New Pagans – Yellow Room
The North will rise again.
Belfast-based New Pagans have a fresh, edgy sound that makes their debut album The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots And All highly anticipated.
Released on the Big Scary Monsters label on March 19, the album features new single Harbour as well as the video featured above.
The group are: Lyndsey McDougall (vocals), Cahir Doherty (guitar), Claire Miskimmin (bass), Conor McAuley (drums) and Allan McGreevey (guitar).
Nick says: Ulster says yes.
This morning.
Department of Health, Dublin 2.
Professor Karina Butler, Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, joined Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to brief media on the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy. To wit:
The new rollout strategy means the order in which people will receive the vaccine has changed.
People aged 65 and older who live in long-term care facilities and frontline healthcare workers have already been vaccinated under the first two stages of the strategy announced on 8 December last year.
Under stage three, Ireland is currently vaccinating people aged 70 and older, starting with those aged 85 and older.
The new fourth stage of the roll-out, which comes into effect after all those over the age of 70 are vaccinated, will see vaccines going to people aged 16 and 69 who are considered at very high risk of developing severe Covid-19.
People with certain conditions moved up on vaccine rollout strategy (RTÉ)
Earlier…
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said he is confident that over 80% of adults will have at least one vaccination by the end of June. | Read more: https://t.co/Fvhmzw0obH pic.twitter.com/8dRjFO82lF
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 24, 2021
After you.
No, after you.
I insist.
Etc.
This afternoon.
Irish Olympian pentathlete Natalya Coyle launches the first canned range of sparkling drinks from SynerChi – Ireland’s first kombucha brewery.
Ian Collins writes:
The new releases fromincludes three new sparkling varieties of Apple & Elderflower Presse, Ginger & Turmeric Lemonade and Traditional Cola Flavour.
Produced in Gweedore, Donegal, SynerChi is craft-brewed using 100% natural, organic ingredients using unique micro-brewingcraftsmanship producing authentic live kombucha, without the use of any artificial additives, preservatives or refined sugars.
Sez Natalya:
“Being able to grab a healthy pick me up alternative that is made of natural ingredients while still containing all the amazing benefits of kombucha and knowing it’s not going to undo any of my hard work is a winner for me and even better that it’s made and produced here in Ireland”.
Irish-made stuff to Broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘Irish-Made Stuff’.
Behold: starships! To wit:
Specifically, they are launch-and-return reusable rockets being developed by SpaceX to lift cargo and eventually humans from the Earth‘s surface into space. The two rockets pictured are SN9 (Serial Number 9) and SN10 which were captured near their Boca Chica, Texas launchpad last month posing below January’s full Wolf Moon. The Starships house liquid-methane engines inside rugged stainless-steel shells. SN9 was test-launched earlier this month and did well with the exception of one internal rocket that failed to relight during powered descent. SN10 continues to undergo ground tests and may be test-launched later this month.
(Image: John Kraus)
The votes are in.
Last week, with a Currys PC World voucher worth €20 on offer, I asked you to name your favourite song of this millennium (2000-2021).
You answered in your dozens.
But there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Song For Zula by Phosphorescent
Jonboy writes:
“A beautiful, bittersweet, ballad that captures the un-romance of a breaking relationship.
“Saw him in Whelan’s back around 2013 when he was touring this album (Muchacho – give it a listen, it’s incredible) and it was every bit as good in person.”
Runner-up:
Oblivion by Grimes
Capernosity And Function writes:
“I first heard this as the music to an Eircom ad many moons ago. I never, never get tired of playing this; surely, that is the mark of a song that has entered your consciousness in a good way. I love the intro, the fey, wispy vocals that deal with a subject darker than the melody implies.
“I often think the best songs are constructed like that. Grimes is now viewed through the prism of her relationship with Evil Genius/ World Saviour (delete as appropriate) Elon Musk. This song is from a time when her lo-fi, DIY production ethic was fully intact, and it worked.”
Winner:
Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
Eug writes:
“I’ve listened to Leonard Cohen since my teens saw him twice in the stadium in the 80’s and reborn in Royal Hospital in 2008 and every time he visited after that.
“Even though she sleeps upon your satin
Even though she wakes you with a kiss”Leonard at his best and reborn in the 21st Century. Sharon Robinson got him to sing in a lower octave and between them they took “The God Abandons Antony” written in 1911 by the poet Constantine P. Cavafy and transformed into Alexandra Leaving.
“Do not choose a coward’s explanation
That hides behind the cause and the effect”To me it speaks of love, live and it’s inevitable end and acceptance.
“Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost”
Nick says: Thanks all.
Last week: Win Nick’s PC Voucher
Researchers have ranked the pandemic responses of 180 countries on a ‘stringency map’ by looking at how Covid restrictions have affected schools, offices, social gatherings, international travel and freedom to leave home
This morning.
Each country was scored on a scale of one to 100, with a higher figure indicating the most severe virus-controlling curbs. The numbers represented an average since the start of the pandemic.
Compared to the UK, the Republic of Ireland was the only place in Europe that had stronger lockdown rules (87.96), the study said. Ireland’s rules are similar to England’s but most construction work has been stopped and click-and-collect shopping services are not allowed.
Meanwhile…
Zero covid bulshitter Tomás Ryan on Prime Time talking about variants despite that news today. Beyond belief.
Turned off and will never turn RTE news or current affairs on again pic.twitter.com/V7MQXDudHX— Colm Parkinson (@Woolberto) February 23, 2021
Oh.
Meanwhile…
Something about Tomás Ryan being pretty much right about everything since last July really bugs this pair.
Could be to do with them still not grasping the basics of Covid while flailing around hopelessly for potential income streams. pic.twitter.com/7pJrJiGLn2
— little gurrier (@littlegurrier) February 24, 2021
Fight!
Meanwhile…
@MlMcNamaraTD Can you raise this with @MichealMartinTD ? I now have 25 peer reviewed analysis of lockdown efficacy on mortality. It’s zero or > base. The Jan 2021 Covid adjusted unemployment rate ( including PUP recipients) was 25%. Where is the Supreme Court? @TraceyOMahony81 pic.twitter.com/nppkHw5PXO
— Plain old Dr McConville (@reasonoverfear) February 23, 2021
Yesterday evening.
Location unidentified.
Dougal writes:
As Micheál was taking to the podium yesterday I decided to dream of faraway places (7km) and do a walk that I’m sick of doing. I was greeted with the most incredible sunset (above). It’s not the road you are on it’s your perspective.
Fight!
