Home & Gardens - Irish Examiner

Sign in

HOME & GARDENS

Be it gardens or bedrooms, interiors or antiques, Home & Gardens is your one stop shop for great ideas and tips to brighten your home ... and life.

<p>Tackle your attic insulation with SEAI grant aid and address weather-ealing and the physical performance of your windows and doors. File picture</p>

home and gardens

Home Q&A: How to get a big return for a small spend when renovating

'I have just a few hundred euros to get my two-storey, detached home in order before next winter. The BER is a D, and the rooms upstairs are chill and slightly draughty. The windows are 20 years old'

<p>A Harbour Scene and A Coastal Scene by William Van Der Hagen, both dated 1838, at James Adam.</p>

home and gardens

A pair of oil panels by Dutch-born artist leads Irish Old Masters sale

<p>A selection of longcase clocks at Keighery's sale in Waterford, including the rare 1860s Irish oak harp clock by John Donegan.</p>

home and gardens

Rare Irish oak harp clock under the hammer in Waterford

Home Q&A: Will a venting induction hob suit my kitchen?

home and gardens

Home Q&A: Will a venting induction hob suit my kitchen?

Flower plant bed in garden park

home and gardens

Garden Digest: Events to help you boost the room outside

How reorganising your fridge saves food, money, energy — and the planet

home and gardens

How reorganising your fridge saves food, money, energy — and the planet

Seamus Heaney and Heritage rhyme at remarkable €5.2m restoration of Dublin's historic 11 Parnell Square

home and gardens

Seamus Heaney and Heritage rhyme at remarkable €5.2m restoration of Dublin's historic 11 Parnell Square

Gray tabby cat sniffing catmint in the summer garden

home and gardens

Peter Dowdall: Why these plants are catnip to every gardener

'I signed up for a DIY course. Turns out there's lots to learn about internal walls — and it's worth knowing'

home and gardens

'I signed up for a DIY course. Turns out there's lots to learn about internal walls — and it's worth knowing'

Garden Q&A: Our hedge has black, withered leaves. What will help?

Garden Q&A: Our hedge has black, withered leaves. What will help?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Tue, 05 May, 2026

European wool carder bee

How well do you know your garden bees?

They are important pollinators and key to biodiversity and ecosystem health, so perhaps it’s time to observe the bees that visit your garden more closely

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Big Apple sales tempt collectors, with Oasis and Jackson Pollock in the frame

Big Apple sales tempt collectors, with Oasis and Jackson Pollock in the frame

Des O'Sullivan checks out some exciting offerings in New York this month

Sat, 02 May, 2026

Contents from Reidy's Wine Vault, Cork, and Kilkenny's Black Cat for auction

Contents from Reidy's Wine Vault, Cork, and Kilkenny's Black Cat for auction

Contents from popular now-closed watering holes are up for auction, writes Des O'Sullivan

Sat, 02 May, 2026

Woman takes basil leaves from plant in pot at home for prepare food, hands close-up.

Garden Digest: Events to help you to enjoy your room outside

Check out all the garden visits, tours, talks, events, campaigns and online resources

Fri, 01 May, 2026

Friends eating lunch at backyard

Your guide to sustainable outdoor entertaining and barbecues

We have the recipe for sustainable swaps when it comes to alfresco dining and hosting this summer

Fri, 01 May, 2026

Wish List: Eight ideas to get us in the mood for summer

Wish List: Eight ideas to get us in the mood for summer

Esther McCarthy checks out sunshine festivals and looks at air fryers, ovens and decor for our rooms outside

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Woman complaining on phone about damaged package at home

Home Q&A: How to make a complaint so you get the results you want

Complaining is still seen as the province of loud-mouthed Karens and career whingers, writes Kya deLongchamps, who advises on how to share your dissatisfaction in a way that yields results

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Garden Q&A: My rhubarb has thrown up a flower spike. Should I cut it off?

Garden Q&A: My rhubarb has thrown up a flower spike. Should I cut it off?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Jennifer Sheahan: Five of the latest kitchen trends

Jennifer Sheahan: Five of the latest kitchen trends

The EuroCucina exhibition at Salone del Mobile sets the bar for kitchens

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Hedgerow of wild Montbretia on the Wild Atlantic Way West Cork Ireland.

Peter Dowdall: Beware the beautiful bullies when choosing garden plants

Because some plants are virtually impossible to eradicate once established in your border or lawn, and will colonise every corner

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

'Tablescaping is my happy place': Event planner Tara O’Connor shares her secrets

'Tablescaping is my happy place': Event planner Tara O’Connor shares her secrets

Eve Kelliher gets tasty entertaining ideas from professional event planner Tara O'Connor

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Florist and botanical pro's house is pick of the bunch

Florist and botanical pro's house is pick of the bunch

Eve Kelliher talks to Lorcan Burke and Adrian Sharpe, whose Kildare residence has won 2026 Home of the Year

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Unoccupied first floor modern home interior

Comfort up, carbon down: 'Deep retrofit brings the whole home to a very high level of energy efficiency and sustainability'

Kya deLongchamps and Eve Kelliher find out all about the financial aids available for renovations

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Dermot Bannon: 'With Vogue, what you see is what you get'

Dermot Bannon: 'With Vogue, what you see is what you get'

The architect talks to Eve Kelliher about how visiting celebrities' dream homes for his new TV series has been an eye-opener in many ways

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Photographer Emily Quinn’s home is a colourful sanctuary inspired by travel and family

Photographer Emily Quinn’s home is a colourful sanctuary inspired by travel and family

Peggy Guggenheim and mid-century design inspire photographer Emily Quinn’s renovation, as Mary Cate Smith sees

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Vibrant vanlife: Three Irish people on the highs and lows of campervan adventures

Vibrant vanlife: Three Irish people on the highs and lows of campervan adventures

Jennifer Sheahan explores three ways of taking home — and work — on the road

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Man Gardening Background

Garden Digest: Events to help you to enjoy your green spaces

Check out all the garden visits, tours, talks, events, campaigns and online resources for the room outside

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Outer Space: How to make the most of your garden before Summer

Outer Space: How to make the most of your garden before Summer

From creative planting to glorious griddles, Kya deLongchamps shares the secrets to turning your garden into a showstopper

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Take me to Church: A 19th-century Co Cork building given a new lease of life

Take me to Church: A 19th-century Co Cork building given a new lease of life

Colette Sheridan visits Michael Quane and Johanna Connor to see how they've given a 19th-century Co Cork building a new lease of life

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

From a cabinet to Colombian emeralds: Contents from Irish stately homes for auction

From a cabinet to Colombian emeralds: Contents from Irish stately homes for auction

Contents from Ireland's stately homes, including Clonmeen House in Banteer, feature in a three-day sale, writes Des O'Sullivan

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

From portraits to swords, auction lots at Howth Castle have many stories to tell

From portraits to swords, auction lots at Howth Castle have many stories to tell

Des O'Sullivan looks into the history behind the fascinating lots at the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Peter Dowdall: How screening adds a new dimension to the garden

Peter Dowdall: How screening adds a new dimension to the garden

'We find ourselves using our garden more rather than glancing at it through the kitchen window, and it is often only now that we notice what it needs'

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Hot stuff: Top picks of gas barbecues and portable grills

Hot stuff: Top picks of gas barbecues and portable grills

Kya deLongchamps offers a sizzling selection of the latest gas barbecues and portable grills for summer

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Inside RTÉ Home of the Year 2026 — and why it's pick of the bunch

Inside RTÉ Home of the Year 2026 — and why it's pick of the bunch

And check out the two runners-up, the 'magical' gate lodge and 'serene' Dublin city-centre apartment

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Home of the Year: See all 10 finalists in the running for the title

Home of the Year: See all 10 finalists in the running for the title

From turrets to golden keys, the 2026 RTÉ series produced more finalists than ever, writes Home Editor Eve Kelliher

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

The best nesting tables for both design purists and dupe-hunters

The best nesting tables for both design purists and dupe-hunters

We're embracing nesting tables this year. Kya deLongchamps sources the most fetching form-fit designs, vintage and new

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Rose Flowers Against Blue Sky

Garden Q&A: I never got around to pruning my roses in winter. Is it too late now?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Save or Splurge? Two gas barbecues with the recipe for success

Save or Splurge? Two gas barbecues with the recipe for success

Should you pay a standard or scorching price for that outdoor cooker? Bear in mind that additions can also cost more

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Luxury Home Interior

Jennifer Sheahan: 'Lighting has a greater impact on how my home looks and feels than any other single decision I made'

You need to make your lighting plan early in a renovation, and it is one of the most important decisions you'll make

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Garden Q&A: How can I thicken up my Red Robin

Garden Q&A: How can I thicken up my Red Robin

You will need to wait until September but Red Robin responds very well to cutting

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Beautiful purple and orange echinacea flowers

Peter Dowdall: Organic matter is essential for heavy clay or sandy Irish soils

Both perennials and annuals have a genuine place in the garden but you must get the soil right

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Citizens Advice survey

Expert advice to save on energy bills: People think they need to drastically cut usage to save money, that's not true

Expert advice on how to avoid rising costs pushing you toward an energy crisis-mode

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Meet the organiser who can restore calm to your home and your headspace

Meet the organiser who can restore calm to your home and your headspace

Professional organiser and declutterer Jenny Douglas shares her secrets with Home Editor Eve Kelliher

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

flowers in the garden

Garden Digest: Events to help you boost the room outside

Check out all the garden visits, tours, talks, events, campaigns and online resources

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Female worker making wall markings

Get the measure of every task: Understand your measuring tape and its hidden hacks

Mastering a measuring tape for internal and external measurements is crucial. What should we look for when buying?

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Purple flower of senetti plants

Garden Q&A: Will my senetti plant last another year?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Blooming flowers in pots and on shelves in the garden center

Peter Dowdall: Love your garden centre

Independent garden centres are local businesses, run by people who know their stuff, who often grow their own or source locally grown stock

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Floral wallpapers that will make your home bloom this spring

Floral wallpapers that will make your home bloom this spring

Here's a look at some spring wallpaper choices in full blossom

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Close-up of a bumblebee collecting pollen from a pink flower

Garden Digest: Events to help you to enjoy your room outside

Check out all the garden visits, tours, talks, events, campaigns and online resources

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Hazel Lavery's pencil drawing of Michael Collins among artworks for auction

Hazel Lavery's pencil drawing of Michael Collins among artworks for auction

Colourful contemporary canvases and a pencil drawing of Michael Collins soon to be under the hammer

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Seize this chance to nab a bargain at antique furniture auction

Seize this chance to nab a bargain at antique furniture auction

As demand for serviceable antique furniture — stylish and prized by previous generations — has all but collapsed, there is great value to be had, writes Des O'Sullivan

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Four fab ideas to brighten up our lives and living spaces this spring

Four fab ideas to brighten up our lives and living spaces this spring

Home Editor Eve Kelliher highlights design dates for our diary and fun additions for our life and living space

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Window vacuums: the clear choice for your spring-clean arsenal

Window vacuums: the clear choice for your spring-clean arsenal

Despite the name, these cleaning tools are far more versatile than you might think

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Wish List: Sustainable supplies and glam goodies to give your home a glow-up

Wish List: Sustainable supplies and glam goodies to give your home a glow-up

Mary Cate Smith susses out eight super buys for every room

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Large Cabbage White caterpillars, UK. Image shot 2012. Exact date unknown.

Why caterpillars shouldn’t be viewed as garden pests

Gardeners may think of decimated cabbage leaves when they see caterpillars, but they are incredibly important for biodiversity

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

Property & Home

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly update on residential property and planning news as well the latest trends in homes and gardens.

Lunchtime News

Newsletter

Get a lunch briefing straight to your inbox at noon daily. Also be the first to know with our occasional Breaking News emails.