This abject disregard for people is out of control.
This avaricious attempt at rebranding my city #Belfast is utterly objectionable. Here is my truth #savecq @SaveCQBelfast https://t.co/5PJAibxmB2— Conor Shields (@ConorJShields) November 30, 2018
Colm Dore writes:
Suggested plans for the centre of Belfast, including copying the name ‘Tribeca’ from New York, seem to be interesting people, although, maybe not as the marketing strategy intended….
This morning.
In Belfast city centre.
Following yesterday’s fire at Belfast’s historic Bank Buildings.
Squire Gregory Weeks tweetz:
Morning after aerial photos of destroyed Bank Buildings
Belfast Primark: Urgent City Hall meeting after blaze (BBC Belfast)
Yesterday: Meanwhile, In Belfast
Fire at Primark still continuing on the roof of the building @BBCNewsNI pic.twitter.com/NAVSbztb4y
— Niall McCracken (@Niall_journo) August 28, 2018
This afternoon.
Emergency services respond to a fire on the top floor of Primark in Belfast City Centre.
Pics: Niall McCracken
Yesterday.
Eamon Mallie writes:
…apart from the poor grammar I was a little taken aback to see this poster at Belfast International Airport…
This afternoon.
At the Spire, on Dublin’s O’Connell Street.
Supporters of a #MeToo rally have been gathering since 12.30pm.
A Facebook post about the event states:
The feminist movement is calling a rally in response to the impact of the mistreatment of women in the justice system. This event is open to people of all genders affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Rollingnews
Meanwhile…
In Belfast…
A similar rally is taking place.
Pics: Rollingnews, CE Murphy and Siobhan McAlister and Julie Jameson and Conor
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Queen’s University, Belfast this morning
This morning.
At Queen’s University in Belfast.
Leo Varadkar gave a speech during his first official visit to Northern Ireland since becoming Taoiseach.
After giving a speech he agreed to take questions from the floor.
One woman (second from the right pictured above) asked Mr Varadkar:
“Taoiseach, on the topic of North/South relations, we know that students from the Republic of Ireland study here and vice versa. Students have a very proud history of advocating social justice issues, as seen in the marriage equality referendum on May 22, 2015 – something you are a strong advocate for north and south of the border and we thank you for your solidarity at Belfast Pride tomorrow.
“Recently you announced your intention to run various referenda over the next 18 months beginning in June or July. The referendum on the 8th amendment is especially pertinent for students north and south of the border.
“As we all know a high percentage of students travel or work abroad over the summer. Do you agree with us that, in order to fully engage students, this referendum should be held outside of the summer months?”
Mr Varadkar replied:
“Thanks very much. It’s a good question, I haven’t been asked that one yet. It is, we have a process that we’ve agreed involving a Citizens’ Assembly, involving a Oireachtas all-party parliamentary committee but what we’re planning for is a referendum probably May or June of next year.
“It’s not as straightforward as just having a referendum, we have to have wording legislation, a referendum commission and a campaign. So, if we don’t have it before the summer then it’ll probably not happen until the latter part of the year.
“So we haven’t set a date yet. We have had referendums in June before. I think the Good Friday Agreement was a June referendum, if I remember correctly. So was the Fiscal Treaty and we’ve had elections in June as well.
“But I definitely take the point and get the message that younger people would like to have the referendum happen at a time when they’re in the country so that they can fully participate. So we will absolutely take that into account in setting a date.”
Watch back in full here
Pic via Queen’s University
Hot Cops – Belfast indie/alternative
What you may need to know…
01. Washed-out, jaded Americana-esque alt-rock? Right this way, please, to Belfast poster boys Hot Cops.
02. They’ve been busy in the last year or so, with a pair of 7″ releases via Paper Trail Records, enroute to more touring and releases in 2017.
03. Streaming above is new single Dumbbo, with b-side Auto, available for download and on pink 7″ from their Bandcamp.
04. Catch them next in Cork on the 22nd of April, in a free show at the Crane Lane Theatre. 8.30pm, with support from fellow Northy noisemakers Junk Drawer. An Alliance Promotions™ production.
Thoughts: A contemporary, disengaged, wonderfully bleary-eyed take on the old slacker tropes.
Nomadic Rituals – gravestone-heavy doom metal from Belfast
What you may need to know…
01. Purveyors of downtrodden, doomy, slow-crawling filth are Belfast trio Nomadic Rituals.
02. Second full-length album Marking the Day releases next month, on handmade CD (with art-cards) and digital download. An ambitious piece, the LP is a concept record taking on the birth, life and death of the Cosmos, as well as the purpose of humanity. Perfect for summer barbecues.
03. The album is streaming in its entirety in the widget above, and available for digital and physical pre-order via their Bandcamp.
04. The record launches on the day of release, February 17th, with a gig at the Voodoo in Belfast, with support from Cork’s Soothsayer, War Iron, and MAW.
Thoughts: An hour-long odyssey whose heaviness and heft is matched by its scale.
Strangefish – Irish hip-hop superteam from the archives
What you may need to know…
01. Strangefish was/is a collaborative effort between Northern emcee Jee4ce, Belfast beatmaker SertOne, and Limrock cutman(s) Deviant & Naive Ted, operational between 2012 and 2013.
02. This self-titled E.P. was assembled inbetween shiftwork and fits of existential crisis in bedrooms in Liverpool, Dublin and Edinburgh, with ideas and bits flung back and forth over the interwebs.
03. It’s streaming and available for download in the widget above, releasing via Liverpudlian label Fly High Society.
04. The blurb/copy accompanying this record states that this is the “first compilation” from the outfit, implying either more archive material or fresh cuts down the road.
Thoughts: With the recognisable sonic fingerprint of each participant evident, this extended-player provides plenty for Irish hip-hop heads to dig into, while the EP’s digs into psychedelia and playfulness ought to appeal to first-timers.
