Fnarr.
Dessie O’Malley in 1985
This Day In Irish History tweetz:
This day 35 years ago – 20 February 1985 – Des O’Malley refused to vote against a bill to allow the selling of condoms, despite Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey’s instructing deputies to do so.
He said, “I stand by the Republic and accordingly I will not oppose this bill.”
@martinastro2005 @CarlowWeather @DonegalWeatherC @barrabest @WeatherCee
Some snowfall above Derry/Donegal today… pic.twitter.com/UXMpfEBVEx— Charlie Herron (@Mountain_Goat99) February 20, 2020
This afternoon.
It’s sticking!
Video Blue – What Have You Got
And relax.
Video Blue is the musical project of Jim O’Donoghue Martin (top) from Dundalk, County Louth, and based in Hackney, east London.
In Freddie Leyden’s video, Jim larks about in a dinosaur costume, holding balloons that read Breathe Easy.
It’s a spoken word piece that circles around themes of anxiety and self-care with a smart ambient electronica soundtrack.
Look out for the forthcoming album Night Painting.
Nick says: Blue is the warmest colour.
This is appalling. Sulky racing in Dublin. Appears to be near City West by Brown’s Barn on the Naas Road inbound. pic.twitter.com/aHLYZyClU6
— Niall O’Connor (@NI_ALLO) February 19, 2020
Anyone?
Official inquiry underway as cars block off N7 to facilitate sulky race (Dublin Live)
Ah here.
Pat O Mahony (top) writes:
Anonymous insults in the days before social media. 1997 from the postcard stamps. Took a bit more effort – especially if you decide to add drawings – to put pen to paper back then but it sure ain’t new.
I wonder if the bashful author might now come forward 23 years later?
Anyone?
State Lights – Let You Go
Size matters.
That’s why this big emotional synth-rock anthem works so well. It reaches for the sky.
Singer Shobsy (second left) gives it socks and is ably assisted by, from left: Joe Regan (guitar), Paul Ridgeway (drums) and Noel Perry (bass).
The song is released as a double ‘A’-side alongside their cover of The Blue Nile’s Tinseltown In The Rain (great choice, lads).
The video by Paul Barnes was shot partly on Sandymount Strand, Dublin 4.
The band, who met at the BIMM music college, play the Button Factory, Dublin, on April 25.
Nick says: State of the art.
Oh.
O’Connell Street, Dublin 1.
Michael Smith writes:
Clery’s, a robust nineteenth-century building, is being demolished behind facade, as is revealed by daylight coming through the front. All that embodied energy junked. Why?
Previously: Behind The Clock
Uncanny.
Courtesy of Clive Barnes, who writes:
.. In other news, former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is to play former Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia in a new biopic called I Was Not a Member of the Grateful Dead Nor Do I know Where They’re Buried..!
From top: Janelle Monae by Colm Kelly; Gary Numan by James Murray; Billie Eilish by Leah-Carroll
Free Thursday?
Music lovers will be excited to hear of the opening of a new exhibition in Dublin featuring the work of some of our best rock photographers.
Hindsight 2020 features both rare off-stage moments and live performances from International and local legends
From Thursday at 7pm, this decade-spanning collection of photographs representing the work of Colm Kelly, James Murray, Leah Carroll and Kieran Frost will be on display in Dublin’s newest venue, Bloody Mary’s, South William Street, Dublin 2.
Nick says: Shots to our heart.
Ryan McMullan – Ruthless Cupid
Cometh the arrow, cometh the man.
Ryan McMullan (top) quivers at the mythological matchmaker on the title track of his new EP.
The singer from Portaferry, County Down, says:
“These songs reflect a handful of times where it felt like Cupid has been toying with me. Amusing himself by throwing me into situations where I’m either out of my depth, hoping for reconciliation, or unable to escape the truth that even at the end, I’m still holding on to even the worst of my attempts at love.”
You can catch Ryan live on his Irish tour in May.
Nick says: A fine romance.
