RTÉ Brainstorm

The psychological motivations behind this popular phenomenon include mating, community, online connections, wellness and nature See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dealing with bills, insurance forms, subscriptions and other low-grade bureaucratic life admin with friends can make things feel more doable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of taxpayers are missing out on refunds by not availing of tax credits for medical expenses, rent and college tuition fees See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around 30% of Irish households don't have easy access to private home charging, with policy and regulatory gaps hindering progress See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weather can impact us in both obvious and subtle ways, and both rain and sun bring different benefits to our lives See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Irish taxi market doesn't need a free-for-all, but it does need competition, flexibility and a serious conversation about value for money See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The move to get applicants to complete multiple interviews for jobs is another form of the conservative bias around hiring in many firms See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True durability is measured in design intelligence, responsible materials and emotional connection, not luxury markups or brand prestige See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The English language is often viewed as chaotic and full of "exceptions," but most spellings follow patterns of sound, meaning, and structure See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar flares and geomagnetic storms can have very significant effects on satellites, airplanes and GPS and electrical systems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The convergence of geology, climate, vegetation and human history allowed peat to accumulate on an extraordinary scale over thousands of years.

Restaurants are closing on a weekly basis due to rising costs, but Irish consumers are also spending €2.2 billion a year on food delivery. By Ronan Carbery, UCC.

Employers in Ireland are implementing 'quiet redundancies' to scale back workforces in the face of uncertainty, tariffs and AI. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, Brainstorm.

The legal landscape surrounding the use of drones is currently far from clear and many practical questions remain unanswered. By Kathryn O'Sullivan, University of Limerick.

The use of Gaeilge at demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people is part of the radical tradition of Irish language activism. By Ciara Grant, UCC.

The general belief was that you should leave the statue outside under a bush the night before the wedding to ensure good weather

Warning signs that your job is no longer right for you include burnout, boredom, and feeling undervalued.

From hazelnuts and fish to dairy and beef, new archaeological evidence reveals what our ancestors ate.

Presenteeism—working while sick—is common in Ireland, but it has long-term consequences for health and productivity.

The prospect of Irish Defence Forces making incursions into Northern Ireland was seriously considered in response to the 1969 violence.

From ‘howya lads’ to ‘hiya girls’, Irish greetings reveal a lot about our social norms and changing gender dynamics.

At 92 years of age, Richard Morgan was a four-time world champion in indoor rowing.

The roots of Elverys and its elephant logo lie in a remarkable 19th-century shop on Sackville Street.

President John F. Kennedy attended a state dinner in Iveagh House on 28 June 1963 during his iconic visit to Ireland – here’s how the night unfolded.

The Tipperaryman's adventures as a grandee at large in South America involved everything from coca collection to debt collecting. By Richard Fitzpatrick, Maynooth University.

The sober-curious movement has seen sales of non-alcoholic drinks rocket, but do these beverages come with health benefits? By Ana Soriano and John Kenny, Teagasc

Aside from publishing death notices and condolences, RIP.ie is also a rich source of significant personal, cultural and historical data. By Shannon Mora, TCD.

One of the main factors driving the demand for micro-retirement breaks is the employee's desire to achieve a better work-life balance

There's no doubt that bonus points are driving the uptake of Higher Level maths, but the initiative has had unintended consequences. By Niamh O'Meara, University of Limerick; Páraic Treacy, MIC Limerick and Mark Prendergast, UCC

A bucket list of GAA destinations to explore, all offering unique social insight and powerful historical connections to Gaelic games

We need a comprehensive plan for Irish in education and one that addresses the issue of exemptions in an inclusive fashion

Gerald Bruton has learned a lot about range anxiety and capitalising on cheap electricity since buying his first EV at 81 years of age

Mid-contract price hikes may be legal, but the practice has been criticised as being unfair to consumers during a cost of living crisis

Recent research suggests middle age could mark a shift in brain ageing with our blood in our 40s more informative about our brain in our 60s. By Sebastian Dohm-Hansen Allard, UCC.

Research suggests the relationship between pay, motivation and performance is much more complicated than you might think. By Ann Masterson and Karen Feery, TU Dublin.

Rainwater harvesting is a possible small solution to some very big problems - and not just watering the garden. By Ruth Quinn, ATU Sligo.

A deep dive into the motivations, purposes and challenges about why we clock in from 9 to 5

Social media has amplified what young people think about body image, self-esteem and mental health

Your guide to the Giant Red Spot, those large ocean-bearing oceans and the conditions which could support life on the planet

The Patricks of Ireland have left a formidable mark, but the minds of new parents appear to have moved away from using that name

You might not know it, but Ireland is dotted with extinct volcanoes that have shaped the island we know and love today.

The spice bag sits proudly alongside the spiceburger, jumbo breakfast roll, jambon and chicken fillet roll in the pantheon of great 21st century Irish dishes.

An Ceithearnach Caoilriabhach was a rule-breaking trickster in Early Modern Irish culture, a figure who caused chaos wherever he went.

New social norms and behaviour are behind the rise of headphone dodgers on public transport showing zero consideration for those around them.

Art created by Ken Howard during the Troubles shows the power of images to control the conflict narrative and conceal the reality of war.

Until switching banks is as easy as switching mobile network, most of us will stay in the same financial relationship we began in college.

Can we trust AI with our health, our hearts or our sanity? Not yet at least, not without supervision.

Buckley's prep for the Trinity Ball, his first ever European show, involved drinking tea, eating Mikado biscuits and watching The Late Late Show

Governments are increasingly advising people to keep cash on hand for emergencies which may severely impair electronic payments systems.

The German trend for airing your house even in the depths of winter has become a TikTok trend, but does it actually make a home healthier?