Anti-mask mandate protest in Dublin last Friday

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

The Department of Education has revised a controversial instruction issued to schools last week, which directed that older children should be refused entry to primary schools if they decline to wear a mask without medical reason.

In fresh guidance sent this morning, the department has told schools that “it is not intended that any child will be excluded from a school in the first instance“.

There was outcry last week after primary schools were directed in a memo sent late on Tuesday to refuse entry to older pupils who presented without masks.

Schools were initially told the instruction applied from Wednesday morning. However later the department clarified that “flexibility” would be allowed during the first couple of days.

That’ll learn them

Primary pupils won’t be excluded for no masks – Dept (RTÉ)

RollingNews

It will come again.

FIGHT!

Meanwhile…

Megan O’Neill – Fairytale of New York

It’s not really Christmas until you’ve tipsily belted out Shane & Kirsty’s ageless duet at closing time.

But can I interest you in an intimate and beautifully sung cover version of the Pogues classic by Irish-born Megan O’Neill (top)?

Coming on the back of her second album Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty, Megan writes:

“‘Fairytale of New York’ has always been my favourite Christmas song and a bold choice to cover, I will admit! I was really hesitant about covering such an iconic song but I knew that if I was going to go for it, it had to be so uniquely my own and a far cry from the original sonically.

“I think myself and Mark Caplice (producer) have managed to capture something special here. Our haunting version of this song really captures how heartbreakingly sad the story actually is.”

Nick says: We kissed on the corner and danced through the night.

Megan O’Neill

Thank Fiona it’s Friday.

Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadow?

As mothers of Ireland make their voices heard outside the Dáil today, there can only be one theme for our weekly voucher-free music banter: what’s your favourite song about or whose lyrics refer to mothers?

Here’s mine.

Lines close on Saturday at MIDNIGHT.

Please include video links if possible.

Nick says: Good luck!

Meanwhile…

The results are in.

Last week I asked for your favourite Beatles song. Rosette Of Sirius won my esteem with this entry:

“The Beatles are ever present in my house – musically speaking – as I listen to them in one way or another every other day. Twice on Sundays. I remain devoted.

“It is, as other have said, very hard to pick a single track. However for the sake of it, I’ll suggest – in its entirety – ‘the long one’ that is Abbey Road Medley (above). Golden Slumbers…. Oh, man

“Now, I do appreciate it’s a medley, but given it one single track on vinyl it’s fair game imo. If you can, just sit yourself down for 15 minutes – preferably with a decent set of headphones – and escape for while. Jesus they were brilliant.”

Nick says: Thanks Rosette and to all who entered.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Zhivago, Galway

This evening.

Good times.

Earlier: We Did Everything You Asked

Meanwhile…

Broadsheet.ie