Posts filed under 'General'
Ron Black’s is all about socialising around food and drink.
Its city centre location makes it a convenient meeting place for locals and tourists and the split-level arrangement is exciting. The quality furnishings in Ron Black’s create a comfort zone; especially the lounge area at the rear of the ground floor bar and restaurant area. There is a variety of choice for a variety of moods and needs.
Whether you want to sit at the bar, people watch at the window or recline lazily on one of the couches at the rear, you can at Ron Black’s. You can even invite 150 of your friends to a party with its own private bar.
The restaurant area seats 200, making a lively atmosphere. The quality of the service is exceptional from a Europe-wide staff blessed with extra charm and courtesy.
The lunch menu combines excellent flavours with great value. Nothing on the food menu exceeds €10.50. If you have a soft spot for side orders such as delicious onion rings or cheese and garlic ciabatta. Main meals include beef cannelloni, Thai chicken curry, lasagne and Caesar salads, but even in these sophisticated circumstances, bangers and mash, fish and chips and burgers are also on offer. The younger members of the party will love them.
Sunday brunch comes highly recommended and the prices for evening meals do not drift upwards.
Ron Black’s is located opposite the Mansion House in Dawson Street.
March 4th, 2008
Pub chain Thomas Read has won the Best Multiple Operator award in the Irish Region at the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008.
They were also nominated for Best New Bar, Best Drinks Selection and Best Bar Team.
The Best Multiple Operator Award was judged throughout all 32 counties of Ireland and the winners were announced on the 26th February in Belfast
All the winners automatically qualify as finalists for the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards Final. This takes place on the 17th June in London.
The Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards celebrates the best in the hospitality industry.
Now in their seventh year, they include four regional nomination parties and culminate in the Ireland & UK Final, where over 800 key professionals celebrate the dynamic and exciting industry.
The winners are chosen through a mixture of online voting, extensive canvassing of opinion from key regional contacts and mystery visiting. At the end of the process a winner for each category in each region is announced, with the four regional winners subject to further scrutiny and mystery visits prior to the announcement of the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008 Winners on 17th June.
The four regions are: Ireland, Scotland, the South of England (covering everywhere south of Birmingham) and The North of England and Wales (this covers everywhere north of Birmingham and Wales).
The Thomas Read Group has successfully operated some of Dublin’s finest, cutting-edge and market-leading bars and restaurants.
Along with the original Thomas Read & Oak Bar, the group’s portfolio has expanded into different markets and includes popular venues such as Ron Black’s, The Bailey, Searsons, Lincoln’s Inn, The Globe, Ri-Ri, Pravda, Harbourmaster, Floridita Dublin, Thomas Read Smithfield, Thomas House, TRG Airport, Bodega Wine & Tapas Bar and Kingswood Country House.
They also run the Dawson Lounge, famed as the smallest bar in Dublin.
Recent additions including The Champagne Bar and The Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop prove the company’s commitment to leading the way in the food and drink sector.
The award winning Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop is situated on Lower Ormond Quay. Specialising in simple Irish cooking with an organic direction and extensive wine list, their latest award is the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand.
Its ‘unique’ atmosphere has been maintained and it still attracts many regulars who visit daily. The Winding Stair establishment is widely seen as one of Dublin’s hidden gems.
The Champagne Bar, located on the 1st Floor above Ron Black’s, is renowned for its large selection of Champagnes & Wines and its beautiful décor.
On the back of this, the Thomas Read Group has secured the ‘exclusive distribution’ rights for Henri Abelé Champagne in Ireland. This excellent Brut Traditional NV is true, highly-spirited champagne with distinctive floral aromas and a pleasing crispness.
With an expanding selection of venues, the Thomas Read group should expect even more success in the future.
February 29th, 2008
Enjoy Texas Hold ‘Em, one of the most popular types of poker, with a free Guinness Poker Kit.
The kit contains a Guinness glass, Guinness can voucher, guide to Texas Hold ‘Em, chips and cards.
All you have to do is register with Guinness.com for your chance to win this great poker set. When You’ve registered, you can even pass on the competition details to your friends with a personalised video message.
Brush up on your poker skills with Guinness.
February 28th, 2008
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world. However, for many it is simply a party, rather than a chance to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint. This is strange, because Saint Patrick had a dramatic life.
As a young lad of sixteen years he was captured by a band of raiders near Bologne in Gaul and taken with many others to slavery in Ireland. He was first brought to Mayo, but later sold to an Antrim farmer and he spent six years in captivity as a shepherd on Slemish Mountain.
One cold winter’s night, while Patrick slept, he heard a voice telling him “it is well that you fast, soon you will go to your own country” and a short time later the voice said to him “Look, your ship is ready”.
The spirit guided Patrick to the south of Ireland near Wicklow where he boarded a ship with a cargo of dogs bound for Gaul.
At this time an invasion of Gaul had left much of it desolate. Patrick and the crew of the boat wandered for 28 days until all food had run out. Patrick said to the crew “turn to God and he will provide” and suddenly a herd of pigs appeared and they had food once more. Patrick had performed his first miracle.
For a number of years Patrick wandered through Gaul. Conscious of his lack of formal training in theology and law he spent his time talking to and learning from the wise deacons and Bishops and soon he was made a Bishop in Rome.
He was lonely in Gaul so he went to visit his relations in Britain. While he was there he had another vision in which a man arrived from Ireland with many letters, including one for himself. The letter said “We ask you boy to come and walk once more among us”. Patrick was delighted and went to Ireland immediately.
The people of Ireland at this time were pagans under the influence of the Druids. Patrick had first to rid the country of these “magicians”. This is symbolised by the banishing of the snakes forever from Ireland.
He now set about converting the people to Christianity. His deep faith and belief in the Blessed Trinity made this doctrine a centre piece of his instruction. To help explain the mystery he used the simple 3 leaf shamrock to illustrate 3 persons in one God.
St Patrick died in 461. By this time he had created an established structured church throughout the country. His converts were across the entire social classes from Princes to slaves and many of his priests and deacons were from the youth of Ireland. He is still to this day the most famous figure in Irish history and is one of the best known figures throughout the Christian world.
February 27th, 2008
Dublin Castle is one of the most important tourist attractions in Ireland, and has played an important role in Irish history throughout the centuries.
Construction began in 1204 and by 1230, Dublin Castle was largely complete. The original castle was of typical Norman design, with a defensive tower and each corner and a courtyard instead of a keep. Today, Record Tower is the sole surviving tower of the medieval castle.
The castle continued to evolve and change use over the years, acting as the seat of government, a prison, a royal residence and, its original purpose, a defensive fort.
Today Dublin Castle is a great tourist attraction and is also used to host state functions. The castle complex also hosts the Chester Beatty Library, which houses the manuscripts collected by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.
No visit to Ireland is complete without visiting Dublin Castle – a remarkable building with a remarkable history.
January 29th, 2008
Jaipur, winner of the Best World Cuisine Award in 2004 counts celebrities such as Bono, Van Morrison, Pierce Brosnan, authors Maeve Binchy and Hugh Leonard among its satisfied customers.
Jaipur is an authentic Indian restaurant in the charming village of Dalkey, which nestles between Killiney Hill and the Dublin Bay coast. Everything on the menu celebrates traditional Indian cooking, no more than the special Gourmet Menu. Priced at €40 Euro per person, this includes eleven delectable items.
As well as using traditional ingredients, the chefs in Jaipur recreate authentic cooking methods. For instance, to produce the rustic smoked taste for the kebabs, the traditional Punjab wood charcoal method is used.
According to manager Poojary, the Jaipur menu: “reflects the confluence of flavours drawn from the four corners of the Indian sub-continent. We endeavour to cook each dish in its purest traditional culinary form with spicing levels determined by the customer or the talented chef, Sunic.”
Jaipur talented staff have interpreted Indian cuisine and reproduced it in the context of the contemporary Irish environment. The result is a cooking format along European lines which is a process of refining the sauces and producing distinctive layers of flavours for the palate. This detailed dedication is truly admirable.
Jaipur in Dalkey is open seven days a week from 5.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Early bird specials are available from 5.30 to 7 p.m – three delicious courses for just €20.
January 8th, 2008
Calendars may be a traditional Christmas gift, but the John Nolan 2008 calendar ‘Paying Homage’ is still a great present.
The calendar features prints of twelve of John Nolan’s recent works, incorporating images and references from masters such as Van Gogh, Modigliani, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Matisse and Picasso.
Each picture includes an explanatory note which discusses the nature of the painting and John’s influences.
By paying homage to some of the most well-known modern artists in history, John Nolan has produced an excellent collection, making the calendar a wonderful gift from anyone who appreciates great art.
January 3rd, 2008
There’s still time to pick up some great gifts at the Temple Bar Christmas Market.
The markets are on every Saturday and Sunday in the run-up to Christmas. That’s the 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd of December. Each day’s trading runs from 9.3AM to 4PM.
The Old City area in Temple Bar is completely pedestrianised, so you can enjoy a wander about the cobbled streets,without worrying about traffic.
You will be able to get jewellery, beauty products, decorations and much more at the Temple Bar Christmas Market. If all that shopping gives you an appetite, enjoy a cup of mulled wine and lunch at one of the local cafes or bakeries.
December 13th, 2007
The Unicorn in Merrion Court is a famous name in Dublin’s restaurant scene, where it has served its citizens and visitors for over 60 years.
The Unicorn is an established rendezvous for the movers and shakers in society, especially for Saturday lunch when it is popular with political animals, media types, thespians, musicians and playwrights. It offers a lively contemporary atmosphere with a sure-fire sense of occasion and a fidelity to Italian cuisine which is “religious” in its intensity.
Proprietors Giorgio and Jeff, who acquired the restaurant in 1995 from the family who ran it for the previous 58 years, believe in hands on management. The details of the traceable origin of the food are included on the menu. They monitor the quality of the food and its regional origins in Tuscany, Lombardy or Piedmont.
The outdoor terraced section of the restaurant which makes the Merrion Court a most colourful scene is a smokers’ sanctuary par excellence. Weather permitting, al fresco dining is enjoyed by non smokers to.
The Unicorn is a highly successful business which has expanded to a piano bar in a separate building and thriving retail outlet for Italian food. The professional staffs, including chefs Paul Skelton and Brian Farren, enjoy a well earned reputation for friendliness and efficient service.
Book a table at the Unicorn to experience the excellent Italian cuisine.
November 28th, 2007
There’s a great selection of children’s theatre this Christmas, with a new musical Christmas show by Eurovision winner Shay Healy and Theatre Director Michael Scott.
Santa and The Penguins will be touring nationwide, with two other hugely sucessful Christmas shows, The Toys Save Santa and Santa and the Present Pirates.
Santa and the Penguins is a bright new Christmas entertainment for children, which aims to delight and entertain while also introducing young audiences to some of the most important environmental issues facing us and how we can all play a part in preventing them.
The three shows are packed full of music, fun and lots of audience interaction.
The three shows start a nationwide tour, with more than 150 performances, on 28th November and runs until 23rd December.
For a full list of touring dates and a free music download with the songs and words from each show, please log on to www.citytheatredublin.com.
November 22nd, 2007
Celebrate the festive season with a visit to the Howth Ice Rink.
The Howth is Magic on Ice includes an all weather ice rink, refreshment stands and a free playground for younger children.
If you want a break from the ice rink, or can’t stay up on the ice, you can also enjoy the view of Howth harbour. See if you can see the seals.
Howth is Magic on Ice is open from December 14th to January 13th, from 12pm – 10pm during the week and 11am – 10pm at weekends.
Open hours
Adult – €15
Child Under 12 – €8
Family – €44
Students – €12
School Children – €8
Tiny Tots – €8
Spectators – €2 entrance fee
Enjoy a great day out with Howth is Magic on Ice.
November 22nd, 2007
From the moment you step into Poulot’s Restaurant in Donnybrook, Dublin, you are entering a comfort zone, designed so you can relax and enjoy your meal.
And you certainly will enjoy your meal. Charming though the environment may be, the food prepared and cooked by Jean-Michel Poulot surpasses everything. A speciality is a Japanese-style yellow fin tuna, while the loin of venison is wonderful and delicately flavoured.
Poulot’s is not cheap. How could cuisine of this calibre be so? But it is superb value. For sheer flair, its excellence will make any celebration memorable.
The imaginative dishes set Poulot’s in a class apart. Starters include rabbit loin served with basil risotto, pepper compote and sage butter or seared duck fois gras, served with fig compote, toasted brioche and vinegar syrup. Main courses like the fillet of barbary duck is worth ordering just for the buttered green cabbage with which it is served. Seafood dishes include spiced scallops or roasted fillet of sea bass. Both are highly recommended.
For good calorific value try Opera Carupano for dessert. It contains 70% cocoa chocolate fondant! A little of what you fancy indeed.
November 15th, 2007
Find out about the scandalous and fantastic lives of infamous criminals and other leading Dublin personalities from times past, in Hidden Dublin – Deadbeats, Dossers and Decent Skins by Frank Hopkins.
The author of Rare Old Dublin has produced a great collection of true stories from the murkier regions of Ireland’s capital.
Criminal incidents, accidents, whippings, beatings, jail escapes and hangings were all a regular feature of life in Dublin in the 18th and 19th centuries. In this gripping new collection of true stories, Hopkins creates a vivid picture of violent crime in Dublin’s past. He describes the poverty, soup kitchens, food riots, street beggars and workhouses that were part of life in the capital.
He also introduces us to the weird, wonderful, and often downright strange customs and pastimes of Dubliners stretching back to the Middle Ages. These included the ‘bearing of balls’ annual parade by the city’s bachelors and the ritual humiliation of would-be bridegrooms at the bullring – not so different from today’s stag nights!
Frank Hopkins grew up in Ringsend and now lives with his family in Rathfarnham. He contributes a twice-weekly piece on Dublin history and characters to the Evening Herald and is also the author of Rare Old Dublin, published in 2002.
Hidden Dublin is published in hardback for €20.
October 30th, 2007
I’m just looking I’m not buying, I’m just looking keeps me smiling – yes the Stereophonics are back after two years away and will be touring Ireland.
They will be playing in Belfast on 27 November, Killarney on 28 November and Dublin on 29 November. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster.
The boys’ fantastic sixth album, Pull the Pin, written by Kelly Jones includes the lead single ‘It means nothing’ and will be released on 15 October. The album can be pre-ordered from HMV.
This tour really will be amazing – with so much energy stored up for two years, I’m sure they will blow us all away.
UK and Ireland Tour Dates – 2007
Mon 29 Oct Lincoln, University of Lincoln SU
Tue 30 Oct Dundee, Caird Hall
Sun 4 Nov Bournemouth, International Centre
Mon 5 Nov Brighton, Brighton Centre
Wed 7 Nov Manchester, MEN Arena
Thu 8 Nov Hull, Arena
Fri 9 Nov Sheffield, Hallam FM Arena
Sun 11 Nov Birmingham, NEC
Mon 12 Nov Birmingham, NEC
Tue 13 Nov Nottingham, Nottingham Arena
Thu 15 Nov London, Wembley Arena
Fri 16 Nov London, Wembley Arena
Sun 18 Nov Cardiff, CIA
Mon 19 Nov Cardiff, CIA
Tue 20 Nov Cardiff, CIA
Thu 22 Nov Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
Sat 24 Nov Aberdeen, AECC
Sun 25 Nov Glasgow, SECC
Tue 27 Nov Belfast, Odyssey
Wed 28 Nov Killarney, INEC
Thu 29 Nov Dublin, RDS
October 8th, 2007
Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes has opened his first Irish venture, the exciting new restaurant RhodesD7.
RhodesD7 has Gary Rhodes distinctive touch, using top quality local ingredients, as well as inspiration from his travels across the world.
The food in RhodesD7 is a fusion of traditional Irish favourites and European cooking – Gary Rhodes always tries to celebrate local cooking in his restaurants, and RhodesD7 is no different.
Main courses include braised shank of lamb, served summer vegetable ragout and champ potato. Among the other hearty, rustic mains is the RD7 Ploughman’s, a speciality at the restaurant. This is made with Cashel Blue quiche, baked ham and piccalilli, smoked salmon, Irish Camembert, rabbit and foie gras terrine, tomato and basil salad and chips. The combination of flavours is stunning.
A selection of 120 wines is available to compliment your meal, with every major wine producing region represented.
Gary Rhodes will oversee RhodesD7, while head chef duties go to Paul Hargreaves. Paul has worked with Gary Rhodes for the past six years, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to RhodesD7.
Find out more about RhodesD7 or book a table.
September 3rd, 2007
Rihanna’s live music events take place in Dublin on Sunday 2 December and Belfast on Monday 3 December, and as they’re both indoor gigs there’s no need to bring along an umbrella. Mind you the last gig I was at I got soaked with a pint of beer, so standing under someone’s umbrella-ella-ella-ella-ella, eh-oh- oh oh oh, mightn’t be such a bad idea after aaaall.
Book tickets for Rihanna’s gig in Dublin
Book tickets for the live event in Belfast
Umbrella was the theme tune for many a summer festival and extremely catchy! The latest single Shut Up and Drive is equally as catchy and set to be the theme tune for a drive.
I was watching the making of the Shut Up And Drive video with great pleasure on MTV earlier this week.
I really like all of the effort that went into sourcing the classic cars not to mention the young ladies washing them (ahem) of course I was looking at the cars, not the ladies, don’t mistake me for some kind of pervert!
The video is as slick as Rihanna’s new hairdo – have a look for yourself.
Enjoy the gigs!
August 22nd, 2007
Red, the MS Ireland reading superhero, is urging you to sign up to this year’s MS READaTHON. The 2007 READaTHON is extra special, because it is the 20th birthday of this great sponsored read.
Children who join in will get to read some of their favourite stories and they will be raising money for the 7,000 in Ireland who who living with Multiple Sclerosis.
During last year’s READaTHON, more than more than 30,000 children aged 6-16 read over 500,000 books, raising €1.2million for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland. Red and everyone else hopes the 2007 READaTHON will be even bigger.
The MS READaTHON runs from 19th October – 19th November. This year it is supported by lots of famous authors, including Jacqueline Wilson – the creator of Tracy Beaker.
Children can take part in the MS READaTHON individually or classes can be signed up by their teacher. Everyone who takes part will recieve a thank you gift and a Certificate of Appreciation.
There is also the change to win lots of major prizes, including a computer, a trip for two to see Manchester United play at Old Trafford, a portable DVD player and a bike.
Schools can compete for the Winning Schools Trophies and for thousands of euros worth of books with which to update their school libraries. There are prizes for teachers and librarians too. In addition, ten per cent of the money raised in each school can be kept to buy books or reading aids for the school. This year a school can also win a brand new top of the range computer plus a digital camera.
The sign up period begins on 10th September. Schools can sign up by filling out the entry forms that they will all receive in September. Individuals can pick up entry forms from their local library or bookshop.
For more information visit www.msreadathon.ie or phone 1850 650 950.
MS READaTHON Manager, Cheryl Gunning, says: “The MS READaTHON encourages children to read, giving them one of the greatest gifts possible, a love of books – all the while helping to raise funds for much needed services for people with MS. Last year, we were thrilled that school children raised €1.2 million for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland. And this year we’re really looking forward to celebrating our 20th birthday with even more success stories!”
And one last word from our Superhero Red! “The more I read the more superpowers I get – and now with my incredible knowledge and wisdom I outsmart the villains. My mission is to encourage children to read more, which helps them to develop a fantastic imagination and to broaden their knowledge!”
By taking part in the 2007 MS READaTHON, you can be more like Red!
August 21st, 2007
UB40 get back to their reggae roots almost 30 years after they first got together to perform 3 live gigs in Ireland in November. Live music performances take place on and at:
Ali Campbell’s warm voice will melt Irish hearts as UB40 belt out old favourites like Red, Red, Wine and I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.
They will also perform newer music from the album Who You fighting For, a return of UB40’s political voice mixed in with meaningful lyrics and beautiful beats.
UB40 are amazingly talented and their unique reggae sound, with influences from Jamaican Ska to Elvis, is what has made their career so successful.
Here’s a live music clip of Kiss and Say Goodbye – from Who You Fighting For with Ali at his soulful best
Facts about UB40
- They formed in the summer of 1978.
- UB40 began as mates who knew each other from various colleges and schools across Birmingham.
- Birmingham is their home town.
- UB40 stands for Unemployment Benefit Form 40.
- Before they even picked up an instrument, Ali Campbell and Brian Travers travelled around Birmingham promoting the band, putting up UB40 posters to promote the band!
- £4,000 in compensation paid out to Ali Campbell after a bar brawl paid for the band’s instruments (even though few knew how to play!).
- Ali and Robin Campbell’s father is Ian Campbell, a popular folk musician.
- They made it big when Chrissie Hynde heard them play in a pub in Birmingham and asked them to be her support act.
- John Peel was so impressed with the group’s first demo tape that he invited them to perform on his Radio One show in 1980.
- Their injection of life into many old Jamaican hits resulted in many musicians’ and producers’ renewed popularity and income. (Source: Wikipedia)
- UB40 named their first album Signing Off because they were ‘signing off from the dole’ in other words, getting a job. The album even had a reproduction of the unemployment benefit card on the cover with the words, “Signing Off” stamped on it.
- In 1985, the group celebrated a hit single with I Got You Babe, recorded with Chrissie Hynde.
- UB40’s first single, a double coupling of King, a song for Martin Luther King and Food for Thought, a song about third-world poverty, was the first record to reach the UK top ten without the backing of a major record label.
- The band formed their own record company in 1980 called Dep International.
- In August 1983, UB40 achieved their first No.1 single in the UK.
Red Red Wine was released ahead of the album Labour of Love, which went straight to No.1 upon its release in September 1983.
- The Labour Of Love Album, produced and co-written by saxophonist Brian Travers, was made into a short movie and features most of the music from the album and some members of the band.
- UB40 were the first British band to tour Russia.
- (I can’t help) Falling In Love With You was the bands third No.1. It proved to be the second top selling single of 1993.
- (I can’t help) Falling In Love With You reached No.1 in 17 other countries around the world.
- (I can’t help) Falling In Love With You was initially featured in the Sharon Stone film Sliver and spent seven weeks at number one in the USA.
- Promises & Lies entered the UK charts at No.1 and stayed there
for 7 weeks which was the longest time for any album to have stayed at the
top in 1993.
- Swing Low was recorded with the multi-cultural choir United Colours of Sound and became the official anthem for the 2003 English Rugby Team.
- Promises And Lies was the inspiration for a musical performed by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company in 2006.
- Sparta Florida Music Group started legal action against heiress Paris Hilton and Warner Chappell Music in June 2007 for plagiarism due to similarities between the song Kingston Town, originally by Lord Creator and Paris’s Stars Are Blind song.
Visit UB40’s official website: http://www.ub40.co.uk/
August 20th, 2007
The white-tailed eagle has been reintroduced to Ireland, over a century since they were driven to extinction.
Twelve white-tailed eagles were released in the Killarney national park. This follows successful schemes to reintroduce the golden eagle and red kite. Both species had also been hunted to extinction in Ireland.
The Rural Environment Protection Scheme aims to reintroduction other species and encourage the development of cereal plots to provide food for wildlife.
The release of the white-tailed eagles should delight birdwatchers and anyone interested in the environment in Ireland.
Enthusiasts could even join this new online network for birdwatchers I’ve just found, called Geobirds, and post sightings of the eagle in Killarney!
August 17th, 2007
The live musical performances of Natasha Bedingfield in Dublin and Belfast have been rescheduled and she’ll now perform in February due to her commitments in the USA.
I’m bruised, as I was really looking forward to see her play live in Dublin, and Natasha, like you, I bruise easily!
Nevermind, at least it’ll chase away my winter blues seeing her beautiful face in February! Also, as the event is round about Valentines Day, maybe I can give her a card!
Dates are as follows:
If any of your friends are going to the gig, then send them a note from a cute little baby!
See the video of
I Wanna Have Your Babies
:
August 17th, 2007
Tony Wilson (57), died on Friday 12th August. He leaves behind a generation inspired by his musical tastes and dedication to madchester.
Wilson was a founder of Factory Records in the late 1970s, the label behind Joy Division, New Order and The Happy Mondays and he set up the Hacienda, in 1982 – centre of the madchester scene.
The story of Tony Wilson, the man, and the music was documented in the 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, where Wilson’s character was played by comedian Steve Coogan. The film portrays the genius of Tony Wilson who has inspired generations of music makers (and mischief makers) putting Manchester’s music scene firmly on the map.
Read more about the man who founded the Happy Mondays here
Tony RIP – you will be sadly missed.
Please post thoughts and respect for Tony below……
August 14th, 2007
On Thursday 4 and Friday 5 October at Tripod you’ll be swigging lager-lager-lager-lager shouting, lager-lager-lager-lager-shouting, lager-lager-lager-shouting to classic tunes from Underworld—boy!
Best known for Born Slippy of Trainspotting fame, the dance mixmasters bring their DJ talents to Dublin. So if you’re looking for a dance event in Dublin then get yourself along to Tripod to tap your toes to tunes that will permeate your mind faster than a pink microdot.
Book tickets for Underworld, Thursday 4 October at Tripod in Dublin
Book tickets for Underworld, Friday 5 October at Tripod in Dublin
Visit Underworld’s MySpace page and listen to Born Slippy, as well as the brilliant Crocodile, the latest track from their new album Oblivion with Bell. You can also check out the rest of their tour dates if you happen to miss out on the live event in Dublin.
If you do miss it, or simply want more, then Underworld are also playing Belfast’s Kings Hall on Saturday 6 October.
August 14th, 2007
In the latest soccer fixtures, Ireland have some very challenging trips abroad. With friendlies and Euro 2008 qualifiers coming up, the Irish fans will be enjoying some exotic holidays as they follow the team.
First up, Ireland will be taking on Denmark in Aarhus on August the 22nd. This is sure to be an entertaining match, as both teams will be experimenting before resuming Euro 2008 qualifiers. This is the first international match for the Irish team since May and is a great opportunity for manager Steve Staunton to perhaps bring some fresh faces into the squad.
Back to competative matches, Ireland travel to Bratislava to face Slovakia in the Euro 2008 Group D qualifiers. The last time the two teams met, Ireland managed a 1 – 0 win.
They will be hoping to build on this success on Saturday September the 8th, and move one step closer to qualification for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
After the match in Slovakia, Ireland will hop across the border to take on the Czech Republic. The Sparta Prague Stadium will be packed as two of the favourites to progress from the Euro 2008 Group D qualifiers face off.
Last time the two team met, it was a hard fought 1 – 1 draw. Without the home advantage, Ireland will no doubt he happy with another draw against the skilled Czech attack.
You can join the Irish fans in Prague on Wednesday September the 12th.
On November the 17th, there is a match slightly closer to home, as Ireland travel to the beautiful Millenium Stadium in Wales for the last Euro 2008 qualifier.
The stadium is sure to be packed as, hopefully, Ireland secure their place among the qualifiers for Euro 2008.
Tickets for any of these games are available through the FAI.
August 10th, 2007
Tickets are now on sale for Sinead O’ Connor’s live gig in Dublin on 18 November @ the Olympia Theatre.
I’m a big fan of Sinead, (bigger than Britney Spears who shaved her head to imitate her idol) and I can safely say that nothing really compares to you Sinead, nothing.
Sinead O’Connor’s gig in Dublin ties in with her re-emergence into making music after semi-retiral in 2003 and recovery from an illness I can’t pronounce.
She has recorded her own double CD album, Theology (as well as having studied the subject at a Catholic College in Dublin) and, at 40, is said to be feeling more spiritual than the outspoken youth who tore up a photo of the Pope live on television. Perhaps since her ordainment as Mother Bernadette Marie she has put her life in order.
“Theology is an attempt to create a place of peace in a time of war,” said Sinead. “It is my own personal response to what has taken and is affecting everyone around the world since and including September 11, 2001.
“I want to be very clear – there is no message. No preaching. Nothing deep and meaningful the artist wants to say, nothing trouble making. I simply wanted to make a beautiful thing, out of something beautiful, which inspires me.”
(posted on: http://www.myspace.com/sineadoconnormusic)
Sinead recently recorded a couple of tracks (Illegal Attacks and Some Folks Are Hollow) for Ian Brown’s album, The World Is Yours. Sinead’s haunting voice, drives home the message of Illegal Attacks which is due to be released on the September 17 with the full album due out September 24. Brown recorded the music for the album with O’Connor live at Windmill Lane studios in Dublin, Ireland.
Sinead is notoriously outspoken and Illegal Attacks, with the line “So bring the soldiers back”, speaks out against the war in Iraq. She has also criticised the use of Ireland’s Shannon Airport as a stopover, so it seems controversy still pulses through her veins as much as her devotion to religion.
LINKS etc:
Find out more about this live music event in Dublin over at our main site @ Dublin Events
Her main site has “The Healing Room of Sinead O’Connor” as a warning before you enter; I wonder if she has healed at all!
Visit Ian Brown’s MySpace. Ian Brown will play Big Top at Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday 28th October.
Book tickets for Ian Brown’s amazing live music event in Dublin.
August 9th, 2007
It’ll be a Happy Monday in Dublin when the Happy Mondays perform live on 24 September at the Olympia Theatre. So if you want a happier face than Bez, book tickets for this live music event in Dublin now!
Just like the Happy Mondays, I’ll be taking by mate along, he doesn’t do much but likes a good night out and a dance. He also hates Mondays, so hopefully the ticket will cheer him up! Either that or I’ll order him some “herbal” hallucinogens.
Are they happy?
Notorious as much for their lifestyle as much as the music itself the band has had spurts of disbanding and reforming, with this being their third attempt at unification, so we hope this time they’ll stick around!
Whilst many bands are checking into rehab, Shaun seems to have cleaned up his act a bit, with a brand new pair of teeth, a healthier lifestyle (he’s rumoured to have taken to cycling round the Peak District!), a new album (Unkle Disfunctional) and a timetable of live shows (including the gig in Dublin). So it seems the Mondays are looking at happier days!
See before and after pics of Shaun Ryder’s gnashers
None of the singles from the album have been released yet and there are a couple of hidden tracks to look forward to which you might be treated to if you go to the live music event in Dublin.
You’ll see Bez freaky dancin’ to some of their new material including Cuntry Disco and Anti Warhole On The Dancefloor as well as my favourite, Kinky Afro.
See you there!
LINKS:
Buy tickets to see the Happy Mondays perform live in Dublin.
Visit the official Happy Mondays site – with live music videos of their recent performances.
Twist your melon man, look at the band’s official MySpace page and listen to some of their new music.
August 8th, 2007
Next Posts
Previous Posts
