Rúaidhrí O’Connor: Rabah Slimani deal is shift away from Leinster’s DNA and a sign of Jacques Nienaber’s grand plan
When he took over Leinster in 2015, Leo Cullen committed to doing things ‘The Leinster Way’. Nine years on, the club’s recruitment suggests the definition of what he meant has shifted. During the Stuart Lancaster years, the province were known for being a swashbuckling, all-court team backboned by homegrown players from an academy that was fuelling Irish rugby. Unfortunately for those of a blue persuasion, they also grew to be known as a team who couldn’t get over the line when it mattered most.
Source:Irish Independent
June 05, 2024 23:02 UTC
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Travellers face uncertainty as Aer Lingus pilots vote on possible strike action
Holidaymakers face a possible Aer Lingus strike in late June or early July as pilots vote on industrial action in a row with the airline. Ialpa confirmed that it was recommending that pilots “vote in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action”. The vote threatens uncertainty for Irish holidaymakers and overseas tourists as Aer Lingus flies millions of passengers between this country, Europe and North America every summer. Ialpa says it wants pay increases to take account of cost-of-living hikes and to bring Aer Lingus pilots’ pay into line with other airlines. [ Aer Lingus pilots reject Labour Court terms on pay deal ]Aer Lingus branded the ballot unnecessary, warning it would disrupt passengers and other workers.
Source:The Irish Times
June 05, 2024 22:54 UTC
WH Smith's high street decline is offset by retailer's travel growth
WH Smith's expansion into travel hubs across the country is more than offsetting a continued decline in its high street business. The group told shareholders it remained on track to hit full-year forecasts despite a slowdown in sales growth in third quarter, as strong growth in the travel division was tempered by falling sales on the high street. In the UK, WH Smith said growth had slowed 'as we annualise the strong recovery in passenger numbers in 2023'. WH Smith has been bolstering its presence across transport hubs and hospitals, both of which have high footfall levels. Across some of its high-street stores, WH Smith has introduced Toys R Us concession sections.
Source:Daily Mail
June 05, 2024 22:18 UTC
Overcoming adversity to make it in the music world
SINGER-songwriter Kathleen Keenan. Photo: Ray RyanOvercoming adversity to make it in the music worldKathleen’s dream has come true with her first album launchBy Patrick FlahertyShe may not be a native of Co Galway, but someone who has fully embraced the sham lifestyle of Tuam and is eager to become the next local superstar is singer-songwriter Kathleen Keenan. The Clare-woman, who is a member of the Travelling community, is slowly trying to build a name for herself in the Irish country music scene. Having worked with the likes of Daniel O’Donnell and local song hero Padraig Stevens, she has plenty of big stars praising her talents. Speaking to The Tuam Herald in the lead up to the launch of her first album, Beautiful Angels, the 32-year-old spoke about her humble beginnings and how they helped shape her love of all things musical.
Source:The Herald
June 05, 2024 22:02 UTC
Bumrah and pace bowlers set up India's 8-wicket win over Ireland at cricket's Twenty20 World Cup
Anderson, IN (46016)TodayScattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..TonightScattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Source:The Herald
June 05, 2024 19:41 UTC
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Leaving Cert English paper 1: ‘Accessible’ paper with universal themes
Leaving cert students (from left) Sarah Daly, Kelsey Scully and Sophie Williams after English paper one at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillThe first of this year’s Leaving Cert exams was accessible and included universal themes, with English paper one students guided through the paper by specific prompts, teachers have said. Kate Barry, a teacher at Loreto Secondary School in Cork, said the higher level paper gave students a lot of direction, compared to previous years. Ms Daly, meanwhile, said that the compositions revisited themes from previous papers, which would have advantaged those who used past papers. On the ordinary level paper, Ms Daly said that it focused on the theme of challenges and was well within student capabilities.
Source:The Irish Times
June 05, 2024 16:52 UTC
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Junior Cycle English: ‘Challenging’ paper which explored a wide range of topics and skills
Preparing for start of the Junior Cycle exams in Marian College, Ballsbridge, Dublin, on Wednesday. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillJunior cycle students faced a challenging start to the exams, with the two-hour English paper examining a wide range of topics and skills, teachers have said. “But the course is much bigger than the old Junior Cert, so it is difficult to cover topics in a lot of depth. “Very specific questions around costumes illustrating character traits were challenging, but then balanced out with broader, student-friendly, relationship questions,” she said. The imagery question in the studied poetry section could have led to confusion among some students due to the film terminology employed,” she said.
Source:The Irish Times
June 05, 2024 16:46 UTC
Election watch: Sixteen candidates for six seats in Boyle MD race
The race for the six seats up for grabs in the Boyle Municipal District will come to a conclusion this weekend, with voters taking to the polling stations to select at least three new councillors for the area. Of the six current councillors, only three are seeking re-election: Councillors Tom Crosby, Valerie Byrne, and Liam Callaghan. The remaining three — councillors Joe Murphy, John Cummins, and Micheal Mulligan — have all decided not to go forward again for another term for a variety of reasons. Overall, there are six women running for one of the 18 seats on Roscommon County Council and, of these, four are based in the Boyle area: Sitting councillor Byrne (Independent), with new faces Leah Cull (SF), Dympna Daly Finn (FG), and Angela Beirne (SF). At the moment, the Boyle Municipal District is represented by two Fianna Fáil councillors, two Independent councillors, one Sinn Féin councillor, and one Fine Gael councillor, but how that balance of power plays out in the next term will be in the hands of voters.
Source:The Herald
June 05, 2024 16:04 UTC
India bowling first against Ireland in T20 World Cup
Anderson, IN (46016)TodayCloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..TonightThunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Source:The Herald
June 05, 2024 15:51 UTC
Eurovision organisers confirm ‘independent expert’ to analyse 2024 competition
Eurovision organisers confirm ‘independent expert’ to analyse 2024 competitionBy Ellie Iorizzo, PA Los Angeles CorrespondentThe 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is set to be reviewed by an “independent expert” following a year mired in controversy. The national broadcaster for Israel later claimed its delegation faced “an unprecedented display of hatred” from other countries and their entrants during the competition. Joost Klein performing Europapa for Netherlands at the Second Semi-Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Photo by Martin MeissnerThe Israeli delegation were criticised by contestants including Ireland’s Bambie Thug, who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views. They accused the Israeli broadcaster of a rule break over inciting “violence” and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what action would be taken.
Source:Irish Independent
June 05, 2024 13:15 UTC
Troy Parrott wants Republic of Ireland to ‘push on’ from Hungary win
Troy Parrott wants Republic of Ireland to ‘push on’ from Hungary winBy Damian Spellman, PATroy Parrott is hoping better fortunes are just around the corner for the Republic of Ireland after firing them to a dramatic win over Euro 2024 finalists Hungary. I feel like we’ve got a really good team and some really good players as well. Asked if the former Manchester United and Ireland defender, who served as one of Kenny’s assistants, could be suited to the job on a permanent basis, Parrott replied: “Yes, I think so, yes. Even when he was in with the last manager, I loved working with him. Asked if he has spoken to manager Ange Postecoglou yet, he said: “No, not yet.
Source:Irish Independent
June 05, 2024 13:15 UTC
Shear success!
CHILDREN at the Shearfest events in Mountbellew over the weekend. Photo: Jacinta FahyShear success! Crowds throng MountbellewTHE weather stayed fine in Mountbellew at the weekend where between 15,000 and 18,000 are believed to have attended the All-Ireland and All-Nations Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championships. Aside from sheep being shorn, there was children’s entertainment, fashion and beauty shows, cookery demonstrations and other events taking place. Read the story in full in this week’s edition of The Tuam Herald, on sale in shops or buy the digital edition here
Source:The Herald
June 05, 2024 10:24 UTC
Dunmore street renewal remains at a standstill
The street in Dunmore is waiting to be rejuvenated. Photo: Ray RyanDunmore street renewal remains at a standstillPlans are long-awaitedMORE staff will be required to allow Galway County Council advance with plans to give Dunmore’s Bridge Street a long-awaited facelift. The street is a notorious bottleneck in Dunmore with several derelict buildings on either side of the road, which is only 3.4metres wide in places. Read the story in full in this week’s edition of The Tuam Herald, on sale in shops or buy the digital edition here
Source:The Herald
June 05, 2024 10:18 UTC
Lady Gaga addresses pregnancy rumours as she encourages voter registration
Lady Gaga addresses pregnancy rumours as she encourages voter registrationBy Laura Harding, Deputy Entertainment EditorLady Gaga has denied rumours she is pregnant, as she encouraged fans to register to vote. Speculation have been swirling online that the US singer is expecting her first child with boyfriend Michael Polansky. However, the star, real name Stefani Germanotta, batted them down in a video on TikTok, in which she also made a reference to Taylor Swift song Down Bad. Posting a video of a close-up of her face showing off her bleached eyebrows, she wrote: “Not pregnant – just down bad cryin at the gym register to vote at www.headcount.org.”In the caption, she added: “Register to vote or check if you’re registered EASILY at www.headcount.org.”In the clip she can be seen lipsyncing to an audio clip, saying: “I don’t have to find an aesthetic; I am the aesthetic. I mean, I’m sure there’s somebody out here right now who is going into Pinterest trying to type up all these adjectives to describe me.”In a similar clip on X and her Instagram story, she shared a video of herself winking at the camera and wrote: “Not pregnant… REGISTER TO VOTE or check if you’ve already registered EASILY at http://headcount.org.”Rumours that Gaga was pregnant started after photos emerged of her celebrating her sister Natali Germanotta’s wedding in Maine.
Source:Irish Independent
June 05, 2024 09:24 UTC
MARKET REPORT: Oil firms tumble as crude dives to four-month low
Oil prices fell to a four-month low amid concerns over plans to raise supplies even as demand cools. Shares rose 0.3 per cent, or 6p, to 2420p. Shares fell 5.9 per cent, or 34p, to 540p. Petrofac shares soared after trading for the first time in more than a month. Petrofac published its delayed results last week, leading to the stock resuming trading yesterday.
Source:Daily Mail
June 05, 2024 08:56 UTC