Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Cormac O Caoimh – There Must Be A Catch

“The good days outnumber the bad.”

It’s always a good day when Cormac O Caoimh releases new material. The Corkonian’s first single since his widely acclaimed album Swim Crawl Walk Run in 2020 is a beautifully written and sung ode to being surprised by joy.

And the archive Chaplin video is the perfect visual match-up.

Nick says: The People’s Republic of Classic Songwriting.

Cormac O Caoimh

2002.

We spoke of little else.

Good times.

Thank your lucky stars it’s Friday.

Once more, we have our treasured Broadsheet Trailer Park supervisor Andy Pipkin to thank for the theme of this week’s voucher-free music sesh.

Andy writes:

“As a suggestion for this week’s Esteem post, might I be bold enough to suggest the following? For the last few years you’ve always asked ‘your favourite’ so this week I’m putting forward your least favourite, most annoying song that most people enjoy! Here’s mine: Honestly it makes me physically vomit!”

Thanks Andy. Here’s mine.

Please include video link if possible.

Lines close on Saturday at Midnight

Last week, I asked for your favourite Eurovision Song Contest entry down all the days.

You answered in your tens but there could only be one winner. Capernosity & Function won my esteem with this entry:

Daði og Gagnamagnið – Think About Things

Capernosity & Function writes:

“The great lost Eurovision winner that never was from the cancelled 2020 contest. The Eurovision jobsworths wouldn’t let Dadi Freyr enter this song again in 2021, so please let him win this equally prestigious song contest.”

Justice is finally served!

Nick says: Congrats Capernosity and thanks to everyone who entered.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Steamboat Vinyl, Limerick

The results are in

Earlier this week, we offered you the chance to win 2 tickets to see the Black Eyed Peas and guests in Galway’s Pearse Stadium on June 4.

We asked for your favourite memory of Galway.

Cú Chulainn’s very adult, brazenly TMI story hit the G spot:

“My favourite memory of Galway: Mid-20s and away with a beautiful sexy and very horny young woman for a dirty weekend. We had both fancied each other for good while so it was full-on. So full-on we didn’t even stay out for late pints on the Saturday.

“Cue Sunday morning and I had the aforementioned in completely wide open and exposed position – did I mention she was quite kinky? – when the hotel room door opened and the chambermaid walked in. That was the moment I discovered that I like an audience, I like more than one person in the room, and the day my life changed for the better.”

Nick says: Congratulations (and Splutter!), Cu Chulainn and thanks to everyone who entered.

Previously: Peas In Our Time

Five Grand Stereo – Dancing Mary

Come dance with me in Dublin.

Five Grand Stereo pay tribute to one of the last true characters of the Fair City: Mary Dunne aka Mad Mary, who in decades past could be seen dancing and praying on O’Connell Street.

Written by singer Chris Singleton, the song was recorded in London during lockdown and is released by Brown Paper Records/Style Factory.

The video is by Jonny Pollard.

Lads, how about a double album about Bang Bang?

Nick says: A holy show.

Five Grand Stereo

Last night.

The Stunning – Everything That Rises

Meanwhile…

Splutter!

Filth.

1998.

Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Powerful and original.

*cough*

Getty

Free June 15?

State-run Covid Care Concerts have this morning announced a special gala concert at the National Concert Hall, Dublin 2 for frontline health workers.

Hosted by Miriam O’Callaghan, the concert features performances by artists such as Mary Coughlan, Niamh Kavanagh, Iarla Ó Lionáird and, er, Professor Luke O’ Neill alongside a 47-piece orchestra.

Tickets here

This morning.

The youngest children have been most affected by lockdowns and closures during the Covid pandemic, new UK research finds.

Via The Guardian:

The research – published by the Education Endowment Foundation – found parents and teachers concerned that children in England were struggling with their emotional wellbeing as well as their ability to learn language and numeracy skills, after starting in reception classes after the earlier spring lockdown.

Teachers who spoke to the researchers said the disruption had left some infants with “low self-esteem and confidence”, and that more children than previously “feel overwhelmed” by learning.

Others highlighted increased behaviour problems seen when children returned to school, with some “biting, hitting, unable to share”, leading to teachers having to focus more on helping children settle back into school.

Ruth Coleman, headteacher at Highfield school in Ipswich, said: “When children returned to our nursery after the pandemic, many struggled with vital aspects of early years development, such as personal touch, or coping in bigger groups of children.

Younger children most affected by Covid lockdowns, new research finds (The Guardian)

Meanwhile…

RollingNews