Yearly Archives: 2014

taxi

Were you ‘on’ last night?

An urgent appeal.

Ross Geraghty writes:

“I know you don’t normally do this but a taxi drove off with ALL my worldly possessions last night. Literally everything I own in the world and having just returned to work after a period of unemployment I really am up shit Creek right now. I’d really appreciate it if you could put something up on your site. it was just after Midnight from Camden Street  and the taxi dropped me at the Supervalue in Churchtown. I’ve tried the guards but it wasn’t handed in. I’d just finished work and threw my bag in the boot, once I got our the driver must have forgot I’d my bag in the boot and left. …”

Anyone?

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What you may need to know:

1. Ron Howard’s drama about the whaleship Essex, which was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale (yes alright) in 1820. The shipwrecked crew were adrift for 90 days and resorted to cannibalism. Nom nom.

2. Based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 novel of the same name, the story of the Essex was the inspiration for Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick.

3. The man that was once Richie Cunningham has assembled an impressive supporting cast, including the untouchable Ben Whishaw and our lad Cillian Murphy.

4. Andy Serkis is doing the whale.

5. (Andy Serkis is not doing the whale).

6. Broadsheet Prognosis: More sperm than Ron Jeremy.

Release Date: March 13, 2015

(DelBoy is alive, well and living comfortably off the proceeds of his Eircom shares. Mark blogs about film, TV and other stuff at WhyBother.ie)

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We asked you to tell us what YOU wanted to know about Irish Water (under the Freedom of Information Act).

You answered in your dozens.

After much brooding and deliberation/tay-slurping…

The matter which excited most curiosity (Fluffy Biscuits, Clampers, MacGafraidh, Jimmythehead) was the circumstances in which GMC/Sierra, of the Denis O’Brien owned SiteServ group, came to obtain two regional contracts for the management of the installation of water meters. We have framed a request for copies of these and other regional contracts awarded, documentation submitted by both successful and unsuccessful bidders in the tender process leading up to same, as well as records of payments requested and made under the contracts.

Another area of concern (Greylines, GavD) was that of use and protection of private data submitted by consumers to Irish Water, and in particular whether or not this would be retained in the State. We have framed a further request with a view to finding out as much as we can about this process.

Finally, in view of the fact that Irish Water is subject to the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation, we agreed with commenter Mike that an overview of documentation submitted to the Commissioner, and the Commissioner’s response, might yield some interesting information. This request includes, but is not confined to, salary and benefit schemes for Irish Water staff.

The suggestion by ‘Edalicious’ that we find out when Irish Water will be implementing the “nationwide system of pipes to plumb Ribena directly into houses” will be forwarded at a later date.

We will now request access to the following records:

(i) The regional contracts entered into between Irish Water and GMC Sierra, J Murphy and Sons Limited and Coffey Northumbrian Limited respectively for the management of the installation of water meters in six regions throughout Ireland, together with the preceding invitation to tender in respect of the said contracts and all documentation received from both successful and unsuccessful parties pursuant to same, all payment invoices submitted by GMC Sierra, J Murphy and Sons Limited and Coffey Northumbrian Limited for payment pursuant to the said contracts, together with copies of all records of payments made to same to date.

(ii) All plans, guidelines, proposals, protocols and contracts relating to the compilation, analysis, protection and storage of private customer data (names, addresses, family composition and PPS numbers) submitted by customers to Irish Water, including without prejudice to the foregoing any plans, guidelines, proposals, protocols and contracts relating to the compilation, analysis, protection and storage of such data by persons (including companies) situate outside the State.

(iii) All plans, proposals and schemes submitted by Irish Water to the Regulator and/or Commission for Energy Regulation, together with responses received from the Regulator/Commission in relation to same, including, without prejudice to the foregoing, details of all employee salary and benefit schemes so submitted.

We will post the findings from Irish Water as we get them

Thanks all.

Previously: Win Your Freedom

Contains Impurities: The Irish Water Timeline

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Further to the viral success of Mattress Mick’s latest, comparatively high-budget and most successful video (above) to date.

And a memorable appearance on Derek Mooney’s RTÉ Radio 1 show yesterday.

Mick didn”t get where he is today on his own you know.

Often overlooked in all the hoopla is Paul Kelly (above arrowed) whose video company ‘Shoot Audition’ is set up in the back of the Mattress Mick store in Pearse Street, Dublin.

Paul writes:

“Just when I finished my film making courses in the Irish Film Academy. I was in the Yacht [pub] in Clontarf with a few of my friends, Jenny Dixon from [RTÉ’s] Fair City being one of my them.
It had been over 20 years since I met Mick and I was telling him what I was doing. Mick asked would I do videos to help his business. I smiled at Mick and told him we will make crazy marketing videos for youtube that won’t cost a lot. I told him I am going to Americanise you, put your face out there and make people laugh. That was three years ago. Today, all our dreams have come true…”

Fair play in fairness.

Shoot Audition

Previously: Mattress Mick on broadsheet

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The new Dublin Institute of Technology campus at Grangegorman

Are you in the Dublin Institue of Technology?

Read on.

Anon writes:

“It has not been reported in the media about the disaster that is DIT Grangegorman. The new DIT campus was opened up in September 2014. Once opened, it became clear that nearly everything was wrong. The building was to house Art and Design students as well as social studies and others. The buildings were not ready.
In fact, it was not purpose built. Fine Art students had no space or walls to hang their work; Visual Merchandising are carrying mannequinns between there and Mountjoy square, they also have no space; photography students have no darkroom as of yet; Visual Communications students do not have up to date software on the college computers; there are not enough classrooms on campus; classrooms are too small and stuffy, the windows are painted shut so it makes it worse; there is a lack of security on site despite a number of safety incidents and concerns; as well as classes not going ahead because of lack of electricity and plumbing for the first few weeks; a canteen that overcharges for in my opinion substandard food; these are handful of the problems.
A forum was held yesterday between DIT students’ union, the students, and heads of school. The heads of school were on several occasions called out on their shortcomings and mistakes in planning. Morale in the college is low obviously. The tutors, technicians, and students are doing the best with what they have though. It is surprising this hasn’t been reported, especially since a number of TDs visited the college only a few weeks ago for photo opportunities. I hope you will be able to spread what is happening here. It would really be appreciated.”

Anyone?

Previously: NEW DIT Colony 

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Sober Lane D4 in Irishtown, Dublin 4

A steak supper for SIX at Sober Lane D4’s new Supper Club tomorrow NIGHT was the prize.

But who had the best fantasy dinner guests?

Runners up (selected by Sober Lane):

Blonto: “My top three ‘fantasy’ Irish Supper guests are Peter O’Toole, Richard Harris and Oliver Reed. I’d have to record it all cos you’d be blotto after the starter.”

fluffy biscuits: “Michael Fassbender – make no mis-steak an eye catching guest, nice to look at and as he talks I could get lost in his eyes; Johnny Logan : I met him in Copenhagen and he was telling dirty jokes, nicest funniest man you would ever meat (get it!) and that’s just for starters (see what I did there!!) and Fr Peter McVerry – after ravishing Michael Fassbender I would like an engaging after dinner speaker, then Johnny can belt out a few tunes to bring an evening to a close.”

Paul D: “My top three ‘fantasy’ Irish Supper guests are Mrs Brown, Mrs Doyle, and my Mammy.” (Leave them fight over the tip!).”

Paula: “My fantasy dinner guests would have to be The Morbegs (both Molly & Rossa) and Bosco. Classic figures in Irish history.”

Winner:

Miami Dolphin’s Barn: “My top three ‘fantasy’ Irish Supper guests are Twink, Twink’s dog & Liam Neeson. If one goes missing we’ve got the best man for it. If the other goes missing, more pepper sauce for everyone.”

Thanks all.

Previously : Have You Six Friends

Sober Lane

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The new library in Dun Laoighaire, Co Dublin

Further to our plea for places to see during Dublin Open House this weekend

Dublin-based creative solutions agency Making Space write:

“We don’t normally do this, but after much talk this week about access to vacant spaces, ‘difficult Dublin’ and with the Irish Architecture Foundation opening doors across #Dublin this weekend for #OpenHouse, we thought we would share a few places that are worth a look….”

1. #ModernisminIreland – The stunning and under appreciated #Busáras designed by Michael Scott with mosaics by the late, great Patrick Scott, with the innovative engineering by Arup.

2. #OldTransport – With the planning of the new transport system Swiftway in full swing, the historic Broadstone, Midland & Great Western Railway in Phibsborough which opened in 1847 and ran trains until 1937 might be worth a look.

3. #Newvision Visit the Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Market Dublin to hear about the past struggles and plans for the old heart of the city.

4. #Hiddenstories Access will always be an issue for old buildings in even older cities, take the opportunity to stop complaining and see Dublin’s oldest house for the first time at No.9/9a Aungier St.

5. #Collaborativeinnovation Spend time soaking up inspiration from the versatile space created by Heneghan Peng Architects at the Airbnb Office, Dublin

6. #Access Take the chance to gain access to the Pigeon House Precinct and realise that not everything is black and white.

7. #futurethinking A bit of a trek but the new Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Library (above) is a great reminder that Dublin despite it’s faults, is still taking risks.

FIGHT!

MakingSpaces.ie

Open House Dublin

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Joe Travers (in orange) and Paddy Fleming (hi-vis jacket) from J.S McCarthy Limited paint the Ha’Penny bridge with a new coat of white paint today.

They say that the bridge has not had a new lick of paint since 2004.

*prepares love lock*

(Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland)