THIS ANIMATION IS BASED ON A REAL PHONE-IN TO AN IRISH RADIO STATION... a man accidentaly hypnotised his hen, and turns to the radio presenter for advice, at his peril!
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Friday, November 07, 2008
The Hypnotised Hen
Thursday, October 30, 2008
500 Places to See Before They Disappear
500 Places to See Before They Disappear
Hill of Tara
Tara is one of my favourite places on the planet and the only place where I feel my Irish heritage (see my blog article on Travellers below). Just like Stonehenge, the magic of this place will be lost forever with the completion of the ill-advised M3 from Dublin to Cavan. Despite widespread protests at all levels, the Irish government is going full-steam ahead. The danger of this development is not the motorway itself but the housing estates that are already planned (probably on rezoned land owned by friends/family of past Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern) that will spring up at every junction. One such junction is planned a short distance away where the Tara Na Ri pub currently stands and will seriously impact the site. At least the housing crash might delay this abomination.
Please visit the TaraWatch links at the end of this article and add your voice where you can.
Cheers
James
Bonnie Alter, London on 10.30.08
Arthur Frommer usually writes guide books about where to eat and visit in Paris, but even this super-enthusiastic traveller is getting worried about the state of the world's environment. To explain the rationale behind the latest guide book, called "500 Places to See Before They Disappear", the author says: "The devastation wrought by climate change and direct man-made interference is familiar to all of us. But this book is a carefully chosen list of last-chance destinations that eco-conscious travellers can enjoy - if they move sharpish - for possibly the last time." So put aside guilt about the flying for the moment and let's dream about the most beautiful, striking and unspoilt places to be visited on this last trip of their lifetime.
Locations are listed by topic, not country, so there are subjects such as Sea & Stream, From the Mountains to the Prairies, Big Skies, Going to Ruins,City & Town, Where History Was Made, Tarnished Gems of Architecture, and Disposable Culture. This one includes vanishing structures like wigwam motels in the southwest of the USA. The natural wonders include the Hill of Tara (pictured) in Ireland which is under threat due to a proposed highway running close by, and the Dead Sea in Israel because it may run dry.
The guide also includes many architectural spots that are under threat due toredevelopment pressures. This includes New York's Little Italy, and the Taj Majal in India. Others are in danger due to lack of money for restoration, such as the oldest parish church and the Battersea power station in England.
Image by Arpinstone
In the US, the Everglades are in trouble because of agricultural and development pressures. Lower water levels and pollution haven't help either, with the number of bird species falling by a whopping 93%. Fenway Park in Boston, built in 1912, and the oldest baseball park in the major leagues, is on the list due to threat of demolition. Frommer's 500 Places to See Before They Disappear Via : The Observer
Friday, October 24, 2008
Traveller Weddings
I agree that travelers are very badly treated in Ireland - but then the Irish can be very xenophobic in general and aren't very welcoming of "blow ins". I should know, I lived there for 10 years, my mum was born there and still I never felt truly Irish except when camping alone on the Hill of Tara. That was the only place I really felt part of my Irish ancestors.
An example of this exclusion of foreigners can be found here
... Dalkey is a compact town with a great deal of history and character. It was designated a Heritage Town in 1994. Timmy Ryan, an esteemed local, tells a story regarding his Grandfather Joe Ryan, who came to live in Dalkey age two. In the town, man and boy for a mere 68 years, Joe could be found with old pals on fine days, swapping yarns, sitting in the sun on the bench by Webster’s Corner as it was then known. (This same sunny bench can be found in front of the double hoardings down the end of town). One day a heated discussion on Dalkey matters arose, Joe offered his opinion and was immediately told to shut up, after all what did he know wasn't he only a blow in.
And yet, when a celebrity with tenuous links to Ireland like JFK or Bill Clinton visited, they were feted like long lost sons. It seems Irishness is an "honour" to be bestowed only when it suits. I suppose the fact that I don't have ANY nationalistic feelings of my own makes it so incomprehensible that people should feel proud of something that they had nothing to do with. Your nationality is an accident of birth and not an accomplishment! You might as well be "proud" you have blue eyes. Being proud to be Irish or English or American is the most useless of emotions and the cause of more wars than religion ever was.
Sorry, rant over and now for the article.
Cheers
James
Would You Raise Your Machetes Please In A Toast To The Bride And Groom? | Avalon5
An example of this exclusion of foreigners can be found here
... Dalkey is a compact town with a great deal of history and character. It was designated a Heritage Town in 1994. Timmy Ryan, an esteemed local, tells a story regarding his Grandfather Joe Ryan, who came to live in Dalkey age two. In the town, man and boy for a mere 68 years, Joe could be found with old pals on fine days, swapping yarns, sitting in the sun on the bench by Webster’s Corner as it was then known. (This same sunny bench can be found in front of the double hoardings down the end of town). One day a heated discussion on Dalkey matters arose, Joe offered his opinion and was immediately told to shut up, after all what did he know wasn't he only a blow in.
And yet, when a celebrity with tenuous links to Ireland like JFK or Bill Clinton visited, they were feted like long lost sons. It seems Irishness is an "honour" to be bestowed only when it suits. I suppose the fact that I don't have ANY nationalistic feelings of my own makes it so incomprehensible that people should feel proud of something that they had nothing to do with. Your nationality is an accident of birth and not an accomplishment! You might as well be "proud" you have blue eyes. Being proud to be Irish or English or American is the most useless of emotions and the cause of more wars than religion ever was.
Sorry, rant over and now for the article.
Cheers
James
Would You Raise Your Machetes Please In A Toast To The Bride And Groom? | Avalon5
Would You Raise Your Machetes Please In A Toast To The Bride And Groom?
July 29, 2007 (7 Responses)
WHEN YOU THINK of weddings and family celebrations the images which typically permeate your consciousness are probably along the lines of old aunts drinking a little too much sherry, old uncles grabbing the microphone and treating guests to various drunken renditions of Elvis classics, even perhaps kids sneaking the odd alcohol treat when no one is looking. All in all, you probably think of weddings as one of those events which brings the entire family together in celebration of starting a new branch of the family tree.
When you think of possible venues for such an event Tinakilly House Hotel - a four star victorian mansion set in the woods of County Wickow, Ireland - is one of those locations most people desire; secluded, steeped in history and elegant enough for the wedding event of your dreams.
Unfortunately, this is not the image which most people will be left with after the last wedding ‘event’ down in Tinakilly house. Rather than a wedding, it’s perhaps more accurate to describe the affair as a grudge match. Police were called to the scene when a brawl broke out between the two families gathered for a wedding last Friday. Not just any kind of disagreement however, this brawl involved the participants weilding machetes, pick axes, slash-hooks, knives, wheel braces and even a sawn off shotgun (no wedding pun intended!). Apparently up to 30 or 40 people were involved in the fight, which I’m sure must have looked like a scene from Apocalypse Now by the time the cops arrived.
You see this was a traveller wedding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
