Only in death are we sure where we belong
In life, the Irish author Edna O'Brien was unlucky in property. When she found herself of slender means she sold her London townhouse for £375,000; five years later it was worth £5 million. It wasn't only about money, though. There was something restless in her character, an itinerant mind and body, running away from Ireland and washing up in Putney then Chelsea before she died in 2024. Only in death was she sure of where she wanted to settle.
Some years previously, O'Brien had bought a plot on Holy Island, a freckle of sacred land on Lough Derg in the west of Ireland. Her mother's people were buried there, she said, in the shadow of ancient churches and graveyards of saints. No one lives on
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
Only in death are we sure where we belong
In life, the Irish author Edna O'Brien was unlucky in property. When she found herself of slender means she sold her London townhouse for £375,000; five years later it was worth £5 million. It wasn't only about money, though. There was something restless in her character, an itinerant mind and body, running away from Ireland and washing up in Putney then Chelsea before she died in 2024. Only in death was she sure of where she wanted to settle. Some years previously, O'Brien had bought a plot on Holy Island, a freckle of sacred land on Lough Derg in the west of Ireland. Her mother's people were buried there, she said, in the shadow of ancient churches and graveyards of saints. No one lives on
Irish Daily Star
28-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Study unveils the worst global getaways for Irish families this summer
A new study has revealed the destinations that families should avoid when planning their summer holiday this year. Traveling as a family can be challenging, particularly when there are young children involved. It's important to plan ahead, be prepared for hiccups and of course, choose the right destination. With this in mind, Irish company, Chill Insurance, analyzed a number of factors that contribute to an optimal, stress-free holiday for those traveling abroad with little ones. These factors included flight durations, the availability of family-friendly hotels, average accommodation costs, and meal prices at popular holiday hotspots. The study revealed the top and bottom family-friendly locations for 2025. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles Trump loses the plot as he compares tariff flip-flop to running through a wall It comes as no surprise that Sydney ranks as the worst family holiday destination due to its long indirect flight time of nearly 26 hours. The flight is especially difficult for those traveling with young children and babies. Thousands of Irish families make the trip to Australia every year, but ultimately, according to Chill Insurance, it is less favorable for a short, relaxing summer vacation. Sydney is an expensive city and a long flight from Ireland (Image: Michael Dunning) Cancún, Mexico was named as the second-worst family destination due to its monsoon season, which can be uncomfortable for children. Additionally, 7-night stay at its 131 family-friendly hotels costs around €4,329, making it one of the priciest options. Rounding off the worst three is Cape Town, South Africa, primarily due to its long flight time of 15 hours, with a connecting flight, making it less than ideal for families traveling from Ireland. The list also named Phuket, in Thailand as one of the worst for families. Starting May 1st this year, all foreign visitors will be required to complete the new online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before their arrival. This will inevitably add another step to the travel process. The list of worst destinations also included some unexpected cities, like New York, which is usually just a 6 hour flight from Dublin . The list cites the high cost of a family meal - the highest of any city on the list - as a reason that makes it unsuitable for a family trip. On the flip side, Crete in Greece was named the top family destination. It has 300 family-friendly hotels, 14 hours of sunshine each day, and affordable food and accommodation. The study also recommends the beautiful island of Sicily and Salou in Spain as popular and affordable choices for Irish families this summer. Recently, the Mediterranean island of Malta has been named as the number one destination for chartering a boat this summer. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
Irish Daily Star
28-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Irish tourists subjected to new rule to enter popular holiday destination from May
A new entry requirement has been announced for holiday-makers planning to visit Thailand. From 1 May 2025, all foreign visitors will be required to complete the new online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before their arrival. This applies regardless of whether you're arriving by air, land or sea. The Thai government says this will streamline immigration and entry processes. The previous paper system, which ended in April 2024, has been replaced by this digital system. Travelers can fill out their Digital Arrival Card on the official Thai immigration bureau website, providing details such as travel plans, passport information, and accommodation details. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles Donald Trump loses the plot as he compares tariff flip-flop to running through a wall This can be done up to three days before arriving in Thailand. It's advised to keep a copy of your Digital Arrival Card throughout your stay in the country, either saved on your phone or backed up elsewhere. Reports suggest that you may need to show the Digital Arrival Card again when leaving the country or at various points during your travels within Thailand, such as when flying between cities, reports RSVP Live . Approximately 70,000 Irish people visit Thailand each year (Image: Getty Images) Irish holiday-makers won't need to worry about visas for short breaks or business trips to Thailand as stays of up to 60 days are visa-free. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has reminded travelers that a valid passport is necessary for entry into Thailand. They have also issued an update on the TDAC, stating, "From May 1 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card at least 3 days in advance of their date of arrival. The application portal and further details can be found on the Thailand Digital Arrival Card website." In addition, they cautioned: "Thai immigration authorities are known to adopt a strict approach to accepting damaged passports." Furthermore, they advise, "Irish citizens are advised to renew their passport before travel to Thailand should it have any damage as Thai Immigration may refuse entry otherwise. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months. Passport cards cannot be used." For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
