Arlene Harris
@arleneharris.bsky.social
Freelance Journalist with regular bylines in Irish Times, Irish Independent, Business Post, Sunday Times, Irish Examiner, YOU Magazine, iNews and more. Covering health, lifestyle, business, parenting, travel etc. Email - arlene@arleneharris.org
In today's @independent.ie this woman talked to me about the cost of #Christmas and how much she will end up spending on gifts, food, travel and entertainment.
www.independent.ie/business/mon...
www.independent.ie/business/mon...
What I spend on Christmas: ‘We have 21 gifts to buy… I estimate we’ll spend around €3,000 on overall shopping’
It’s that time of year again when purse strings will be loosened and budgets will be stretched as households up and down the country splash out on gifts for loved ones as well as treats for themselves...
www.independent.ie
November 21, 2025 at 7:16 AM
In today's @independent.ie this woman talked to me about the cost of #Christmas and how much she will end up spending on gifts, food, travel and entertainment.
www.independent.ie/business/mon...
www.independent.ie/business/mon...
In today's @independent.ie I spoke to three people who are caring for elderly parents about the ups and downs and the mental and financial toll it can take, but how it can also be a rewarding experience.
www.independent.ie/life/family/...
www.independent.ie/life/family/...
Carenting: Three Irish people who care for elderly parents on the mental, physical and financial toll – and their advice to others
Parents look after their children until they fly the nest, and then, when the time comes, the roles are reversed with some needing more care than others. According to Family Carers Ireland, there are ...
www.independent.ie
November 21, 2025 at 7:13 AM
In today's @independent.ie I spoke to three people who are caring for elderly parents about the ups and downs and the mental and financial toll it can take, but how it can also be a rewarding experience.
www.independent.ie/life/family/...
www.independent.ie/life/family/...
Reposted by Arlene Harris
#speirgorm might find this of interest.
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
#speirgorm might find this of interest.
Reposted by Arlene Harris
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland who have changed their energy/phone/electricity/insurance provider to get a better deal. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #electricity #EnergyEfficiency #HealthInsurance #carinsurance
November 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland who have changed their energy/phone/electricity/insurance provider to get a better deal. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #electricity #EnergyEfficiency #HealthInsurance #carinsurance
November 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland who have changed their energy/phone/electricity/insurance provider to get a better deal. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #electricity #EnergyEfficiency #HealthInsurance #carinsurance
In today's @irishtimes.com this man told me how, having 'drifted' for years in school, with the help of the Ballymun Initiative to Third Level Education (BITE) he is now studying in DCU and is launching an app to help other students.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
‘Points don’t define potential – work ethic and passion do’
Rickwang Tientcheu says he drifted through the Covid years of second level before building up his own app for students, Edu Éire
www.irishtimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:50 AM
In today's @irishtimes.com this man told me how, having 'drifted' for years in school, with the help of the Ballymun Initiative to Third Level Education (BITE) he is now studying in DCU and is launching an app to help other students.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland who like to BBQ or cook outside all year round, regardless of the weather. If this is you and you'd like to take part, send me a DM. Shares appreciated.
November 15, 2025 at 11:39 AM
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland who like to BBQ or cook outside all year round, regardless of the weather. If this is you and you'd like to take part, send me a DM. Shares appreciated.
#journorequest - anyone in Ireland going out for dinner on Christmas day (or staying in a hotel and having dinner there) and would like to chat to me for a piece. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #Christmas2025 #Christmas #restaurant
November 15, 2025 at 10:16 AM
#journorequest - anyone in Ireland going out for dinner on Christmas day (or staying in a hotel and having dinner there) and would like to chat to me for a piece. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #Christmas2025 #Christmas #restaurant
It's #lungcancerawareness month and in today's
@irishtimes.com this non-smoking woman told me how the symptoms she thought were down to #LongCovid turned out to be lung cancer. She urges people to seek advice if any concerns as early detection can save lives.
www.irishtimes.com/health/your-...
@irishtimes.com this non-smoking woman told me how the symptoms she thought were down to #LongCovid turned out to be lung cancer. She urges people to seek advice if any concerns as early detection can save lives.
www.irishtimes.com/health/your-...
Lung cancer: ‘I was 47 at the time, and the only person in my family who has never smoked’
Samatha Vaughan from Co Laois was aged 47 and the only person in her family who had never smoked when she got the shock diagnosis
www.irishtimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:43 AM
It's #lungcancerawareness month and in today's
@irishtimes.com this non-smoking woman told me how the symptoms she thought were down to #LongCovid turned out to be lung cancer. She urges people to seek advice if any concerns as early detection can save lives.
www.irishtimes.com/health/your-...
@irishtimes.com this non-smoking woman told me how the symptoms she thought were down to #LongCovid turned out to be lung cancer. She urges people to seek advice if any concerns as early detection can save lives.
www.irishtimes.com/health/your-...
It's #lungcancerawareness month and in today's
@independent.ie TD Catherine Ardagh told me how she got involved with the Marie Keating Foundation's Breathless Collection campaign to experience the early signs of the disease
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
@independent.ie TD Catherine Ardagh told me how she got involved with the Marie Keating Foundation's Breathless Collection campaign to experience the early signs of the disease
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
‘Even holding the coffee cup was tiring’ – TD Catherine Ardagh on wearing weighted clothing that mimics fatigue of lung cancer
Everyone knows what it feels like to be tired and out of breath, but for most it’s just a phase which will pass once we’ve had a rest.
www.independent.ie
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
It's #lungcancerawareness month and in today's
@independent.ie TD Catherine Ardagh told me how she got involved with the Marie Keating Foundation's Breathless Collection campaign to experience the early signs of the disease
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
@independent.ie TD Catherine Ardagh told me how she got involved with the Marie Keating Foundation's Breathless Collection campaign to experience the early signs of the disease
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland about #Fireworks - do they freak your pet out, do they keep your kids awake or make your elderly relative feel nervous or do you love them and think they're cool? DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated #pets
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
#journorequest - looking to talk to people in Ireland about #Fireworks - do they freak your pet out, do they keep your kids awake or make your elderly relative feel nervous or do you love them and think they're cool? DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated #pets
#journorequest - anyone in Ireland having pork, fish, nut loaf or a simple pizza for #christmas dinner this year? If so and you want to take part in a piece, DM asap today. Shares appreciated
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
#journorequest - anyone in Ireland having pork, fish, nut loaf or a simple pizza for #christmas dinner this year? If so and you want to take part in a piece, DM asap today. Shares appreciated
#journorequest will you be eating out this #Christmas day or staying in a hotel over #Christmas2025 - if so, and you want to take part in a festive piece, DM asap. Shares appreciated.
November 12, 2025 at 8:58 AM
#journorequest will you be eating out this #Christmas day or staying in a hotel over #Christmas2025 - if so, and you want to take part in a festive piece, DM asap. Shares appreciated.
In @independent.ie I spoke to several people around the country who have had plastic surgery about the reasons behind their decision to go under the knife and if they have any regrets.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
‘Why would anyone want to have a very obvious flaw in the middle of their face?’ – Four Irish women share what plastic surgery they had and why
There was a time when plastic surgery was a totally alien concept – something which only A-list stars and the uber-rich would even consider. But times have changed dramatically and according to the Ir...
www.independent.ie
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
In @independent.ie I spoke to several people around the country who have had plastic surgery about the reasons behind their decision to go under the knife and if they have any regrets.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
In today's @irishtimes.com I spoke to Irish chefs about collaborative pop ups and why they enjoy sharing their kitchen with other chefs
www.irishtimes.com/food/2025/11...
www.irishtimes.com/food/2025/11...
Why are so many chefs ‘popping up’ for collaborations in other restaurants?
Working in a strange kitchen, learning from colleagues and creating new menus is enriching, these chefs say
www.irishtimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:18 AM
In today's @irishtimes.com I spoke to Irish chefs about collaborative pop ups and why they enjoy sharing their kitchen with other chefs
www.irishtimes.com/food/2025/11...
www.irishtimes.com/food/2025/11...
#journorequest - looking to talk to mothers in or from Ireland who had a baby (doesn't have to have been their first) when they were in their mid-forties. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated.
November 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
#journorequest - looking to talk to mothers in or from Ireland who had a baby (doesn't have to have been their first) when they were in their mid-forties. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated.
In today's @independent.ie I spoke to passengers about the growing trend of 'seat squatting' on flights and to airlines about the rules regarding allocated seats. Would you give up your chosen seat to someone else? Vote in the article below.
m.independent.ie/life/seat-sq...
m.independent.ie/life/seat-sq...
‘Seat squatting’ is causing mayhem on flights: Should you give up your pre-booked seat for another passenger?
Everyone has experienced the misery of a middle seat on an airplane, and it’s made especially testing on a budget airline when you’re not seated beside family or friends. But if you want to avoid the ...
m.independent.ie
November 4, 2025 at 7:52 AM
In today's @independent.ie I spoke to passengers about the growing trend of 'seat squatting' on flights and to airlines about the rules regarding allocated seats. Would you give up your chosen seat to someone else? Vote in the article below.
m.independent.ie/life/seat-sq...
m.independent.ie/life/seat-sq...
A few words in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social on my recent bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/tr...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/tr...
The bus less travelled to Kuala Lumpur: a trip to the Malay capital
It’s only a 45-minute flight from Singapore, but think of all the stories, adventures, and contrary bus drivers you’ll miss out on, writes Arlene Harris
www.irishexaminer.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A few words in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social on my recent bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/tr...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/tr...
In today's @irishtimes.com interior designers and colour experts talked to me about how to get the best shade for your home and how to transform a tired room into something fabulous.
www.irishtimes.com/property/int...
www.irishtimes.com/property/int...
Bring the outside in by embracing natural tones and colours in your home
Ignore the trends when choosing paint colours this autumn and design according to your taste and needs by embracing nature’s palette
www.irishtimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:11 AM
In today's @irishtimes.com interior designers and colour experts talked to me about how to get the best shade for your home and how to transform a tired room into something fabulous.
www.irishtimes.com/property/int...
www.irishtimes.com/property/int...
Proving that age doesn't matter, in today's
@independent.ie
I spoke to people who are older or younger than their friends and say that age is just a number and is completely irrelevant to friendship.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
@independent.ie
I spoke to people who are older or younger than their friends and say that age is just a number and is completely irrelevant to friendship.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
Bridging the age gap: ‘Camaraderie, similar likes and, on occasion, diverse interests can make for an interesting and enjoyable friendship’
Whether you met through work, down the pub, the local choir, at the school gates or even in the classroom itself, we’ve all got friends with similar interests who are within the same age bracket – aft...
www.independent.ie
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Proving that age doesn't matter, in today's
@independent.ie
I spoke to people who are older or younger than their friends and say that age is just a number and is completely irrelevant to friendship.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
@independent.ie
I spoke to people who are older or younger than their friends and say that age is just a number and is completely irrelevant to friendship.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
#journorequest looking to talk to people in or from Ireland who will be having their first #Christmas with a new baby this year. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #BABY
October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
#journorequest looking to talk to people in or from Ireland who will be having their first #Christmas with a new baby this year. DM if any thoughts. Shares appreciated. #BABY
#journorequest looking to talk to people in Ireland who have eaten out on Christmas Day (or stayed in a hotel and had dinner) in the past or are planning to do so this year. DM if any thoughts. RTs appreciated. #Christmas #food #hotels #Restaurants
October 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
#journorequest looking to talk to people in Ireland who have eaten out on Christmas Day (or stayed in a hotel and had dinner) in the past or are planning to do so this year. DM if any thoughts. RTs appreciated. #Christmas #food #hotels #Restaurants
In today's @independent.ie this young woman told me how she went from cleaner to student at DCU and why she would encourage everyone to follow their dreams.
m.independent.ie/life/i-went-...
m.independent.ie/life/i-went-...
‘I went from a cleaning job at DCU to studying my dream science subject there’
“I started cleaning at the Helix in DCU, four days after I turned 16. I suppose you could call it nepotism as my mam worked there already so that is how I got the job – and I really like it, which is ...
m.independent.ie
October 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
In today's @independent.ie this young woman told me how she went from cleaner to student at DCU and why she would encourage everyone to follow their dreams.
m.independent.ie/life/i-went-...
m.independent.ie/life/i-went-...
In today's @independent.ie I spoke to residents of a new social housing development about how their lives have changed since they moved into their new homes.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
‘Having your own place changes everything’ – residents celebrate newfound security in social housing development
More than 58,000 households are still waiting for a suitable home, but several social agencies are working amid the housing crisis to put roofs over the heads of the homeless.
www.independent.ie
October 28, 2025 at 9:33 AM
In today's @independent.ie I spoke to residents of a new social housing development about how their lives have changed since they moved into their new homes.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/h...
In @independent.ie
this man told me how an inherited gene left him with a high risk of cancer and he was advised to have his stomach removed in order to eliminate the risk of developing the disease which took his mother's life.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
this man told me how an inherited gene left him with a high risk of cancer and he was advised to have his stomach removed in order to eliminate the risk of developing the disease which took his mother's life.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
‘Living without a stomach is hard but I am glad to have eliminated my cancer risk’
In 1997, at just five years of age, Kevin Kennedy and his two brothers, were faced with the death of their mother, who was 36 years old and had only recently been diagnosed with advanced stomach cance...
www.independent.ie
October 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In @independent.ie
this man told me how an inherited gene left him with a high risk of cancer and he was advised to have his stomach removed in order to eliminate the risk of developing the disease which took his mother's life.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...
this man told me how an inherited gene left him with a high risk of cancer and he was advised to have his stomach removed in order to eliminate the risk of developing the disease which took his mother's life.
www.independent.ie/life/health-...