Features

Looking back at 2016: It was the best of years, it was the worst of years 

As 2016 comes to a close, three writers, Frances Burscough, Alex Kane and Mairia Cahill, remember their highs and lows of the past 12 months.

Dad's death was a terrible shock, but baby Eve has lit up our lives, says presenter Kerry... 

BBC Radio presenter Kerry McLean has spoken of her heartache after the death of her father, Shaun, earlier this year.

West Coast Cooler Belfast Fashion Week: Show 2 [photos] 

Style Academy models showcase the new autumn/winter designs from Blush Belfast at... 

How Belfast stylists made sure Europe's ladies were always going to be winners as Rory... 

Darren’s heroes may not have held on to the Ryder Cup but its lady captain Alison Clarke guaranteed the wives and girlfriends scored an extra special memento to bring home from the occasion — photographs from a glamorous photoshoot courtesy of NI beauty artist Paddy...

Runher celebrates 10 years with Titanic challenge 

The Belfast Telegraph Runher event is celebrating its 10th birthday with a new race that will be plain sailing for the old hands gathered at Titanic Belfast.

Heaven scent... we review the leading new fragrances 

Not only is this month famous for London Fashion Week, the much-anticipated September issue magazines and high street autumn/winter arrivals, it's also when major beauty brands and fashion houses unveil their biggest fragrance launches.

Do we still want to keep up with the Joneses? 

History would decree Jane Austen as one of the sharpest social satirists there ever was, but at the time they were published, her books brought her little personal fame and even less acclaim. The same can't be said for Helen Fielding's newspaper column, which was turned into a bestselling novel 20 years ago, this month. Though it was loosely based on Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Bridget Jones' Diary was seismic; the...

Burkinis: Irish women clamouring to get their hands on full body swimsuit 

Irish women have put in requests for the full body swimsuit known as the burkini, according to its inventor.

'I'd love to meet love of my life' 

When your life's regularly been laid bare on reality TV and you've revealed even more in a kiss-and-tell-all autobiography - including details of a fling with Russell Brand - it's pretty hard to pull off any surprises, but Ferne McCann's never been one to shirk a challenge.

Vogue Williams: I struggle with anxiety all the time 

When you cast your eye over Vogue Williams looking like a goddess in a shoot for the Virginia Macari Swimwear range, it's hard to imagine that she could ever suffer from self-doubt.

Northern Ireland businesswoman and celebrity hairdresser Brenda Shankey: My break-up hell 

Belfast businesswoman and celebrity hairdresser Brenda Shankey tells Karen Ireland how she has endured three months of hell since splitting with husband Jason - but also why she now feels excited and optimistic about what lies ahead.

Former Miss NI Tiffany Brien reveals personal photographs of her battle with bloating 

Former Miss Northern Ireland Tiffany Brien has revealed dramatic photographs of how much her stomach can bloat in just a few hours.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Shauna McCarney-Blair,... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Shannon Yee, Woman of the... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Valerie Duff, Woman of the... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Liz Atkinson, Woman of the... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Sara O’Neill, Woman of the... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Mum of the Year, Christina... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Jennifer Small, Woman of the... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Joint Inspirational Woman of... 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 - Inspirational policewoman... 

A police officer who confounded doctors with her remarkable recovery after being left with locked-in syndrome has been crowned our woman of the year for 2016.

Video: Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards 2016 

The Belfast Telegraph Women of the Year Awards, in association with The Outlet Village, Banbridge, were held at the five-star Culloden Hotel in Holywood.

PSNI officer who beat locked-in syndrome is crowned Belfast Telegraph Woman of the... 

A police officer who confounded doctors with her remarkable recovery after being left with locked-in syndrome has been crowned our woman of the year for 2016.

Revealed: Real reason why Prince William and Kate don't hold hands in public 

There's a reason why Prince William and Kate Middleton avoid PDAs - or public displays of affection - during public engagements.

Wearing underwear in bed is terrible for your health, suggests Irish expert 

Going to bed in your underwear could end up being responsible for a number of health problems, Irish experts have suggested.

How Miss Northern Ireland changed our lives forever 

After 30 years of running the Miss Northern Ireland competition, Alison Clarke could easily rest on her laurels and tour the pro-golf circuit with her husband, Darren Clarke. But the vivacious modelling agent still enjoys the buzz of the pageant and taking her winners - along with...

Irish beauty video team defends 'IRA-look' machine gun model to represent Northern... 

Creators of the '100 years of Irish beauty' viral video (above) have defended their inclusion of a model wielding a machine gun to represent the 1970s.

International Women's Day 2016: This female MLA is calling for a political revolution at... 

International Women's Day has been marked in Northern Ireland with the launch of a cross-party group of female MLAs who will lobby for greater female representation at Stormont.

International Women's Day 2016: What is it and why was it set up? 

International Women's Day has marked the plight and achievements of women for more than a century – but is now looking ahead another 15 years to the world's gender equality goals.

'Writing about Maggie Muff kept me sane when I had cancer so I owe her a happy ending' 

Leesa Harker is sitting at her desk putting the finishing touches to the eagerly anticipated final play in her phenomenally successful Maggie Muff trilogy, when suddenly she is forced to pause as tears start to flow.

Why I chose to support my son when he turned down treatment for a deadly tumour 

As she prepares to mark the first anniversary of her son Michael's death next Tuesday, Belfast Telegraph Mum of the Year 2015 Joyce Craig has revealed plans to create what will be a lasting tribute to his bravery.

Victoria's Secret Belfast model and Miley Cyrus ex Stella Maxwell bares all in risqué... 

Victoria's Secret Belfast model and rumoured one-time girlfriend of pop star Miley Cyrus, Stella Maxwell has bared all in a revealing instagram post.

Ring in the changes: Three women on making changes 

The New Year is a time for optimism, a time when most of us make plans for achieving our hopes and dreams and improving our lives. We meet three inspirational Northern Irish women who are proof that with the right frame of mind and self-belief, it is possible to accomplish...

Jennifer Lawrence 'would have more to complain about pay if she was a black actress', say... 

Jennifer Lawrence's recent comments about pay inequality for leading female movie stars in Hollywood has fallen on deaf ears with Chris Rock.

How to combine updos and glitzy hair accessories for the perfect New Year party... 

Free-flowing, poker-straight hair is often the norm on the catwalks, but AW15 saw designers embracing hair accessories and elaborate styles in a big way.

Me and my health: BBC NI presenter Cecilia Daly on her lifestyle 

The 44-year-old BBC NI weather forecaster lives in Belfast with her partner, Simon Flanaghan (40), assistant events manager at Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, and their Labrador pup, Pedro.

Party animal: Shine at New Year's with sequinned frocks 

The big countdown is on to 2016 and with New Year's parties beckoning, there is still plenty of scope for fashionistas who demand style while beating the winter chill.

A digital companion that's appy to get you home safely 

Dialling the first two digits of the emergency services number, ready to hit the third if you sense danger, is a common strategy for women walking home alone at night.

'I was raped, thrown off a 75ft cliff and woke up paralysed from the neck down... I really... 

Dana Liesegang was a feisty, happy-go-lucky 19-year-old US Navy recruit, when a vicious attack by a fellow seaman tore her world apart. She left ship to mail a birthday card to her boyfriend and on her way back, a young male diver from a neighbouring ship offered her...

Revenge porn accused 'randomly targeted Fermanagh woman', court hears 

A 46-year-old man has appeared in court after being arrested in England and brought to Northern Ireland by PSNI Cyber Crime officers investing a case of alleged revenge online porn.

Arlene Foster: A political trailblazer who has shattered glass ceiling in record-breaking... 

Rarely have we been able to celebrate a trailblazing woman in Northern Ireland politics, but today, at last, we can.

Lingerie Football League to launch in UK despite sexism row, as female footballers 'fight for... 

The UK's Lingerie Football League will officially launch next week - encouraging female footballers to play in hotpants and crop tops.

Miss Universe contestants share no make-up selfies before 2015 pageant 

Miss Universe contestants have taken to Twitter to show they are #ConfidentlyBeautiful - without any extra help - ahead of the 2015 contest.

A better way for courts to help victims of domestic violence 

Domestic violence is an all too prevalent issue in our society, affecting mainly, although not exclusively, close to one million women in the UK every year and having a long-lasting impact on the victims as well as their familial relationships and children.

Mother has 16 babies taken into care amid surge in newborn removals since 2007 

The number of newborn babies taken into care in England has soared in recent years, according to a report.

'Disproportionate rise' in number of newborns taken into care 

The number of newborn babies taken into care in England has soared in recent years, according to a report.

So, why is Mary venerated more widely than any other woman? 

Power lists of remarkable women are frequently compiled and we all enjoy considering the names of the most influential women in the world: Angela Merkel, Hillary Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, Christine Lagarde.

Saudi voters elect 20 women candidates for the first time 

Saudi voters have elected 20 women for local government seats, according to early results, a day after women voted and ran in elections for the first time in the country's history.

Our fast track to career success - the woman trawler skipper and the female train driver 

Janet McGrath is one of six female train drivers working for Translink. Jean Morgan is the only female fishing boat skipper heading up crews from Kilkeel, Co Down, and Helen Crickland is one of the few women joiners in Ulster. Meagan Lapsley is NIE's only female overhead lines...

Born2Run: Full results, pictures and video from Loughgall race, December 2015 

Almost 400 runners have taken part in the Loughgall 10k - the third race in this year’s Belfast Telegraph Run Forest Run Series organised by Born2Run Events.