A facewash, an election and a year in America.

I was trying to see if all that I’d seen mattered, if it fitted into a bigger picture – particularly the one painted last week.

On travelling solo and adventures in the Pacific Northwest

By far, the best thing about travelling alone are the moments of absolute bliss that I experience; at least once a day something wonderful happens.

My tuppence-worth on the US military and truly thanking veterans.

I suppose I’m a pacifist. I come from a neutral country and I’ve read enough history to know that wars … More

The time I went to Iowa. Iowa and Ohio are two different states. You don’t need to go to Iowa.

I went to Iowa, a state that only Iowans know about except when the Iowa caucus comes around. It’s in … More

Years of Midwest Radio had me ready for Nashville

I can’t remember my online banking password but turns out I know every word of Garth Brooks’ Much Too Young (To Feel this Damned Old).

Christmas out-foreign (or the year I was asleep by 11pm because I ate too much)

Christmas crept up on me completely. Whatever ‘Christmas spirit’ is supposed to be, it bypassed me until Christmas Day itself … More

Where I write about my first Thanksgiving in America!

The reason for this blog, ostensibly, is to cast an eye on America through the eyes of an outsider, an … More

Where I wonder if life here is really all that different to life at home? (Spoiler: no, but I’ve loads of nice photos)

I write all the time here about things that are different from home, but I was thinking this week that … More

Tipping in America; why we’ve just gotta put up or shut up (or go to Wendy’s)

What’s more American than tipping? That infuriating system that makes a $50 meal cost at least $60, where you end … More

Ten Things I Love about U(S)

I think this is what a listicle is. Here’s ten things I really like about the US/Chicago. As an aside, … More

The GAA, a sense of belonging and my top (only) tip for living abroad.

“It wasn’t a conscious thing, but I noticed as the weeks passed that I didn’t feel like an anonymous stranger in this city anymore”

In which I prophesise with my pen about what’s coming down the line for Irish consumers

American consumer trends tend to find their way across the Atlantic Ocean, whether it’s via roll-out by a global corporation, … More

Americans are great for inspiring political rhetoric; it’s time for some of that inspiration craic in Irish politics.

I was watching the Democrat debates on Tuesday night when I came across a Guardian article challenging the portrayal in … More

Immigration. Yeah, I went there.

I think about immigration and race all the time. The traces of those who came before me are everywhere in … More

Land of the free! Home of the brave! Cans of wine! Independence Day 2019 and the stories nations tell themselves

I didn’t buy into the whole sea-to-shining-sea business on Thursday but I was more than happy to participate and be swept up in it. Like a big Yank.

Where I invite you to check out where I live…

Rogers Park is a suburb in northern Chicago, on the banks of Lake Michigan and ten miles from Navy Pier … More

Making new friends at 33, but in a super-cool way, not a needy way or anything…

I’m on Twitter and I’m a constant delight; @doireannmarkham Making friends is not something I’ve had to think about for … More

Democrats, Democrats everywhere

Currently there are twenty-four contenders seeking the Democratic nomination to run in the 2020 presidential election, presumably against Trump. It’s … More

Public libraries are great: an appreciation of the wonderful work of the Chicago Public Library system and the Harold Washington Library

At home I overlooked or disregarded many services or things that are invaluable to me here. The public library system is absolutely definitely one of those things.

A time I went to Texas.

Follow me on Twitter, @doireannmarkham Texas is huge but don’t worry if you forget, Texans will remind you. Within that … More