Posts filed under 'General'
The 150th anniversary of the Emirates Melbourne Cup will recognise it’s significance to Australia and the world, while acknowledging the important role Ireland has played in the Melbourne Cup’s 150-year history which is now intrinsically linked to the social and cultural fabric of not only Melbourne, but throughout Australia. This important role is based around our mutual passion for horseracing.
This deep passion has been further fostered by the ongoing strategic partnership between the Victoria Racing Club(VRC) in Australia and The Curragh.
To ensure the recognition of this milestone event, VRC has partnered with a multitude of stakeholders, from federal, state and local government, tourism and trade agencies both nationally and internationally.
The 150th celebrations will focus on the national heritage of the race and the contribution it has made to Australia.
First staged in 1861, the Emirates Melbourne Cup is traditionally central to the psyche of the Australian people. It is “the race that stops a nation.”
Run every year on the first Tuesday in November, the Emirates Melbourne Cup attracts a massive global television audience of more than 700 million people across 120 countries, with millions more either viewing or listening to the event online.
And in 2010, the Emirates Melbourne Cup will cement its position as the richest handicap race in the world by offering record prize money of more than 4.2 million Euro.
The allure of the Emirates Melbourne Cup is that it not only captures the imagination of racehorse trainers, owners, and jockeys, but the national and international sports and culture-loving public.
The 150th Melbourne Cup will be a celebration of past, present and future, which acknowledges the heroic tales, epic battles and significant interweaving of the sport with the social fabric of communities throughout Australia, across the Tasman and around the globe.
The VRC has developed some exciting projects aimed to honour the 150th anniversary, projects that will remain at Flemington for future generations to enjoy.
The first of which will be the development of The Visitors Centre at Flemington Racecourse where the Centre will be a state of the art facility and will allow visitors to experience the excitement of racing all year round. Through interactive technology visitor will be able to experience the history and heritage of Flemington, the Cup and its heroes.
The centre will be the starting and finishing point for the Guided Walking Tour Program, which takes visitors on a tour of the racecourse attractions, highlighting the historic and significant aspects of Flemington.
As the Hollywood Walk of Fame honours the stars of the screen, The Flemington Walk Of Fame will forever immortalise the Melbourne Cup champions of the turf in recognition of their contribution to the great race – including the legendary Phar Lap.
Phar Lap (1926-1932) was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse whose achievements captured the public’s imagination during the early years of the Great Depression. Foaled in New Zealand, he was trained and raced in Australia. Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne Cup, two Cox Plates and 19 other weight for age races. He then won the Agua Caliente Handicap in Tijuana, Mexico in track-record time in his final race. After a sudden and mysterious illness, Phar Lap died in 1932. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.
This Legendary Thoroughbred’s mounted hide is displayed at the Melbourne Museum, his skeleton at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and his heart at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
Because of the rise of the Melbourne Cup as a famous race running parallel to the rise of Melbourne as one of the great cities of the world, it is fitting that many of Melbourne’s public institutions will join with the VRC to celebrate this milestone occasion with a series of exhibitions, speaker programs and special performances.
Throughout Australia, this milestone will be recognised with a Postage Stamp series featuring the Cup trophy and hero horses, and a commemorative coin will be produced by the Royal Australian Mint.
The 150th Melbourne Cup will also be celebrated through the Arts, a world-class photographic exhibition known as ‘Photo Finish’ will capture an extraordinary and exclusive selection of portraits of prominent owners, jockeys, breeders, celebrities and VIP’s.
Top international photographers have been engaged to photograph these subjects at locations around the globe. Leading Australian trainer, Gai Waterhouse skiing in Aspen, ‘Cups King’ Bart Cummings at his stables in Sydney, world renowned jockey Frankie Dettori in Dubai, and Australia’s own champion jockeys – Damien Oliver surfing at Victoria’s famous Jan Juc Beach, and Glen Boss landing his helicopter on Flemington racecourse and of course, our Irish heroes Dermot Weld and Mick Kinane.
One of the most significant components of the year’s celebrations centres around the most highly recognised sporting trophy in Australia, the coveted Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy.
In the 1930’s, as a result of the Great Depression, the VRC was forced to reduce both the gold content and the size of the trophy itself and it never returned to that beauty and richness of 1930.
It was therefore appropriate that this magnificent trophy that same year, 1930 – was won by the immortal Phar Lap, the horse that has become a folklore hero in Australia.
However, this year, the VRC determined that the 150th running of the race was an appropriate time to reintroduce the proportions of the 1930 trophy.
To commemorate this significant milestone, the VRC is undertaking an ambitious program that will see the iconic Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy embark on a 220-day global tour, taking in 42 separate destinations over seven months, including a massive week of celebrations in Melbourne.
This is the biggest global undertaking of any Australian sporting organisation.
The Emirates Melbourne Cup will be further promoted through the participation of high profile racing, fashion and cultural ambassadors.
Since its beginnings in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has remained a constant in an ever-changing world. Through tears and triumphs, the Cup has cemented its position as a revered sporting, social and cultural event, that continues to play a significant role in defining Australia’s national identity and as a result of this, the 150th Melbourne Cup has received endorsement from the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, acknowledging it as an event of Cultural Significance to Australians.
In this milestone year, we have the opportunity look to recognise not only the champion horses and inspiring stories that make up the Melbourne Cup’s heritage, but to look forward, in anticipation of those incredible tales yet to be captured.
The VRC is extremely proud to be the guardian of this great race, and would like to extend an invitation to each and every person to visit the great city of Melbourne in this milestone year and share in these wonderful celebrations first-hand, as the City prepares itself for the greatest celebration that it has ever seen.
June 11th, 2010
Lady Sara Apsley, WFU London Spokeswoman has just published her “Ban the Supermarket Challenge” in an edition of Farmer’s Weeky:
“I have a simple philosophy: we choose how we want to shape our lives, our destinies and the world around us. Our duty is to embrace the challenges in life that move us outside our comfort zone and help us to grow. The challenges we accept and the choices we make are our responsibility. When we make the effort, face the challenges and choose wisely and responsibly, we can bring about big change.
Here’s my challenge … for one month this summer I want everyone of us in this nation to ban ourselves from buying our produce from the big-name, commercialised supermarkets. I challenge you not to buy any of your fruit and veg, meat, poultry, dairy, grains or juices at these massive supermarkets. Instead, look to your local producers. Think ahead with your shopping and go to your local Farmer’s Market, find a Co-op, seek out local producers and use only fresh, in season items in your meal-planning for 1-month.
This a reconceptualisation challenge that moves you outside your normal routine and makes you think about the link between what you consume and how it’s produced. In essence, my “Ban the Supermarket Challenge” is about stripping away the ease and convenience of food-shopping, forcing us to really consider the broader farming issues behind our, heretofore, easily purchased produce.”
June 9th, 2010
Temple Bar Cultural has called on the active retired to join our ‘Get Active’ cultural group. Aimed at over-55’s the ‘Get Active’ cultural group encourages the active retired to engage, enjoy and participate in a wide range of cultural activities from drama and music workshops , to film screenings with post show talks to historical walking tours and lots more. Membership is free and includes at least one cultural activity per month.
In collaboration with cultural organisations in Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, ‘Get Active’ offers the active retired a wide range of cultural activity across art-forms. With a calendar packed with activities, there is something to suit all tastes and abilities.
Highlights of this year’s programme include a monthly book club in association with The Gutter Bookshop, located in the Old City area of Temple Bar which is sure to appeal to all bookworms out there! Art lovers can learn the age old technique of etching with the Graphic Studio Dublin or fine-art drawing with the Independent Studio Artists. Those who fancy their name in lights can sign up for a beginners’ drama workshop in association with the Gaiety School of Acting or be hands-on and learn how to make your own jewellery with jewellery designer, Ann Tyrrell, from Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane. Get Active events will also run throughout TBCT’s annual programme of events starting with In Handel’s Day on April 13th.
‘Get Active’ members can also avail of discounts in a number of businesses, cafes and restaurants in Temple Bar upon presentation of their Get Active membership card.
So what are you waiting for – ‘Get Active’ with Temple Bar Cultural Trust this year! Membership is FREE and simply involves contacting us on +353 1 6772255 or emailing echaomhnach@templebar.ie
April 12th, 2010
Southern Records are very proud to have reached the triumphant milestone of 160. Yes, that’s right – one hundred and sixty releases on the Southern imprint. Not bad for a label in its 18th year. And we couldn’t be happier than for that milestone to be marked by the release of an album by someone Southern first collaborated with well before the label was started. It was way back in 1981 that we first worked with the girl from New York who had followed Crass back to their house in Epping, for the release of her Barbed Wire Halo single on Crass Records. None other than Miss Annie Anxiety, aka Annie Bandez, aka Little Annie.
Little Annie and Paul Wallfisch Genderful
Annie’s latest work is Genderful, her second album with her piano muse, and co-conspirator, composer Paul Wallfisch. The duo somehow manage to perfectly mix soul songs and chansons, bluesy saloon singing and European cabaret styling into a gorgeous, new amalgam. It is being released on Southern at the end of May.
In Mojo magazine’s review of the album they call Annie “the female counterpart to the Lou Reed of 1982’s Blue Mask – a voice full of pickled New York wisdom”. And we’re not going to argue! Genderful is a true New York blues album – even if Annie and Paul play around with the musical form (a bit of camp show-tune here, a dash of Bowery chanson there) – certainly in spirit. From the opening lines “Give me your tired, give me your poor” (a nod to the sonnet by Emma Lazarus engraved on the inside of the Statue of Liberty), through “Billy Martin Requiem” (a paean to the late, great, Yankees manager), the barbed salute to cookie-cutter urbanites in “Cutesy Bootsies”, and the tender tributes to the lost street characters of “Carried Away” and Adrianna”… it’s an album that has the salty sewers and half-empty bottles of champagne of New York running through its veins. Totally original, there is truly no one like Annie around!
If that was not news enough, we are proud to announce Annie as special support for Marc Almond’s forthcoming 30 Year Celebration – My Hits And A Sides tour. Annie and Paul will be performing a special set with Baby Dee. The first dates are as follows – more will be announced in the coming weeks.
November
* 12 The Anvil, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
* 13 De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK
* 15 St Davids Hall, Cardiff, UK
* 19 Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, UK
* 20 The Lowry, Salford, UK
* 23 The Picturehouse, Edinburgh, UK
* 24 The ABC, Glasgow, UK
* 25 The Stage, Newcastle, UK
* 28 Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, UK
* 29 Town Hall, Huddersfield, UK
* 30 Villa Marina, Isle of Man, UK
December
* 02 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, UK
For further information about obtaining an album or for information about these shows then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
April 12th, 2010
The O’s Are Back
Lions Ronan O’Gara, Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan are all named in a Munster match day squad for the first time this season as is Keith Earls for Sunday’s sold-out Musgrave Park Magners League clash with the Dragons (5.05pm).
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O’Callaghan Rarin to Go
Donncha O’Callaghan makes a return to action for Munster in the game at the weekend against second placed Dragons with the Corkman named on a replacement bench that includes newestcomer Jean de Villiers
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Munster A Secure Win in Shaws Bridge
The Munster A side, made up of contracted and non contracted players, forged well together winning comprehensively away to Ulster A on Thursday afternoon.
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U19s and U20s Double Header in Ravenhill
The Munster youngsters are in action away this evening as both teams line out against their Ulster counterparts, kos 5pm and 7.30pm.
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October 13th, 2009
Four Changes For The Irish Visit
Munster coach Tony McGahan makes four changes to his starting XV, from the side that took the field against Sale Sharks.
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Introducing Toby Morland
26 years of age, Toby Morland was drafted into the Munster squad to cover for Tomas O’Leary while he returns to fitness. He was scrumhalf on the Waikato Chiefs side beaten in the Super 14 final back in June.
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Munster’s Representative Sides
Over the next coming weeks Munster’s representative sides will return to action as they compete in their respective Interprovincial campaigns and pre-season games. We take a look at who is in action where.
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Munster View – New Videos
Exclusive on the Munster Rugby website, interview with Jean de Villiers and footage of Munster in pre-season training.
View Here
September 14th, 2009
All Quiet On The Southern Front
The Munster gyms in Cork (Forge Hill) and Limerick (UL) are eerily quiet these days while the squad are away in Portugal on a week long training camp.
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Munster U20s Season Build-Up
The U20s under the watchful eye of Coach Anthony Foley have been busy for the past few weeks in preparation for the season ahead.
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Draw for Munster Junior Cup is made
The President of the Munster Branch Declan Madden was present at the draw for the Munster Junior Cup which was made at the Munster Branch Office in Cork.
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August 24th, 2009
Sheahan and Horgan Included in Munster 22
Two of Munster’s longest serving players, Anthony Horgan and Frank Sheahan will make their final appearance in the Munster jersey that they graced for the past twleve years, when they line out against Ospreys in Thomond Park tomorrow night (7.45pm).
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Quinlan’s Lions Hopes Dashed
Alan Quinlan’s hopes of joining his Munster colleagues on the plane to London on Monday for Lions assembly lay in tatters today after the ERC handed him a 12 week suspension on foot of the citing from the Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Leinster.
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Wild Orchard Smoothies – Official Supplier to Munster Rugby
Wild Orchard Smoothies & Juices proudly announces a new association with Munster Rugby. The Munster Squad will be supplied with fruit smoothies from Wild Orchard, the Co. Limerick based producer of premium quality natural smoothies and fresh juices.
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Senior Club Review
Here we take a look back at the overall season for the Munster Senior Rugby Clubs and see how they all faired out.
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May 22nd, 2009
Horgan & Quinlan Back in Munster Starting XV
Anthony Horgan and Alan Quinlan return to the Munster starting XV for the first time this season, for Saturday’s Magners League encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park. However Tomas O’Leary is a late withdrawal with a leg injury.
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Quinlan Delight
Alan Quinlan’s return to the Munster starting line-up couldn’t come at a better time with Thomond Park re-opening its doors tomorrow night and Declan Kidney soon to announce his squad for the autumn internationals.
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Munster Youths Interpro Campaign Continues
The Munster Youths hope to get back to winning ways this weekend, when they meet Connacht in Ennis on Saturday at 1pm in the Interprovincial series.
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Win a trip for 2 to Sale v Munster
The next Play To Win prize is 2 match tickets and 2 flights, to the Heineken Cup away pool game, Munster Rugby v Sale Sharks
on the 19th October. Flights are same day return from Cork with Munster Sports Travel.
Logon to MyMunster.com and click on Play to Win to enter.
Enter Here
October 6th, 2008
Almost As You Were For Munster
Munster coach Tony McGahan, makes just one change, from the 22 that featured in the win over Edinburgh last time out, for Sunday’s encounter with Newport-Gwent Dragons at a sold-out Musgrave Park on Sunday evening (6pm).
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Meet Justin Melck
He played in the 2004 Under 21 World Cup in England at the same time as current teammates, Tomas O’leary and Denis Fogarty, went on to gain 13 Super 14 caps with The Stormers while a regular with Western Province and last month arrived in Ireland to take up a short term contract with Munster.
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Munster U20s Campaign Begins Tonight in Garryowen
Munster begin their Under 20 campaign with a home tie (Garryowen FC Dooradoyle) against Connacht this (Friday) evening, kick off 7.30pm.
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Munster Prepare to Defend Their Title
Munster kick off the defence of their Interprovincial title this weekend when they play Ulster in the opening round of the competition.
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Win 2 Tickets to the Heineken Cup Match Munster v Montauban
Play to Win is back, with a truck load of prizes!
The first prize of the new season is 2 tickets to the Heineken Cup match, Munster V Montauban in Thomond Park.
Logon to MyMunster.com and click on the Play to Win to enter.
Enter Here
September 15th, 2008
Hayes Out Of Munster Side
John Hayes has been withdrawn from the Munster side for this evening’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh (7.30pm) with Tony Buckley on his way to Scotland this morning as replacement.
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Glory for Galwey at Golf Classic
Former Munster Captain and rugby legend Mick Galwey and the Munster Sports Travel team took the top honours at Fota Island Resort on Monday 1st September at the 2008 Munster Rugby Golf Classic.
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Sponsorship Announced for Munster Senior Women’s Squad
Limerick based company Richmond Capital will sponsor the Munster Senior Women’s team as they continue in their preperations for the upcoming Interprovincial Series.
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September 8th, 2008
Setanta Cup Challenge
USA Rugby will host its second annual Setanta Challenge Cup, featuring the USA Eagles versus the 2008 Heineken Cup champions, Munster, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday week, August 23 at 3 p.m. (EDT).
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Canyon International & Oceanico Group Sponsor Munster Rugby Golf Classic
Canyon International Property Ltd and the Oceanico Group, the largest Golf & Leisure company in Europe and second largest in the world have agreed a three year sponsorship deal with Munster Rugby- sponsoring the ever popular Munster Rugby Golf Classic.
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Upcoming Coaching Courses
Have you signed up yet?
Make sure you are covered to coach at the correct level and sign up to one of the many coaching courses organised by the Munster Rugby Development Office this season.
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August 15th, 2008
Players Move Upstairs
Three players who retired from the senior squad at the end of last season – Anthony Foley, Mossy Lawlor and John Kelly – will remain involved with Munster at various levels.
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2008 Meteor Munster Sevens Tournament
Munster Rugby officially launch the Meteor Munster Seven’s Cup, the second annual club sevens rugby tournament in the province. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 30th August at Garryowen F.C.
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August 8th, 2008
Leamy out until Christmas
An operation on a shoulder will keep Denis Leamy out of action until end of November or early December.
The Tipperary man will undergo the surgery next Monday. Leamy had been troubled by the injury for past while and examination after the end of the tour to New Zealand and Australia confirmed the need for the surgery.
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McGahan’s team nears completion
The announcement of Laurie Fisher as Munster Forwards coach, firmly ticked one of the boxes that remained open in Tony McGahan’s coaching staff.
Fisher, who was coach to the ACT Brumbies for the past number of seasons succeeds another Brumbies man, Jim Williams, and he (Fisher) returned to Australia the following day to put his affairs in order before returning to take up his new role alongside McGahan.
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Munster U18 and U19 Summer Training
The nine week training programme is well underway at this stage, with the ultimate goal of identifying next season’s U18 and U19 Interprovincial sides.
The nine week programme will culminate with both camps taking part in an intense, week-long training session in Clongowes. Players from all over the province have been selected to take part in the training, which incorporates outdoor skill sessions and gym conditioning programmes utilising Munster Rugby resources.
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July 11th, 2008
The Dublin Events team have been running a competition on our behalf on their website www.dublinevents.com over the past couple of months and we would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Dublin Events team on their visit to Shelbourne Park this evening.
The result of all their work is that 310 people are enjoying their visit to Shelbourne tonight and one of them will win the overall prize of Dinner for Four in our magnificent Dobbins Restaurant.
We hope all our guests have a fantastic evening with us and that many of them will return in the future to sample the unique entertainment package that is Greyhound Racing at the home of greyhound racing, Shelbourne Park.
We race here at Shelbourne every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday with doors opening at 6.30 p.m and racing commencing at 7.55 p.m.
Restaurant bookings can be made by ringing 1890 269 969 (1890 BOW WOW)
June 3rd, 2008
Foley To Lead Munster
Squad announced for Munster’s final Magners League game of the 07/08 Season, against Glasgow Warriors in Musgrave Park on Saturday.
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End of an Era
When John Kelly made his debut for Munster in September 1997, Anthony Foley already had three seasons in the red jersey under his belt. In this season that sees Munster nominated the number 1 club in Europe, both hang up their boots, 13 and 10 seasons respectively after they started, leaving the squad ever the stronger for their presence. Mark Woods remembers two of the legends of Munster rugby.
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Video – Jason Holland
Jason Holland, Munster Rugby Video Analyst talks on the Munster View.
View Now
May 9th, 2008
Strong Squad for Strategy
Munster will send their strongest possible squad to Wales for the weekend Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets, this being Munster’s third away game in the space of six days.
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Junior Interprovincial Championship 2008
Round two of the Junior Interprovincial Championships and Munster take on their Ulster counterparts in Ballincollig RFC, Sat. 3rd May, ko 3pm.
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IRB Rugby Ready Programme
The IRB Rugby Ready programme aims to support individual coaches, referees, players and Unions in preparing to play the game and with good practice models for physical conditioning, technique, injury prevention and injury management.
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May 2nd, 2008
Planning permission has been granted for the first phase of the terminal expansion at Ireland West Airport Knock. The airport expansion is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Currently, Ireland West Airport Knock can carry 500,000 passengers a year. When the new developments are completed, this should rise to 800,000.
The terminal expansion will include a new security screening area, an expanded check-in hall, additional departures capacity and enhancements to the baggage sorting facility.
There is also a second extension planned for 2009-2010, which will provide additional arrivals capacity and further develop the departures areas.
April 9th, 2008
An Aide de Service – a specially designed service stop for motorhomes – has been launched at Askeaton in County Limerick.
Previously practically unheard of in Ireland, Aide de Services are common throughout the UK and the rest of Europe. According to current Aide de Service sites, they can bring in the benefits of tourist activity, such as increased business for local shops and restaurants.
The first official Aire de Service in Askeaton forms part of the Askeaton Pool and Leisure Centre Development and is close to the Tourist Information Point at Askeaton Civic Trust House.
Many tourists enjoy driving holidays in Ireland, touring the country in their motorhomes. Research has shown they tend to stay longer in the country, spend more money and travel to more rural locations.
An Aide de Service post will include some or all of the following: a fresh water fill point, waste water emptying point, chemical toilet emptying point, rubbish disposal facility and in some cases, even an electrical hook-up. Those using the service say it is an excellent way to meet fellow motorhome owners.
April 9th, 2008
Dublin’s own Gate Theatre visits the prestigious Lincoln Center Festival this July in New York.
Three prestigious actors, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Barry McGovern, will perform Samuel Beckett monologues as part of the Gate | Beckett portion of the festival. This will feature three works not originally conceived for the theatre: Eh Joe, I’ll Go On and First Love.
Eh Joe will star renowned Irish actor Liam Neeson in his debut role for the Gate. This powerful monologue has been described as one of the “greatest half hours in theatrical history”.
Barry McGovern will star in I’ll Go On, a one-man show based on Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable. First performed at the Gate Theatre in 1985, this tour de force has toured worldwide to great critical acclaim.
First Love, Beckett’s darkly humorous post war novella, stars international stage and screen actor Ralph Fiennes with direction by Gate Theatre Director Michael Colgan. The 55-minutes which make up First Love will fly by thanks to Ralph Fiennes’ charismatic performance.
The Lincoln Center Festival is a great opportunity to increase the international artistic significance of the Gate Theatre. Visit www.lincolncenter.org for booking details.
March 27th, 2008
In the 80 years since it opened the Gate Theatre has been a unique venue. It has only had two artistic directors in its time, a level of consistency not seen in any other theatre.
In 1991 the Gate was the first theatre in the world to show a full retrospective of Samuel Beckett’s 19 stage plays. The theatre has also been at the forefront of promoting Irish writing and acting talent.
Over the past 25 years, the Gate Theatre has continued to refurbish, improve and expand on the 18th century building it is housed in. This building has been an architectural focal point in Dublin for over 200 years.
This year sees the Gate celebrate 80 years since it opened its doors as a theatre. Don’t miss the programme of plays and talks to mark this momentous event.
March 26th, 2008
Every Saturday from 10AM – 5PM, The Designer Mart will showcase the work of over 30 Irish and Irish-based designers.
This is a great chance to see beautiful handmade creations in the areas of fashion, furnishings, crafts and visual arts.
The Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar will run on every Saturday from March 22nd.
March 18th, 2008
The 19th century was a period of great change for Dublin. By 1800 the population of Dublin had risen to around 180,000. To meet the needs of the growing population, fever hospitals were opened in Dublin in 1803 and 1804. The most common fever was typhus, sometimes called gaol fever, because it was so common in prisons.
In the early 19th century several new bridges were built across the River Liffey to improve transportation in Dublin. O’Donovan Rossa bridge was built in 1813; Ha’Penny Bridge (also called Liffey Bridge) opened in 1816 and Kingsbridge opened in 1828. This later had its name changed to Heuston bridge). Queen Victoria bridge, now Rory O’More Bridge was built in 1859. The Royal Canal was opened in 1817.
A column with a statue of Nelson on top was erected in 1808. It was destroyed in the 1960s. In 1855 the fair which had been held each year since the 13th century was stopped. In 1825 St Mary’s Protestant Cathedral was built.
In 1824 a gasworks was built in Dublin and gas was used to light the streets from 1825. The first electric lights in Dublin were switched on in 1881 but electric light was a rare novelty until the early 20th century. In the early 19th century sewers were laid but only in the middle class districts (poor areas could not pay the necessary rates). The sewers were extended in the 1850s, 1860s and 1870s.
The railway reached Dublin in 1834 when a line to Kingsbridge was built. Horse drawn buses began running in Dublin in 1840. They were followed by horse drawn trams in 1872.
From 1838 there were workhouses in Dublin where the destitute were fed and housed. During the potato famine they were overwhelmed by the numbers fleeing starvation in the countryside. Soup kitchens had to be set up in the streets to try and feed them. Although the population of Ireland fell sharply after the famine the population of Dublin actually rose because of the number of starving people fleeing to the city.
In 1853 an industrial exhibition was held in Dublin on Leinster Lawn. The Zoological Gardens opened in Phoenix Park in 1830. Portobello Gardens opened as a park in 1839. A Natural History Museum opened in 1857. The National Gallery of Ireland opened in 1864. The National Museum of Ireland opened in 1890. The Gaiety Theatre opened in 1871. In 1882 a memorial to O’Connell was erected in O’Connell Street.
The Catholic University was founded in 1845. Catholics were allowed to attend Trinity College after 1873 but the Catholic church disapproved of Catholics going there. Glasnevin Catholic cemetery opened in 1832. In 1892 a new fruit and vegetable market opened and in 1897 a new fish market opened.
March 12th, 2008
You can win a trip for two people to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing by entering the Budweiser Rock Paper Scissors Championships.
From Thursday 6th March, contestants will bravely risk hand cramps, broken nails and psychological exhaustion in their bid to become the Budweiser Rock Paper Scissors Champion of Ireland.
The champion will go on to represent Ireland at the 2008 Olympic Games (as a spectator).
Speaking at the launch of the Championship, Diageo Head of Lagers, Niall Tracey said “There is a real sense of excitement about this championship. It’s the first of its kind in Ireland and we hope to find a worthy Budweiser Rock Paper Scissors Champion, and of course have a lot of fun along the way. We will be looking out for someone with real agility and stamina that will be able to compete against the best”.
Matti Leshem, Commissioner of the USA Rock Paper Scissors League said: “With the support of Budweiser, we are excited to take Rock Paper Scissors to the international stage in 2008 and expect Ireland to produce a talented field. Rock Paper Scissors is a game of strategy and skill, and competitors will not be able to rely on the ‘luck of the Irish’ to become the country’s Rock Paper Scissors champion!”
The Rock Paper Scissors championships will take place in 64 pubs in the Dublin area throughout March and April. Players will compete in a knock-out tournament, on a best of three matches basis, until there is one left standing.
Any competitors may want to take note of some practical advice from the USARPS League: Rock is the most common opening move, and also the move used most often in times need. Paper is considered to be a passive move, but it still defeats rock. Scissors is the favourite of more cerebral players.
If you want to represent Ireland at the Olympics, now is the time to get practising. No-one wants to risk finger strain during the championships.
Find out more at http://www.usarps.com
March 5th, 2008
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