Lorraine Courtney · TheJournal.ie

Sunday 22 October, 2017

Life inside the world's biggest Syrian refugee camp

Oct 22nd 2017, 7:30 AM 14,468 Views 3 Comments

The conflict in Syria has raged on for seven years. But from the rubble, the women in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp are finding ways to build new lives.

Wednesday 26 July, 2017

Opinion: 'It's easy to attack RTÉ but the pay gap is an issue where you work too'

# Wage Equality

Opinion: 'It's easy to attack RTÉ but the pay gap is an issue where you work too'

Jul 26th 2017, 6:30 AM 11,685 Views 121 Comments

All I’m asking for is what men have always had: to have children and still get a fair wage, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Wednesday 19 July, 2017

Column: 'There's nothing for me in Kerry, no job to move home for'

# Read Me

Column: 'There's nothing for me in Kerry, no job to move home for'

Jul 19th 2017, 6:35 AM 35,451 Views 129 Comments

But living and working in Dublin comes at the price of feeling that I’m causing rural Ireland’s problems, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Saturday 1 July, 2017

Column: 'Would Trump comment on a male journalist’s smile? Not a chance'

# Soft Sexism

Column: 'Would Trump comment on a male journalist’s smile? Not a chance'

Jul 1st 2017, 8:30 AM 3,382 Views 126 Comments

Soft sexism at work is less frightening than other forms of sexism, but it can carry more serious repercussions, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Thursday 22 June, 2017

Opinion: 'Gender matters Leo. To win elections you need women's support too'

# Leo's Cabinet

Opinion: 'Gender matters Leo. To win elections you need women's support too'

Jun 22nd 2017, 6:30 AM 1,083 Views 74 Comments

Only in a sexist society would women be told that caring about representation at the highest levels of government is wrong, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Sunday 14 May, 2017

13 Reasons Why: 'Drama is actually a good place for young people to explore tough themes'

# Read Me

13 Reasons Why: 'Drama is actually a good place for young people to explore tough themes'

May 14th 2017, 3:30 PM 497 Views 28 Comments

We have to give teen viewers some credit for knowing the difference between truth and fiction, right and wrong, safe and dangerous, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Friday 21 April, 2017

Sport snobbery: 'McGregor still has a tough fight if he wants to win over the home crowd'

# Column

Sport snobbery: 'McGregor still has a tough fight if he wants to win over the home crowd'

Apr 21st 2017, 8:30 PM 118 Views 83 Comments

Conor McGregor’s success has made mixed martial arts a viable outlet for children around Ireland, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Saturday 15 April, 2017

Big Little Lies: 'No woman just lets domestic violence happen. But maybe we do'

# Read Me

Big Little Lies: 'No woman just lets domestic violence happen. But maybe we do'

Apr 15th 2017, 9:00 AM 1,368 Views 49 Comments

HBO’s Big Little Lies has quietly evolved into something more resonant and harrowing, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Tuesday 28 March, 2017

Opinion: 'We don't need female traffic lights. We do need decent maternity pay'

# Women's Rights

Opinion: 'We don't need female traffic lights. We do need decent maternity pay'

Mar 28th 2017, 6:30 AM 312 Views 50 Comments

An economic downturn isn’t an acceptable excuse for unfair treatment of pregnant women, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Friday 24 February, 2017

'No woman should have to cover her head for fear of offending religious values'

# Opinion

'No woman should have to cover her head for fear of offending religious values'

Feb 24th 2017, 6:45 AM 3,114 Views 189 Comments

Women have the right to dress exactly as they want. The right to cover is just as important as the right to uncover, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Sunday 1 January, 2017

New Year's Resolutions: 'Forever chasing a whole new us isn’t self-help, it’s self-harm'

# You're Grand

New Year's Resolutions: 'Forever chasing a whole new us isn’t self-help, it’s self-harm'

Jan 1st 2017, 7:30 AM 147 Views 4 Comments

Forget unrealistic goals and just be nicer to yourself and others in 2017, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Saturday 8 October, 2016

The trial of Amanda Knox shows how we demonise female sexuality

# Opinion

The trial of Amanda Knox shows how we demonise female sexuality

Oct 8th 2016, 6:00 PM 9,790 Views 107 Comments

We love a monster. And we really love when these monsters are pretty young women, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Saturday 3 September, 2016

Ignore the sexist advice - wear your engagement ring with pride, ladies

# Opinion

Ignore the sexist advice - wear your engagement ring with pride, ladies

Sep 3rd 2016, 9:30 AM 1,742 Views 52 Comments

Lorraine Courtney takes issue with the advice that women shouldn’t wear their engagement rings to job interviews.

Saturday 20 August, 2016

'Why would an adult woman want to parade herself around a Kerry tent?'

# Opinion

'Why would an adult woman want to parade herself around a Kerry tent?'

Aug 20th 2016, 8:00 AM 922 Views 114 Comments

Lorraine Courtney argues that the Rose of Tralee competition is outdated and offensive to women.

Thursday 14 July, 2016

Dear magazines, Jennifer Aniston has not 'forgotten' to have a baby

# Opinion

Dear magazines, Jennifer Aniston has not 'forgotten' to have a baby

Jul 14th 2016, 6:00 PM 311 Views 46 Comments

Jennifer Aniston came out recently to condemn body shaming “under the guise of journalism”.

Thursday 28 April, 2016

Beyoncé's new album is about much more than her marriage. We should all be listening

# Opinion

Beyoncé's new album is about much more than her marriage. We should all be listening

Apr 28th 2016, 9:23 AM 235 Views 128 Comments

For all the attention it has garnered as an apparent document of marital infidelity, Lemonade is a decidedly political statement, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Tuesday 5 April, 2016

'Michaella McCollum should not get attention and I hope she will be ignored from now on'

# Opinion

'Michaella McCollum should not get attention and I hope she will be ignored from now on'

Apr 5th 2016, 5:00 PM 400 Views 114 Comments

RTÉ received dozens of complaints over the Michaella interview this week, deservedly so, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Thursday 3 March, 2016

Giving women time off for periods would be unfair - but we need to talk about them more

# Opinion

Giving women time off for periods would be unfair - but we need to talk about them more

Mar 3rd 2016, 7:00 PM 8,807 Views 141 Comments

A company in the UK has introduced a “period policy” that will allow women leave if they are suffering.

Thursday 18 February, 2016

'Downton Abbey and tea cups': We’ve a fairly dreadful record of sexism in Irish politics

# Opinion

'Downton Abbey and tea cups': We’ve a fairly dreadful record of sexism in Irish politics

Feb 18th 2016, 5:00 PM 227 Views 74 Comments

Joan Burton got lots of criticism for her body language during last Monday’s leaders’ debate – but why, asks Lorraine Courtney.

Saturday 6 February, 2016

Playboy covering up nudes has nothing to do feminism and more to do with dwindling sales

# Opinion

Playboy covering up nudes has nothing to do feminism and more to do with dwindling sales

Feb 6th 2016, 7:30 PM 1,023 Views 55 Comments

This isn’t happening because of a shift in cultural attitudes towards sex; it is the result of a growth in online pornography, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Sunday 31 January, 2016

'No profession has a public trial for making a mistake at work, other than doctors'

# Column

'No profession has a public trial for making a mistake at work, other than doctors'

Jan 31st 2016, 8:00 AM 2,299 Views 80 Comments

Lorraine Courtney writes that naming doctors in fitness to practice inquiries should be scrapped.

Thursday 7 January, 2016

Was Chris Gayle being sexist or was it a bit of fun?

# Opinion

Was Chris Gayle being sexist or was it a bit of fun?

Jan 7th 2016, 9:00 AM 913 Views 102 Comments

Sexual harassment hasn’t gone away, it’s just taken on ever new forms, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Friday 1 January, 2016

'New Year’s resolutions are based on the notion of guilt. I don’t see the point'

# Opinion

'New Year’s resolutions are based on the notion of guilt. I don’t see the point'

Jan 1st 2016, 8:00 AM 182 Views 23 Comments

Let’s face it New Year’s resolutions aren’t about wellness. Why begin every New Year on a downer and with a creeping sense of failure?

Friday 25 December, 2015

'I never truly understood what it was like to go without, but I do now'

# Column

'I never truly understood what it was like to go without, but I do now'

Dec 25th 2015, 8:00 AM 56 Views 5 Comments

Lorraine Courtney has just returned from Lebanon’s Syrian refugees where she saw firsthand Concern’s great work.

Friday 4 December, 2015

'Overweight bellies are an easy landing pad for people like Katie Hopkins and unthinking politicians'

# Opinion

'Overweight bellies are an easy landing pad for people like Katie Hopkins and unthinking politicians'

Dec 4th 2015, 6:32 PM 1,399 Views 71 Comments

Hatred for overweight people often borders on sadistic and the body-shaming cards handed out on the London tube prove it, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Sunday 22 November, 2015

'Slutwalks aren’t the lunatic fringe of feminism. They're a reminder that dressing “like a slut” is never an invitation to rape'

# Opinion

'Slutwalks aren’t the lunatic fringe of feminism. They're a reminder that dressing “like a slut” is never an invitation to rape'

Nov 22nd 2015, 8:00 PM 4,144 Views 124 Comments

Are you tired of that same old message being rehashed every time a woman is brutally attacked or killed? I am, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Sunday 25 October, 2015

Are sexy Halloween outfits empowering or degrading? That all depends on your sense of self

# Opinion

Are sexy Halloween outfits empowering or degrading? That all depends on your sense of self

Oct 25th 2015, 6:30 PM 2,926 Views 70 Comments

“You are a fat, worthless pig.” Words women say to themselves everyday, writes Lorraine Courtney, who questions whether hypersexualised Halloween outfits are empowering or degrading?

Sunday 13 September, 2015

Women in politics are judged on their favourite designers, not political beliefs

# Opinion

Women in politics are judged on their favourite designers, not political beliefs

Sep 13th 2015, 11:55 AM 595 Views 82 Comments

Since the foundation of the State in 1918, our Dáil has never been less than 84% male, writes Lorraine Courtney.

Friday 4 September, 2015

'Photos of Jennifer Aniston and Cindy Crawford highlights 'fat shaming' of women, when will it stop?'

# Opinion

'Photos of Jennifer Aniston and Cindy Crawford highlights 'fat shaming' of women, when will it stop?'

Sep 4th 2015, 10:05 PM 4,314 Views 60 Comments

“If we don’t cram ourselves into those claustrophobic standards of physical perfection, we’re called disgusting, but if we do, we’re weak and shallow.”

Wednesday 17 June, 2015

Insensitive reporting over the Berkeley tragedy was akin to victim blaming

# Opinion

Insensitive reporting over the Berkeley tragedy was akin to victim blaming

Jun 17th 2015, 8:30 AM 115 Views 15 Comments

Controversial media coverage in Ireland the US has caused widespread offence in the aftermath of six young people losing their lives.

Thursday 2 April, 2015

Why do we still have this absurd Good Friday alcohol ban for everyone, regardless of religion?

# Opinion

Why do we still have this absurd Good Friday alcohol ban for everyone, regardless of religion?

Apr 2nd 2015, 8:00 PM 3,535 Views 179 Comments

It’s highly ironic that a supposedly modern, inclusive European democracy still prohibits the sale of alcohol on any day of the year.

Sunday 29 March, 2015

Product placement is here to stay, so we'd better get used to it

# Opinion

Product placement is here to stay, so we'd better get used to it

Mar 29th 2015, 8:00 PM 441 Views 60 Comments

Product placement can be annoying but advertising is a necessary evil of our favourite shows.

Sunday 22 March, 2015

Gay men still can't donate blood in Ireland – it's not only unfair, it's illogical

# Opinion

Gay men still can't donate blood in Ireland – it's not only unfair, it's illogical

Mar 22nd 2015, 7:30 PM 341 Views 146 Comments

Our blood banks often run low, yet we are locking thousands of safe donors out.

Monday 9 March, 2015

Higher education is leaving us over-qualified but under-skilled

# Opinion

Higher education is leaving us over-qualified but under-skilled

Mar 9th 2015, 7:00 PM 523 Views 54 Comments

There should be ways that we can learn and earn at the same time.

Thursday 19 February, 2015

Lambasting Kate over a few grey hairs isn't harmless – it shows the pressure women face

# Opinion

Lambasting Kate over a few grey hairs isn't harmless – it shows the pressure women face

Feb 19th 2015, 8:50 PM 448 Views 56 Comments

Kate Middleton is 33 years old, the mother of a toddler, and is currently pregnant… is anyone really shocked she has a grey hair or two?

Friday 6 February, 2015

Opinion: Raising the minimum wage sounds nice, but it could price young people out of work

# Pay Cheque

Opinion: Raising the minimum wage sounds nice, but it could price young people out of work

Feb 6th 2015, 8:00 AM 461 Views 39 Comments

A substantial minimum wage rise right now would be a very hollow victory if it meant that businesses couldn’t remain competitive and collapsed.

Thursday 27 November, 2014

Opinion: Are new medical card plans unfair for GPs?

# Health

Opinion: Are new medical card plans unfair for GPs?

Nov 27th 2014, 1:08 PM 121 Views 25 Comments

Making GPs the new rationers of medical card extension could destroy long-established bonds of trust between them and their patients.

Thursday 30 October, 2014

Opinion: Why has 'Slutoween' become a witch hunt? Girls just wanna have fun (so back off)

# Halloween

Opinion: Why has 'Slutoween' become a witch hunt? Girls just wanna have fun (so back off)

Oct 30th 2014, 8:00 PM 802 Views 62 Comments

Women dressing provocatively on 31 October has sparked a debate about whether its empowering or degrading – well, some of us are simply taking advantage of one of the few times we don’t feel inhibited.