Further to reports earlier this year that UCD was considering amending the definition of academic freedom to allow the university to ‘expand further into countries which do not share the same values as those in the western world’…
Via The Times:
Academics at the college have accused the university of attempting to trade academic freedom for profit with one staff member saying it should be “absolutely ashamed” of the proposal.
….A working group had proposed an addendum to the definition of academic freedom at the university. The group said that a university with a large international footprint needed to “consider and appraise the risk of tension arising between the obligations regarding academic freedom and the strategic imperative to internationalise higher education“….
Last week, with a snow blown €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked you to name your favourite song about or which mentions Winter?
You answered in your dozens creating a brrriiliant playlist of chily classics.
But there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Winter by Tori Amos
‘A Galaxy Very, Very Near’ writes:
‘Snow can wait I forgot my mittens
Wipe my nose get my new boots on
I get a little warm in my heart when I think of winter
I put my hands in my father’s glove
I run off where the drifts get deeper.’
A haunting and beautiful song about the relationship between a father and his daughter and the inevitable passing of time.
Runner-up:
If We Make It Through December by Merle Haggard.
Stephen Moran writes:
From the school of “we’ve got both types of music: Country AND Western” comes the original outlaw Merle Haggard with “If We Make It Through December” teaching us a way to live within the law. Surely the ballad of the current Covid lockdown.
Winner:
January Hymn by The Decembrists
Millie Bobby Brownie writes:
Now I know this might seem a bit early in the season for this pick, but January Hymn by the Decembrists is a really lovely little tune, very mellow and easy to listen to. I highly recommend listening to it of a cold miserable winters evening (not unlike this one). As it is, winter in Ireland gets worse after Christmas and continues into mid April, when suddenly it’s summer again.
It’s been a year we’ll remember for all the wrong reasons. So where would we be without all this wonderful music to keep us sane and put a smile on our face?
A heartfelt thanks to all the brilliant musicians who, despite the bleakest of circumstances, made this one of the best years for Irish music ever.
The Top 10 Irish albums of 2020…
1. Una Keane – Collaborations
I count myself very lucky to have been seated in a pew for Una’s concert in Dublin’s Pepper Canister Church on March 5. It turned out to be the last live performance I attended before lockdown. And it was unforgettable, as a roll call of esteemed musicians including Stephen Shannon, Liam O’Maonlai, Lowli, Vyvienne Long, Gareth Quinn Redmond and Ronan Conroy all wove their magic in and around Una’s ambient neo-classical piano pieces in what was improvisation of the highest calibre. Una has now released this concert as a live album. The perfect Christmas present. (As is her studio album In The Deep.)
2. Arborist – A Northern View
Another artist who I feel blessed to have seen perform live this year, Arborist aka Belfast’s Mark McCambridge has the songs that do my world the world of good.
3. Aoife Nessa Frances – Land Of No Junction
What a debut! Ethereal and highly atmospheric, Aoife Nessa Frances created soundscapes to escape to… and fall in love with.
4. BK Pepper – Territories
Another marvellous pianist and composer who has collaborated with Una Keane, Brian Pepper is, truth be told, a bit of a genius.
5. Malojian – Humm
It all came together for Stevie Scullion aja Malojian on Humm. Featuring guest musicians Gerry Love (ex-Teenage Fanclub) and Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle, this album is an absolute Humm-dinger.
6. Brigid Mae Power – Head Above The Water
The spirit of Sandy Denny is alive and well and living in the West of Ireland. A modern folk classic.
7. Ailbhe Reddy – Personal History
Dubliner Ailbhe has it all: the songs, the poise, the videos, the indie cool. She’s a star.
8. Luan Parle – Never Say Goodbye
Kilkenny-based Luan really found her voice on this collection of brilliantly crafted songs of romance and heartbreak that also showcase the guitar wizardry of Clive Barnes.
9. Eileen Gogan & The Instructions – Under Moving Skies
One of Dublin’s most popular singers (who has sang with The Would Be’s, The Drays and Microdisney) assembled a crew of all the talents to produce another gem of an album, including her performance of a Michael Hartnett poem linked here.
10. John Blek – The Embers
There’s something in the water down in Cork. John Blek is a songwriter’s songwriter and his videos are some of the best I’ve seen this year.
Irish EP of the year:
The Next New Low – And As For Loss…
Out of the depths of sorrow… When I saw former Idiots frontman Brian Mooney perform these 5 songs in a bar in Stoneybatter last winter, I felt them deep in my gut. A requiem for his late wife Aoife, Brian put his heart and soul into this EP. It’s an astonishing record, overflowing with love and grief and courage.
Irish Single of the year:
The Wha – Blue For You
A blast of old-school power-pop heaven from the most melodic teenagers in Kilkenny.
Best Grammy-nominated Irish album of the year:
Fontaines DC – A Hero’s Death
It’s fair to say that opinion is divided among our readers regarding Grian Chatten and his crew. But they sure do have that rock’n’roll swagger. And a Grammy nomination to boot!
Best song written during lockdown:
Malojian and Jason Lytle – The Singularity.
The first Covid-inspired classic as Stevie Scullion and his favourite Grandaddy collaborated across the ocean.
The pride of Sheriff Street, Gemma Dunleavy (top) impresses with her soulful tones in the latest song to be taken from her critically acclaimed Up De Flats EP.
The atmospheric monochrome video was directed by Rosie Barrett and features expressive choreography by Jessie Thompson and Adam O’Reilly.
Gemma’s recent gig at The Workman’s Club is available to watch on YouTube.
Today is known as the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. From tomorrow, the days will get gradually brighter and longer as we head towards summer.
Ruairí McKiernan, host of the Love and Courage Podcast
Got the winter blues?
Don’t despair.
The programme of events for January’s First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival 2021 has dropped.
Among many highlights is A Community Conversation About Hope In A Time Of Upheaval.
To quote the programme notes:
“It’s a time of great change and huge uncertainty. From the pandemic to politics, there’s lots happening and often not enough space for us to step back, reflect, and join others in meaningful conversation.
What has the past year taught you? What does the future hold? What are your hopes and dreams for ourselves and for our country and planet?
You’re invited to join us for an evening of inspiration, reflection, and connection through a community conversation that welcomes participants from all walks of life. The evening will be hosted by Ruairí McKiernan, host of the chart-topping Love and Courage Podcast and author of the acclaimed bestselling book Hitching for Hope – A Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland.”
