Category Archives: Misc

Above from left: Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Indian born, Dublin-based writer, performer and cultural consultant who performs this year at First Fortnite’s Therapy Sessions; Salma Ataya, a Palestinian born, Limerick based dance artist who co-leads in Cloud Study and Maria Fleming, CEO at First Fortnight.

Feeling down?

The first great cultural festival of the year is already in full swing. First Fortnight is a great way to beat the January blues, and offers a plethora of events both in person and online.

Maria Fleming, CEO First Fortnight, writes:

“The last two years has opened the conversation around mental health in new ways and there is a welcome awareness of all our fragility and our resilience when it comes to our own mental health. However, the crucial question for First Fortnight is how the conversation has changed, if at all, in relation to the stigma attached to mental ill health. Are we more open now to discussing anxiety and wellness? Does our comfort level stretch to an openness to discuss depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia or OCD?”

Nick says: A healthy start to 2022.

First Fortnight Festival 2022

Pic: Conor McCabe

Paul Reid, CEO, HSE, at Dr Steevens’ Hospital this afternoon

Yikes.

This afternoon.

HSE weekly covid briefing at Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin.

Mr Reid said there are now at least 8,500 staff out of work due to Covid.

Some healthcare settings have gone from 60 people out to over 300 people out over the course of this week.

He said that there could be at least 12.5% impact on staffing levels.

He said that this figure includes over 3,000 nurses and midwives, over 1,500 staff involved in patient and client care and almost 1,500 health and social care professionals.

“This is a real frontline impact on us overall,” he added.

He said that “we still haven’t seen the tap turned off in terms of staff being impacted”.

‘Persistent stress’ across the health system – Reid (RTE)

Leah Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Meanwhile…

Ah now.

Vicky Phelan and Charlie Bird

On The Late Late Show…

…Maureen Catterson writes:

RTÉ stalwart Charlie Bird will be back in studio, with a cast of willing volunteers to launch the inaugural “Climb with Charlie” event.

Charlie, along with Vicky Phelan, hopes to inspire thousands of Irish people to climb Croagh Patrick and other peaks around the country (and across the world!) on April 2nd next.

We’ll hear from Charlie, Vicky, Mary McAleese, Davy Fitzgerald, Baz Ashmawy, Joanna Donnelly, Dr Harry Barry, Dermot Bannon, Karl Henry and many, many more who are throwing their full support behind the epic climb.

Leitrim actor and writer Seamus O’Rourke will be giving us his inimitable take on “new year, new you”, while comedian Jason Byrne will be giving us all a laugh through his trials and tribulations of the last year.

We’ll be showcasing the magnificent music of the Beatles with stunning performances by Niamh Farrell and Somebody’s Child.

And we may even get to have a look inside Bosco’s box…All will be revealed!

The Late Late Show tomorrow on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.

Pic via Charlie Bird

Trouble Pilgrims – 21st Century Girl

How do you like your eggs?

That’s the question you may find yourself pondering after watching the charming archive video for this single from the recent Trouble Pilgrims album Blood, Glass & Gasoline.

This is old school rock and roll from past masters of the art.

The Pilgrims are: Tony St Ledger, Bren Lynott, Steve Rapid, Johnny Bonnie and Pete Holidai

These Radiators are still hot!

Nick says: Pilgrims progress.

Trouble Pilgrims

The Station House Hotel in Clifden, Connemara, County Galway, which hosted the Oireachtas Golf Society, dinner in 2020

This morning/afternoon.

The trial of two politicians and two hoteliers over their alleged breach of Covid restrictions in organising a golf society dinner has begun in county Galway.

Via RTE news:

Prosecution Barrister Eoghan Cole said amendments to the Health Act were contained in a number of Statutory Instruments passed in 2020. These clearly stated that no more than 50 people could attend an indoor event.

He said the prosecution case was that all four accused – Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish, former Fianna Fáil Senator Donal (Donie) Cassidy, along with James and John Sweeney of the Station House Hotel in Clifden – fit into the category of event organisers, and were in breach of the regulations in place.

Legal representatives for the accused contend that the status of Fáilte Ireland guidelines for the hospitality sector needed to be taken into account.

They say these allowed for separate gatherings in separate rooms, and that such measures were put in place for the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner.

They have argued that guidelines had the imprimatur of the State and as such were valid determinants of how the rules should be interpreted….

The trial is expected to last five days and some 50 witnesses are listed. Gulp, etc.

Four standing trial over alleged roles in Oireachtas golf dinner event (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Last night/this morning.

Northern Territories, Australia.

Under a new snap ‘lockout’ until Monday next announced by Chief Minister Michael Gunner (top), the unjabbed cannot go to work or even leave home for exercise.

Via Sky News

Lockdown measures apply to all residents who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The unvaccinated can only leave their homes for medical treatment, for essential goods and services, and to provide care to someone who cannot support themselves.

The territory has also strengthened rules for visiting secluded communities – only residents and essential workers who return a negative rapid antigen test will be able to enter these communities.

Harsh but fair dinkum.

FIGHT!

ANYONE?

Stop screaming.

Sorry.

HSE letter informs unvaccinated paramedic of being stood down ‘from all frontline duties’ (Irish Examiner)

RollingNews