The Irish Times

Yes, the questions are real! How our advice columnists answer your queries

Roe McDermott, John Sharry and Trish Murphy explain how they respond to your sex, relationship and parenting problems

Sat Apr 02 2022 - 01:56

Anne Rice: Game-changing author of supernatural fiction who inspired a hit film

Interview With the Vampire writer turned established tropes on their head

Sat Dec 18 2021 - 06:02

Saeb Erekat obituary: A passionate negotiator for the cause of Palestine

The senior Palestinian official saw achieving peace for his people as his destiny

Sat Nov 14 2020 - 06:41

‘I’m lonely during lockdown and looking for casual sex. How do I do that safely?’

Ask Roe: ‘I’ve been single for more than a year after a bad break-up, and I’d like to date again’

Thu Aug 13 2020 - 06:00

‘My wife has not wanted sex for 10 years’

Dear Roe: ‘My lovely wife has a tiny belly and never wants me to see her body’

Sun Mar 10 2019 - 07:00

‘I’m worried that if I marry my boyfriend, I’ll miss being with someone smart’

Ask Roe: ‘I usually know more than he does and he doesn’t challenge me like my exes did’

Sun Mar 03 2019 - 07:00

‘My husband likes to wear women’s underwear. Is it madness that I put up with it?’

For the last 20 years he has been wearing women’s underwear

Sun Feb 17 2019 - 07:00

‘How do I stop obsessing over a woman who turned me down?’

Ask Roe: Crushes can be fun, joyful things. But not when they become intrusive

Sun Feb 10 2019 - 07:00

‘We’ve been married for 32 years but I found gay pornography on my husband’s phone’

Dear Roe: Do I turn a blind eye to it for the sake of our kids or challenge him on it?

Sun Feb 03 2019 - 07:00

Is it possible to have no-strings sex with an ex?

Dear Roe: I’m still attracted to my ex but I’m not looking for a relationship

Sun Dec 16 2018 - 07:00

We can't sleep in the same bed and I'm worried about our sex life

Dear Roe: This simple issue is causing serious stress in our relationship. Any advice?

Sun Dec 09 2018 - 07:00

‘My girlfriend is sexting another man and thinks it’s not cheating’

Dear Roe: ‘She acts like she didn’t really do anything wrong, which seems crazy to me’

Sun Nov 25 2018 - 06:00

‘How do we reinvigorate our sex life after 13 years together?’

Ask Roe: ‘We have brought up the idea of spicing things up... Any advice that doesn’t involve using whipped cream?’

Sun Nov 18 2018 - 07:00

‘Should I try to rekindle my holiday romance?’

Ask Roe: We never discussed doing long distance. I’m haunted I never brought it up

Sun Oct 14 2018 - 07:00

‘My 15-year-old son wants to dress in girls’ clothing’

My son is convinced he’s genderfluid. He has told me that’s it’s not a passing phase

Sun Sept 23 2018 - 06:40

‘We’ve been together 18 months but my boyfriend won’t have sex with me’

He admitted he loves me once but he never ever says ‘I love you’

Sun Sept 16 2018 - 07:00

‘Do I have to tell a guy I’m a virgin?’

I’m worried he’ll think I’ll turn out to be clingy or in love with him or something

Sun Sept 09 2018 - 07:00

I’m a PhD student and I keep fantasising about my supervisor. What should I do?

He’s not even incredibly good-looking, but I just find how his mind works irresistible

Sun Sept 02 2018 - 07:00

‘How do I know if I’m any good at sex?’

Ask Roe: I’ve read that women often feel uncomfortable asking for what they want

Sun Aug 26 2018 - 07:00

‘My flatmate walks around naked and I don’t like it’

Ask Roe: Does this count as her violating my consent, and what can I do?

Sun Aug 19 2018 - 07:00

‘I love my fiance but worry about being with one person for the rest of my life’

Dear Roe: Am I being arrogant thinking I am above marriage?

Sun Aug 05 2018 - 00:00

‘I’m worried I am addicted to my ex’

We were a terrible couple – we should never have been together – but I can’t stop thinking about having sex with him

Sun Jul 29 2018 - 07:00

‘Our son has come out as gay. How do we support him?’

Ask Roe: We’re worried our own beliefs stopped him speaking to us sooner

Sun Jul 22 2018 - 07:00

‘I'm dating a guy I really like but am tempted to sleep with someone else’

‘Even though I’m not in an exclusive relationship, I think I’d feel like it was cheating’

Sun Jul 15 2018 - 07:00

‘I use dating apps but find them terrible. What am I doing wrong?’

Ask Roe: I find dating apps to be a mess of boring messages and empty profiles

Sun Jul 08 2018 - 07:00

‘I am madly in love with a man who has dumped me’

Ask Roe: It has been five months since he called it day but I believe he is the love of my life

Sat Jun 23 2018 - 16:00

He says I’m the love of his life and I don’t know how to leave him

Ask Roe: ‘I have tried to break up so often, but he is not letting the relationship go’

Sun May 27 2018 - 07:00

‘My boyfriend loses interest in sex after he orgasms’

Ask Roe: I know he genuinely loves me and I love him but I find this situation very frustrating

Sun May 20 2018 - 09:40

‘My girlfriend has put on weight and I’m not attracted to her any more’

Ask Roe: I know this question doesn’t make me look great

Sun May 13 2018 - 07:00

‘My younger sister is having one-night stands with random men’

Dear Roe: How can I make her see that she needs to be careful?

Sun Apr 15 2018 - 07:00

‘How do I stop faking orgasms?’

At the heart of this issue is our prioritising of male pleasure and the male ego over women’s sexual fulfilment

Sun Apr 08 2018 - 07:00

‘My partner lasts only a few minutes in bed. Any advice?’

Dear Roe: He’s generous with oral sex, but don’t I know how to deal with his problem

Sun Apr 01 2018 - 07:00

My partner wants sex every night and sulks if I don’t agree

Dear Roe: I’ve spoken to him many times, but he reverts to the same behaviour

Sun Mar 25 2018 - 07:00

My gender-neutral friend wants to be described as ‘them’

I want to be supportive but it’s difficult. I don’t understand what gender nonbinary is

Sun Mar 04 2018 - 07:01