The number of sexually transmitted infections grew by 10 per cent in 2016, according to the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre, and gonorrhea saw one one the biggest spikes.
If you don't already have a semi-friendly relationship with the nurse at your local free clinic, now would be the time to get yourself checked if you have any suspicions that there might be some odd behaviour happening in your nether regions.
Luckily, gonorrhea is one of the more treatable STIs out there, so if you have contracted the ailment, it wont be forever.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that can be treated and cured with specific antibiotics, according to the HSE.
However, you can have gonorrhea for an extended period of time and not show any symptoms.
When the symptoms do arrive, they can include a slightly unsavoury yellowish or greenish-white discharge, itching around the front or back passage, and burning or pain when peeing. Ouch.
The illness can also be marked by soreness or redness in the throat, and be accompanied by eye infections such as a discharge or red eye.
Women can also suffer with stomach pain brought on by the disease.
The only way to protect yourself from the STI is to use condoms during every sexual encounter and never share sex toys with anyone (not that we'd make a habit of it).
If you think you might be a card-carrying member of the G club, or think that you may have contracted any kind of sexually transmitted infection, it's important to get it checked ASAP to avoid passing it to others or creating complications in your sexual health further down the line.
Carla McQuillan is a hairdresser and a native of Dublin.
Last year, she founded The.Space salon in Drumcondra alongside her business partner and best friend, Nadine Quinn. Also a former model, Carla collected numerous trade accolades before kickstarting her own business.
Still just 28, she wants to evolve the hairdressing industry – drawing on time spent in the likes of Paris and New York to in order to bring added extras to the average salon experience.
"I finished my Junior Cert in 2003 and that summer I was desperate to earn my own money. At the time, Transition Year wasn’t compulsory in my school, so I seized the opportunity to get out and work," Carla tells SHEmazing as she reflects on her professional journey.
“The best part of a year and a half later when it came to returning to school for my Leaving Cert I just couldn’t face it – I felt immersed in all things hairdressing by then and didn’t fancy diving into homework, classes, and study," she explains.
“My dad, Patrick, had different views, however. He knew I was smart, a hard worker and good at what I did – but he also felt that getting my Leaving Cert and progressing on to college and all that was the best road to take.”
Determined to make it in the world of hairdressing, Carla found herself confronted with conflicting advice, but insisted on paving her own way.
"I thought I knew everything back then!" she laughs. "And no one, not even my lovely dad, could tell me otherwise. In the end – of course! – I got my own way.”
Hired by House of Colour, Carla recalls: “I was trained in everything and anything; that all still stands to me to this day and at the time it made me a really good all-round hairdresser who could become passionate about all aspects of the trade."
"While there, we were encouraged to take part in competitions and exhibitions; it was something that pushes you outside your comfort zone and truthfully it was invaluable.”
“On one level, competition work is pretty ugly, but it’s also technically brilliant. You hone your skills rapidly because you have to. I soon started picking up awards, and eventually settled on my winning formula."
Carla credits her early days on the salon floor with her ability to navigate potential pitfalls within the industry.
“It was an insanely busy time between working in the salon and all the competition stuff, but being manic even now doesn’t faze me," she tells us.
"It’s something I say to junior staff today; don’t get overwhelmed – just focus on you and the client you have in front of you. And that was me for ten years – during that time I set myself very clear professional goals and made sure I achieved them.”
Having proven herself over the course of a decade, Carla decided she needed to spread her wings, saying “Eventually you do get to the end of the road, and I decided to take the plunge."
"I went freelance, spending time in the likes of New York, and a couple of Australian cities, as well as working with celebrities, on weddings, and fashion shoots."
"I suppose because I was so busy, people kept on telling me that I needed to open my own place – clients were telling me to do it, but so were people I really respect in business circles.”
Recalling the advice she received at the time, Carla remembers: “Johanna Mc Aleese, who owns and founded Starla dresses, told me I was mad not to."
"A couple of years ago she gave me the whole pep talk. She gave me contacts to meet, and reiterated that as rents were so low then, that it was perfect timing.”
“But I did need a business partner – someone to carry the load with me and to complement what I bring to the table. Truthfully, Nadine Quinn was the first and only person I considered," Carla reveals.
"She was working in a freelance capacity at the time too, but I approached her asked if she’d be interested in coming on board – thankfully, she jumped at the chance.”
Embarking on the venture wasn't free of concerns as Carla fended off well-meaning advice against mixing business with friendship.
"Enough people tried to put us off setting up a business with a friend. We’re completely confident in each other, but everyone from our solicitor, to our accountant, to family – all with the very best intentions – tried to say: “Are you sure? Partnerships can go very wrong in this industry.”
“Of course it was scary, but it all also felt right. Actually, initially we kept things very much in check."
"We thought we’d pool our resources, get maybe one more person on board; we just didn’t want to get too overwhelmed. We wanted to build from the ground up and test the waters before taking the plunge.”
“Both Nadine and I are absolute perfectionists too, but we’re savvy enough to celebrate each other’s strengths and talents, as well as our weaknesses."
The turning point in Carla and Nadine's journey came when they found the spot which would soon become The. Space.
“A big milestone for us was finding our salon in Drumcondra. Moving that bit out of the city centre made it more affordable, but – more importantly – we were filling a massive gap in the market."
"There is a really young, hip, vibrant population around there and we quickly realised a modern salon was what they were crying out for.”
“We opened last spring, but a year ago we started getting the show on the road. Not every plan we’ve had, or every concept we’ve explored has panned out, and yes, it is high-pressure stuff, but we’re learning as we grow.”
Giving an insight into the dynamic which exists between the pair, Carla explains: “For our business, we role play and try to think ahead as much as we can – and that’s how we end up with our very best decisions."
Carla maintains that drawing on time spent abroad has done much to strengthen the appeal of the business.
“We try to be as creative as possible in everything we do – we both draw on our experiences travelling and working abroad too so that our clients have something completely fresh when they come into us.”
"That’s actually my mantra: forgot about what everyone is doing in Ireland and let’s kick-off a fresh perspective. So we hold yoga in our salon on Sundays. We hold events too. And everything in The. Space is gorgeous!”
There is little doubt that The. Space has far exceeded the 28-year-old's expectations – a fact she happily celebrates.
“We now offer services we didn’t at the beginning: makeup, and nails, for example. We started with three people and already we’re up to a dozen."
"Truthfully, ambitious as I am, that’s not something I anticipated. We’re open until 9pm a couple of nights a week to deal with demand. On Saturdays we’re out the door.”
And like any astute businesswoman, Carla is reluctant to move too swiftly until she's properly 'perfected' The. Space.
“Of course, we also definitely want to expand but I believe that it’s important not to move onto your second project before you’ve perfected your first."
"And that’s where Nadine and I are at now. I really feel so at home at The. Space – which is just as well as I spend more time there than I do in my house!“
Between choosing between an ice cold vat of gin or an ice cream on a hot summer day, the millennial struggle can be real.
But what if we told you that there was a famous little ice cream shop in the Emerald Isle that served up a combination of the two?
Murphys Ice Cream is based both on Main Street in Killarney and on Shop Street in Galway city, and the soft-serve shop is slaying when it comes to flavours.
The innovative ice cream parlour has come up with a way of combining luscious lashings of Dingle gin to the frozen treat, and we're here for the flavour to trump all flavours.
Cannes Film Festival is still well under way, and the stars were out in force ont he red carpet last night.
Dressed to impress for the annual amFAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala, a myriad of models, musicians and socialites donned their finest threads for the occasion.
Speaking about the Bill, Fine Gael Minister David Stanton said that Government was 'not opposed in principle to the Bill' and that he 'very much welcomed' the debate raised by its introduction.
The Bill was labelled a 'very progressive and necessary piece of legislation,' by Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway.
Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher said that his party supported the Bill, and described it as a 'much needed' piece of legislation and 'a sensible measure and solution.'
'It was encouraging to see the Bill receive enthusiastic support from Senators across the political spectrum,' said communications executive at IMPACT Trade Union, Lughan Deane
'It’s worth noting that some Senators expressed minor concerns around ensuring that the legislation is both of benefit to workers and fair and practicable for employers.'
'Given that IMPACT is both a trade union representing workers’ interests and an employer, we too have an interest in ensuring both objectives are met.'
'It’s important to realise that this Bill is a carrot, not a stick. The emphasis is (and should be) on celebrating good practise where pay equality is concerned.'
Little Mix and Stormzy have finally dropped their highly anticipated new single Power – and it's an absolute tune.
The track features some of the girl's most impressive vocals to date and absolutely oozes good old-fashioned girl-power.
Little Mix fans will know the original song from their 2016 album Glory Days, however, the girls have recruited Stormzy to feature on the single version.
Twitter can not get enough of it, and to be honest, we don't blame them.
Well, the line-up for tonight's The Ray D'Arcy Show has been revealed and it looks like it's like we're in for a treat.
Fair City actors Johnny Ward and Amilia Stewart (Ciaran and Katy) will be on the couch discussing their dramatic story line that finally came to a conclusion this week.
They will be revealing what it was like to be involved in one of the soaps biggest plots to date and discuss their plans for the future.
Funnyman and Dublin native, Jason Byrne will also be stopping by to tell Ray all about what he got up to while on tour in Australia and rumour has it he plans to have a but of fun with some unsuspecting audience members.
Government Chief Whip, Regina Doherty TD, will be in studio giving her two cents about Enda Kenny's decision to step down and outlining her hopes for the future.
And last but not least, Ray will be joined by Panti Bliss (aka Rory O'Neill), who has also agreed to act as judge and mentor to our very special guest performers in the grand finale of this year's Ray D'Arcy Show Lip Sync battle.
This and much more on The Ray D’Arcy Show this Saturday at 9:35pm on RTÉ One.
It it just us or did this feel like the longest week ever?
Either way, that doesn't matter now because the weekend has finally arrived. (yay!)
With so much happening around town this Saturday and Sunday, staying in is not an option.
Here's our top five picks.
Dermot and Dave – Ah Sure Look It
Ireland's favourite radio duo, Dermot Whelan and Dave Moore, bring their hit comedy tour to Dublin's Vicar Street this Saturday May 27.
The Today FM presenters debuted the show at the Cork Comedy Festival last September, where it was met with glowing reviews.
The pair have since brought the show up and down the country and are set to finish with a bang this weekend in front of the Dublin crown.
When asked what we can expect from the stand up performance, Dermot said:
“Imagine a bonkers radio show that grows legs and arms and a head and starts firing out craic and waving its arms like an angry King Kong in that movie. Not even close.”
We like the sound of that.
The show kicks off at 8.00pm and a limited number of tickets (€29.00) are still available from Ticketmaster.
The House Of Peroni 2017
Foodies! This one's for you.
A little taste of Italy is coming to the rooftop of 1 Dame Lane, offering guests a fresh take on contemporary Italian cuisine along with some of the best views in the city.
The House of Peroni will run from Thursday May 25 to Sunday June 4 and is open to the public every evening between 5.00pm and midnight.
Over 18s only – no booking is required. For more information click here.
Smartphone Photography workshop with Brendan Ó Sé
Are you a budding photographer but can't afford the expensive kit?
This smart phone camera workshop could be for you.
Running from Saturday May 27 – Saturday June 3, this hands-on workshop led by awarding-winning Photographer Brendan Ó Sé will show you how to get the absolute best out of your smart phone camera.
All you need is a smart phone, a pen and some paper (for note-taking of course).
The courses take place in the Gallery of Photography's Light Room, and you can book a place by calling (01) 671 4654.
The 90's Mixtape – In Aid of The Irish Cancer Society
Get ready to be taken back to the days of Spice Girls and chunky hair bands.
The Mercantile are hosting a night of nineties acoustic throwbacks and original music and it's all in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Doors open at 7.00pm and tickets (€10/€12) are available here.
Jeff Dunham – Perfectly Unbalanced Tour 2017
Jeff Dunham, the International and critically acclaimed comedian/ventriloquist comes to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May.
Fans can expect a hilarious show featuring Jeff along with a whole host of the comics famous puppet pals.
The wording of the tweet proved to be highly controversial with many suggesting she was referring to the Nazis' plan to for the extermination of the Jews during the second World War.
It read: "22 dead – number rising. Schofield. Don't you even dare. Do not be a part of the problem. We need a final solution #Machester."
Katie said she stood by the comment even after complaints were made to the Metropolitan Police Service.
LBC (Leading Britain's Conversation) is known for it's right-wing discussions, so their decision to let the presenter proves just how insensitive the comment was.
As we know, this isn't the first time Katie has found herself in hot water.
Just last year, The Mail Online was forced to pay £150,000 to a Muslim family, after she falsely accused them of having extremist links.
