Aoife Ryan-Christensen

Brainstorm

Aoife Ryan-Christensen is assistant editor of RTÉ Brainstorm

"In the medium term, expanding postal voting would be the more sensible approach".

Should Ireland introduce early and postal voting?

If you can't be at your polling station on November 29th to vote, you're out of luck as things stands so should alternatives be considered?

General Election 2024 • 21 Nov 24

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have historically been the most frequent general election polling days. Photo: Getty Images

November, February, June: is there an ideal time for an election?

This is only the third time in the history of the State that a general election has been held in November. Will the day, weather, or time of year affect turnout?

General Election 2024 • 19 Nov 24

"Even 6-year-olds would understand the meaning of sharing a secret"

Why do we find it so hard to make friends as we get older?

Humans have a fundamental need to connect with other people, but how we make friends changes across our lifetime

Friendship • 07 Nov 24

A funnel cloud over Longford in 2014 Pic: Louise Duggan via RTÉ Images of the Day

Tornadoes in Ireland? Yes, we get them and here's how many

We don't yet fully understood the science of tornadoes, but we get a surprising number of them in Ireland every year

Weather • 05 Nov 24

'It is factually the case that our house price volatility is large internationally'. Photo: Getty Images

Why we need a new bidding process for buying homes in Ireland

Reforming the bidding process could potentially achieve some much needed stability for prospective home owners

Housing • 01 Oct 24

Eric McCormack as Will Truman, Debra Messing as Grace Adler, Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland in NBC TV show Will & Grace Photo: Getty Images

Huh? Why we're all watching TV with subtitles on

No, it's not just you: TV and film dialogue are now harder to hear and the use of subtitles has gone through the roof

Culture • 13 Sep 24

Father and son JJ and Jeremiah Delaney taking part in the Under 40 Horse Ploughing Competition, at the 2022 National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A short history of the Ploughing

It began with a good natured disagreement between two farmers and is now one of the biggest events of the year

Farming • 16 Sep 24

"It probably comes down to our exposure to travel, opportunities and the freedom to explore different locations." Photo: Getty Images

Why do some of us have such a poor sense of direction?

When it comes to knowing where you are, multiple factors feed into your ability to know where things or places are located

Neuroscience • 13 Sep 24

A medical team from the Palestinian Red Crescent administer polio vaccine to children as part of routine campaign at Al-Amal Hospital in southern Gaza's Khan Younis city on August 22, 2024. Photo: Getty Images

Why are polio vaccinations being rolled out in Gaza?

As the polio virus is diagnosed in Gaza for the first time in 25 years, vaccinating thousands of children has now become an urgent issue

Gaza • 30 Aug 24

"There's this uncertainty associated with the future and the start of the new school year" Photo: Getty Images

How can parents ease the back to school anxiety?

Here are 6 ways for parents to cope with the anxiety and uncertainty that comes up at the start of the new school year

Back To School • 21 Aug 24