Christmas Tyne is special in the Toon: Preparations already under way for city's festive season 

Christmas in Newcastle-upon-Tyne is getting bigger and better, so this festive season is the perfect time to visit.

The Devlin: Cool hotel in leafy Dublin suburb is perfect base for exploring the city 

With no shortage of hotels to choose from in Dublin, we decided to try somewhere a little bit different for our latest trip.

Former charity boss Dee Stitt poses with UDA men 

The former head of a government-funded group happily posed beside masked and uniformed UDA terrorists on Friday night.

Malcolm McKeown hitman caught on CCTV 

This is the first image of one of the killers of Malcolm McKeown, taken minutes before the crime boss was gunned down outside a Co Down filling station.

Exclusive Killer Johnny Miller forced tragic Charlotte Murray to make sex video 

Porn addict killer Johnny Miller repeatedly watched a sex tape he had made with his victim - after murdering and secretly burying her remains.

Groom in "F*** the Pope' wedding video pictured with UVF murderer 

A newly wed husband at the centre of a sectarian wedding video outrage has been pictured alongside a notorious UVF murderer.

Why new-look Northern Ireland should never drop below Germany benchmark, explains Gareth McAuley 

Northern Ireland's current players set the standard for themselves and future generations with their performance against Germany at Windsor Park, according to retiring hero Gareth McAuley.

Exclusive Force in line of fire: Ex-RUC man's new collection on policing Troubles 

Former RUC man turned journalist Colin Breen is back with a second volume of his candid interviews with police officers who served during the Troubles.

Exclusive Northern Ireland legends Carroll and Feeney set to sue IFA after social media insult 

Two fuming ex-Northern Ireland internationals are preparing to show the Irish Football Association the red card in court.

Relive the night George Best nutmegged Johann Cruyff and dazzled for Northern Ireland in Rotterdam 

Back in the autumn of 1976, the ravages of alcohol and a champagne lifestyle had already caught up with George Best just months after his 30th birthday.

Belfast hammer hoods caught on CCTV - Man assaulted in front of terrified partner and kids 

These are the thugs behind a brutal robbery during which a Polish national was beaten with hammers in front of his partner and two-day-old baby.

BBC Stephen Nolan's production firms pile on the pounds 

Stephen Nolan's wealth has rocketed past the £3m mark, according to accounts filed with Companies House.

Ex-DUP mayor Hogg's 'secret messages to boy aged 14' - UDA issues threat 

Former DUP mayor Thomas Hogg was arrested by cops after allegedly sending sexual messages to a 14-year-old boy.

Sun-soaked Cyprus is a little slice of paradise in the Mediterranean 

My geography degree at Queen's taught me many things but when I planned a family holiday to Cyprus, I realised I knew very little about the third largest island in the Mediterranean.

Carrickfergus hotel releases statement after 'f*** the Pope and the IRA' wedding video goes viral 

A video of a Belfast bride and groom repeatedly singing "f*** the Pope and the IRA" in front of wedding guests has caused shock and revulsion online.

Man accused of attempted murder in Ardoyne stabbing granted bail 

A man has appeared in court accused of attempting to stab another man to death.

Love cheat DUP MP David Simpson wants to run again in Westminster election 

LOVE rat MP David Simpson has split DUP supporters by intending to stand again in the event of an early general election.

Belfast doctor wore Halloween mask while killing mum with chisel 

Scheming 'Dr Death' Declan O'Neill lured his mum to her murder with a bogus call and then savagely stabbed and bludgeoned her with a chisel, Sunday Life can reveal.

Racist bomber son of DUP mayor wins lucrative contract to run restaurant in golf club owned by council 

A RACIST pipe-bomber has been awarded a lucrative contract to run a restaurant at a golf club owned by a council on which his DUP father serves as mayor.

Liam Gallagher: I can't wait to have a proper night out in Belfast 

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher can't wait to have "a proper night out" in Belfast.

A French connection: Bordeaux will blow you away with fine wines, food and stunning architecture 

With return flights from Belfast available for less than £40, there is no reason not to visit Bordeaux - the wine capital of the world.

Liam Neeson and Adrian Dunbar add voices to Lost Lives film documenting Troubles deaths 

A host of Northern Ireland's best-known actors have come together for a movie documenting the horrors of the Troubles which will premiere next month.

Forest blooms: Subaru's all new Forester SUV 

As Subaru's top-selling model worldwide, the Forester is a vitally important car for the brand, with more than 3.9 million examples being produced, though only 10% of those have landed in the hands of European customers.

Goal-hero Shayne Lavery should stay at Linfield for two seasons, says David Healy 

Linfield boss David Healy insists striker Shayne Lavery will NOT be making an immediate return to professional football.

Like mother, like daughter: Kerri Quinn talks her show at the MAC and being upstaged by little Libby 

Actress Kerri Quinn has revealed a plot twist she wasn't expecting - she auditioned for a movie role and missed out, but her seven-year-old daughter landed a part instead.

Star Wars fans are out in force: Bronagh Gallagher 'flattered' by attention after decades on screen 

Hollywood actress Bronagh Gallagher has revealed she still gets Star Wars fan mail 20 years on from starring in Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Fernando Ricksen: Emotional tributes show the best of Scotland as Rangers and Celtic join to remember star 

Appropriately, the sunset had a powerful orange hue, dipping slowly and reassuringly around Ibrox. Fernando Ricksen would have approved.

Exclusive Revealed: Crisis-hit Wrightbus gave £15m in Christian charity donations 

Crisis-hit Wrightbus has given away more than £15m in Christian charity donations over the last six years, Sunday Life can reveal.

Aspiring choice: Aspire Plus Lounge at Newcastle Airport 

While waiting on the flight back to Belfast after my cruise, I availed of the Aspire Plus Lounge at Newcastle Airport.

Northern Ireland football player wanted by police scores against PSNI team 

A footballer who was reported to be wanted by police over a court no-show scored on Saturday — against the cops.

Michael Stone will 'name and shame politicians in UDA' 

Milltown Cemetery murderer Michael Stone will name unionist politicians and State agents involved in loyalist terror before he dies behind bars.

Linfield chairman issues ban warning over alleged abuse following win over Glentoran 

No-nonsense Linfield Chairman Roy McGivern has promised to ban any Blues fans found guilty of verbally abusing Glentoran’s official party following last weekend’s hotly contested Big Two clash at Windsor Park.

Glentoran players set for club fines after alleged breach of alcohol ban 

Four Glentoran players are set to be hit in the pocket after allegedly breaching an alcohol ban — less than 48 hours before the biggest derby game in the country.

Homophobic abuse of ref at game in Northern Ireland probed by police 

AN Irish League referee feels he has been “massively let down” by the Irish Football Association after claiming he was the target of homophobic abuse while officiating in a friendly match earlier this year.

Afjordable luxury: Why a cruise in spectacular Norwegian fjords will float your boat 

I was wrong and I am happy to publicly admit it. For years I have always dismissed the idea of cruise holidays, even when groups of friends who are addicted to sailing the seas have been strong-arming me to join them.

Scrum guys have all the luck: Meet the rugby WAGs wishing Ireland all the best 

Ireland captain Rory Best's final farewell on a rugby pitch will be a family affair as his wife, children, brother and parents will all be cheering him on at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Suzanne Breen: Did spooks see Martin's bomb film? 

He is rightly remembered as a peace-maker. A man who went places that nobody ever dreamed he would go.

Gin-credible: boutique London hotel with its own distillery the perfect tonic for relaxing city break 

Being quite a fan of G&T, a stay at the UK's first gin hotel was one for the bucket list. I found myself in gin heaven last month when I checked into The Distillery on London's trendy Portabello Road in Notting Hill, which also claims to be the world's first 'boutique gin hotel'.

Cinnamon City Kitchen: It's a cinn' not to try this London curry house 

If you find yourself in London and craving curry then you need to head to Cinnamon City Kitchen.

There's a bit of David Healy about clever Shayne Lavery, says Dowie 

Former Northern Ireland international Iain Dowie is excited by the attacking options that Michael O'Neill has in front of him for tomorrow night's massive Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany.

Northern Ireland teacher caught harassing teen girl at top grammar school 

This is the shamed teacher who harassed a terrified teenage pupil at a top girls' grammar school in Northern Ireland.

Carl Frampton and Derry Girls stars to take part in Celebrity Mastermind 

Local boxing hero Carl Frampton is reeling after his latest contest - going a couple of rounds on Celebrity Mastermind.

'Have you watched Derry Girls yet?': Aisling Bea recommends hit show to Bill Clinton 

Aisling Bea is determined to help her Derry Girls pals get the presidential seal of approval by recommending the show to Bill Clinton.

A guide to London's best new spots for eating and drinking 

If you are planning a break in London, check out our guide of the best new places to eat and drink in the city.

Linfield's Europa League run could fast-track full-time plans, admits chairman 

Chairman Roy McGivern admits Linfield's Europa League achievements could well help accelerate the club's ambitions to revert to full-time football.

Fit for a king: Castle Leslie estate is a place apart 

Over the past 17 years it is probably fair to say that there hasn't been a single travel review of Castle Leslie Estate that hasn't mentioned Sir Paul McCartney's wedding.

Omagh 'killers' hold talks with CIRA over new bombing campaign 

Real IRA warlords found guilty by a civil court of being liable for the Omagh bomb are being wooed by a border-based dissident gang intent on a new campaign of slaughter.

Exclusive Babysitter from hell: Mum speaks of how she was abused at age of six 

A brave mum has spoken out about the sick babysitter and one-time family friend who began abusing her when she was only six years old.

Foo Fighters chauffeur adamant he's in the right as DVLA row heads to court 

The limo driver who took the Foo Fighters from Dublin to Belfast for the band's Boucher Road concert was told by DVLA staff that they were considering impounding his car.

Watch: World's hottest chilli no big deal as Sunday Life reporter shows how it's done 

I enjoy a spicy bird as much as the next man so when I heard about a speedy hot-wing challenge in Belfast my mouth was watering with anticipation.