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2017

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The number of deaths on Irish roads in 2017 is the lowest figure ever recorded since road fatalities were first officially documented in 1959.

The Road Safety Authority statistics for 2017 show a 15pc drop in road deaths when compared to 2016.

However, 158 people did lose their lives on Ireland's roads last year.

186 lives were lost in 2016

‘While it is heartening to see that 2017 was the lowest year on record for road deaths, this is not good enough,’ Minister for Transport Shane Ross told RTE.

‘We need to continue our efforts if we are to achieve the objective of reducing fatalities to 124 by 2020.’

‘Ultimately our aim should be zero deaths on our roads.’

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As we enter the last few weeks of 2017, Twitter users across the globe are taking some time to reflect on the year that was.

Between political tensions, never-ending Brexit negotiations and an unprecedented exposé on Hollywood's sexual harassment culture, it's safe to say that 2017 will go down in history for all the wrong reasons.

Using the #2017In4Words hashtag, people have been sharing some thoughts on subjects such as Trump's presidency, gun control and women's rights – in what has proved to be one of the most poignant social media trends of the year so far.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom, with many Twitter using choosing to take a more comedic approach to the events that unfolded over the last 11 months.

Here's some of our favourite posts.

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With the Halloween weekend in full swing, and just days to go before the big event, the "wtf am I going to wear" panic has well and truly set in. 

But, luckily for us, the 2017 celebrity costume game is stronger than ever – menaing there are some seriously iconic looks just waiting to be reimagined. 

From classic horror films to country music stars, here's the best celebrity costume of  Halloween 2017. 

1. Rita Ora slays as Poison Ivy on the KISS House Party red carpet

2.Kourtney Kardashian channels her inner MJ

3. Bruce Willis and his assistant, Stephen J. Eads, as the Grady twins from The Shining

4. DUA LIPA performing as Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice 

 

BEETLEJUICE

A post shared by DUA LIPA (@dualipa) on

5. Usher as Jules Winnfield from the Tarantino classic, Pulp Fiction 

6. Adele gives off some serious Hocus Pocus vibes here 

7. Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban as a modern day Sonny and Cher 

8. Ariel Winter and Levi Meaden keep it simple 

9. Gigi Hadid gives Olivia Newton John a run for her money

10. Ellie Goulding as Dolly Parton 

 

I love you Dolly! 

A post shared by elliegoulding (@elliegoulding) on

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We all remember the moment : Walking into your school assembly, palms sweating, after a summer of stressing, to receive the results of the Leaving Cert. 

You had barely slept the night before, and that slightly sickly feeling of apprehension caused your stomach to lurch as trembling fingers ripped the top off that brown envelope. 

Almost 60,000 secondary school students are going through those emotions this morning, as they collect their results from their respective schools around the country. 

This year saw a new grading system, where CAO points were awarded for scores over 30 per cent, rather than 40 per cent as was the norm previously.

This could be responsible for the rise in students opting to take Higher Level subjects.

Higher Lever Irish saw a 10 per cent increase of students taking the paper, while Maths saw an 8 per cent increase. 

The more lenient grading system has seen a decrease in failure rates this year. 

According to The Irish Times, failure rates have dropped by an average of 50 per cent across key subjects.

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Mark your diaries and dust off your Repeal jumpers, because this year's March for Choice has a date.

The Abortion Rights Campaign has shared a Facebook event for the march, which is set to take place on September 30 this year.

Estimates put the number of attendees at last year's March for Choice at over 20,000.

With the success of the Strike for Repeal, which saw approximately 15,000 people take to O'Connell Bridge in Dublin for a day of peaceful strike action against the government's choice to maintain the 8th amendment, and the outcome of the recent Citizens' Assembly, this year's march is set to be bigger than ever.

We'll see you there!

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We all need a bit more mindfulness in our lives, and taking up the relaxing manoeuvres of yoga is one way to introduce some TLC for your body and mind. 

Yoga increases your flexibility, improves your muscle tone and strength, improves your breathing and helps to focus your mind. 

With all of these benefits, we were delighted to discover that a yoga festival is coming to Dublin this summer.

 

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Hot Yoga Dublin and Yoga Next Door are coming together to create Yoga In The Park 2017, an event which brings together yoga newbies and seasoned enthusiasts for a prolonged session of yogi goodness. 

The event will be set on the stunning west lawn of Malahide Castle, and yoga veteran Lisa Phillips will be leading the 75 minute class.

The event is completely family friendly, with a kids yoga tent organised for the little ones. 

 

A post shared by ___StevaniLow___ (@stevanilow) on

Proceeds from the yoga festival will be going straight to charity, with Yoga In The Park contributing their takings to multiple charities.

This year, the funds from the €20.00 tickets will go to the LauraLynn Foundation, Adi Roches Chernobyl Interanational Foundation, and the Bringing Chair Yoga to Nursing Homes concept. 

The event will take place on Sunday June 11, at 11am, so hopefully they get the weather for the outdoor festival. 

Feature image: Yoga In The Park

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After a long wait, the (near) full line-up for Longitude 2017 has finally been announced.

The festival will return to Marlay Park this summer from Friday July 14 to 16. 

The first round of acts are as follows:

On Saturday 15, The Weeknd leads the line up, with Mumford & Sons following suit on Sunday 16.

But we're going to be in for another surprise next week, as Friday's headliner has yet to be announced (we're banking on someone BIG).

Weekend tickets are priced at €189.50, while a  two day Ticket will be €129.50 and a day ticket going for €69.50.

Tickets available on Friday March 10 at 9am, from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and online at www.ticketmaster.ie.

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Feeling a little tired of wearing the same old pair of dark trousers with that fitted jacket? Or that dull, fall-back dress that you just can't seem to get rid of?

Well then, it's time to wave goodbye to blacks and greys, giving January a stylish injection of spring-time colour. 

Pantone 2017

Here's a roundup of five wonderfully bright and brilliant looks to inspire your seasonal wardrobe choices:

1. Work that winter coat with a pop of red

 

@eleonora_mararo effortlessly chic #workwearofinsta

A photo posted by workwear of Instagram (@workwearofinsta) on

2. Be bold with navy

3. Pink is the perfect pick-me up colour

 

This pleated shirt dress got me like  Shop it on sale here: #liketkit http://liketk.it/2qakZ @liketoknow.it #wiw #ltksalealert #ltkunder100

A photo posted by Suburban Faux-Pas by Krystin (@krystin_lee) on

4. Wary of colour? Opt for this fab all-in-one from River Island

5. Finish the week on a high…

 

Weekend style boxed off  (@munalamis) #myboohoostyle #dzz80589

A photo posted by boohoo.com (@boohoo) on

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If you're at all familiar with the world of fitness, you'll know that those in the industry advocate for a healthy nutrition plan in addition to endless squats, lunges and kettlebell swings.

From telling us that abs are made in the kitchen to insisting you can't outrun a bad diet, fitness fanatics are all too aware that no matter how much time you spend in the gym, unhealthy food choices will inevitably set your progress back considerably.

So, if 2017 is all about educating yourself on fitness and nutrition, one of the simplest ways to start is to learn which items to eliminate from your diet, and – most importantly – which ones to replace them with.

And here are five to get you started…

1. Swap sugar for cinnamon

You might have vetoed every chocolate bar you've encountered since January 1, but have you addressed the various other ways sugar creeps into your diet?

If you've got a sweet tooth, it can be incredibly difficult to ditch the sugar, so it's no surprise many of continue to add a sneaky spoon into our tea, coffee or morning porridge.

Ditch this habit by replacing sugar and sweeteners with a small spoon of cinnamon – you'll be surprised how good it tastes.

2. Swap diet drinks for sparkling water with lemon / lime

We've long since realised that diet drinks are not much better for us than the full-fat version, but that doesn't stop us slurping on them more regularly than we probably should.

One very simple way to reduce the number of diet drinks you consume is by replacing them with sparkling water and slices of lime and lemon.

In addition to the kick the fruit gives the water, the sparkling version makes weaning ourselves off fizzy drinks a little easier.

3. Swap crisps for nuts

If you're used to snacking on crisps or including them with your lunch, it can be difficult to break the habit.

Don't deny yourself a savoury snack, but do stock up on nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts instead.

Most supermarkets sell handy little snack-sized bags which means you don't overindulge, but do get the savoury kick you're looking for.

4. Swap breakfast cereal for an egg-based dish

Eggs are an incredible source of protein and keep you feeling fuller for longer, so why not opt for an egg-based breakfast when you can?

Replace your sugary cereal for two hard boiled eggs or an egg-white omelette on alternate days, and record how long it takes before hunger pangs kick in each day.

Kicking your day off with a protein-rich breakfast generally sees you through until lunch-time, and stops you reaching for a snack mid-morning.

5. Swap a so-called 'healthy' snack for peanut butter and apple

Instead of reaching for a cereal or granola bar on your tea break, why not team apple slices with a large spoon of peanut butter?

Not only will a small plate of apple and peanut butter fill you up until your next meal, it's a great source of protein and vitamins.

Oh, and it's absolutely delish too.

 

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2016 definitely won't go down as anyone's favourite year ever, with some shocking political plot twists, the death of some of the world's most beloved icons and the rise of kale, it seems like everyone had a negative experience in the year just ended.

Poor life choices weren't just confined to the polling boots and salad bowls, 2016 was the year of unwearable fashion choices and done-to-death trends.

Here's a few of the most overdone, out-dated and insipid trends that need to stop passing for vaguely trendy in 2017. 

1. Lace up everything

This trend, much like the creepy guy at the late bar, came on far too strong.

From the Kardashians lacing up everything from their corsets to their thigh-high boots (more on those later) to the fashion blogging scene adopting the trend at an exorbitant rate, this bondage-esque fad was chic for five minutes and then tired for the rest of the year, though that didn't stop the lace up becoming the most popular detail on our social media feeds.

2. "Instagram make up"

 

A photo posted by Huda Kattan (@hudabeauty) on

Instagram is a place of beauty extremes and "eyebrows on fleek," but a specific type of "Instagram face" has become unique to the beauty bloggers and micro-influncers who inhabit the social media site.

Boxy, blended brows, acres of contour, matte, thick foundation, lashings of lashes, a ice white highlight and lips over lined with a Kylie lip kit are the hall marks of the "Instagram face," which has become far too popular.

Whether you're scrolling through your feed or strolling down Henry Street, you will more than likely come into contact with the high maintenance look that launched a million beauty bloggers.

3. Juicy tracksuits

The noughties revival was kind of amusing in an 'it's never really going to happen" kind of a way.

Keeping with the plot twist theme of 2016, noughties style actually made a somewhat chic return thanks to the ironic styling of couture house Vetements, but when the Kardashians started donning Von Dutch trucker hats and Juicy Couture brought back it's classic velour tracksuit, we knew were were just one bare midriff and chunky highlighting job away from sartorial disaster. 

4. Off the shoulder everything

 

A photo posted by Felicity Erin (@felicity_erin) on

Yes, we loved this top back in Spring 2016. It was without a doubt the it-piece of the moment, and everything from it's stylish off-the-shoulder cut to it's semi-professional pin stripe called out to us.

However, this piece became another done-to-death trend that spawned multiple copies that trickled down through every high street store the world over, and somehow, in the first freezing days of January, we're still seeing it on Pinterest. It needs to go. 

5. Chokers

 

A photo posted by Handmade Chokers (@alienchokers) on

Chokers are one of the more stubborn remnants from the 90s revival.

A grown-up take on the choker is more than acceptable, but any elasticised bits of plastic we would have worn while listening to our No Doubt CD and playing on our Tamogotchis is a no no.

6. Bomber jackets

 

A photo posted by @syiraabb on

For some reason, bomber jackets are clinging on by their fingernails to their on-trend status.

Now the uniform of all teenage girls, the khaki green and pastel pink editions of this classic jacket style are officially over. Especially is they are made of a cheap, satin finish fabric. 

7. Celebrity "tour merch"

After Justin Bieber did a sell out run of Purpose World Tour themed merch with Forever 21, the world went crazy for paying homage to the pop stars with over sized (and over priced) hoodies featuring their favourite famous faces.

While there is nothing wrong with showing off your musical loyalties while giving your idols some royalties, some stars created "merch" when they have no tours, or discernable musical talents, whatsoever (we're looking at you, Kylie Jenner)

8. Over lined lips

 

A photo posted by JESSICA SMART IV (@jessalicesmart) on

We're all guilty of going a tad overboard with the lip liner in pursuit of a perfectly plump pout. 

However, there is a certain art to the overlined lip that unfortunately most of us mere mortals have yet to perfect.

We've been obsessed with big eyebrows and big lips, can we move onto something else? Big noses perhaps? Please?

9. Thigh-high boots

 

A photo posted by Sabrina (@love_for_style85) on

While there is no doubt that Julie Roberts is a style icon, her over the knee, lady of the night, pleather boots have no place on 2017's fashion rota.

Another victim of the lace up trend, the Kardashian's obsession with intricately laced, impossible to navigate bondage boots spurred the trend onto the high street, where a plight called "muffin thigh" then outraged those of us without model pins who wanted in on the trend. 

10. "Festival fashion"

 

A photo posted by Rave Selfies (@raveselfies) on

Festival fashion has become a whole category of it's own, and what was once a smorgasbord of creative and artistic means of dressing to express your musical tastes has become a montage of fringing, crop tops and facial stickers that are officially basic. 

A rainbow crochet crop top and arms decorated with flash tattoos might have been fabulous for Coachella 2012, but looks rather tragic in the rain at Longitude 2017. 

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The next season of Celebrity Big Brother is just around the corner, and the latest instalment of the controversial show is set to be bigger and better than ever.

The new season is set to host a hoard of familiar faces, some of whom have been spotted entering a secret hotel ahead of the first instalment of the show tomorrow night. 

Among the celebrities who were papped entering is controversial reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who previously entered the Big Brother house with wife of eight years Heidi in 2013. 

 

A photo posted by heidipratt (@heidipratt) on

Joining him at the hotel was ex X Factor contestant Stevi Ritchie, glamour model Nicola Mc Lean, who previously starred on CBB in 2012, and 90s DJ Brandon Block. 

It has been strongly rumoured that the next series will be the special All-Stars vs. New Blood version of the show, introducing new contestants alongside CBB veterans.

Another contestant was also spotted, but their identity remains a mystery thanks to the blanket they covered themselves with. 

Celebrity Big Brother also recently revealed this year's headache-inducing interior design, which this year takes on a pop-art theme. 

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Variety – as well as compromise – is the spice of life. So while we might not be able to resist EVERY single treat going – some small tweaks and occasional changes can make a big difference to how we look and feel.

That and reaching for a large glass of Pinot Grigio most nights of the week isn't always so appealing when you know you'll be up at the crack of dawn with loud and lively small ones.

With that in mind, we've compiled a list of five fabulously delicious snacks to tuck into when you feel a lift-me-up that doesn't involve a pounding headache or inhaling two packets of Hobnobs…  

1) Dark chocolate and green tea

According to one US study, dark chocolate and green tea is the ideal combo to tackle that mid-afternoon energy drop. If you snack on these, you should feel more alert and attentive thanks to the dark chocolate (minimum 60 percent cacao). Meanwhile your blood pressure should also instantly drop thanks to the amino acid L-theanine, which is a relaxant found in green tea. 
 
2) Apple with peanut butter or banana and almond butter
Peanut, almond or cashew butters are great sources of healthy fats and protein, and fruits provide us with fibres, essential for our gut health and to regulate our appetite. Spread a thin layer of nut butter on your favourite fruit and you get a lovely sweet, filling and healthy snack. However, if you're keeping an eye on your calorie intake, don’t be too heavy-handed with the nut butter, as it’s very rich. 

3) Almond stuffed prunes

So much more than an elderly lady constipation treatment! To make them softer, soak your prunes in tea or water and stuff them with a lightly grilled almond. Prunes are a good source of potassium, iron, and of course fibres to help digestion and promote a healthy gut. To mix things up a little, swap almonds with walnuts and the prunes with dates.
 
4) Energy balls
Energy/protein balls were a BIG food trend in 2016, and for good reason. Making them yourself in bulk will make them much more affordable than when you buy them in the shop. Depending on what ingredients you use, they can be a great source of vitamins and minerals. Just Google “energy balls” and you will find countless recipes. Try the likes of peanut butter, dates, oats and cacao power ball, or blend together dates, your favourite nuts, goji berries, coconut and cacao for example. Be careful, these treats are seriously addictive!

5) Greek yoghurt, blackberries and honey
A great source of protein, probiotics, potassium and calcium, Greek yoghurt is definitely your waistline friend. Top it with blackberries (full of vitamin C and antioxidants, and low in calories) and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, you will get a filling and delicious snack that your tummy will thank you for. 
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