Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Ah here.

This morning/afternoon.

The White House, Washington DC.

Joe Biden at the Annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was in isolation across the street after testing positive for the rona.

Meanwhile….

Um.

Update:

Good grief.

Earlier: Rain On His Parade

This afternoon.

Tsunami alert in Japan as earthquake strikes off coast of Fukushima (The Guardian)

Una Keane – Kyiv Not Kiev

Masters of war.

Acclaimed Dublin composer and pianist Úna Keane has just released her powerful artistic response to the Ukraine crisis on her bandcamp page.

Una writes:

“I wrote this track in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24th February 2022. I wanted to do something to help, something meaningful. So I set about writing this piece of music the week beginning Monday 28th February, and released it on Friday 4th March. A special thanks to Dublin based Artist / Graphic Designer John Brady for allowing me to use this powerful image as artwork for the track.”

Una plays Piano, Soundscapes, Electronics + Spoken word

All revenue from sale of track will be donated to UNICEF – Ukraine.

Nick says: A city under siege.

Úna Keane

Cilian Murphy

This morning.

A View To A Cillian?

What say you?

Odds on Cillian Murphy becoming next James Bond slashed as smart money moves to Peaky Blinders star (Cork Beo)

Hailey Baldwin Bieber is recovering after developing a blood clot that moved to her brain

This morning/afternoon.

Via People:

With situations like Bieber’s, the incidents are typically called mini-strokes or a transient ischemic attack (TIA): “That means there was a blood clot, it dissolved up completely and the person is completely a hundred percent back to normal,” Dr. Shazam Hussain, the director of the Cerebrovascular Center at Cleveland Clinic, said.  If an MRI shows any injury to the brain, however, “then it becomes a full stroke.”

Situations like Bieber’s are something that everyone should watch out for, young and old, Hussain says.

“We think of stroke as being something that happens in older ages, but we are seeing it in younger and younger people,” he says. “It relates, generally, to people having unhealthy lifestyles, maybe not eating as well or not getting in regular exercise, along with other factors like genetics. So it’s important that people don’t just think of it as something that happens to older people. If you’re younger and have those symptoms, you’ve got to get to the hospital.”

Blood Clots Like Hailey Bieber’s Are Happening in ‘Younger and Younger People’ (People)

Getty

Meanwhile…

Anyone?

Sinn Féin Bundoran councillor Michael McMahon

Bundoran councillor, Michael McMahon, has launched a stinging attack on the group of members of the travelling community who have arrived in the town in recent days from outside the area. He says it’s a flagrant breach of the Covid 19 restrictions in place and the matter needs to be dealt with by the authorities.

Vulgarity, intimidation, threatening behaviour – Cllr lashes Bundoran group influx (Ocean FM, April 15, 2020)

Meanwhile…

Cllr McMahon welcoming families from Ukraine to Bundoran last night

Last night.

Via Donegal Live:

Bundoran  received the first group of Ukrainian refugees, who arrived in the seaside resort….The first busload of what are expected to be about 60 refugees arrived in rainy conditions and are staying at a number of different premises.

County councillor Michael McMahon who was one of the first people to greet the arrivals said that it was a sad situation to be offering the hand of friendship in such trying circumstances. But he was glad that the town had reached out to help those in need.

Good times.

Upwards of 60 Ukrainian refugees arrive in Bundoran (Donegal Live)

Pics: Thomas Gallagher

Meanwhile…

For your listening pleasure.

Irish Songbook: Vol 1.

Old canon, new twist.

Kevin Murray writes:

NCH The National Convcert Hall (NCH) and Faction have come together to celebrate Ireland’s rich musical heritage as well as its blossoming future with the release of the ‘Irish Songbook: Vol 1.’ album this St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.

The album features ten definitive songs which not only tell the story of Irish popular music, but that are also recognised the world over. Simultaneously, the project also heralds the strength and diversity of the nation’s current music scene as its next wave of talent interprets these classic songs in innovative and often surprising style.

Artists such as Maria Kelly, MayKay, Martin Hayes, MuRli and Daithi bring their unique style to Irish classics such as My Lagan Love, The Boys Are Back In Town, Linger, One and more.

Pre-save the Irish Songbook: Vol. 1 here.