Michelle Walshe's redolent essay on Skellig Michael evokes 'gorgeous atmosphere and sense of place.' As the sun rises, Skellig Michael is thrown into shadow, its black, hulking silhouette reminiscent of an iceberg dislodged from its frozen roots that has travelled far from home to settle off this jagged coastline on the southw...
Read moreJoan O'Shea Talphezian brings alive the drama of a young refugee making the terrifying crossing in this forceful, emotional story. Endless violent circles. There is nothing in the chill morning to hint that this day will be different. Yet, there is nothing ordinary or usual either. The air is filled with the pungent smells of...
Read moreA 'humorous and moving story about a mother’s love for her faraway son,' Majella Cullinane's powerful story is runner-up in the adults category of the Bloomsday Writing Competition 2020, organised by the Embassy of Ireland and Athens Insider. The judges described her writing as 'beautiful, natural prose in a powerfully convincing voice th...
Read moreJames Russell's uncanny ability to inhabit the fears and pleasures of a 7-year old boy earns him third place in the Adult category of the Bloomsday Writing Competition 2020 organised by the Embassy of Ireland and Athens Insider. The judges described his writing as 'a considerable feat, to take us inside the mind of a child, with its yea...
Read moreFinn Brannigan's infectious account of an allergy-ridden day earn him the runners-up spot in the Under-18 category at the Bloomsday Writing Competition 2020. Wish Flowers Wouldn’t Bloom-sday The dream comes to an abrupt end. By force of habit, I keep my eyes squeezed shut. I know for a fact that opening them, even slightly, wil...
Read moreFelix Wahlström's evocative story of a sheep thief condemned to death earns him the third place at the Bloomsday Writing Competition 2020 in the under-13 category. The Last Day of the Sheep Thief It was the eighth of June 1854 in Co. Galway. The previous day a young man called M was sentenced to be hanged for sheep stealing. In...
Read moreLuke Barry's adventure-packed story earns him the second place in the Under-13 category of the Bloomsday Writing Competition 2020. Sunrise 6 am The sun rose majestically through the savannah. A pride of lions took full advantage of the shade of a tree before its broad leaves withered in the heat of the sun. The roaring sound of...
Read moreJohn Carr on why it’s better to be safe and sure until we find a vaccine pure. We should have known it wouldn't last, We tore up our wise rules too fast. With Dr T no longer seen On our living room wide screen, Too many of us, scant of thought, Decided that we simply ought To take advantage of the start Of a Greek summe...
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We are thrilled and humbled to be chosen as the Best Travel Magazine in Greece at the Tourism 2020 Awards by a distinguished panel of judges from the tourism industry. Athens Insider started life in 2000 as a helpful magazine for expatriates and tourists; but soon established itself as a sophisticated and aspirational publication, success...
Read moreSend in your entries to our first-ever Bloomsday creative writing competition in English, organised by The Irish Embassy, in collaboration with Athens Insider, open to writers of all ages and nationalities. Bloomsday is marked around the world as a celebration of James Joyce, of course, but also as a celebration of Irish literature, moder...
Read moreTypically, as we head into the summer of 2020, sports newspapers would have been chock-a-block with articles on potential gold-medallists and the glory of sport. Time to travel all the way back, to the very beginning, to the very origin of some of the sports. Did you know that these popular modern sports have their roots in ancient times?...
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