Seán Moncrieff: Is it normal to have a teddy as an adult?
In scientific terms, a soft toy is known as a transitional object, providing emotional security to a child. But those feelings can continue way into adulthood
‘I never know when the Dart will arrive. And Irish Rail doesn’t seem to know either’
When looking to plan a Dart trip, the information on the digital sign, the schedule on the Irish Rail app and the website are no more than serving suggestions
‘When the cinema lights came up, we all hugged, and I wondered why, on this day, the magic worked for me too’
Seán Moncrieff: Towards the end, on two separate occasions, I felt a shudder run through me
I hate running. I tried it and it didn’t do me any good. I can’t be alone feeling like this?
I think I might belong to an as-yet-unidentified subset of humans who will never find exercise enjoyable
If we don’t expect an improved Government, we won’t get one
Rather than break a promise, Simon Harris might simply change his mind about the timing of the general election
Tote bags offer a lesson on our imperfect responses to the climate crisis
If you’re feeling down about carbon emissions, take that feeling and stuff it into a tote bag
Seán Moncrieff: The woman in the car rental office was a black hole of emotion, sucking up feelings but giving nothing in return:
She told us the bill for the damage would be, rather neatly, €300 - plus a €50 ‘damage processing’ fee
My approach to college resulted in a just-about-scraped-a-pass degree. I regret nothing
I regarded university as a resource to be used, not a place to be told what to do
Why do Irish people slather everything with insincere positivity?
I’m far from the first person to notice this. Trying to be happy all the time will make you unhappy
Daughter Number Two and partner finally found an apartment to rent. People keep asking what their secret is
Seán Moncrieff: After an eight-month search to find a place pretty close to Dublin city centre Number Two and partner are thrilled beyond words
We wanted Daughter Number Four to experience something a bit more foreign. We got more than we bargained for
No one glared disapprovingly. Any looks we got were kindly, but perhaps tinged with: you didn’t know?
Kids’ lives are being constrained by their parents’ fears
I’m wary of mythologising the past but still: children having the freedom to just go outside to play is better than driving them to playdates
Why is everyone lugging huge water bottles about? Perhaps I’m gifted with an astonishing ability to resist thirst
Why is everyone lugging huge water bottles about? Perhaps I’m gifted with an astonishing ability to resist thirst
Misogyny is not wired into our DNA – it is something to be overcome
I like women now. Misogyny is not wired into our DNA – it is something to be overcome
Too often our emotions – anger, frustration, fear – propel us to search for ‘facts’ to fit how we are feeling
There was a time – not too long ago – that we might roll our eyes and even feel a bit superior to Americans, given all the stupid things so many of them believe