultimate one-and-done dresses for easy, breezy occasion styling this summer

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Esther McCarthy: Is the Thermomix worth the money? Not if you only use it four times

Esther McCarthy: Three TikTok parenting hacks I've tried on my unsuspecting family

'Just when you start getting a little smug because one kid hasn’t turned out to be a total psychopath (yet), the next one is pooing in their hand and presenting it to you like it’s a prize éclair'

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Desire Lines: Summer suits, a run workshop with a difference and a €21 hayfever hero product

Desire Lines: Summer suits, a run workshop with a difference and a €21 hayfever hero product

The perfect suit for a summer wedding, a product to soothe irritated eyes and much more

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Sonic Youth Induction Into RockWalk

Colm O'Regan: I painted the cover of Sonic Youth's 'Goo' album on my schoolbag — perfect posing

"There were plenty of rave smileys, but still the logos of Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Nirvana, and the odd pentangle persisted."

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Beautiful view of Lisbon from the Tagus River.

Departure Lounge: All aboard for a Celebrity cruise — including a stop in Lisbon

Plus: African horse safaris; regional airports; Santa in Lapland; pizza, pints and pillow talk

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Darina Allen: Theo Kirwin has fresh salad ideas in the Sprout & Co cookbook

Darina Allen: Theo Kirwin has fresh salad ideas in the Sprout & Co cookbook

"They chose not to take the easy route, they decided to make everything from scratch, dressings, sauces and dips were and still are prepared daily."

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Telly and Streaming Highlights: Rory Gallagher remembered in new RTÉ documentary

Telly and Streaming Highlights: Rory Gallagher remembered in new RTÉ documentary

Featuring rare never-before-seen archive and interviews with Rory’s closest friends and family alongside musical legends including Johnny Marr, Brian May, and Bob Geldof.

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

The Menu: The best of Polish wines at Cobh's Polska-Éire festival

The Menu: The best of Polish wines at Cobh's Polska-Éire festival

"...grab a glass and taste over 30 different Polish wines, including a few natural wines, and cheesy nibbles..."

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024

Beautiful teens at summer festival

Should you let your teen go to a festival with their friends?

Planning will help your teen feel more confident — and hopefully help parents feel more secure too

Fri, 31 May, 2024

Electric Picnic Festival

10 Irish music festivals... who's playing, how much, and how to get there

From trad music to dance acts, techno, house, and pop — here's your guide to some of the best festivals coming up this summer

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

House Fly & Glass Reflection Closeup

Life Hack: Four easy ways to keep your home free of flies in the heat

How to get rid of flies and make sure they are less likely to come back

Mon, 11 Sep, 2023

One woman tries to cool down with a fan air at home

Life Hack: Three useful tips to help keep you feeling fresh and cool during a heatwave

From evaporative cooling to cooling your drinks, here are a few tricks to make the warm weather more bearable

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023

Sun protection on the beach

Skin Nerd: How to protect your child’s skin in the sun

Here's how to ensure their delicate skin is safeguarded against sun damage

Thu, 07 Sep, 2023

11 family-friendly activities to enjoy in Munster before going back to school

11 family-friendly activities to enjoy in Munster before going back to school

Fáilte Ireland’s research found that a day at the beach was the most popular outdoor summer activity for families. It’s easy to understand why. Throw swimming togs, towels, a change of clothes, buckets and spades, suncream, sandwiches, and some money for ice cream into a bag and you’re all set for a cheap family outing

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Summer salad recipe: How to make a peppery mackerel and cucumber salad

Summer salad recipe: How to make a peppery mackerel and cucumber salad

This creamy salad has a great mixture of flavours and is an ideal summer dish

Tue, 06 Jun, 2023

ice cream at the beach

Summer ice cream: Five places locals recommend for the best 99 in Cork

We asked our readers about their favourite 99s and they waxed lyrical about places all over Co Cork

Mon, 05 Jun, 2023

Aer Lingus takeover proposal

Soaring air fares this summer set to heat up hostilities between airports and airlines

Major carriers have enjoyed a quick recovery with fares bolstered by tight capacity going into the peak season

Sun, 04 Jun, 2023