Author Archives: Bodger

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ News:

Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that while the number of marriages increased in 2021, it was still 15% below pre-pandemic levels.

The average age of brides in 2021 was 35.4 years, compared to 34.8 years in 2019, while grooms were also slightly older – 37.4 years last year compared to 36.8 years in 2019.

The average age for couples in same sex marriages was 40.1.

Number of marriages still below pre-pandemic levels

Still too young?

Only you can decide.

RollingNews

 DUP Councillor Margaret Tinsley

This morning.

Via Belfast Newsletter:

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council DUP Councillor Margaret Tinsley told the chamber she is fed up getting phone calls from concerned constituents about staff at the South Lake Leisure Centre wearing GAA tops instead of their council-branded uniform

“I have raised this on numerous occasions and I don’t know what it is going to take to get it sorted out,” said the DUP councillor.

“I was at the South Lake Leisure Centre on Saturday and to be fair I only saw one member of staff with a GAA top on but I am sick of my phone ringing being told that staff at this facility are wearing GAA tops.”

Complaints about leisure centre staff wearing GAA tops instead of council uniform (Belfast Newsletter)

Meanwhile…

Oh.

Top pic: Aaron McCraken

Hang on.

This morning.

Dublin 1.

Conor George writes:

SPAR is celebrating Make-A-Wish’s annual Wish Day today by turning its popular SPAR Castelforbes store in Dublin blue as part of the charity’s Light Up Blue initiative, which aims to shine a light on children waiting for their wishes to come true.

Other venues that are turning blue as part of the Light Up Blue initiative today include The Convention Centre Dublin,, 3 Arena, Intercontinental Hotel in Ballsbridge, Heuston Station and Rock of Cashel. It is hoped that the awareness generated by the campaign will help raise critical funds to allow children living with life-threatening illnesses to experience and enjoy magical moments.

Pic: BWG foods

Housing minister Darragh O’Brien

This morning.

Via RTE News:

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr Lorcan Sirr said the State’s role in the housing market has gone from about 11% five years ago to nearly 25% now.

“So the State is buying one in four of all brand new houses. At the same time we see the amount of houses being bought by first-time buyers is going down and we see the number of housing coming for sale on the market has reduced considerably.”

Dr Sirr said data from the Department of Housing reveals that two local authorities, including Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien’s own Fingal County Council and Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s Cork City Council, did not build any social housing last year, or buy any.

He said South Dublin County Council, “which has 5,000 households on the housing waiting list”, built just two and bought none.

Housing expert says first-time buyers facing ‘less and less’ choice (RTE)

RollingNews

The kettle’s whistling for you.

Via Bed Breakfast Ireland

We are delighted to share with you An Post’s new range of stamps launching today. The postal stamps are inspired by the iconic Irish breakfast and celebrate Irish tourism and hospitality. We are delighted to be promoting this campaign #irishbreakfast…

*wipes drool*.

Artist, anyone?

From top: Lunch served at a Direct Provision centre in Monaghan in 2020 prepared by Aramark

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ News:

Catering group Aramark has been given the contract for providing meals for refugees from Ukraine without going through the regular procurement process.

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the Government had to move quickly and added “we have not be able to use the traditional procurement processes”.

“We have had to move quickly, that is why 16,000 are being fed,” he said.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said: “Aramark, you will know, have been a very controversial company criticised for the poor quality of their catering in US prisons, for the poor quality of some of the catering they provide for the people in Direct Provision.”

Aramark awarded contract for refugee centres (RTE)

Previously: Meanwhile, In Limerick

‘sup?

Knockardbane, Mallow, county. Cork,

She won’t settle.

The Donkey Sanctuary