All Ireland Travel

Joyce copyright lifted

2011-12-31T13:35:00.001Z

THE COPYRIGHT ON James Joyce’s works will be lifted in the EU on 1 January – 70 years after his death.

Up until tomorrow, anybody seeking to read any of the famed Irish author’s works in public, or to use excerpts from it, has had to seek permission from his grandson Stephen Joyce, who controls James Joyce’s estate.

He is the writer’s only living descendent, and is very protective of his grandfather’s works.

The restrictions even applied to Bloomsday events on 16 June, and 2012 will be the first year that the festival, which celebrates Joyce’s work, can use previously restricted works.

The copyright applies to all of Joyce’s works, such as Ulysses, Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

The term for copyright protection under EU law is 70 years from the death of the writer.

For Joyce fans, the exciting news is that it does not just apply to his published works – it also applies to his unpublished works, which may include manuscripts and correspondence held in the National Library of Ireland.

The copyright meant that . . . {read the full article}

Exciting Archaeological Discovery In Ennis, County Clare

2011-12-07T13:42:00.001Z

Archaeologists in County Clare believe they have discovered Ireland’s earliest surviving example of a timber framed house.

Dendrochronological analysis is expected to conclude that the timber structure at Chapel Lane, Parnell Street, Ennis, dates back to the late 16th century.

Ms. Irene Clune’s house, known as McParland’s is long understood to have been the oldest inhabited house in the Clare County capital. The building’s triple diamond stone Jacobean chimney has been an icon of medieval Ennis for centuries.

The house was first inspected in 2008 by Clare County Council’s Conservation Officer, who recommended that the property undergo structural repair work. Following detailed technical analyses by the National Monuments Service, officials from Ennis Town Council and Consulting Conservation Engineers, it was concluded that the structure was unstable and represented a danger to the general public.

Ennis Town Council, using its statutory powers to deal with dangerous buildings, commenced a €170,000 project to make the building safe and to protect and restore the historic fabric of the structure. A grant of €85,000 was procured under the “Structures at Risk Scheme” from the Department of the Environment towards the restoration project.

During October 2011, the gable and chimney were . . . {read the full article}

New Free Archaeology Magazine

2011-11-29T11:16:00.003Z

The First issue of our digital magazine has arrived! We have been working on the magazine for the past month or so and have finally finished. The magazine is totally free and can be downloaded from here.

Download

The magazine features some great articles about the history, archaeology and heritage of Ireland so if you have an interest in any of these subjects or you know someone who might be why not have a look.

There will be flash and html 5 versions of the magazine being released early next month for a more interactive experience.

http://irisharchaeologicalresearch.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-free-archaeology-magazine.html

Enclosures discovered near Knowth

2011-11-25T10:03:00.001Z

THE BRÚ na Bóinne passage grave sites continue to surprise archaeologists, with two large enclosures discovered near Knowth. The formation of one of them is unique in Ireland, leaving researchers mystified about how it might have been used.

The two buried features were found in a field adjacent to Knowth, no more than 40 or 50m from the famous passage tombs there, according to Joe Fenwick of NUI Galway.

Last July he surveyed the roughly 100sq m field using non-invasive techniques that could “see” below the soil surface.

“The place where we were surveying is very near the core area where most of the tourists visit.”

There were virtually no bumps or irregularities at the surface, which would be the usual tell-tale sign of possible structures or past excavations underneath, he said. Yet his collaborator, Prof George Eogan of University College Dublin – who has conducted research at Knowth for 50 years – felt there was potential there because of earlier aerial surveys.

Mr Fenwick, of Galway’s school of geography and archaeology, probed below the surface using a magnetometer.

This detects changes in the natural magnetism of the soil caused by ground disturbance.
He described his shock . . . {read the full article}

Fort Camden, Crosshaven, County Cork

2011-09-13T13:56:00.002+01:00

The first fortifications were built in Cork Harbour in the 17th century, although these were primarily to protect Cork City. In the 18th century, fortifications were built on Haulbowline Island to protect the anchorage in Cobh. Fort Camden, and Fort Carlisle across the harbor entrance, were both built during the time of the American War of Independence, aka the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). This should give American readers some context of the history of the time. But while a revolution was being fought in the Americas, there were still troubling times in Ireland and north Europe, and the location of forts around the entrance to Cork Harbour were instrumental in guarding the English Channel and into the Irish Sea.

Fort Camden was fortified and extended throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and has become one of the world's finest examples of a classical Coastal Artillery Forts.Cork Harbour, the second largest natural harbor in the world (second to . . . {read the full article}

Be sure to log into the website for Fort Camden for most information on the restoration of the fort and their gallery of images.Also, check out the Wiki page for Cork Harbour for detailed military history for Cork and Cork Harbour.

The Irish On Board The RMS Titanic

2011-08-29T13:03:00.004+01:00

By Mark Dunphy

As the 100th anniversary (15 April 2012) of RMS Titanic’s tragic sinking nears, Irish Weather Online has compiled the most comprehensive list to date of Irish passengers and crew who travelled on the ocean liner’s doomed maiden voyage in April 1912.

Weather conditions on that fateful night are also examined and we explain why the sinking is described as one of the most significant weather related stories of the 20th century.

On 14 April 1912, the ship collided with an iceberg and sank in the early hours of 15 April. Of the ship’s 2,223 passengers and crew only 712 were saved.

Although Titanic was a British registered ship, the story of its tragic sinking has many Irish dimensions to it. The ship was built at the Harland and Wolff Shipyards in Belfast while the designer of the Titanic, Thomas Andrews was Irish. The County Down native was managing director and head of the draughting department for the shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff in Belfast. Mr. Andrews went down with the world’s largest ship.

The ship that Andrews designed was 882 feet long and had a gross tonnage of 45,000 ton. No one ever claimed that the Titanic was “unsinkable” despite common belief. The quote, “practically unsinkable” was taken out of context. In 1911, Shipbuilder magazine published an article describing the construction of the Titanic. The article stated that when the watertight doors were closed, the ship would be “practically unsinkable”.

Weather maps for the period 10-15 April 1912 show that Titanic enjoyed fine weather for most of its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. On the night of 14 April 1912, however, the ship encountered a cold front extending from Canada south-eastwards across the northern Atlantic. Air temperatures at this time dropped close to 0c. The sea itself that night was minus 2C below freezing. This would explain why only 10-14 people were pulled from the water alive into lifeboats following the sinking. Not all survived.

Eyewitness reports following the disaster suggest . . . {read the full article}

Follow along on the Titanic 100 website, their Facebook and Twitter where news will be posted on upcoming memorials and events in 2012.

New Bog Body found in County Laois Bord na Móna Site

2011-08-16T12:19:00.004+01:00

Bog body found in Co Laois could be that of sacrificed king

THE IRON-AGE BODY recovered from a bog in Co Laois last week is likely to be that of a young man killed according to the succession rites of kingship, according to the National Museum of Ireland’s head of antiquities.

Ned Kelly (seen here) told TheJournal.ie today that the human remains accidentally discovered by Bord na Móna turf-cutting staff in Co Laois last week have been carefully removed from the soil and transported to cold storage at the museum’s facilities in Dublin.

The body could be up to 3,000 years old.

Initially, it was thought . . . {read the full article}

From the Irish Times --

Body aged over 2,000 years found in Laois bog

PREHISTORIC human remains, believed to be the result of a human sacrifice, have been found on Bord na Móna land in Co Laois.

The significant find has been described as “very exciting” by the National Museum of Ireland.

Initial examinations indicate it could be a woman’s body.

The museum said the find was one of very few bog bodies discovered in situ, which meant not only the remains but its intact environment could be studied.

Speaking at the site, Ned Kelly, keeper at the museum’s Irish antiquities division, said . . . {read the full article}

From BBC Northern Ireland --

Irish prehistoric bog body may have been sacrifice victim

Human remains found in an Irish bog could be up to 3,000 years old, according to archaeologists.

The body, thought to be that of a woman, was discovered by the driver of a turf-milling machine in the bog near Portlaoise in the Midlands on Wednesday.

Parts of the body, including the head and torso which had been enclosed in a leather bag, did not survive, but the legs had been preserved by the chemicals in the peat.

Work was halted at the bog at Cul na Mona while police and archaeologists were called.

Experts from the National Museum of Ireland believe the prehistoric find may have been the victim of a ritual sacrifice . . . {read the full article}

Ground Zero 360° The Exhibition - Dublin Ireland

2011-08-15T14:34:00.003+01:00

On September 11, 2001, New York City was shaken to its core when two jet airliners crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. In the wake of the chaos, New York-based Irish photographer Nicola McClean responded in the only way she knew how; she picked up her camera and took to the streets to try and capture the confusion and panic that surrounded her.

In 2011, McClean brings her stunning collection of images to the public for the first time. Through harrowing visuals, chilling audio clips and a unique panoramic installation, Ground Zero 360° invites you to step into the past and feel what eight million New Yorkers were feeling in the days that followed the attacks. The spectator will be able to discover, through Nicola’s eyes, the startling aftermath of one of the most tragic events in American history – seeing what she saw, hearing the stories she heard and meeting the people she met, particularly the heroic men and women of the New York City Emergency Services.

The city of New York continues to evolve and change, but the memory of those extraordinary days and weeks will always remain with us. Ground Zero 360° allows the onlooker to experience the enduring events of September 11th and celebrate the tremendous courage and dignity of a nation under fire.

Opens to the public 18th August Collins Barracks, Dublin Ireland
Also at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Dublin Ireland

Log into the Ground Zero 360°website
Or follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Find points to prehistoric landscape beneath ocean

2011-08-11T10:05:00.001+01:00

LORNA SIGGINS, Western Correspondent

A RARE artefact that was tangled in seaweed attached to lobster pots may indicate the presence of a submerged prehistoric landscape off the north Connemara coast.

The flint core or scraper is “almost certainly” from a submerged site near Lettergesh, according to archaeologist Michael Gibbons.

“It is difficult to date precisely, but is likely to be 4,000 to 6,000 years old,” Mr Gibbons says.

The flint core, located in the lobster pot string by David Coyne, could have been used as a large scraper to clean hides or skin.

“The sea level rise on the Galway coast may have been by as much as 10 metres since the first people settled here almost 10,000 years ago, and this discovery suggests that this rare find is just the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Gibbons says.

Several submerged landscapes have been located by archaeologists along the west coast. The remains of a midden site farther along the coast at Tullybeg were dated to between 6,000 and 7,000 years back by a team from Queen’s University Belfast, he points out.

A flint arrowhead also recently located on Inishbofin off the Galway coast is the fifth such artefact to be associated with one area – the island’s west quarter.

The arrowhead is early Bronze Age, which Mr Gibbons describes as ... {read the full article}

Donegal wreck may have Spanish Armada link

2011-08-08T12:36:00.001+01:00

LORNA SIGGINS, Marine Correspondent

TWO SHIPWRECKS discovered off the Donegal coastline may be linked to the late 16th-century Spanish Armada and a separate late 18th-century French armada, despatched to assist Irish rebellion efforts.

However, identification of the two wrecks outside Burtonport harbour may take some time, Connie Kelleher of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s underwater archaeology unit, said yesterday.

The two shipwrecks, one of which is definitely a warship, are lying 200m apart in just four metres of water off Rutland Island close to Burtonport.

Lead shot balls were retrieved during dives in which Ms Kelleher participated yesterday morning. Pottery has also been recovered from within the hull of the possible Spanish Armada ship, which is filled with sediment.

A full excavation of material is under way, as part of a long-term management plan for the location.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan has awarded €50,000 for the work, and the Geological Survey of Ireland’s vessel Keary, named after late geologist Raymond Keary, is providing a support platform for the dive team.

Many of the wrecks already located lie off the north and west coasts, off Inishowen in Co Donegal; Co Sligo; Clare Island, Co Mayo; Co Galway; and Co Clare; and the Blasket Sound in Kerry.

Five of the hulls, or remains of same, have been located off Donegal, and the three wrecks off Streedagh strand in Sligo were the subject of a protracted court action.

The two wrecks now under investigation were . . . {read the full article}

Mizen Head Lighthouse Bridge Reopens Today

2011-08-05T11:25:00.002+01:00

The bridge linking Mizen Head lighthouse to the mainland is due to be officially reopened today.

The bridge was closed in 2005 after it was deemed unsafe.

The new bridge - which is almost 50 metres above the Atlantic - connects the mainland to Cloghane Island.

It cost €1.8m and was funded by Fáilte Ireland, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Cork County Council.

The station and the bridge are popular tourist attractions with more than 60,000 people visiting the sites every year.

Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar will officially reopen the bridge this afternoon.

Breaking News

For more information on Mizen Head and the Lighthouse, and for visitor information

Red kites ready to soar: Birds of prey released in north Dublin

2011-07-27T19:34:00.001+01:00

GENEVIEVE CARBERY

DUBLINERS may glimpse a sight not seen for many generations after 26 young red kites were released last night.

The reintroduction of the birds of prey in north Co Dublin is part of the final year of a five-year publicly funded project to re-establish the once native species to Ireland.

The young kites, released at Newbridge Demesne near Donabate, were collected aged five weeks from wild nests in Wales last June. They are among almost 40 red kites to be released in Fingal this year.

For the first time the birds have been released as close to . . . {read the full article}

Medieval Book of Lismore returns to Cork

2011-07-27T19:17:00.003+01:00

BRIAN O'CONNELL

A WARM welcome, both physically and climatically, was given to the Book of Lismore in University College Cork yesterday, as one of the most important manuscripts of medieval Ireland returned, albeit temporarily, to Co Cork.

The book started life there about 500 years earlier, having been written to mark the marriage of a local lord, Finghin Mac Cárthaigh Riabhach, to Caitilín. It was most likely kept in Kilbrittain Castle in west Cork until the mid-17th century. Later it found its way to Lismore Castle, where it remained until it was found during excavations in 1814.

The Lismore estate had passed from the Boyle family to the Cavendishes, and the book stayed out of public view. It was kept mainly in . . . {read tghe full article}

{video courtesy of the Irish Independent}

Certificate of Irish Heritage launches in October 2011

2011-07-14T10:42:00.002+01:00

THE GOVERNMENT HAS confirmed it will introduce a new “Certificate of Irish Heritage” for members of the diaspora from October.

The document will be available to people living abroad who do not qualify for Irish citizenship, but who want their roots here to be officially recognised. Anybody applying for the certificate will have to provide proof of their ancestry and connection with the country.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore said . . . {read the full article}

Craft in Kerry

2011-07-12T10:16:00.006+01:00

Craft in Kerry is a guild for handmade artisans, including ceramicists, wood turners, feltmakers, jewellery designers, clothing and soft furnishings makers, and much more. Part of our mandate is to promote the heritage of handmade traditions to the public and so we opened The Handmade Sessions in Dingle, Co Kerry on June 20, 2011 as part of their heritage and community education initiative. The Sessions are designed to be small group work and a half-day in duration and will allow the public to try craft in a relaxed, creative environment. The Sessions run from 2-530pm and allow for an introduction into a chosen craft or for more intermediate work if basic skills are already present.

Chairperson of Craft in Kerry, Sharon Crandall, teaches felting and freeform crochet, among other arts. “I love wool fibre and working with my hands and it’s been wonderful meeting so many talented people that I can now call friends. We network and encourage each other’s work, which is vital as most artisans work in isolation and Kerry is a pretty big county. I would never have met these people without Craft in Kerry.” She continues “With these Sessions starting up, we have a chance to show what we know and really provide quality, affordable crafts education. I never wanted a job that I had to wear a suit or a uniform and so teaching craft really suits me and so many of the others in the CIK.”

Beginning in every Monday in July until the end of August, the Handmade Sessions will offer weekly summer camps called Crafty Bootcamps, to give children aged 9-15 years old a chance to experience making genuine craft for themselves. They will dye their own wool and yarns and learn to felt and crochet. Cotton fabrics will be dyed and used to experiment with colour and pattern and they will design their own small patchwork piece. They will also learn to start keeping a design notebook to write down and sketch ideas and learn how to translate them into their project. The Crafty Bootcamp runs from 10-130pm and costs €60, including materials.

To learn more about The Handmade Sessions or a Crafty Bootcamp, please visit us on Facebook at Craft in Kerry or The Handmade Sessions or visit our blog at http://craftinkerry.blogspot.com/ There is a full calendar of Handmade Sessions on the blog! Booking inquiries can be made to handmadesessions@hotmail.com or via +353-87-9111793.

Sharon Crandall
Chiarraí Creations
+353-87-9111793
Chairperson, Craft in Kerry
Manager, Handmade Sessions
John St, Dingle, Co Kerry, Ireland
handmadesessions@hotmail.com
Member, Craft Council of Ireland
Member, Feltmakers Ireland
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kerryfelter
http://kerryfelter.blogspot.com/
http://craftinkerry.blogspot.com/

Spitfire to be raised from bog after 70 years

2011-06-23T10:16:00.002+01:00

Update 1 July 2011: Donegal bog gives up the secrets of Spitfire that crashed 70 years ago

by LINDA McGRORY

A SPITFIRE fighter aircraft that crashed in a Co Donegal bog during the second World War is to be excavated next week with the help of an Army bomb disposal team.

The British fighter was piloted by an American who parachuted from the aircraft before it ditched at Glenshinney bog, Moneydarragh, on the Inishowen peninsula in November 1941.

The pilot, believed to be Roland “Bud” Wolf, was subsequently held for two years at the Curragh detention camp amid a diplomatic row between the Irish and British governments.

Locals are preparing themselves for next Tuesday’s operation involving the Defence Forces, the Garda, archaeologists and haulage lorries. The excavation is being undertaken as part of a BBC programme.

The fighter was carrying ammunition and up to seven Browning machine guns when it crashed.

Defence Forces spokesman Comdt Neil Nolan yesterday said . . . {read the full article}

City of a Thousand Welcomes

2011-06-17T15:22:00.003+01:00

"City of a Thousand Welcomes is an exciting new civic initiative that promotes Dublin as a place where tourists can receive outstanding hospitality.

We connect first-time visitors with proud Dubliners. The meeting is hosted by our patrons, at no cost to either party. The short-term goal is to give visitors a really positive first impression of Dublin. The long-term goal is to bolster the city’s reputation as a place where ‘great hospitality’ is more than just a slogan."

For a city of a thousand welcomes, we kind of outdid ourselves with more than 2,500.

That’s 2,500 ordinary Dubliners; locals who love their city enough to volunteer to take a visitor for a pint, have a chat, and share a few personal recommendations for the city. That’s the plan anyway, for the City of a Thousand Welcomes initiative that launched only yesterday, on the city’s own Bloomsday. Locals ready to make good on our warm, cuddly reputation for friendliness include Bill Cullen of the Irish Apprentice, painter Graham Knuttel, former Miss World Rosanna Davison, Presidential candidate Senator David Norris, and… me.

On this sunny Bloomsday evening, I await my ambassador duty in the awfully impressive Ivy-clad Georgian building that is Welcomes HQ. Simon O’Connor, one of the two clever minds behind the idea, explains the process to me before my visitors arrive. The eager Dubliner (me) fills out a little questionnaire, drops it into the office and has a little chat with Simon. After vetting by the police, the ambassador selects their time slot, and in no time they are tapping nervously on the coffee table like I am now as my visitors run a little late.

A knock on the heavy Georgian door signals . . . {read the full article}

Road closures and events for stately visitors to Ireland

2011-05-12T11:55:00.002+01:00

With upcoming visits from Queen Elizabeth II (17-20 May) and US President Barack Obama (23-24 May), Ireland is undergoing intense national security operations, which includes many road closures in and around the areas they will be visiting.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will visiting Dublin, Kildare, Tipperary and Cork, while President Obama's visit will be limited to Dublin and a visit to his ancestral home in Moneygall, County Offaly.

While daily notices will be posted on the Garda website, some general advice is being given. From a Garda press release --

In addition to providing specific detail on each location at the appropriate times, An Garda Síochána is issuing the following general information and advice to members of the public:

The visits of HM Queen Elizabeth II and of the President of the United States will involve substantial security operations. As a result the public can expect traffic and parking restrictions, diversions and/or road closures in the vicinity of any location which is on their respective itineraries. These restrictions will commence in advance of the visits. Following on from local consultation with business and residents in the key areas, a process of public notification of affected areas commences today and will continue over the next ten days (please see below).

Commuters should use public transport where possible. There will be changes and modifications to some public transport routes and these will be notified by the public transport operators. The public is asked to check information available from the public transport companies (Dublin Bus, Luas, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann) for updates on routes and timetables closer to their journey times.

Any private and commercial vehicles seeking to access Dublin city centre may face delays and they may also encounter parking restrictions when they reach their destination. Private and commercial vehicles seeking to cross the city are encouraged to use the existing orbital routes and also to follow diversions.

Pedestrians in city centres will be limited to crossing streets and roads at designated crossing points due to the erection of barriers along key routes. In addition, pedestrians may for security reasons be subject to search by members of An Garda Síochána at specific points.

In addition members of the public should confirm appointments or check opening hours of any destinations in public buildings prior to travelling.

Gardaí will maintain a high, visible presence across the next two weeks to assist members of the public who wish to view the visits and/or attend events and to minimise disruption to workers, shoppers, students and visitors to the city centre. We would ask members of the public to heed the advice and instructions of gardaí and we thank them in advance for their cooperation.
{read the full article}

For a complete list of details for Queen Elizabeth's visit, please log into the Garda Press Office to see if any of your areas will be affected.

AA Ireland (Automobile Association of Ireland) has also posted a list of events and closures on their website.

A press briefing will be held at 12 noon on Friday, 13 May 2011 in the Coach House, Dublin Castle which will provide some further information on traffic management and public transport details for the period 16 May to 20 May. And updates for President Obama's visit will be released 20 May.

Please log into the Garda Press Office for official press releases as they're posted and full details of both of these events.

2011-05-08T15:50:00.000+01:00

Invincible Spirit expected to be star attraction when Queen visits stud

2011-05-08T15:42:00.003+01:00

RONAN McGREEVY

THE QUEEN visits the Irish National Stud in Co Kildare in a fortnights time and there is one resident she is particularly interested in seeing.

The stud’s flagship sire Invincible Spirit is likely to be the centre of attraction when the Queen visits the stud on the morning of Wednesday, May 18th.

Her visit will be short, lasting no more than an hour, so she will have to prioritise and they don’t get a higher priority than Invincible Spirit.

One of the three or four best stallions in Europe, Invisible Spirit is a veritable money machine for the stud.

At €60,000 a cover, the stud’s 40 per cent stake in Invincible Spirit provides half its €7 million income every year which is augmented by its other stallions, mares, its tourist business and equine school. His first set of progeny set a world-record of 35 individual two-year-old winners. He has also produced five Group One winners and five sons of his who are at stud and a colt he sired fetched a record Irish price of €500,000 last September.

It was the Queen’s idea to visit the Irish National Stud. Her family are steeped in its history. The Queen’s great-grandfather King Edward VII won the Derby in 1909 with Minoru who was trained there. Sun Chariot, foaled at Tully in 1939, won the fillies Triple Crown for her father King George VI in 1942. Even after independence, it remained crown property and was still the British National Stud until handed over to the State in 1943...{read the full article}

Long-shelved Gallagher album set for release

2011-05-08T15:31:00.002+01:00

By Fiachra Ó Cionnaith
Saturday, May 07, 2011

FANS of blues legend Rory Gallagher are in for an unexpected treat after it was confirmed that an unreleased album by the star is set to be made public.

The album, Notes from San Francisco, was made in 1977 and 1978 when the Donegal man — who had strong connections with Cork — was living on the west coast of America.

However, despite putting two years of work into the project, Gallagher refused to release it after watching the Sex Pistols on tour in the US.

After returning from the gig, he believed the mystery album would not fit in with how he wanted his music to develop, his brother Donal explained.

The album will be released next month to mark the 16th anniversary of his death.

Born in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, he was raised in Cork where ... {read the full article}

99 year anniversary: Cobh ceremony honours victims of 'Titanic'

2011-04-11T16:58:00.001+01:00

OLIVIA KELLEHER

A COMMEMORATION of the victims of the Titanic’s sinking was held in Cobh yesterday, one day short of 99 years after the liner called to the Cork town on her ill-fated voyage from Southampton to New York.

On Thursday, April 11th, 1912, 123 steerage passengers boarded the Titanic in Cobh, at that time called Queenstown.

Four days later the ship hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank with the loss of more than 1,500 lives, including 79 of those who boarded in Cobh.

Of special note this year was the remembrance of the 11 passengers from Addergoole, Lahardane in north Mayo who lost their lives.

Fourteen passengers, of whom three survived, hailed from Addergoole.

Children from the Mayo parish participated in the Cobh commemoration and read the names of the 11 parishioners during the service.

Christina Burke from the Addergoole Titanic Society in Mayo said the attendance from the parish was a fitting tribute to the 11 who lost their lives.

To put the loss in perspective, in 1911, the year before the ship sank, the population of Addergoole was 3,496, living in 703 houses, according to the census taken at the time.

Yesterday’s commemoration involved a prayer and wreath-laying service.

A wreath with the names of all 79 victims who boarded from Cobh was also taken out to sea.

IrishTimes.ie

'Mount Crean' named among Greenland peaks

2011-04-11T16:39:00.005+01:00

LORNA SIGGINS

KERRY POLAR explorer Tom Crean, who served with both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Henry Shackleton, now has a Greenland mountain bearing his name.

A 700m peak in eastern Greenland was given the title last week by a group of Irish mountaineers who are now en route home from an expedition to the area.

The climbers, who undertook the expedition to raise funds for the Irish charity, Debra, also dedicated a peak to the charity, and to Scouting Ireland.

They named an upland range after Charles Barrington, the Irishman who first climbed the 3,970m Eiger in Switzerland in 1858.

Irish climber Myles Campion, Bill Roberts, who is originally from Scotland, and Greg Slingerland from South Africa share connections with Delgany, Co Wicklow. They recorded ascents of 10 previously unclimbed eastern Greenland peaks on the trip, and said that approval had been given to register the names.

Greenland is an autonomous state but under the kingdom of Denmark.

The climbers hope to present a picture of Mount Crean, as one of the peaks is now known, to relatives of the late explorer. They also flew the 11th Wicklow Delgany scouts flag over Mount Scouting Ireland, they say. Between them, they have climbed Gunnbjornsfjeld, the highest mountain north of the Arctic circle, Mont Blanc, the Eiger, and numerous 4,000m-plus peaks in the Alps.

Mr Roberts, a lawyer and non-executive director of investment funds, skied the last degree to the South Pole in 2005.

Conditions were initially good, with a spectacular glimpse of the Northern Lights on their first night, they said. Some of the most difficult parts of the expedition involved the approaches to the peaks.

Mr Campion said he was privileged to be part of the venture which aimed to raise awareness and funds for Debra, and he paid tribute yesterday to the sponsors.

Debra Ireland provides patient support services and encourages research into treatments and cures for those living with the genetic skin condition epidermolysis bullosa.

Click here for more information about Tom Crean.

IrishTimes.ie

Croke Park seen as possible venue for Obama rally

2011-04-11T16:33:00.002+01:00

RONAN McGREEVY

CROKE PARK is being considered as a venue for a rally when President Barack Obama visits Ireland next month.

A Croke Park source confirmed that the stadium was being looked at as a possible venue, but no decision has been made because the itinerary has not been finalised.

There was no official comment from the GAA yesterday as is usual with such State visits where protocols are observed and security is tight.

The rally would take place on May 22nd. Croke Park is free for that Sunday as the National League will have concluded and the first championship game there is not due to take place until June.

The only certainty about President Obama’s itinerary is that he will visit Moneygall in Co Offaly, the birthplace of his third great-grandfather Fulmouth Kearney who emigrated to the United States in 1850.

Details of Mr Obama’s planned visit to his ancestral home in Co Offaly are expected to be disclosed at a meeting between Offaly county manager Pat Gallagher and American ambassador Dan Rooney this week.

IrishTimes.ie

€4.5m Fota Wildlife Park development being opened today

2011-04-11T16:27:00.002+01:00

Monday, April 11, 2011 - 03:59 PM

A new €4.5m development at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork is being officially opened by President Mary McAleese today.

The development includes new enclosures for cheetahs, monkeys and meerkats, as well as a new education centre and entrance.

The park has witnessed a 10% increase in visitors in the past year.

Its director Sean McKeown said they hoped the park - the only one of its kind in Ireland - would attract even bigger crowds this summer.

"If we can get the new weather, we'd expect a lot more this year," he said.

Examiner.ie

Liam Neeson named as first Irish UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

2011-03-31T11:39:00.001+01:00

29 March 2011 Actor Liam Neeson was today announced as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, the first Irish person to be appointed to this role.

The Ballymena native follows in the footsteps of luminaries such as Audrey Hepburn, Roger Moore, his mother-in-Law Vanessa Redgrave and more recently Lionel Messi and Orlando Bloom.

The Oscar-nominated actor – known for his leading roles in 'Schindler’s List', 'Taken' and the recently released 'Unknown' – has since 1997 provided strong support to the international children’s organization in part through his role as a National Ambassador for UNICEF in Ireland.

“Liam Neeson is not only a passionate dramatic actor, he is a deeply compassionate humanitarian actor,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director.

“UNICEF is very lucky that he is choosing to use his time and talent to support the world’s most vulnerable children, and we thank him for accepting this new role.”

"I am deeply honoured to have been asked by UNICEF to become a Goodwill Ambassador and am committed to working with UNICEF to help children overcome poverty, violence, disease and discrimination across the world," Mr Neeson said.

"It is shocking to me that in this day and age, 22,000 children are still dying every day for want of the most basic things like clean water to drink, a safe place to live or access to medicines when they are sick.

"I am determined to do whatever I can to help UNICEF.”

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/neeson-named-as-first-irish-unicef-goodwill-ambassador-499109.html#ixzz1IAmPy01n

Phil Lynott: almost forgotten rock god

2011-03-04T13:10:00.005Z

By Neil McCormick

As a new exhibition marks the 25th anniversary of the Thin Lizzy frontman's death, Neil McCormick wonders why he never quite attained the status of other fallen idols.

Growing up in Ireland in the Seventies, Phil Lynott was our local rock god. We weren’t exactly spoiled for choice, to be fair. Belfast born Van Morrison was always out of reach, operating on some ethereal plane of his own. Rory Gallagher was great, but there was something unimposing about him, like a farmer with an electric guitar. Later, Bob Geldof hijacked punk rock, and made us feel it was possible for an Irish chancer to take on the world. Then came U2, and the roar of the Celtic tiger.

But Lynott had something unique, an otherness, an alien mystique, that sets him apart. Tall, black, elegant, always beautifully dressed, he was almost impossibly cool when, really, it was just not considered cool to be Irish. Yet the Celtic twirls of Thin Lizzy’s breakthrough folk rock hit, ’Whiskey In The Jar’, and Lynott’s broad Dublin brogue and twinkling, friendly stage presence identified him as one of the people.

“He was an amazing frontman,” says U2’s Bono. “If lyrical and musical ability has to be matched with showmanship, attitude, style, if that’s your version of rock’n’roll, there’s no way past Phil Lynott. He’s at the top of the tree.”

It has been 25 years since Lynott died, in sad circumstances, aged 36, his creativity at low ebb, his health ravaged by heroin and alcohol. An exhibition opens in Dublin tomorrow, collecting together memorabilia, song lyrics, costumes, diaries, instruments, artwork, photographs and video tributes celebrating Lynott’s life and work. It has gained added poignancy with the recent death of virtuoso guitarist Gary Moore, a long term sparring partner of Lynot’s, who contributed some of his most outstanding playing to Thin Lizzy (a group whose twin guitar line-ups featured some of rock’s greatest players, including Eric Bell, Bryan Robertson and Snowy White).

For all the reverence in which Thin Lizzy are held, Lynott hasn’t quite attained the status of other fallen idols, such as Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. Lynott’s trajectory, from talented outsider, to self made rock star, to self destructive victim of the rock lifestyle, falls into an archetypal pattern, yet he is almost forgotten. He never quite achieved the front ranking internationally that his talent warranted, and his decline took place when his most glorious days were already behind him. His death in hospital in 1986, of heart failure and pneumonia, seemed a tragic anachronism in the flashy Eighties, a leftover from another era. But his musical heritage continues to resonate.

With his big afro and stylish swagger . . . {read the full article}

The Philip Lynott Exhibition opens above Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre in Dublin city centre, from March 4th and into April. Thin Lizzy: ’Greatest Hits’ is out now on Universal.

Lord Of The Dance At The Cliffs Of Moher

2011-02-15T12:43:00.003Z

MPO Promotions Limited today (10 February 2011) announced that Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance will be performed at the world famous Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare on 1-2 September 2011.

The shows, which represent the first open air performances of the world famous dance extravaganza, are expected to attract up to 10,000 people to the iconic Cliffs.

The performances coincide with the tourist attraction’s campaign to be selected as one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature’. The official list, which also is subject to a worldwide poll, will be declared on 11 November 2011 (11-11-11).

The show features 40 precision dancers acting out the mythical Irish folk story of a battle between Don Dorcha, the Lord of Darkness, and the Lord of Light, also known as the Lord of the Dance.

Local musicians Michael O’Connell, Hugh Healy and friends with special guest folk legend Finbar Furey and the world famous Kilfenora Ceili Band, will share the finale with the Lord of the Dance troupe at the top of the Cliffs of Moher.

Commenting on the open air spectacle, which is billed as “The Edge Of The World Experience”, Oliver O’Connell of MPO Promotions Limited stated: “These unique, open-air performances will give families an opportunity to enjoy probably one of the best shows in the world in comfort close up to the stage at the iconic Cliffs of Moher.”

“The Performing Arts are the most productive vehicle for promoting tourism-related products in Ireland, and the benefits for the local economy from this once-in-a-lifetime production are significant. It is envisaged that all hotels, guest houses and hostels in the region will be fully occupied and already there are groups in America and Canada preparing holiday packages in Clare to coincide with this iconic event. We have received interest already from two groups planning charter flights to Shannon for this concert.

“This will be an unforgettable experience and tickets going on sale will be limited to 5000 patrons per night. Due to the international interest in this concert, it is advisable that anyone who would like to attend should purchase their tickets immediately once they go on sale next Tuesday (15 February) so as to avoid disappointment”, added Mr. O’Connell.

Geraldine Enright, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Cliffs of Moher welcomed today’s announcement and said that the upcoming performances will provide an opportunity for people to witness one of the most talked about entertainment shows being performed at a unique Irish location.

“The Lord of The Dance performances take place less than two months before the announcement of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’. The Cliffs of Moher has been shortlisted along with 27 other sites around the world, including the Amazon Rainforest (South America), Table Mountain (SA), Black Forest (G), Vesuvius (IT), Galapagos Islands (EC), The Great Barrier Reef (AU) and The Grand Canyon (USA). We are the only Irish entry remaining in the competition and the potential benefits for Ireland are enormous particularly for Irish tourism, bringing in thousands of additional visitors to the country each year”, Ms. Enright added.

Tickets (€75) go on sale Tuesday, 15 February 2011 from www.ticketmaster.ie and Ticket Master Outlets nationwide.

{http://www.irishpressreleases.ie/2011/02/10/lord-of-the-dance-at-the-cliffs-of-moher}

Former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore (58) dies in Spain

2011-02-07T02:26:00.002Z

THE ACCLAIMED guitarist Gary Moore from Belfast, who made his name with Thin Lizzy and as a solo artist, has died while on holiday in Spain. He was 58.

Moore was found dead in his hotel room in the Kempinski Hotel in Malaga early yesterday morning.

Former and present members of Thin Lizzy paid tribute to Moore last night. Eric Bell, who was replaced by Moore, said his fellow guitarist had been a “healthy guy” before his death. “He was so robust, he wasn’t a rock casualty,” he told the BBC.

Thin Lizzy founder member Brian Downey said that he was in “total shock” about the news of Moore’s death.

“I have known Gary since 1967 when he was in Platform Three and he’s been an amazing friend ever since. It was a pleasure to play with Gary again in 2006 after his days with Lizzy. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I just can’t believe he is gone,” he said.

Fellow guitarist Scott Gorham said: “Playing with Gary during the Black Rose era was a great experience, he was a great player and a great guy. I will miss him.”

Moore was born in Belfast in 1952 and grew up near Stormont. He formed his first band, The Beat Boys, when he was just 13 and was even then regarded as a teenage guitar prodigy. He joined Skid Row as a 16-year-old in 1969 with Brush Shiels, Phil Lynott and Noel Bridgeman.

He was in Thin Lizzy for just two short periods between 1973 and 1974 and from 1978 to 1979 but made a big impression on the band. His ability as a guitarist who could straddle many genres was apparent on the song Still in Love with You on the Nightlife album in 1974.

After leaving Thin Lizzy, Moore and Phil Lynott teamed up in 1979 to record Parisenne Walkways , perhaps his most famous song. The pair were also responsible for his biggest hit as a solo artist, Out in the Fields , which he released in 1985.

Moore was a friend of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green. A 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard which Moore bought from him is one of the most valuable guitars in the world and was listed recently at auction for $2 million.

Moore returned to his roots with a string of blues albums in recent years as a solo artist.

Moore is survived by his two children from his first marriage, Jack and Gus, and his daughter, Lilly, from a recent relationship.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0207/1224289184147.html

Doctors discover secret of Irish 'land of the giants'

2011-01-06T13:05:00.002Z

HE STOOD nearly 8ft tall, earned his living from 'freak' shows and died at 22.

Now researchers have found that Charles Byrne, the most famous giant in medical history, sprang from a mutant gene that first appeared 1,500 years ago and is still causing excessive growth in families in the same area of Co Derry where he was born.

The current "race of giants" is concentrated in a small area, but researchers requested its location not be disclosed to protect residents from onlookers.

Following the discovery, doctors screened four families from the area and identified three patients in the early stages of excessive growth who had not realised they were affected.

The four families had given rise to half-a-dozen giants and others affected by growth abnormalities in recent generations.

Gigantism is caused by . . . {read the full article}

Thousands seek Irish citizenship

2011-01-06T12:57:00.000Z

More than 11,500 people proud of their heritage claimed Irish citizenship under the so-called Granny Rule last year.

Preliminary figures show thousands turned up at embassies worldwide seeking the right to call themselves Irish because of the birthplace of their grandmother or grandfather. The rule became famous during the Jack Charlton years when he used it to secure top players for the Republic of Ireland soccer team.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said the figures underlined the strong demand from the 70 million-strong global Irish family to maintain their links with their homeland.

He said: {read the full article}

10 Reasons We’re Still Proud to be Irish

2010-11-23T09:40:00.003Z

by Vinny Murphy

It’s been a tough week to be Irish – with the shame of being forced to go cap in hand to the EU and IMF, effectively handing over our economic sovereignty for the next few years. But there are some things that the IMF money-men can’t touch. And as Vincent Murphy reports, there are still plenty of reasons to stay positive.

The Irish Landscape

Long after Ajai Chopra and his friends from the IMF are gone home, and long after the loans they give us are repaid, the Cliffs of Moher will still be standing tall on the coast of County Clare. Just as they always have done. The beautiful Killarney lakes will still nestle in the Kerry Mountains. The Giant’s Causeway will continue to inspire wonder among those who travel to the Antrim coastline. And the rugged beauty of Connemara will still provide sanctuary. Regardless of the tough times ahead, or what fiscal parameters are put in place, Ireland will remain one of the most beautiful patches of land on the entire planet. With rugged coastlines, forty shades of green, and picture postcard vistas throughout the land, who could fail to be proud of belonging to such a country.

Peace

Ireland is at peace. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the enormity of the Northern Irish peace process. Not long ago, when Ireland hit the international headlines, it was because of murder, bombs and war. Now, it’s because of bond yields, sovereign debt and bank capitalisation. Which one would you prefer to be reading about? The IRA has not only ceased fire, it has decommissioned all its weapons. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 remains an inspiration to others trying to negotiate peace around the world. And despite the continued threat from dissidents, a power-sharing government in Belfast, where Gerry Adams’ Sinn Fein and Ian Paisley’s DUP form a coalition, deals with the regular political issues with which every other normal government grapples. The tit-for-tat killings are part of history. If Ireland can get through the Troubles, we can survive some economic difficulties.

Our Sporting Heroes

For such a small population, . . . {read the full article}

New wave discovered - Ireland's Biggest Wave?

2010-11-10T00:16:00.003Z

Big Wave News - 'Prowlers'

New wave discovered - Ireland's Biggest Wave?

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 November, 2010 : - - Aileen’s, the perfect wave at the base of the Cliffs of Moher that exploded on to the world’s surfing radar screen in recent years, now has a new rival as Ireland’s most spectacular surf spot and wave. The latest wave, has been dubbed 'Prowlers' by the hardy crew of Irish, British and South African surfers who first ventured out on it yesterday. It breaks on an undersea reef about 2km (1.2 miles) off the west coast.

While they are refusing to disclose its exact location, the surfers, including Andrew Cotton, reveal they have been waiting five years for the type of conditions required to surf it. These materialised when the massive swell generated by Hurricane Tomas slammed into Ireland on Monday (8 November 2010), creating intensely heavy, tubing waves with 12-15m (40-50ft) faces.

'The waves were detonating when they hit, exploding when they hit the water'

One of the surfers, Andrew Cotton, from Devon in England said a huge swell with light winds made conditions perfect for surfing . Irish, British and South Africans travelled about 2km out to sea on boats and jet-skis to experience the thrill of surfing the ideal waves. Cotton is recovering from knee surgery and not supposed to surf, but flew to Ireland when he heard about the waves that would be emerging.

The group of six surfers are staying tight-lipped on the exact location of the wave, as they have been waiting years for these perfect conditions. Ireland's most famous giant wave, Aileens (from the Irish Aill na Searrach,"Cliff of the Foals"), has become widely known among the international surfing community, helped by the Inis Films' award-winning documentary, Waveriders . . . {read the full article and see more amazing photos}

FOR SALE: Brackloon Castle, County Galway

2010-11-03T19:53:00.004Z

Brackloon Castle
Clonfert, County Galway
Price: €375,000

A structurally restored early 16th century tower house of four stories and gallery requiring cosmetic completion. The castle was occupied in its earliest times and was probably built by the O’Madden family of hy-many. It is first mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1557 a time when it was occupied by the uncontrollable O’Connors of Offaly. Queen Mary of England’s Lord Chief Justice Sydney was ordered to sail his army up the river Shannon and remove the O’Connors from the castles of Meelick and Brackloon. It was then re-occupied by the O’Maddens.

In the late 16th century Brackloon and several other O’Madden castles were attacked by de Burgo, the Earl of Clanrickard for failing to support him in one of his wars. The upper two floors are quite different to those below in terms of architecture and it is possible that this portion was re-built around 1600 or shortly after due to that attack. This conjecture is substantiated by the fact that the surviving chimneys are of early 17th century Jacobean style.

The O’Maddens were certainly in residence again when the castle was taken by Lieutenant General Ludlow in the Cromwellian wars and the castle confiscated. It was granted to John Eyre, another senior Cromwellian officer who afterwards resided in another O’Madden tower at nearby Eyrecourt. Eyre Square in Galway city was also named after him . . . {read the full article}

John Hume wins 'Ireland's greatest' award

2010-10-24T11:26:00.001+01:00

John Hume was last night announced as the winner of RTÉ’s search to find the greatest person in the history of Ireland.

The results of the public text and phone vote were revealed on The Late Late Show to the delight of Mr Hume’s champion, journalist and Prime Time presenter, Miriam O’Callaghan.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams congratulated Mr Hume on his win today saying it was a "unique and singular honour.""It is a measure of the esteem in which he is held that he secured most votes. I am sure his family will be enormously proud," he said.

Green Party leader John Gormley also congratulated Mr Hume this evening.

"I am moved to pay tribute to one of those people whose courageous efforts to build bridges and advance human rights was recognised last night. John Hume is indeed one of Ireland's greatest individuals, and I would like to applaud the work he has done for all communities on our island," he said.

Mr Hume topped the poll ahead of Michael Collins in second place, Mary Robinson in third and James Connolly and Bono who followed in fourth and fifth place. Named Nobel Luareate in 1998 for his efforts in the peace process, Mr Hume was described by O’Callaghan as responsible for bringing peace to Northern Ireland. She had appealed to voters by describing his campaigning for nationalist civil rights and his determination to talk to Sinn Féin and the IRA. Over the course of the five documentaries, an average of 318,400 people watched the series.

Over the past five weeks the contenders have been profiled in TV documentaries. Former PD leader Michael McDowell championed the case of Michael Collins; RTÉs Joe Duffy presented the programme on James Connolly; Bono was championed by RTÉs Dave Fanning; economist David McWilliams made the case for Mary Robinson, and O’Callaghan presented the documentary on John Hume.

The shortlist was selected in a public vote from a list of 40 people whose names topped a survey by Ipsos/MRBI.

However, it was criticised by some historians who claimed it favoured modern figures.

Irish Times

Third time lucky for poet Heaney

2010-10-06T23:35:00.000+01:00

Nobel-winning writer Seamus Heaney has won Britain's best known poetry prize for the first time after twice being unsuccessful.

The 71-year-old Irish writer was awarded the £10,000 Forward Prize for best collection for his book Human Chain, which in part tackles issues of old age.

The collection, his 12th, was his first new set for four years and his win comes 44 years after he published his first book of poems.

Heaney, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995, had previously been in contention for the best collection award in 1996 for The Spirit Level and in 2006 for District And Circle.

He has also been shortlisted for the Best Single Poem category of the awards on two occasions.

Heaney - whose first book Death of a Naturalist was published in 1966 - beat fellow nominees such as Lachlan Mackinnon for Small Hours and Jo Shapcott for Of Mutability.

He said he was "honoured" to be the recipient but was unable to collect the prize in person as he is out of the country.

"The quality of the other books on the shortlist, my respect for the judges, and the distinction of previous winners have made this prize a prominent and highly regarded contribution to the life of poetry in this country; it is one of the most enhancing rewards which the art and the individual artist can be granted, I am truly grateful to all concerned," he said.

Chair of judges Ruth Padel said: "Seamus Heaney's Human Chain is a collection of painful, honest, and delicately weighted poems. It is a wonderful and humane achievement."

His win at the 19th annual Forward Prizes for Poetry was announced on the eve of National Poetry Day at a ceremony in Somerset House, London.

Independent.ie

Champagne supernova: Stargazer over the moon after his discovery

2010-10-06T23:23:00.003+01:00

AN enthusiastic stargazer made the biggest discovery ever in Irish amateur astronomy when he spotted a 'supernova' exploding star -- from an observatory in his back garden.

Dave Grennan (39) was just about to retire for the night when he spotted the 290-million-year-old spectacle through his powerful telescope at his home in Raheny, north Dublin.

"I was going to wrap things up and go to bed, and then I thought, 'Dave you don't make discoveries in bed -- at least not those sort of discoveries'," he said.

David Moore, chairman of Astronomy Ireland, said it was an unusual supernova that would have scientists around the world turning billions of euro worth of equipment on to the discovery. "This is the biggest thing ever discovered in Irish astronomy," he said.

Mr Grennan and his wife Carol cracked open some champagne after the supernova was officially confirmed by international astronomy authorities.

"She was more excited about this discovery than I was. She was over the moon," he said.

The software developer, who works for CIE, said he still has not come down off cloud nine since he spotted the significant dot on September 17.

Mr Grennan beat astronomers all over the world who regularly scan the skies hoping to make such a discovery.

He admitted he spends all his spare time on his hobby and has scoured thousands of galaxies over the past 10 years looking for something new.

Examining and re-examining each one, Mr Grennan eventually found the phenomenon which has been given the official designation 'supernova 2010 IK'. While planets can be named, the fleeting supernovae are registered according to the year.

Mr Moore said a nuclear bomb would be smaller than a "gnat hitting the windscreen of a billion juggernauts" compared to the scale of the exploding star. "We could not find words to explain it, I've been waiting for this to happen for decades," he said.

Professor Stephen Smartt of Queen's University Belfast confirmed it was the first supernova to be discovered from Irish soil. The astronomy expert said exploding stars are discovered by "supernova-chasers" almost every day but it was unusual to find one in northern Europe.

The celestial spectacle is expected to remain visible with the use of a powerful telescope for two to three months. Two years ago, Mr Grennan discovered an asteroid -- a minor planet just three metres wide -- and named it after his late mother Catherine Griffin, who encouraged his interest in stars when he was a boy.

- Grainne Cunningham, Irish Independent

The Commitments 20th reunion concert

2010-10-06T23:14:00.003+01:00

For the first time ever, the original cast of The Commitments will re-unite for a limited run of concerts in March 2011, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Ireland's favourite film, which starred Andrew Strong, Robert Arkins, Angeline Ball, Bronagh Gallagher, Michael Aherne, Glen Hansard, Felim Gormley, Dave Finnegan, ken McCluskey and Dick Massey.

This will ve the very first time the band will perform a full concert together!

The original cast of the Commitments will perform in 2011 in the following locations:

The Royal Theatre, Castlebar, Co Mayo on March 14
The INEC in Killarney, Co Kerry on March 15
The Odyssey, Belfast on March 17
The O2, Dublin on March 19

A donation will be made to the Irish Cancer Society for every ticket sold and the cast hope to raise over €30,000 for the charity.

The concerts will be full blown soul extravaganzas with songs from the movie and many added extras.

Tickets for all concerts will be priced from €55.80/€59.80 including Booking fee (£36/£40 inc Booking fee in Northern Ireland) and will go on sale Friday October 15th at 9am in usual Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

O'Connell Street statues to be moved for Metro work

2010-10-04T13:12:00.002+01:00

Some of Dublin's most iconic statues are to be removed from O'Connell Street in Dublin to allow construction of Metro-North.

Assuming planning permission is granted, the monuments of Daniel O'Connell, James Larkin, John Gray and William Smith-O'Brien will be re-located to National Museum at Collins Barracks.

Work on Metro-North, which will run from St Stephen's Green to the Belinstown, north of Swords, is expected to begin next year.

Tom Manning from the Railway Procurement Agency said it is hoped to have the statues back on O'Connell Street in 2016 for the 100th anniversary of 1916.

http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/oconnell-street-statues-to-be-moved-for-metro-work-476291.html

Joe Dolan Bridge opens in Mullingar

2010-09-06T22:38:00.000+01:00

The Joe Dolan Bridge, the final link in the Mullingar ring road, has been officially opened.

The bridge is named after the entertainer who hailed from Mullingar and died in 2007 at the age of 68.

The 540m bridge is a two-lane carriageway with footpaths and cycle lanes. It crosses the flood plains of the River Brosna and Lacy's Canal.

It will link the Clonmore Business Park to the Lynn Roundabout on the Tullamore Road.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey opened the bridge this morning saying it will make a big difference to local people and businesses as it will 'allow traffic to travel in a complete circle around Mullingar Town' easing traffic congestion.

In a statement, the Department of Transport said the project cost €19m of which a total of almost €13m was provided under the Regional and Local Roads Investment Programme to Westmeath County Council during the period 2006 to 2010.

RTE

Step back into Cork history – and it won’t cost a cent

2010-08-27T14:38:00.002+01:00

CORK people will get the chance to step back in time tomorrow as many landmark and buildings around the city throw open their doors to show off their heritage – and it’s all free.

Venues such as the Everyman Palace, Cork Courthouse in Washington Street, UCC, South Presentation Convent and the North Cathedral are offering guided tours.

A special tour of Cork City Hall will also take place which will include a look at the architecture and history of the building and a visit to the Lord Mayor’s chamber.

People can trace their family history using the 1901 and 1911 Census in the Grand Parade City Library; watch Mitchell and Kenyon footage of Cork in the 20th Century in Civic Trust House and listen to John Collins of Cork Historic Walking Tours as he delivers a talk entitled Is Cork really Irish in Blackrock Castle Observatory.

The Lifetime Lab is running a special Water Open Day, which will include activities such as bubble making, launching water rockets and water investigation, while lovers of literature will enjoy the Munster Literature Centre which is screening short documentaries on Cork writers.

Historical walking tour around the old walls of the city will...{read the full article}

Zoo gorillas to get rainforest

2010-08-27T14:35:00.001+01:00

Dublin Zoo yesterday announced major plans for a new Gorilla Rainforest, which is to be built at a cost of €2 million.

Work is due to commence in September 2011 and the rainforest will take up to 12 months to complete.

This innovative expansion is part of the ongoing evolution of Dublin Zoo and follows major developments such as the Kaziranga Forest Trail for elephants (2007), the restoration of Haughton House (2008), the African Savanna (2009) and most recently the Family Farm (2010).

From the Examiner.

The Big House

2010-08-27T14:20:00.003+01:00

Power and Privilege: Photographs of the Big House in Ireland 1858-1922 is a new exhibition at the National Photographic Archive in Temple Bar, Dublin.

Featuring a selection of photographs taken from the National Photographic Archive's collection of 630,000 images, the exhibition runs until spring 2011.

Website: National Library of Ireland

Purrfect ending as Tweets solve mystery of highly trained kitty

2010-08-27T14:15:00.001+01:00

by GENEVIEVE CARBERY

It was not a case of the cat catching a bird but of a tweet finding the cat. A fare-evading feline which travelled by Dart from Malahide to Dublin’s Pearse Street station was reunited with its owner yesterday after an appeal was posted by Iarnród Éireann on Twitter.

Five-month-old Lilou managed to make her way undetected as far as the city centre station on Wednesday morning before she was handed in by a concerned passenger at 11am.

Using CCTV Iarnród Éireann managed to trace her movements back to Malahide in north Co Dublin where footage revealed that she boarded the train at 10.30am.

Human resources staff looked after the stowaway and temporarily christened her “Dart”.

A staff member brought...{read the full article}

32 Counties in 32 Days: Follow Nathan and James on their adventure around Ireland

2010-08-06T11:13:00.003+01:00

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Planning the Adventure

The countdown has begun!In a little under a months time, two intrepid explorers will set out to do something that has probably never EVER been done before.... yeah... to get to each and every of the 32 counties of Ireland in 32 nights, spending 1 night in each county.

But it wont be a case of just travelling around and having a kip when we get there... there will be challenges along the way... the easiest, and most obvious (aside from not getting fed up and coming home after 3 nights) is to collect 40 items that are all of different shades of green.

The route that will be taken is currently being formulated, along with other mind boggling logistical details (just HOW much drinking money will we need for a whole month??)

August 3rd is a pencilled in date... but is likely to change!Watch this space for details on shananagans as we make them up.

Catch up with the lads on their blog and follow them around Ireland.

Or follow them on Facebook.

Cliffs of Moher: Fears over daredevil photos on Facebook

2010-08-05T15:03:00.002+01:00

THE SOCIAL networking site Facebook has been asked to remove photographs of daredevil antics at the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare amid fears they could encourage visitors to attempt similar feats.

The administrators of the Facebook page, who claim it was set up for fans of the Cliffs of Moher, have been criticised for displaying photographs of people hanging over the 700ft cliffs, while other pictures show visitors walking and cycling along a narrow ledge.

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience director Katherine Webster has said: “I believe that there is a lot of confusion among Facebook users and some of the fans of the other page have connected to it mistaking it for the official page of the visitor centre...{read the full article}

Also in todays news about the Cliffs of Moher: Man falls to his death from the ledge.

Spike Island opens to public

2010-07-31T11:23:00.001+01:00

A PLAN to open Spike Island to the public will come to fruition today when the first guided walking tour of the island, a former military fortress and prison in Cork harbour, will take place.

Earlier this year, Cork county manager Martin Riordan expressed hope that the island would be opened up to the public for visits this summer and the council has now issued a licence to two Cobh-based companies to bring tours to the island.

According to Cork County Council administrative officer Rose Carroll, ferry operator Marine Transport and tour company Titanic Trail Ltd have been jointly licensed to run guided tours of the 106-acre island until October 31st.

“Ever since the Government indicated it was handing over the island to Cork County Council, there’s been a huge call from the public to open it and the number of calls has increased since the Spike Island exhibition opened in Cobh Heritage Centre earlier this month,” she said...{read the full article}

Census 1901 for Ireland released

2010-07-31T11:15:00.002+01:00

The National Archives of Ireland has made the Irish Census of 1901 available online from today.

View a gallery of images from the turn of the 20th century

On the website, people will be able to view the Census and perform a variety of searches under forename, surname and county as well as more advanced searches including religion, occupation, Irish language proficiency, specified illnesses and literacy status.
The website was launched in December 2007 and the entire 1911 Census has been available online since 2008.

The 1911 census was prepared first because the quality of the microfilm used to digitise the images is better than the microfilm of 1901 as well as the fact that there are much more microfilm reels available for 1911 than 1901.

A research partnership between the National Archives of Ireland and Library and Archives Canada has helped facilitate the digitisation, indexing and contextualisation of the 1901 and 1911 Census records to preservation standard...{read the full article}

Dublin named UNESCO City of Literature

2010-07-26T20:33:00.001+01:00

Dublin has been designated a UNESCO City of Literature.

The announcement has been made at the Grand Canal Theatre, making Dublin one of only four literary cities in the world.

Dublin's Lord Mayor Councillor Gerry Breen said: "Sometimes we don’t know what we have until other people tell us...This is a fantastic opportunity for Dublin."The other three literary cities are Melbourne, Edinburgh and Iowa.

Original article on BreakingNews.ie.

SMITHWICK’S OPENS NEW BREWERY TOUR AND EXHIBITION

2010-07-26T20:27:00.003+01:00

SMITHWICK’S OPENS NEW BREWERY TOUR AND EXHIBITION TO CELEBRATE 300 YEARS OF A GREAT BREWING TRADITION

Today, Monday 26th July, Smithwick’s announced details of its new brewery tours and exhibition which have now started at St. Francis Abbey Brewery, Kilkenny. Launched to commemorate 300 years of a great brewing tradition in Kilkenny, the new ‘300 years of Smithwick’s’ tour takes visitors on a walking tour of Ireland’s oldest operating brewery.

The new fully guided brewery tour offers a rare opportunity to savour the sights and aromas of the famous brewery. Highlights include a chance to see the Brewhouse where Smithwick’s is actually brewed and a visit to the stunning medieval St. Francis Abbey which sits on the site of the brewery and dates back to the 13th century.

Ian Hamilton, Operations Manager at St Francis Abbey Brewery commented, “For many years,...{read the full article}

Tart with a cart? Older song shows Dublin's Molly Malone in new light

2010-07-20T21:09:00.003+01:00

Eighteenth-century book containing earliest known version of unofficial anthem tells different story

The Dublin wits who dubbed the statue of Molly Malone, above, "the tart with the cart", as soon as she appeared on their streets, may not have been far off the mark.

A tiny 18th-century book has turned up in Hay-on-Wye containing the earliest known version of Sweet Molly Malone, almost a century older than Dublin's unofficial anthem.

Unlike the famous verses bawled at sporting fixtures and stag nights, and in Irish-themed bars across the world named in her honour, this has no cockles, no mussels, no death of a fever, and no barra wheeled through streets broad and narra.

But the singer clearly does know sweet Molly very well indeed. It ends: "Och! I'll roar and I'll groan, My sweet Molly Malone, Till I'm bone of your bone, And asleep in your bed."

The song locates Molly "by the big hill of Howth", plausibly enough for a fishmonger's daughter, as the suburb north of Dublin city – the setting for another famously erotic encounter with a Molly, Molly Bloom in James Joyce's Ulysses – has been a fishing village since Viking times.

The famous cockles and mussels version was first published in the United States in 1883, attributed to James Yorkston. Other versions mentioning the hill of Howth are known, but none earlier than the early 19th century.

However, the little book just acquired by Anne Brichto, of Addyman Books in Hay-on-Wye, dates from about 1790 and suggests that the song is even older. The frontispiece of Apollo's Medley, printed in Doncaster, boasts that it contains "the most popular and admired songs sung at the Theatre Royal and other public places of amusement". As she flicked through it, Brichto was amazed to find Molly Malone nestling seductively on page 78.

Touchingly, the singer...{read the full article}

Funnel clouds spotted over Ireland

2010-07-16T12:21:00.005+01:00

A series of funnel clouds were spotted over Ireland this past Monday. This first photo (left) was taken by us over Monasterevin, County Kildare on Monday 12 July around 6.21pm.

This is the second funnel cloud seen in the area in the last months, but this one lasted long enough to capture a few photos.

Following a query to Met Eireann (the Irish meteorological service) we were contacted by Dr John Tyrrell of the Tornado Research Department of Geography at UCC (University College Cork) who requested the photographs we took from the 12th and has subsequently said, "this was a funnel cloud which, fortunately, did not develop into a tornado because it would have caused considerable damage and disruption on the surface. You will be interested to know that two others have been reported so far for the same evening, making three in total. The others were in County Cork and County Galway."

So far, the only photos available from the 12th are ours.

However, according to the Derry Journal, which was published this morning, other photos are surfacing from Northern Ireland...

"It looks like something from America's Tornado Alley but this is the moment - captured by Journal readers from right across the city - that a twister passed over Derry.

"Eagle eyed 'Journal' readers caught these pictures showing swirls of air coming together in the skies over the city on Monday of this week.According to weather experts, the Derry twister was actually a "funnel cloud" - a precursor to a full blown tornado.

"Sarah Holland, of the Met Office, told the 'Journal this week that "only once a funnel cloud reaches the ground surface will it then become a tornado."

"Funnel clouds are caused by the up and down draughts that can occur within deep shower clouds called Cumulonimbus clouds. Certain conditions can lead to the rotation of the cloud at its base sometimes a funnel cloud appears.

"The weather conditions have to be ...{Read the full article}

{photo credits: top photo Kildare taken by Kemberlee Shortland, middle photo Derry taken by Martin at Night Sky Hunter, bottom photo near Omagh taken by William Wallace

Clare County Council defends new pricing system at Cliffs of Moher

2010-06-30T19:39:00.004+01:00

Clare County Council have denied that a new pricing system soon to be introduced at the Cliffs of Moher will prevent people from accessing the world famous site for free. The Clare People has learned that management of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience are planning to introduce a major overhaul of parking and facility charges next month which - according to one of six independent traders based at the centre - is a deliberate effort to trick tourist into paying for accessing the historic site. A long standing public right of way exists at the Cliffs of Moher, meaning that each of the one million tourists who visit them each year have a right to walk the cliffs themselves for free.

Listen to a podcast from the Joe Duffy Show where Joe speaks with Katherine Webster regarding the new pricing structure going into place 1 July 2010.

http://www.clarepeople.com/201006301781/Council-defends-new-pricing-system-at-Cliffs.html

'Cork' pushes boat out to lead Clipper

2010-06-29T07:09:00.002+01:00

THE CREW of Cork had the honour of leading the Clipper 09-10 fleet into her home port of Kinsale on Sunday night with festivities surrounding the round-the-world race set to continue for the rest of the week.

A large flotilla of boats escorted Cork into Kinsale as the team arrived home at the end of Race 12. Kinsale yacht club will host the crews in the race until July 7th.

Hannah Jenner, the skipper of Cork, said they did everything in their power to arrive in first over the line. “I don’t think anybody out of the skippers or crew in Cape Breton would have believed that we were going to have held them off.”

Michael Lewis was given the helm as the team crossed the finish line. “It was fantastic – it was one of the toughest races we’ve done – physically and mentally,” he said. “We really pushed the boat the entire way. It was fantastic fun and it’s great to be in here. What a welcome.”

A flotilla of about 40 boats greeted Cork as she rounded the headland while some 2,500 people lined the banks of the harbour to watch the team arrive home.

The Irish entry has experienced difficulties over the last few months. In the early hours of January 14th, the yacht struck a submerged reef in the Java Sea and...{read the full article}

Follow the race on the official Clipper Round the World Race, and follow the 'Cork' here.

Anglers catch ancient canoe in the Boyne

2010-06-25T20:26:00.001+01:00

HISTORIANS are probing links between an ancient dugout canoe discovered on the banks of the Boyne and the landmark Newgrange site.

The canoe, which has an unusual design and is believed to be unique in Ireland, was yesterday removed from the river by experts from the National Museum.

It was discovered two weeks ago by two local fishermen, Ivan Murphy and Kevin Tuite, who immediately contacted the authorities.

"We spotted it in the water and I turned it over and we discovered it was a canoe. It was incredible to see and I immediately covered it again and we contacted the museum," said Mr Murphy.

The discovery was made east of the Boyne Cable Bridge nearDrogheda, and it is unclear how it got there.

Transport

It was found only a short distance downstream from Newgrange. It is believed...{read the full article}

Waterford welcomes return of crystal production

2010-06-22T20:51:00.001+01:00

New life was breathed into Waterford Crystal today as small-scale production was brought back to its birthplace.

The furnace was switched off at the world-renowned plant and manufacturing outsourced after its parent company Waterford Wedgwood went into receivership last year.

Centuries of tradition and craftsmanship have now been fired up again with the official opening of a new manufacturing facility and visitor centre in the heart of the firm’s native city.

Around two tonnes of molten crystal will be produced every day at the House of Waterford Crystal on the Mall, with master blowers creating around 40,000 hand-crafted high-end pieces annually.

The facility contains a new continuous melt tank furnace and will also act as a central laboratory for the brand’s designers.

Tourists can observe the craftsmen at work and watch all aspects of production, from furnace work to engraving.

The centre, housed in former ESB offices and adjoining garages, will employ...{read the full article}

No safety fences for Skellig Michael

2010-05-30T18:35:00.001+01:00

A safety review of Skellig Michael, commissioned after two tourists fell to their deaths in separate incidents on the island last year, has recommended against erecting protective barriers along its treacherous coastline.

The review does call for better signage and says warnings about the dangers should be included in promotional literature.

The island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 12 kilometres off the Kerry coast.

Last year, two American tourists died in separate incidents after falls off the steps that lead to the monastic settlement 600ft above sea level. A German tourist also died on the island in 1995.

Following these tragedies and calls to erect safety fencing, the OPW commissioned a safety review, which was published today.

The report contains 31 recommendations, but crucially says no fencing should be erected.

However, the report does warn that...{read the full article}

Tourist plan would see 'Irish discount'

2010-05-19T19:21:00.003+01:00

Tourists with Irish roots could be given discounts at some of the country’s top visitor attractions under a proposed scheme to rally the diaspora.

Visitors with Irish ancestry will be eligible for a certificate of Irish heritage under new plans being worked out by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Although holding the document would not entitle someone to citizenship or other legal rights, the department has proposed that successful applicants would be issued with a small credit-card style card giving discounted rates at tourist venues. The scheme would be overseen by the department but run by an outside company funded by fees from the applicants.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said...{read the full article}

New Era For Crystal Manufacturing In The City Of Waterford

2010-05-13T18:13:00.004+01:00

WWRD ANNOUNCES THE START OF A NEW ERA FOR CRYSTAL MANUFACTURING IN THE CITY OF WATERFORD

WWRD Group Holdings Limited, the leading luxury goods group which owns and operates the Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton brands, is delighted to announce that it has signed an agreement with Waterford City Council to open a brand new Waterford Crystal manufacturing facility, retail outlet and visitor centre in the heart of Waterford city.

WWRD will employ approximately 80-90 full-time staff at the facility, a number of whom will be highly skilled local craftsmen. In addition, a further 30-40 temporary staff will be employed according to seasonal demand. The new aterford Crystal Prestige Manufacturing Facility, which is scheduled to open in June 2010, will exclusively produce approximately 40,000 hand-crafted high-end pieces using traditional methods for our most discerning customers and for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who will come to visit the new facility. The facility will be based in the former ESB regional office and its surrounding buildings at The Mall, an historic street in the centre of Waterford city. The Council will retain ownership of the site, with WWRD responsible for all operational aspects of the venture.

Pierre de Villeméjane, CEO of WWRD, said: “WWRD is thrilled to be a part of the long and distinguished history of crystal manufacturing in Waterford. The incomparable and iconic brand of Waterford Crystal continues to be coveted the world over and it is vital that its heritage of craftsmanship and design remain firmly rooted in Waterford. We are therefore committed to working with Waterford City Council to ensure that crystal manufacturing in Waterford continues uninterrupted from now onwards. We sincerely hope that this will prove to be a crucial step on the road to recovery for the city and the region.”

Waterford Crystal Experience Press Release (pdf)

Waterforf Crystal Experiene

History of Waterford Crystal

Ash cloud could return next week, forecasters warn (10-17 May)

2010-05-07T09:50:00.001+01:00

The volcanic ash cloud could move back over Irish airspace next week, it was announced today.

Forecasters say that in the medium term, the plume which caused chaos for the past two days should stay in the Atlantic.

However, a change in wind direction could bring back towards Ireland from Tuesday onwards, if the volcano continues to erupt.

The Government's emergency taskforce blames the disruption experienced this week on an "untypical" weather pattern coinciding with a very active phase in the Icelandic volcano.

Breakingnews.ie

Restrictions on Irish airspace lifted

2010-05-06T12:38:00.001+01:00

All airports in Ireland have re-opened following the disruption yesterday caused by a cloud of volcanic ash.

While flight restrictions have been lifted, schedules are not expected to return to normal for a day or so.

The Irish Aviation Authority said it expects the airports to remain open until further notice.

Earlier it said the ash cloud was moving southwestwards and that airport restrictions would be lifted according to its progress.

Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Donegal airports re-opened at 4am, while Sligo Airport began operations at 6am.

Shannon Airport and the airports in Knock, Galway and Kerry have also re-opened.

The IAA said it 'appreciates the difficulties facing passengers and airlines at this time'. It added that decisions are taken solely on the grounds of safety.

It said intending passengers should continue to contact their airline's website to establish the up-to-date position on flight schedules.

Aer Lingus said it plans to operate its full transatlantic schedule from Ireland to the US today and it expects the majority of its short-haul services to run, however disruptions are likely.

Ryanair plans to operate normal services with the exception of four cancelled flights into and out of Shannon and Kerry airports.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has told the Dáil that the Government could not afford to provide aid or compensation for the aviation industry following the disruption.

RTE
Live travel updates Useful links

Volcanic ash brings new flight restrictions

2010-05-05T09:37:00.001+01:00

Air passengers faced further misery today as volcanic ash forced restrictions in Irish airspace once again.

Flights to and from Irish airports are to be grounded after increased activity from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull produced denser ash emissions higher into the atmosphere.

Aviation chiefs said Donegal airport would be restricted from 8am until further notice, followed by Sligo at 9am and Dublin and Ireland West (Knock) at 11am.

Cork, Waterford and Kerry airports are unlikely to be affected until after 2pm.

No restrictions will apply to Shannon or Galway until further notice.

The Irish Aviation Authority said a further update will be issued mid-morning.

All passengers have been advised to contact their airline.The IAA announced the renewed restrictions around midnight.

Scores of passengers turned up at Dublin Airport this morning unaware their flights were cancelled.Aer Lingus said it is to cancel flights to destinations across Europe, including Rome, Milan, Warsaw, Vienna, Naples, UK, Paris and Portugal.

Customers were advised to expect further cancellations throughout the day.

“Aer Lingus sincerely regrets the disruption that this air space closure causes for our customers and would like to reassure its customers that they are doing everything possible to minimise the negative effects on them,” the airline said.Ryanair said...{read the full article}

RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan found dead

2010-04-30T16:05:00.002+01:00

RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan has been found dead at his home. He was 53.

Mr Ryan joined RTÉ in 1979 and presented the radio programme 'The Gerry Ryan Show' and television programmes such as Operation Transformation and Ryan Confidential.

He is survived by his five children and his wife, Morah, from whom he was separated.

Mr Ryan began his career as a broadcaster in pirate radio.

When 2fm was launched in 1979, Mr Ryan joined the station as a DJ and he soon became part of their main night-time line-up.

In 1988 The Gerry Ryan Show began.

Over the next 22 years his weekday talk programme became one of the most listened to radio shows in Ireland.
During his career Mr Ryan also hosted a number of TV shows, including his own chat show, Ryan Confidential and most recently Operation Transformation.

In a statement, RTÉ said it had been asked by Mr Ryan's family to say: 'Gerry Ryan died today. Morah and his children are in complete shock. Please respect their privacy at this time.'

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has expressed sadness at Mr Ryan's death.

In a statement he said: 'Gerry was a household name and a broadcaster of immense talent and popularity. His legion of fans will all be greatly shocked to hear this sad news.

'He will be hugely missed by all those who had the good fortune to know him.'

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0430/ryang.html

How to Stay Healthy While Travelling

2010-04-29T13:06:00.002+01:00

Most of these travel health tips are fairly well known and many really are just common sense, but we all need a reminder now and then to take care of ourselves, especially with the excitement of finally hitting the road on our dream vacation / trip.

This list is partially a reminder to myself since I came down with a bad cold within the first few weeks of travelling. The weather takes a bit of the blame (it’s been cold and rainy most of the time so far), but there are some things I could have done a bit better to help prevent it.

This is in no way medical advice, just a few tips that may help make your travels a bit healthier and happier.

Keep Your Hands Clean

Wash your hands often, especially before eating. Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and wet wipes if possible for when there is no (or no clean) running water available. One thing that you may want to keep in mind is to take care not to offend your hosts, whipping out a bottle of hand sanitizer after touching their stuff or before eating their carefully prepared meal, can be a huge slight, so in some cases you may want to excuse yourself to use the washroom and clean up privately before a meal.

Another thing to think of is making sure that the surfaces you touch frequently are kept as clean as possible. Laptop keyboards, phones, iPods etc get very dirty very fast and are be breeding grounds for germs and viruses. Don’t believe me? Read this and it might make you think taking those wipes after all.

Get Enough Rest

With the excitement of finally being on the road...{read the full article}

West Cork walking trails join to make 500km route

2010-04-26T14:25:00.003+01:00

TWO OF Ireland’s most acclaimed walking routes have been connected to create over 500km of continuous paths in west Cork.

The opening of the new 20km Mealagh Valley Walk outside Bantry yesterday means the Sheep’s Head Way, which won a European Destination of Excellence Award in 2009, is now connected to the Beara Way to create one of the longest walking routes in Ireland.

According to Quentin Gargan, who is secretary of Mealagh Valley Walking Route, 24 landowners have given permission for the route to cross their properties.

The new route across mountain and valley terrain means that walkers can now make their way from the town of Allihies at the tip of the Beara Peninsula to Kilcrohane on Sheep’s Head.

“The Mealagh Valley has many ancient settlements, and the new route passes...{read the full article}

Flight schedules returning to normal

2010-04-22T16:37:00.003+01:00

Efforts are continuing to clear the backlog of flights after seven days of disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

Airlines are putting on extra flights to bring home thousands of Irish passengers left stranded abroad.

The advice to passengers is to confirm their booking before they travel to the airport and to expect delays.

Aer Lingus resumed a partial service yesterday afternoon and today the airline has confirmed that all its flights between Ireland and Britain, Europe and the US are scheduled to operate as normal.

Aer Lingus will also be carrying more passengers to parts of southern Europe where most people have been stuck for the past week.

Ryanair has said all its flights in northern Europe resumed this morning at 5am, with the exception of flights between Ireland and Britain, which will resume tomorrow at 5am.

The Irish Aviation Authority has warned it could take some days for full service to be restored.

Eurocontrol has said it expects air traffic to be 'almost 100%' today and estimated that 75% of the 28,000 flights scheduled for yesterday had flown.

All Europe's main air hubs were up and running by yesterday evening and experts in Iceland said the activity at Eyjafjallajokull volcano had lost most of its intensity.

It emerged today that during the period flights were grounded a record 72,000 passengers travelled on ferries through Dublin Port.

O'Leary 'got it wrong'

Separately, Ryanair says it will comply with European regulations under which EU airlines are required to reimburse the reasonable receipted expenses of disrupted passengers.

Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara says...{read the full article}

Irish airspace reopens but disruption remains

2010-04-21T10:38:00.001+01:00

Irish airspace has reopened for flight operations after six days of disruption due to a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland.

However, the Irish Aviation Authority has warned that it may take up to three days for full services to resume.

The Authority emphasised that the lifting of restrictions is subject to the ash cloud not moving over Ireland and no further aggressive activity from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

It said: 'The IAA continuously monitors the situation and will issue a statement if the exclusion zone threatens Irish airspace today or in the days to come.'

There will be limited flight operations from Dublin and Cork airports during the day and Shannon Airport has confirmed it is to remain open.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Siobhan Moore of the Dublin Airport Authority said...{read the full article}

Useful travel links

What are your consummer rights?

Phased reopening of Irish & UK airspace

2010-04-21T10:34:00.001+01:00

Irish airspace has reopened tonight for flight operations after six days of disruption due to a cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the UK has also sanctioned the resumption of full air service on a phased basis.

However, the Irish Aviation Authority has warned that it may take up to three days for full flight services to resume.

The IAA said that the lifting of restrictions is subject to the ash cloud not moving over Ireland overnight and no further aggressive volcanic activity.

There will be limited flight operations from Dublin airport tomorrow and Shannon airport has confirmed it's to remain open tonight and again tomorrow.

However Ryanair has cancelled all its scheduled flights to the UK until Friday afternoon and Aer Lingus has cancelled services, but that may be under review for tomorrow.

Commercial Director with Aer Lingus Enda Corneille said the airline has gotten all its aircraft back to Ireland and it is hoping to have a full service running from 1pm tomorrow afternoon.

Airport authorities are advising people to still check in with their airlines about when they can get a flight.
Meanwhile, Shannon Airport tonight accommodated the landing of five British Airways flights from various airports in the US, but it is hoped the aircraft will fly onto Britain tonight.

An Aer Lingus flight from Tenerife arrived in Shannon this evening and passengers were being accommodated on buses to travel back to Dublin.

The plane was carrying an estimated 100 passengers who had been at Tenerife Airport and whose return flights had been delayed.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, has rejected suggestion that the closure of Irish skies to airlines has been an over reaction.

Speaking in the Dáil this evening, Mr Dempsey also said...[read the full article}

Useful travel links

Fresh ash plume dashes hopes of flights

2010-04-20T10:13:00.002+01:00

The Irish Aviation Authority has said no commercial flights will leave Ireland before 1pm this afternoon.

The announcement was made in a statement early today and follows a renewed eruption of the Icelandic volcano yesterday afternoon.

The prevailing weather conditions mean plans to remove the restrictions in Irish airspace this morning had to be abandoned.
The IAA says the latest Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reports show Ireland at the centre of a contamination zone until at least 1pm.

An update will be provided mid-morning but the restrictions may well be continued to a later time.

Donie Mooney Irish Aviation Authority said it had no option but to impose the restriction on Irish airspace again and 'effectively landlock Irish airports'.

The Dublin Airport Authority said the IAA decision effectively means that no flights will land or take off at Dublin Airport today.

It advised passengers to consult with their airline or airline's website.

Aer Lingus has confirmed it has cancelled its flight schedule for the remainder of today. The airline is to notify passengers by text message this morning.

Ryanair has already cancelled Irish/UK flights until at least 1pm tomorrow.

It hopes to carry out test flights today despite ongoing airspace restrictions.

Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara said...[read the full article}

Useful travel links

Irish airspace closed until 1pm Sunday

2010-04-17T18:35:00.002+01:00

The Irish Aviation Authority has extended the closure of Irish airspace until 1pm on Sunday because of the dangers to air travel posed by the cloud of volcanic ash.

The decision was made following the latest reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London.

The IAA will issue another update on the situation at 11am on Sunday.

Ryanair has cancelled all UK, Ireland and Northern European flights until Monday.

Aer Lingus has confirmed that all UK, European and US flights scheduled to depart tomorrow, Sunday 18 April, have been cancelled from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Belfast, London Heathrow and Gatwick, including Aer Lingus Regional flights.

Restrictions on flights in and out of the UK will remain in place until at least 7am Sunday.

Passengers are being advised to check airline websites for updates before travelling to airports.

Met Eireann has said weather forecasts show that the current situation with the volcanic ash cloud may remain unchanged up to the end of next week.

Speaking after the latest meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Evelyn Cusack of Met Eireann said the weather forcast indicates that there will be no change until next Friday at the earliest
The Environment Protection Agency said there was no evidence of any changes to air quality.

The advice from the European Centre of Disease Control indicates that the amount of ash likely to come to ground is minimal and any impact on health will also be minimal. But it says that people with respiratory conditions should still make sure to have their medication with them at all times.

Useful travel links

Featured Attraction: The Burren

2010-04-16T11:55:00.004+01:00

The Burren region of North Clare derives its name from the Irish word Boireann, which means "rocky land". This is the perfect name for an area of land that more resembles a lunar surface than a rich tapestry full of life. Oliver Cromwell's surveyor, in the mid 17th century, described the Burren as "a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him."

Little did he know!

This glacial region developed over 350 million years ago and is approximately 300 square kilometers of fissured limestone, also called grykes, and is the largest such area in western Europe. Grykes are formed when rainwater penetrates the weak lines in the limestone and cause virtical cracks, and in many areas, caves and river systems. It's these cracks where many of the Burren's wildlife can be found. In fact, the Burren is one of Europe’s richest botanical areas. It is home to around seven hundred different plant species, nearly three quarters of Ireland’s native flora.

The Burren is of huge international significance for three reasons-- {read more}

Also see the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb, Leamaneh Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen.

While staying in the region, check out some of these accommodations.

Irish sites seek world heritage status

2010-04-15T09:10:00.004+01:00

The Historic City of Dublin, Royal Tara, Georgian Dublin, the Céide Fields in northwest Mayo, Dún Aonghusa in Aran, the monastic site of Clonmacnoise and the Burren in Co Clare are included on a “tentative list” of nominees to Unesco for designation as world heritage sites.

Although Cashel, Killarney National Park and Clara Bog in Co Offaly were submitted in 1992, none have yet been designated. Ireland still has only three world heritage sites: Skellig Michael, off the Kerry coast; Brú na Bóinne in Co Meath, and the Giant’s Causeway in Co Antrim.

The latest list of nominees again includes Cashel, but this time as one of “the royal sites of Ireland” along with Dún Ailinne, Co Kildare; the Hill of Uisneach, Co Westmeath; the Rathcroghan complex in Co Roscommon and the Tara complex in Co Meath, which the M3 will pass by.

Though some had been affected by “erosion, agricultural and quarrying activity”, they still had “all the elements necessary to express the outstanding universal value of the royal sites” to give a “complete representation of the features and processes conveying their significance”.

Georgian Dublin has been rebranded as “the historic city of Dublin” in the submission to Unesco, made on behalf of Minister for the Environment John Gormley. It is in not only because of its architecture, but also for the city’s “extraordinary contribution to world literature”.

The submission also notes that Dublin’s Wide Streets Commissioners became “Europe’s first official town planning authority” in 1757, with a remit to make wide and convenient streets through congested parts of the city “by the rational application of scientific and aesthetic principles”.

The Burren is described as “an excellent example of a landscape which represents major stages of Earth’s history”, with fossil-rich karst limestone beds still “actively evolving”, 6,000 years of human settlement and a geological record that remains “highly visible and accessible”.

The Céide Fields are...{read the full article}

Volcanic ash cloud disrupts flights from Irish airports

2010-04-15T09:04:00.003+01:00

Flights between Ireland, Scotland, and England have been grounded after an ash cloud from a volcano eruption in Iceland drifted into UK airspace.

More than 100 thirty flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports have been delayed or cancelled due to the volcanic ash which can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility. Flights Belfast have also been disrupted.

Significant queues are being reported at Dublin airport this morning.

Belfast International Airport and George Best International airport have experiencing significant flight delays and all intending passengers from Irish airports are advised to contact their airline. Aer Lingus and Ryanair passengers are asked to check the airline’s websites.

Ryanair said the closure of airspace due to Icelandic volcano ash may lead to delays or cancellations. "These disruptions are outside our control," the carrier said on its website. A spokesperson said all Ryanair flights into Britain would be postponed after 9am.

Aer Lingus said there will be major disruption to its flights from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Belfast and London Gatwick today due to the closure of UK airspace.

Irish Ferries has reported...{read the full article}

Bitter experiences in the birthplace of the Irish coffee

2010-04-06T20:38:00.002+01:00

A council in the Republic has formally asked an airport to retrain staff to make Irish coffees.

Clare County Council has written to Shannon Airport Authority asking them to ensure bar staff are the cream of the crop when it comes to making the famous traditional cocktail.

The request comes after complaints about the general quality of Irish coffees at the airport.

These prompted Fianna Fail councillor Pat McMahon to ask the council to bring the complaints to the attention of the airport. People living in the region take their Irish coffees seriously, he said.

In fact the bar at Shannon Airport is...{read the full article}

Dev out but Gately joins the top 10 Irish greats

2010-04-06T20:26:00.002+01:00

By Ken Sweeney
Tuesday April 06 2010

EAMON de Valera, one of the dominant figures in the political history of the State, has failed to make the final 10 of a poll to find the greatest Irish person.

Instead voters in the RTE poll put the late Boyzone singer Stephen Gately on the list alongside Michael Collins, James Connolly and pioneering health minister Noel Browne.

The poll was set up in conjunction with Ryan Tubridy's radio show and the results will be announced on 'The Late Late Show' later this year.

RTE commissioned pollsters Ipsos MRBI to conduct an online survey.

But even Tubridy, on whose radio programme the Top 10 was revealed yesterday, was scathing about the results...{read the full article}

Ryanair's €1 pay as you go toilet fee takes off

2010-04-06T20:21:00.002+01:00

By Paul Melia and Pat Flynn
Tuesday April 06 2010

Ryanair is to press ahead with plans to ask customers to pay a euro before they spend a penny.

The airline is working with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to develop a coin-operated door release system -- so it can charge customers to use the toilet on short-haul flights lasting less than an hour.

The company plans to charge passengers who travel on flights of one hour or less €1 or stg £1 (€1.13) to use the toilet.

Ryanair says it will actively "encourage passengers to use toilet facilities in airport terminals before boarding".

The move comes despite the...{read the full article}

Cross of Cong returns to Mayo

2010-03-30T14:12:00.003+01:00

A priceless piece of history comes home this week.

Edwin McGreal reports

One of the most precious historical artifacts in the country, the priceless Cross of Cong, is to return to Mayo today (Tuesday).

The twelfth century relic, purported at one stage to contain a fragment of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ perished, is to be put on display at the National Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park, Castlebar from this afternoon.

The National Museum is to transfer it from its Kildare Street Museum or Archaeology to Turlough Park and it will be the first time the Cross will return to Mayo since 1839.

Manager Keeper at Turlough House, Mr Tony Candon, admits that anticipation is reaching fever-pitch ahead of the arrival of the famous relic.

“We’re very excited about it. All through the last week the excitement has been growing. A lot of work and a lot of effort has gone into this. If this is not the top relic in the National Museum, it is in the top two or three. It would be up there with the Ardagh Chalice, I would have it ahead of the Ardagh Chalice personally,” he told The Mayo News...{read the full article}

Limerick to Galway rail line reopened

2010-03-29T14:58:00.001+01:00

The Limerick to Galway rail line has been officially reopened, with trains travelling between the two cities for the first time in 34 years.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey attended the official departure of the first service from Limerick at 10.30am.

The re-opening of the rail link comes after €160m has been spent on upgrading the Ennis to Athenry line.

As well as serving Limerick, Ennis, Athenry and Galway, the project involved the building and total fit-out of new stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell.

Car parking facilities, as well as mobility-impaired access, are provided at the new stations.

There will be five services each way along the new route starting at 6am from Limerick, with journey times varying from just under two hours to two-and-a-half hours.

An estimated 300,000 passengers a year are expected to use the service.

The new link has been widely welcomed, however Labour's Jan O'Sullivan said it was disappointing the route did not include a terminal at Moyross as part of the important regeneration process.

Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, who lives in Oranmore, said the greatest mistake on the line was that it did not include a stop there, which serves a hinterland of up to 15,000 people.

An Oranmore stop is planned to open in 2011.

West on Track, which has campaigned heavily for the new service, said it is important to proceed to phases two and three to Tuam and Claremorris.

However, Iarnród Éireann cannot say when these phases will be start given the current difficulties with the State finances.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0329/rail.html

Ireland paints the world green as landmarks lit up

2010-03-18T10:51:00.006Z

By Shawn Pogatchnik

MUCH of the world turned green yesterday for St Patrick’s Day as Ireland pushed itself especially hard as a tourist destination amid the worst recession in memory.

Tourism Ireland wangled a deal for major world landmarks – including the Sydney Opera House, London Eye, Toronto’s CN Tower and New York’s Empire State Building – to be bathed in green floodlights as part of a marketing push on four continents.

New York’s St Patrick’s Day parade stepped off on Fifth Avenue with New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly as the grand marshal. The parade also featured New York’s famous "Fighting 69th" regiment, whose history stretches to the US Civil War. It was part of the Union Army’s so-called "Irish Brigade", made up largely of Irish immigrants from New York City.

As many as a quarter-million marchers took part with parade routes in cities across the country marking the holiday.

New York Governor David Paterson and Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral before the midday parade yesterday.

After centuries of emigration, an estimated 70 million people worldwide claim an Irish connection. About 34 million people in the US alone claim some Irish ancestry.

With Taoiseach Brian Cowen meeting President Barack Obama at the White House, Irish ministers...{read the full article}

650,000 line the streets of Dublin

by OLIVIA KELLY

HUNDREDS OF thousands of spectators turned out in blustery but mainly dry weather for St Patrick’s Day parades in cities, towns and villages across the country yesterday.

More than 100 parades took place on what Met Éireann said was the warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 15 degrees in places.

The weather was particularly good for the country’s largest parade in Dublin city where organisers claimed about 650,000 people lined the 2.5km route from Parnell Square to Patrick’s Cathedral.

Some 3,000 participants, including eight pageant groups and international marching bands, theatre groups and dancers took part in the Dublin parade with displays based on the theme “extraordinary world”, interpretations of which produced characters as diverse as sea turtles, giant ants and dancing eggs.

The parade, led by Grand Marshal former Irish soccer international Packie Bonner, and closely followed by Army, Garda and Dublin Fire Brigade bands and the Garda Dog Unit, began at Parnell Square north at noon.

The floats and dancers then made their way down O’Connell Street and past the main viewing stand where President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin were seated along with Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello and her husband Joe.

The parade continued over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland Street, en route to Dame Street, Christ Church and Patrick’s Street.

However, one of the traditional prime viewing spots...{read the full article}

Obama pledges to boost ties with Ireland

2010-03-18T10:46:00.002Z

by DEAGLÁN de BRÉADÚN and LARA MARLOWE in Washington

US president Barack Obama has pledged to continue working with Ireland to see how economic investment and growth can be generated in both countries.

The US president held 40 minutes of talks with Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday morning, where they discussed economic issues and Mr Cowen updated the president on the latest developments in the peace process.

Speaking afterwards at a joint news conference, Mr Obama stressed the need for further economic stabilisation and welcomed the devolution of justice and policing in Northern Ireland.

Mr Obama also made particular mention of the Shannon airport stopover provided to the US military, a facility that has been criticised in the past by members of the Green Party. Mr Obama also expressed appreciation of the fact that Ireland had agreed to send members of the Garda Síochána to Afghanistan to assist with police training.

“On both sides of the Atlantic we are seeing stabilisation of the economy, but obviously we want more than just stabilisation," Mr Obama said. “There are a lot of people out there that are still hurting, still out of work. And so we will continue to co-ordinate in international fora as well as bilaterally to see how we can spur investment and private sector growth on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Mr Cowen said: “How we can ensure...{read the full article}

Tourists over 66 get free travel in Ireland

2010-03-18T10:39:00.003Z

by ALISON HEALY

OLDER TOURISTS will enjoy free rail travel around the State following the introduction of a new scheme yesterday.

All overseas visitors aged 66 or over, from anywhere in the world, will be able to benefit from unlimited travel on mainline, Dart and commuter trains in the scheme, developed by Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann.

The scheme was announced by the Government as part of the budget in December, in a bid to increase overseas visitor numbers.

It is similar to the free travel scheme for Irish people aged 66 and over, but does not include free bus or Luas travel.

It also differs from the scheme for Irish residents when it comes to cross-Border travel. Irish senior citizens travelling from...{read the full article}

Cadbury Apprentice Winner - Paul Ruane

2010-03-02T12:28:00.002Z

Cadbury Apprentice Winner - Paul Ruane

What inspired your design for Cadbury Dairy Milk?
The theme was ‘Irish’, and I have always thought of Cadbury as the irish Willy Wonka. My design is a magical Ireland where everything is made from chocolate. The giant ‘glass and a half of milk’ are pouring milk into the sea where the Cadbury milk chocolate is made. This sea has then created the chocolate Cliffs of Moher. I kept the colouring in line with the Cadbury brand. I think it’s very Irish, without being too twee, and looks delicious!

What other design or illustration work have you done before?
{read the full interview}

Cadbury Website

Humpack whales spotted off the Wexford coast

2010-01-28T14:44:00.001Z

One of the most remarkable sights in the animal kingdom has been captured on camera by wildlife experts off the Co Wexford coast.

Researchers from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group witnessed a humpback whale breach clear of the water on 11 occasions on Saturday.

The humpback, which is believed to be a young male, had not been sighted before in Irish waters.

This recent sighting brings the number of humpbacks documented here to 11, with many of these re-sighted on an annual basis.

Humpbacks were close to global extinction because of commercial whaling, but the IWDG says there is now a 'slow but steady' recovery in numbers...{read the article and see photos}

Lucky rescue for dog stranded on Polish ice floe

2010-01-28T14:38:00.000Z

A dog has been rescued by the crew of a Polish boat after drifting out to sea on an ice floe into the Baltic sea.

Originally mistaking him for a seal, the crew soon realised their error and set out to save the dog.

See the video rescue here.

Talks under way to use mobile phones as debit cards

2010-01-28T14:17:00.003Z

By Niamh Hennessy
Thursday, January 28, 2010

MOBILE phones will soon be heard ringing at the tills as plans are finalised so that they can be used as debit cards.

Discussions are taking place which will see Irish banks offer technology which would be placed in mobiles so that owners can pay for small purchases.

It hoped that the technology will replace cash for small purchases.

Representatives from Visa Europe are in Dublin this week to meet with Irish banks with a view to bringing this technology to Ireland.

It is hoping the plans will be finalised by 2011.

Wireless technology called Near Field Communication, which has been endorsed by Sony and Nokia will be integrated into mobile phones to enable owners to make purchases.

Visa Europe is also putting in place plans to introduce "contactless" debit cards which would act like swipe cards for purchases under €20.

Visa said the swipe cards will be ideal for use in fast food restaurants, convenience stores and transport terminals. Customers will also be able to use them at vending machines and parking meters.

According to Visa Europe retailers and consumers...{read the full article}

Earthquakes recorded in Co Donegal

2010-01-28T14:07:00.002Z

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Two minor earthquakes have occurred in north Donegal in the past 24 hours.

The School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies confirmed the tremors, saying the one recorded last night measured 1.5 on the Richter scale while another this morning measured 1.7.

This brings to three the number of small earthquakes in the county this month.

According to Thomas Blake, Experimental Officer at the Institute, the small tremors are 'natures way of releasing the stresses and strains built up over time in very deep faults.'
Mr Blake stressed that while having a few together is unusual, it is not remarkable...{read the article}

Unusual Drug Bust North Cork

2010-01-25T14:17:00.003Z

Gardaí find cannabis butter, cookies and gin during house raid in Cork

BARRY ROCHE Southern Correspondent

TIME WAS when the constabulary went forth in search of poitín in the wilds of Co Cork but gardaí from Mallow created a little bit of history at the weekend when they raided a house in North Cork and found cannabis cookies, butter and – cannabis gin.

The surprise discovery of about €15,000 worth of cannabis products was made when the Mallow drugs unit under Det Sgt Paul Reidy backed up by uniformed officers raided a house at Glantane about six kilometres from Mallow at 7.30am.

Gardaí found an upstairs room in the two-storey isolated house had been converted into a cannabis nursery where there were up to 30 cannabis plants along with lights, heaters and various nutrients to help the plants mature.

In a kitchen they found up to two dozen cannabis cookies, half pound of cannabis butter and a number of bottles of cannabis gin.

According to a Garda source...{read the full article}

Additionally, Michelin-star drug dealer ‘uncorked’

Family activities at Temple Bar TradFest

2010-01-25T14:11:00.000Z

AN EXPANDED family programme will be introduced at this year’s Temple Bar TradFest which begins on Wednesday. This is the fifth year of the Irish music and culture festival which will run for five days in Dublin’s cultural quarter.

The highlight of the family programme will be the Anna Livia Parade at 12.30pm on Sunday, when over 100 young people in costumes will wind their way through Temple Bar and finish at Wood Quay. The costumes, by Wexford group Buí Bolg, will include some life-sized Dublin Bay Prawns, giant rain drops and the goddess Anna Livia. Afterwards, Meeting House Square will host a family outdoor céilí with the Kilfenora céilí band.
A free TradFest playground will...{read the full article}

Freezing weather causes major transport disruption

2010-01-07T12:25:00.003Z

The Government’s Emergency Response Co-ordinating Committee is to meet this morning to discuss the widespread disruption caused by the freezing weather.

Opposition parties have called on the Government to implement a national emergency plan and to draft in the Army to grit roads.

The committee meets as commuters endured another morning of Arctic temperatures and widespread ice which caused major disruptions to air and road transport.

There appears to be no let-up in the severe weather with Met Éireann predicting more snow in northern and western parts today, and overnight temperatures of between minus five and minus 11 tonight.

Temperatures overnight fell to as low as minus 10 in Monaghan and minus 12 in Kildare. Hundreds of schools around the country remained closed for the first day of the new term.

Motorists in Leinster are being urged to avoid unnecessary journeys due to severe ice overnight. Road conditions on main routes around Dublin and in city centre areas, as well as the suburbs and housing estates are treacherous this morning according to AA Roadwatch.

It advised drivers that braking distance in ice can be 10 times greater than normal.

Dublin airport is open but a number of flights have been cancelled, while Dublin Bus is only running a limited service this morning. Due to adverse weather conditions, Knock airport has suspended all operations until further notice.

All routes into Dublin city are extremely icy, particularly the M50 southbound from the M1/M50 to J9 Red Cow, the M1 in both directions from Dublin Port Tunnel to J2 Dublin Airport, the N3 Navan Road from Ashtown to the M50 and the N4 Lucan Road inbound from Ballyfermot.

Drivers in Wicklow are urged to avoid...{read full article}

Other news feeds:
Arctic weather causing severe disruption
Snow and ice disrupt road and air travel
Nearly half of schools to remain shut in big freeze

Once in a blue moon ... stargazers get ready for a spectacular New Year's Eve

2009-12-31T17:51:00.005Z

By Claire Bates

Astrologers looking for portents for their 2010 horoscopes will have plenty to choose from as the year draws to a close.

We will see two unusual stargazing events tonight - indeed one is so rare it occurs only once in a blue moon.

As revellers see out the first decade of the 21st century, astronomers will enjoy witnessing the 13th moon of the year.

Most years have twelve full moons, with one every four weeks - indeed the word 'month' comes from 'Moon.'

However, each solar calendar year is around eleven days longer than a lunar year. This means that nearly every three years there is an extra full moon - also known as a 'Blue Moon.' One month will therefore have two full moons.

Party goers in Europe and Asia will also be lucky enough to spot a partial lunar eclipse on the same evening. Those in Wales and western England are forecast to have the clearest skies in Britain.

The Moon will pass partly into the shadow cast by our planet, which is known as the umbra. The peak of the eclipse will be 7.23pm (GMT), when the Moon will darken and a portion from the bottom will disappear completely.

Such an event can only occur when...{read the full article}

Clues Emerge to Life of Irishman Buried Under Park

2009-12-27T18:22:00.004Z

By A. G. SULZBERGER

It is not easy to disappear in the age of the Internet. But, as the case of James Jackson shows, even in the age of the abacus, people sometimes left behind breadcrumbs marking the paths of their lives.

Using centuries-old tax records, city directories, court files and medical examiners logs, historians have begun to piece together the life of Mr. Jackson, an Irish immigrant who had been lost to time before the discovery of his 210-year-old gravestone last month, buried several feet beneath Washington Square Park.

On Thursday, the Parks Department will remove the headstone as part of construction work in the park. The case has inspired interest back in Ireland, where the announcer for a radio station recently said, “Hopefully we’re going to resolve this puzzle, this wonderfully intriguing puzzle of who this man Jackson was.”

The three-foot-tall sandstone marker, discovered last month during park renovation work, seeded the curious with a few clues. The still-clear inscription noted that Mr. Jackson was 28 when he died on Sept. 22, 1799, and said he was a native of County Kildare in Ireland.

While bones are frequently uncovered in the park, which was once a burial ground for the poor, this was the first headstone found in more than a century, so this raw biographical sketch represented an unexpected bounty of information. (Mr. Jackson’s remains were not found.)

Joan H. Geismar, the archaeological consultant for the Parks Department who made the discovery, said researchers have been able to identify a man they believe was the same Mr. Jackson. “I find this an extraordinary story, the surprise of it and the record of it,” Dr. Geismar said. “We’ve been able to find out what was going on then.”

The portrait of Mr. Jackson that has emerged is of a young Irish immigrant to New York City who achieved relative prosperity either as a watchman, a grocer or both. He built a family and became a citizen before succumbing to yellow fever.

The records located so far include the 1790 census, the first in the United States, which lists a James Jackson in New York City as the head of household that includes his wife and three or four children. Court records logged...{read the full article}

Primary article: Skeletal Remains Discovered in Washington Sq. Park
Secondary article: Gravestone From 1799 Is Found in Washington Square Park

Happy holidays, however you celebrate!

2009-12-21T14:33:00.003Z

I don't know about you, but I can't believe how fast the year has gone.

December is a busy month for everyone. It's not just about Santa and Ho-Ho Day. We've already passed through Hanukkah, today is the Winter Solstice, and Kwanza starts on the 26th.

But December is rife with national days and days of remembrance. As I mentioned, today is the Winter Solstice--the shortest day of the year, or the longest night...however you look at it. Tomorrow the days start getting lighter. Roll on Summer! But did you know that today is also National Flashlight Day? Go figure! It's also Look on the Bright Side Day (why am I hearing Python in my head?), Humbug Day, and was the first day a crossword puzzle ever found it's way into a newspaper. And of course, it's the first day of Winter.

The chief celebration here in Ireland revolves around Newgrange in County Meath, where every year on this day, light shines through the window box above the entrance into the tomb and illuminates the passage. (photo here)

Tomorrow celebrates when the thermometer was invented. And the day the first Christmas lighted went on sale in 1882. I guess the Victorians thought it was time to stop burning down their houses with candles on their trees!

The 23rd celebrates National Roots Day, the day when we celebrate all those who've come before us and the genealogist in all of us.

The 24th isn't just Christmas Eve. It's also National Eggnog Day.

Then on the 25th, besides celebrating Christmas, it's also National Pumpkin Pie Day. Now THAT'S a holiday I can get into!!! :-D

On the 26th, Kwanza begins and lasts until the first of January. This is a time for those of African decent to celebrate their culture. Followers of Kwanza follow seven basic principles of life. Personally, I think everyone could do with following them.

The 26th is also celebrated in Britain and British colonies as Boxing Day. In Ireland, it's St Stephen's Day. And it's also National Whiner's Day! Hmm...I bet that came about when someone didn't get what they wanted for Xmas!

The 27th is National Go To The Zoo Day...probably because there's nothing else to do between Xmas and New Years. Which leads me to the 28th.

The 28th is National Card Playing Day and National Chocolate Day.

The 29th the bowling ball was invented. No doubt, by a Scot who couldn't find a hold to sink his golf ball into and required something a bit bigger to occupy himself in the snow! This also gives credence to the theory that between Xmas and NY's there's nothing to do!

The 30th is Tiger Woods's birthday, but I don't think we want to go there. Especially after so many people already have...if you know what I mean.

Then there's the 31st. New Years Eve. Traditional celebrations for snuffing out the old year and ringing in the new year include drinking until you wet yourself, dancing until you collapse and snog everyone within lip distance.

There's really no reason for January first to be a holiday. Nothing exciting happens and there's no national holiday to recognize. My theory is that January first is a national day off work and school day simply because people are to messed up from the night before, and still trying to find their way home from where they've woken up.

But let's not forget that January first is also the 7th day of the 12 days of Christmas. Let's hope you don't wake up in a stupor and wonder where you found seven swans a swimming! The first is also the birthday of Betsy Ross...for those of you who might be too hung over to remember, Betsy was a struggling upholsterer, and was approached by three men to new first red, white and blue American flag. Those three men were her uncle by marriage, Colonel George Ross, wealthy land owner Robert Morris, and some guy called George Washington, who was at that point the leader of the Continental Army.

The first also celebrates the day Ellis Island first opened to immigrants in 1892, AND it's Paul Revere's birthday. No, not the guy who sang with the Raiders. The real guy is the messenger who traveled between Boston and Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the movements of the British Army. Incidentally, Paul wasn't riding alone. He was with William Dawes, both of which were joined en route by Samuel Prescott...the three being Minutemen. And actually, Revere's birthday is really 22 December, but he was baptized on New Years Day in 1735.

January is full of little known holidays and many historic births we don't usually follow, but to give you some idea of what you'd be missing if you didn't know, check these out --

2 January - Boo Boo Bear's birthday (Yogi's friend)
3 January - Festival of Sleep Day and National Fruit Cake Toss Day (I'd be there for this one!)
4 January - National Trivia Day
5 January - National Bird Day
6 January - National Cuddle Up Day...and of course, the Epiphany, aka the 12th day of Christmas!
7 January - Not much happing here, but should be the National Day of What the Hell Do We Do with twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and that bloody partridge in a pear tree!
8 January - We can't forget the King's birthday...I'm talking about that hunka hunka burning love, sideburn wearing, Spandex jumpsuit wearing, meet-me-in-the-Jungle-Room-Baby, hip swiveling, fried banana sandwich loving Elvis!

And so it goes into the New Year.

However you celebrate your holidays and the long winter nights, have a great one. Celebrate safe, stay warm, and spread some love to your neighbor.

Happy holidays everyone!!

St Nicholas and Ireland - The history of Santa Claus

2009-12-16T16:08:00.005Z

"Dear Editor, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? ~Virginia O'Hanlon"

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Kemberlee Shortland, Copyright December 2009
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Have you ever wondered if there really was a Saint Nicholas? And if he existed, what happened to him? He really did exist you know, and I can tell you what happened to him.
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Nicholas was born in Patara of Lycia, Turkey, sometime in the middle of the 3rd century. His birth date is disputed as being somewhere between 245-271AD. He was the only child born to wealthy parents who provided him with a very Christian upbringing.
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Unfortunately, Nicholas was orphaned at an early age when his parents died of the Plague and was sent to live in the monastery in Myra.
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Under the guidance of the bishop there, Nicholas was educated and became ordained in his 20s. At the age of 30, on the death of the bishop, Nicholas was elected to be replaced as the new Bishop of Myra of Lycia.

Nicholas became well known for his charity and his devoutness during his lifetime. It's said that his faith was so great that his prayers calmed a stormy sea while on a trip to the Holy Lands. He is also credited with the concept that Father, Son and Holy Spirit exists as one.
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He was also well known for his kindnesses, charity and love of children.As a man of great wealth, having inherited from his family, he used his money to fund a poorhouse, hostelries and a hospital. He also donated money to poor families, especially children's charities.
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Nicholas was the personification of Christian love and affection, and is one of the most widely known historic figures in the world. His memory is honored through all corners of the Earth. Especially in western civilization where he is considered the great patron saint of children. As Nicholas gave gifts to the children he so well loved during his lifetime, we continue the tradition by trading gifts with those we love today. Nicholas died on the 6th of December, between 342-345AD, and was interred in the cathedral at Demre in Turkey. He was canonized in medieval times and made a saint.
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Though dead, his memory remained alive for centuries, gaining many followers throughout Europe. Thousands of churches were built in his honor in the Middle Ages, nearly a Millennium after his death! It's said that there are more churches dedicated to St Nicholas around the world than to St Patrick.
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To St Nicholas's honor, 6 December became the Feast of St Nicholas Day, and the exchange of gifts remained popular, especially with children.
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Why is St Nicholas connected with gift giving? Well, Nicholas would ride to the homes of children in his parish on a donkey. He wore his bishops robes of red and white, and bore gifts, usually of fruit, nuts, hard candies and sometimes clay or wood toys that he'd leave on the mantel. This tradition continued from the mid 3rd century to the 16th century.
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During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, most of Europe saw the banishment of St Nicholas from its churches as his memory was aligned with that of Catholicism. Protestants refused to recognize any saint with connections to the Catholic Church. The gift giving tradition was forced underground, as did Catholicism. Practicing Catholics were forced to worship secretly in private homes and often at "mass rocks" in the countryside.
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The Dutch are credited with keeping the tradition alive when they established New Amsterdam (New York USA) in the 1600s when they brought their traditions with them, including St Nicholas who remained their patron saint.
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By the early 19th century, Catholicism saw a resurrection, and the traditions that had been secreted for so long were able to come back into practice, and into fashion.
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Today, gift giving in St Nicholas's memory is alive and well and living throughout the world, and being practiced by many more religious peoples than just Catholics. Gift giving is a worldwide event that touches the hearts of anyone with a love of family and friends.
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6 December is still the traditional day of gift giving in the Netherlands and Germany, the German's calling the day "Nicholas Day" when an old shoe is placed on the doorstep overnight, which St Nicholas will fill with gifts and sweets.
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In western Germany he's known as Klaasbuur, Sunnercla, Burklaas, Bullerklaas, and Rauklas. And in eastern Germany he's called Shaggy Goat, Ash Man and Rider. His helper is known as Knecht Ruprecht (Ruprecht the helper) all over Germany.
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In the Netherlands he's known as Sinterklaas, and is said to travel from Spain in a steamboat 2 weeks before the 6th of December with his helper Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), who helps deliver the gifts.
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In France, he's known as Pere Noel (Father Christmas). His helper is Pere Fouettard. Pere Noel leaves presents for good children, while Pere Fouettard disciplines bad children with a spanking.
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St. Nicholas Day was celebrated formerly in Russia, but under Communism he was changed to Grandfather Frost and wore blue instead of red.
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In Sicily, he comes on December 13th and is called Santa Lucia.
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In the rest of the western world, he remains St Nicholas, and the gift giving day has moved to the 25th of December, which now coincides with the suspected date of the birth of Christ.
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But no matter what name you know him by St Nicholas will probably always be best known simply as Santa Claus.
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Throughout the world, families create their own traditions, which include many similar aspects some of which include the decoration of a tree, a feast for the family and gifts for loved ones.
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According to legend, Saint Nicholas is now said to be buried in Ireland at Jerpoint Abbey in County Kilkenny. While retreating during the Crusades, the Knights of Jerpoint removed St Nicholas's body from his tomb at Myra, Turkey and reburied him in the Church of St. Nicholas to the west of Jerpoint Abbey.
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Check out Bill Watkins's song about St Nicholas--
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The Bones of Santa Claus
© Bill Watkins
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Where lie the bones of Santa Claus
To what holy spot each pilgrim draws
Which crypt conceals his pious remains
Safe from the wild wind, snows and rains.
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It's not in Rome his body lies
Or under Egypt's azure skies
Constantinople or Madrid
His reliquary and bones are hid.
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That saint protector of the child
Whose relics pure lie undefiled
His casket safe within it's shrine
Where the shamrocks grow and rose entwine..

Devout wayfarer, cease your search
For in Kilkenny's ancient church
Saint Nicholas' sepulcher is found
Enshrined in Ireland's holy ground.
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So traveler rest and pray a while
To the patron saint of orphaned child
Whose bones were brought to Ireland's shore
Safe from the Vandal, Hun and Moor.
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Here lie the bones of Santa Claus
Secure beneath these marble floors
So gentle pilgrim, here the call
And may Saint Nicholas bless you all.
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To learn more about Santa Claus, click here.
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However you celebrate your Christmas, Nicholas Day or Yuletide, make it a good one.
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Happy Holidays everyone!!

Liam Clancy dies aged 74

2009-12-04T18:42:00.002Z

Legendary singer Liam Clancy has died aged 74.

Mr Clancy, who found fame as a member of the Clancy Brothers and Tommie Makem, died in hospital this afternoon. He had been ill for some time.

Born in Carrick on Suir, he was the youngest of 11 children.

As a young man he dreamed of life on the stage, but there was music in his blood too.

In his late teens he met and travelled Ireland with US song collector Diane Hamilton Guggenhim and eventually travelled to the US with her.

His brothers Paddy and Tom had emigrated before him - and the three along with renowned Armagh singer Tommy Makem began performing together.

With their trademark aran jumpers - sent by Mrs Clancy to protect against the hard New York winters - The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem played legendary venues such as the White Horse Tavern in New York.
They became international stars following a performance on the Ed Sullivan television show.

The band played a key role in the 60s folk revival - reworking traditional ballads for both an international and an Irish audience.

When the Clancy Brothers later went their separate ways, Liam pursued a solo career in Canada before reuniting with Tommy Makem to form the hugely popular duo Makem and Clancy.

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem did play together again in the 1980s, and in later years Liam - by now living in Co Waterford - maintained a successful solo career.

The man that Bob Dylan called 'the best ballad singer i've ever heard' died in hospital in Cork late this afternoon.

He is survived by his wife Kim and five children.

RTE

'Once-in-800-years' downpour leaves traders counting cost

2009-11-24T12:31:00.002Z

By Ralph Riegel

The last time Cork witnessed flooding of such magnitude, Norman sentries with crossbows patrolled the newly built city fort and most of what is now Patrick Street was still marsh and bog.

City Manager Joe Gavin described the events of last Thursday and Friday, which left most of the city's western suburbs under flood water, as "a-one-in-800-years event".

It was hard to argue with him as the Mercy University Hospital was transformed into an island. One of the city's busiest shopping areas, North Main Street, effectively became a new channel of the River Lee.

Some traders broke down in tears as they viewed the damage to Christmas stock.

Cork suddenly found itself dealing with its own version of Hurricane Katrina as 50,000 people in more than half the city suburbs were left without running water.

But while the issue of the levees in New Orleans became the central debating point of Hurricane Katrina, in Cork the central issue was the Inniscarra Dam and the ESB's controversial decision to release water on Thursday afternoon.

The ESB's position is clear -- they...{read the full article}

Four times normal rainfall – and there’s more to come

2009-11-21T12:46:00.002Z

By Sarah Stack, Ed Carty Donal Hickey and Gordon Deegan

COMMUNITIES devastated by some of the worst floods in living memory were last night bracing themselves for a further deluge.

Towns across Connaught and Munster were facing multi-million euro clean-up bills as forecasters warned of four-hour downpours in some areas today.

Local authorities and emergency volunteers, including the Irish Red Cross, evacuated people stranded in homes and businesses destroyed by rising waters.

Some of the areas worst hit by floods were washed out after almost four times the normal rainfall fell in the last seven days.

Claremorris in Co Mayo was among the worst affected, with 101mm falling in the last week – almost four times its average for this time of year – while Knock Airport was hit by the same high levels.

Roches Point in Cork and Shannon Airport, both with 60mm, and Johnstown Castle in Wexford with 80mm all recorded about three times higher than usual rainfall for a week in mid- November.

Met Éireann data revealed Claremorris has suffered twice its average rainfall for the month as a whole.

Cork Airport was hit by 192mm since November 1 when the normal total is about108mm. Shannon recorded 180mm – almost double its average 94mm.

Forecasters warned the weather will turn again today with gale-force windson all coasts followed by rain across Connaught, Munster and south Leinster.

Met Éireann’s Deirdre Lowe said...{read the full article}

Flood devastation continues in Ireland

2009-11-21T12:39:00.003Z

Devastation
By Catherine Shanahan, Eoin English and Sean O’Riordan

INSURANCE companies deluged with flood claims that could cost tens of millions of euro are bracing themselves for more as forecasters predict further bad weather is on the way.

Almost 20,000 households in Cork City are without water after unprecedented flooding described by the ESB as a "one-in-800-year event".

The flood has meant 123,000 people will be without water for at least three days, forcing hundreds to queue for emergency supplies from tankers yesterday.

The situation was equally dire in other parts of the country as 200 people were evacuated from homes and businesses in Ballinasloe when the Suck burst its banks. In Gort, an 87-year-old woman was among a family of five airlifted to safety when flood waters surrounded their home. In Clonmel quays were under three feet of water as the Suir burst its banks.

The defence forces have deployed 175 troops, 24 vehicles and four flat-bottomed boats to help. Most are in Cork but others have been deployed in Clonmel, Ennis, Ballinasloe and Carlow. A further 300 troops have been put on standby.

Environment Minister John Gormley last night flew to Cork, where he toured affected areas and met local authority officials.

At University College Cork...{read the full article}

Flooding in Ireland: Worst affected areas

2009-11-20T17:10:00.003Z

Cork City experienced some of the worst flooding in twenty years overnight with gardaí being left with little choice but to close certain areas due to the flood waters.

In Cork city the quay wall near the Mercy Hospital collapsed in the early hours of this morning causing serious flooding. Patients and staff in the Mercy had to be moved to more secure parts of the building.

Mercy hospital CEO Pat Madden said the situation was dealt with as quickly and as safely as possible.

“We moved all patient care up to the first and second floors of the hospital. Our emergency department which is right opposite the river was flooded and we also had to close that. That remains closed while we assess the damage".

Gardaí are advising that all bridges from Inniscarra in to the city had been closed. Gardaí say Patrick Street, Grand Parade, South Mall and Washington Street have now all been reopened. However, the Western Road will remain closed. The HSE is asking members of the public to avoid attending hospital emergency departments if at all possible and to make their local doctor their first port of call.

St Aloysius School near the city centre did not open this morning arising out of the poor weather conditions while lectures at University College Cork are cancelled this morning. The nearby Brookfield Leisure Centre also remains closed.

Washington Street North, Grand Parade and South Main Street were under several feet of water overnight. The worst was over by 9am and the flood waters that threatened to engulf the city centre have now passed their peak.

The situation became serious last night when water released from the Inniscarra Dam caused the River Lee to burst its banks. By 11.30pm the Western suburbs were under several feet of water. The Kingsley Hotel in Cork city was evacuated at 2.30am and taxi drivers reported that students were “swimming” on the Western Road at 5am today.

Thousands of homes in Cork are without drinking water this morning as the main pumping station at the Lee fields had to be turned off because of the risk of contamination by flood waters. It is thought it will be this evening at the earliest before this situation can be rectified. Members of the public are advised to use bottle water this morning. They are also asked to check on elderly neighbours who may be impacted by the water situation.

Meanwhile, Bus Éireann services in Cork city have been hit hard by the flooding. Some suburban services are being re routed this morning and delays are expected.

In the county the Mallow to Killarney Road is restored to two lanes this morning after flooding overnight. The Fermoy Road out of Mallow was impassable overnight as was the Mallow to Killavullen Road. In Fermoy the bridge was impassable as was the Tallow Road and Ashe Quay.

There is only route in to and out of Bandon this morning through Ballinspittle and on to Kinsale. Motorists are being asked to avoid Bandon this morning.

Garda Inspector Ger Lacey of the west Cork traffic division says access routes in to Bandon are blocked this morning.

“They are in a couple of feet of water. The main Cork to Bandon road is completely blocked. There is only one route available at the moment and that is being kept for emergency use that is the route through Ballinspittle and Kinsale. So we are asking all motorists to please avoid Bandon. Don’t try to get in.”

Clonakilty is passable this morning but there is still flooding in roads around Macroom, Coachford and Crookstown. In East Cork traffic is down to one lane between Killeagh and Castlemartyr and motorists are being advised to take their time on their journeys.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dara Murphy is urging the Government to step in and assist members of the public impacted by some of the worst flooding in the city in decades.

"We will certainly be making a call to the Government to take in to account that there is a very serious problem we have here in the second city. It is the worst flooding we have seen in twenty to forty years and something will have to be done for the city. Any help we can give traders would be helpful."

Jonathan O'Connor who owns a restaurant on North Main Street in Cork city centre was among the householders assessing the damage to their premises. He said "we have three foot of water in the kitchen at the moment. We have wood panelling which we put in two years ago which is now rotten". - OLIVIA KELLEHER

GALWAY

Extensive flooding across Galway ...{read the full article}

Curse of Cromwell extended to Ireland's wolf population

2009-11-11T10:39:00.002Z

SEÁN Mac CONNELL Agriculture Correspondent

IT IS well known that Oliver Cromwell and his supporters spelt trouble for the native Irish, but their arrival also took a fatal toll on the Irish wolf population, according to a book published this week.

In it, Kieran Hickey of NUI Galway says the major push to rid Ireland of wild wolves came during the Cromwellian government in the 1650s, with legislation and bounties to kill them off.

While the Irish themselves did not fare so well back then, there were so many wolves in Ireland that settlers from England and Scotland referred to their new home as “Wolf-Land”.

Very substantial bounties for wolf-kills led to systematic hunting until large areas were devoid of wolves through the late 1600s, says Dr Hickey. In an essay in Lost and Found II: Rediscovering Ireland’s Past, Dr Hickey says professional wolf-hunters came to Ireland to carry out the extermination, and those granted land had to kill wolves or face fines. In 10 years of research, he has amassed 500 references to wolves in history, archaeology and folklore, indicating the wolf had been in Ireland for at least 20,000 years.

In folklore, wolves were...{read the full article}

Irish accent beats French as world's sexiest

2009-11-11T10:09:00.003Z

The Irish accent has beaten its French counterpart as the world's sexiest, thanks to stars like Colin Farrell and James Nesbitt.

Men with an Emerald Isle brogue came top in a poll of 5,000 women worldwide, while the French accent only came fourth, just ahead of Australian.

Italian, the native language of stars such as jockey Frankie Dettori, was second.

In third place was the Scottish burr, made famous by actor Sean Connery.

English was sixth and Swedish was seventh, with Spanish, Welsh and American completing the top 10.

A spokesman for www.OnePoll.com, which carried out the international survey, blamed French president Nicolas Sarkozy for the French accent's fall from grace.

"The French accent is nowhere near as popular as it used to be," he said.

''You can probably blame Nicolas Sarkozy for that, he has single-handedly changed the perception of how the world sees French men.

''It is good news for the Irish that they have come top, they have been in and around the top five for years now.

''But high-profile stars such as Colin Farrell have helped bring the accent more to the fore.''

The study also found three fifths of women admitted they hade been seduced by someone purely because of their accent, while two fifths said they would much rather sleep with a man who had a nice accent, compared to a harsh one.

World's Sexiest Accents

1. Irish
2. Italian
3. Scottish
4. French
5. Australian
6. English
7. Swedish
8. Spanish
9. Welsh
10. American

The Telegraph