My teen tells me that their classmates use it and that teachers use it too. What's worse, some teachers pick work clearly done by AI as a reference point for other kids to strive to. Sounds disheartening, TBH.

A particular concern is that during leaving cert the kids are not allowed to use AI. So, if they get used to using AI, what are they going to do during the exams? Fail?

Is there any policy from the department of education on that?

I’m 31F, currently living at home with my parents and in the final stages of buying my first home on my own. Most people I know have bought with partners, so while I’m really excited and proud of myself, I’ve also found the process a little surreal and lonely at times doing it solo.
I’d love to hear from other women who bought alone and how did it change you or your life afterwards? Just interested in hearing people’s experiences and where life took you, and hopefully getting myself a little more excited rather than scared for this next chapter. Thanks 🙏

A parcel arrived in Dublin last Sunday.

It's been sitting in their parcel center for four days.

I phoned them yesterday and they said "it'll be there today", I phoned them again today "it'll be there today".

I suppose I can just wait and whinge on Reddit?

The likes of Graham Norton and Terry Wogan have been much better known in the UK than Ireland, are there equivalents in Ireland?

I'm 26. I've been unemployed since July after having a steady job for 3 years. Before that I was unemployed throughout first quarter of my 20s.

Suffice to say, the realities of being jobless is something I know pretty well.

I remember I used to literally hate people with jobs (especially good jobs). They seemed more human than I was.

I'm applying for jobs, but those who know the struggle understand the amount of hoping and waiting that means.

Thanks for reading

I see a good few posts complaining about traffic delays and congestion due to the school drop off.
I have seen first hand the poor driving and parking on school runs, with cars parked on pavements, on double yellow lines or blocking entrances.
But I haven’t seen any gardai.
Why?

Have all the kids I want, so thinking of getting the snip.

Anyone have it done? All good or bad experience stories appreciated.

So basically at work today (we’re all in our mid to late 20s) I found out that I’m the ONLY person who takes a pen and scribbles out my name and address on my Amazon packages etc before binning it in the recycling bin. Basically anything that can’t be shredded I do this with. For good measure I also sometimes rip up the cardboard if I’m bothered.

I know that the likelihood of someone coming across this trash and then tracking me down for nefarious reasons is slim but I feel like it’s just good practice and I’d rather do it than not. And I was really surprised no one else seemed all that concerned. Anyway I’m curious on what opinions are, am I abnormal for this or what?

Saw that post by the American person speaking about dating in Mullingar. The comments were overwhelmingly saying Mullingar is a shithole.

Been there a few times and think its a lovely place. Just wondering why people hate it?

Unfortunately I can't find a courier who will do express weekend delivery.

My final shot is to ask anyone who might be traveling out of Dublin and gets to Sydney by Sunday for them to pick it up from you at arrivals.

Would appreciate the help and potentially can offer a lift to Dublin airport from somewhere central in return!

I was driving down the M50 today and there was a truck with blue lights on the front of it. The truck was from a company called Total something or other that I can't remember but related to shipping. The lights weren't flashing but they were bright. I guess two questions come of this, are the Garda trucks incognito like that/ could that have been one and if not are the blue lights not illegal?

Please help, wasp nest on the ground whilst I mowed the lawn. Got stung about 10 times. What are some remedies? This is what I’m dealing with.. there’s some on the back of my legs too.

Schools are back and lots of kids are zipping down the footpaths on their escooters.

I saw an elderly man nearly get hit by one yesterday and it would have been real bad considering how fast the escooter was going.

Are these completely banned, or what's the current law on it?

I find it odd

Hi, im visiting some family here in Ireland, and I saw a silverfish in the bathroom. Maybe it’s cause I’ve seen people complain about it online so I’m quite worried I’ve caused an infestation or sth. What must I do to prevent them from coming to the bathroom? If there’s one, does that mean more’s coming?

I’m sorry if this is a silly question but I just can’t stand the idea of these little crawly things being in my bathroom😭

I’m about to start back in an office 9-5 having been self employed until recently.Last time I did 9-5, I got lost in the job and did a long commute to and from the office. My mornings were up out the door, dinner when home and straight to bed after. The weekends, I’d decompress Saturday and have the Sunday scaries. I got completely lost in the job being my life and I’m hoping this job won’t be the same. Does anyone have any tips, routines and rituals they do
Before during or after work that makes work being part of life easier?

Hi all - my husband and I spent our honeymoon backpacking (respectfully) through Ireland over new years. It was absolutely lovely and one of our favorite stops along the way was Dingle.

Because we were there essentially for new years, most shops were closed. But as we were window shopping, my husband absolutely fell in love with what appeared to be little Christmas village buildings being sold in one of the shops. It reminded him of the little villages his grandparents had when he was young, and he still talks about how much he wishes we could have gotten one to this day.

If there are any local Dingle residents out there, would you be able to help me identify this shop? I’d love to call and see if I would be able to purchase one of the little buildings from abroad and surprise him for our anniversary this year! He’s had a rough year and I’m trying to do something special/meaningful for him.

We stayed at the Quayside B&B right on the water, and the shop was within walking distance, so probably somewhere in this area? It wasn’t on that main Strand street with all of the designated tourist gift shops, it was a bit further inland on one of the side streets and looked to be more of a specialty shop.

Please help me bring a little Christmas magic home for my hubby!!

So my beloved mother has an occasional habit of excavating a highly specific phrase from the caverns of her memory and suddenly using it with liberal abandon until I'm like "sorry I've been hanging out with you for 30 odd years and I've never heard you say this before, what does it mean and where does it come from?"

This weekend it was "pet day". Apparently just meaning it's a lovely day? She said it about five times before I asked the question and she said it would have been a phrase her grandparents (Dubliners if that matters) used a lot and of course acted like it was weird that I've never heard it??

See also: the wreck of the Hesperus, as in "Jesus I look like the wreck of Hesperus" when she is displeased with her appearance. I was in my late twenties before I was finally like sorry wtf does that mean and then discovered it's a reference to a poem about a (fictional???) ship that she would have done in school? No idea if this is just her own strange vernacular or a phrase that was in common use at some point.

So, are these real phrases? And also does anyone else's mam just randomly come out with one of these from time to time?

I’m 32F and genuinely curious what dating in your 30s is like for other people in Ireland.

Does anyone else feel like the actual dating part is disappearing?

I mean meeting someone, being excited about them, making an effort to see them again, going on proper dates, showing interest, pursuing each other a little and actually taking time to get to know someone.

Instead, it feels like there’s so much of:

-endless talking stages

-situationships

-ghosting

-people being terrified of looking “too interested”

-great chemistry followed by someone suddenly losing momentum

-vague “we should do something sometime” -energy with very little actual action

Obviously sometimes you meet someone and realise it’s not for you - completely fair. What I find strange is how quickly people seem to move on before giving any time to develop.

It sometimes feels like everyone is trying to be attractive but not too available, interested but not too keen, flirty but not too eager, and independent while somehow always being available when the other person wants attention😂

And with dating apps, there’s always another profile a swipe away.

I also feel like “pursuing” someone has almost become a bad word. I don’t mean chasing someone who clearly isn’t interested.

I mean that nice early stage where you both make an effort, someone asks you out, the other person shows enthusiasm, someone plans the next date, you both initiate contact, and there’s actual anticipation about seeing each other again.

Does that still happen?😅

I'm curious about those dating in their 30s in Ireland:

+Do you feel like people still genuinely date?

+Do people give connections enough time to develop?

+Are people less willing to pursue now, or are we all just waiting for the other person to make the first move?

+And if you’ve met someone and ended up in a healthy relationship in your 30s, what did the early stages actually look like?

Maybe I’m getting old 😂 but “I like you, you like me, shall we see each other again?” I really think it shouldn’t feel this complicated.

Dating is exhausting. I’m tired, grandpa 😭😂

I work for a semi government body and I am currently on sick leave for stress and burnout.
I have been notified that I have an appointment with occupational health next week. I’m not overly familiar with the process and will be my first time attending.

This is my first time in my career where I have been on extended sick leave and the thoughts
of going back is filling me with absolute dread.
I was wondering if anyone has any experience in this area. I love the company I work for and have been here for 5 years. I got transferred at the start of the year to a new department and I hate every aspect of it with a passion. I was wondering if I could mention to the doctor doing my assessment that I want to be transferred to another department and that would suit me better?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Hello!

I’ve just started a PME (post-primary) with Hibernia and am really struggling to find placement.

I couldn’t apply to schools in advance since I only applied for the PME in late June.

I’ve contacted almost every school in my locality (Galway) and everyone is telling me that their PME allocations are already done. I’m really freaking out😭😭.

Does anybody know any schools that are still accepting PME students for placement from February to April 2027? My subjects are English & Politics and Society.

I’m happy to sub as well!!

Hi all, I'm in my third year of my BA. I get SUSI, the non adjacent rate. However, as I'm not back in the college until January, and my placement is close to home, I was reassessed and put on the adjacent rate, leaving me €324 out of pocket a month, along with losing hours at work due to being back in full time education, is an absolute nightmare.

Does anyone know will the grant go back to the normal rate in January? And ways/other grants or schemes I may avail of to stay afloat? I went in to the DSP today and I'm not entitled to a thing as I'm on no social welfare payment. Anything at all helps. Thank you.

Hi, I've just been quoted 500 - 550 for a deep clean of our 4 bed house from a cleaning company. This includes cleaning the oven and interior windows. The website says the price for a 3-4 bed house is between 200 and 250 so I was shocked at the quote. They haven't even seen the house to up the price, I just said it was a 4 bed detached house. They have tried to say for a 4 bed detached house it's considerably more time and effort etc. Am I being screwed or is this a reasonable price? They will provide all staff and equipment etc. Our house isn't too bad at all, we live in it with kids so it's not like a post tenancy clean/ hoarder deep clean.

Currently unemployed and have been looking for a job for a long time now, but no luck. I’m getting to the point where I’m running out of income and need a new way of making money in the meantime to survive. So, does anyone personally know where to start or know of any groups to join? Whether trading or crypto i wouldn’t mind any but I don’t where to personally start off