Beginner's pluck: Belfast-born and Newcastle-based Gráinne O'Hare
'I always adored reading and wanted to write. I started at 12 — writing historical fiction.
'Some of my stories were the length of novels. It was my main hobby.'
She continued to write and has been shortlisted for several awards including the Francis MacManus Award, and the Benedict Kiely Short Story Competition.
After completing her MA in Belfast, Gráinne temped in offices for a while. Then she moved to Newcastle.
I felt homesick, and so far away from my friends in Belfast.
'I started Thirst Trap as a way to live in Belfast vicariously — and to reconnect with it that way. It took a few years.'
Meanwhile, she has taken a PhD, finishing her viva a month ago.
'I took it part-time and worked full-time for the city council.'
In 2022, Gráinne received a Northern Debut Award from New Writing North.
'I gained mentoring for a year from Naomi Booth. And my agent, Jenny Hewson got in touch.'
Who is Gráinne O'Hare?
Date/ place of birth: 1993/ Belfast.
Education: Fort William Dominican College in Belfast; Queens University, Belfast, English and politics, and MA in English Literature; Newcastle University, PhD in English Literature — focusing on 18th Century Women's Life Writing.
Home: Newcastle, for the past eight years.
Family: Mother, father, and a younger sister. 'I live with my partner, Jack.'
The day job: Administrative work for Newcastle University.
In another life: 'When I was young, I wanted to be an astronomer.'
Favourite writers: Jane Austen; Nina Stibbe; Caroline O'Donoghue; Naomi Booth; David Nicholls; Irvine Welsh.
Second book: 'I'm writing the first draft.'
Top tip: 'Don't overthink things, and don't try to perfect things while you're in the process.'
Instagram: @spacedolphin_
The debut
Thirst Trap
Picador, €16.99
Harley, Maggie, Lydia, and Róise have shared a shambolic Belfast house throughout their messy 20s. Then Lydia dies, and nothing feels the same.
The one-night stands and wild parties lose their gloss, as guilt and grief damages them all.
Can they recover their equilibrium, retain their friendship, and learn to move on?
The verdict: Highly-relatable. A brilliant portrayal of grief — and of growing up. Written with humour, hope, and warmth.
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos
IT'S midnight and Boozers Fest Bar is packed to the rafters with a host of 18 to twentysomethings, all jostling to play a wild new drinking game. This Dutch-run party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth. 18 One party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Teens point to a drinks sign showing unbelievably cheap booze outside a bar in Lloret de Mar Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 With its 100-plus bars and clubs, Lloret de Mar was once branded the 'party capital of Spain' Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Four youngsters on a night out in Lloret de Mar Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Pub owners and party organisers here are pleading with high-spending Brits to return Credit: Darren Fletcher As they drink, the crowd whoops and hollers and the room, no doubt, starts to spin. Kim, 21, falls foul of the snap, and tells me: 'It's like being a kid again, but with an extra hit. 'We love it here — fun and alcohol, what more could you want?' So far, so typical of a Spanish holiday for British youngsters, many on their first sunshine break without mum and dad cramping their style. But while this bar is bursting, the same cannot be said for other venues in the Spanish resort town of With 100-plus bars and clubs, it was once branded the country's 'party capital' but now many of the venues sit partially empty or closed — an unwelcome result of the nationwide As a result, the pub owners and party organisers here are pleading with high-spending Brits to return. Currently, the town is besieged by Dutch and German tours of under age teens, who barely spend any money and demand that prices stay low or they won't come. Drinks prices on this section of the Locals are now yearning for its early-Noughties heyday when it was a Club 18-30 destination for Brits. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Local shop owner Mohan, 45, told The Sun: 'Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. "We love English tourists here because they spend the most. 'Yes, some get a bit drunk and loud, but that's not the end of the world. 'The protests in 'We want tourists to know they are welcome. I've lived in Lloret since 1999 and everyone here wants more Brits — Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. We love English tourists here because they spend the most Mohan, Local shop owner Last year 18.4million of us headed to Spain, contributing £20billion to the country's economy, according to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism. But over-tourism has been blamed for inflating Lloret is not immune to the housing concerns of places such as Ibiza and Tenerife, but instead of Officials have responded by cracking down on unlicensed accommodation, which last week saw cops raid 23 illegal tourist flats and slap the owners with fines of up to £20,000. Restaurant Pinocchio owner Claudio La Face, 37, explained: 'Unlicensed holiday flats are a problem because people are concerned about renting to locals as if there is a problem, such as not paying rent, there is little they can do. "On top of that, many prefer to rent to tourists because they can make a lot of money, despite the risk of big fines.' 'Better than Benidorm' 18 Young tourists in I Heart Lloret de Mar shirts head for a night out in the party town Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Protesters hold up signs in Barcelona in June claiming tourism is killing the city Credit: Getty 18 British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret Credit: Darren Fletcher Italian Claudio, who has lived in Lloret for 12 years, said he struggles to understand the anti- tourist protests happening in other parts of Spain. 'It has affected our numbers here, especially this year,' he said. 'But we need tourists in Lloret, we love them. Most of Spain needs tourists too, so protesting against them doesn't help anyone. "Tourists should come to Lloret for the good weather, the beautiful beaches, and amazing food options. Plus there are lots of cultural places around here to visit, such as One of the biggest draws to the town is its party district, home to one of the world's best clubs, Tropics. The main strip, Avenue Just Marles Vilarrodona, is full of venues that can hold thousands of revellers, and the winding side streets boast a seemingly unending array of cocktail bars offering outrageous drinking games. Don't Let The Duck Out sees players put on a swim cap and snorkelling goggles to try to grab a bottle of alcohol from a large water bowl. Essentially it's boozy apple bobbing. British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret. Lucy said: 'My sister recommended it, and it's crazy here. We have no regrets booking it. It's fun.' Other Brits out on the lash include Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, who booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website. For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool Ollie Bott They've flown out with six mates, who they have managed to lose by the time they bump into The Sun. Ollie said: 'For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool.' Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, are here for their honeymoon. 'It wasn't quite what we expected for our honeymoon, but we love how lively it is,' courier Phillip said. 'I'd certainly come back here with the lads, or let my sons have their first drinking holiday here as it feels really safe. There's nice food and the booze is cheap. 'Plus everyone here has been really friendly compared to other holidays we've been on.' Couple Paul Willmot and Janette Machin, both 57, from Bridlington, Yorks, reckon it could even start to rival Brit favourite Benidorm. Janette said: 'It's been really great so far. It has potential and reminds me of Beni and Sunny Beach before they got super-popular. We didn't let the 18 Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, admitted the resort wasn't quite what they were expecting Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Crowds of youngsters head to the party strip while a bus promotes the popular Tropics nightclub Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 One of the resort's beaches is near empty with locals fear is due to Spanish protests deterring tourists Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Local businessman Igor Peyman is keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret Credit: Darren Fletcher Standing in doorways and draped over pavements are revellers debating which bar to move to next. Some are being shepherded by tour operators. 'A little rowdy' Back on the main street are Disco Londoner and Touch Down Sports bar, both owned by Marcus Faraji. He told The Sun: 'Ninety per cent of the industry here is based around tourism, even if it's not directly. 'More needs to be done to educate locals that their livelihoods and comforts come from tourists being welcome here. This is getting lost because many people are so worried about the housing issues. 'The drinking tourism we get upsets some, and they complain that people don't come here to visit cultural places, but the truth is we don't have the infrastructure for that. "Many of the tourists that come here are in groups organised by tour operators, who take up bulk bookings at hotels. English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all Igor Peyman 'It means we have to keep drinks cheap, because if we raise our prices they threaten to not come. 'But some of the people they bring are as young as 16, so we won't serve them anyway, and they don't have a lot of money to spend, which harms the economy. 'English people don't travel in the same way. We would like more of them because they spend a huge amount on both restaurants and on alcohol.' Bars caught serving booze to someone under age risk a fine of £2,600 for each case — and the drinker can be handed a £850 fine. Local businessman Igor Peyman, 54, is also keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret. He said: 'English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. 'They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all. There is so much for people to enjoy here so we hope they aren't put off by the protests in other parts of Spain.' 'Spanish Blackpool' But not everyone is a fan of Lloret. Holidaymaker Amanda, from Stratford-upon-Avon, She added: 'You do have to look for the nicer places to go as the centre is very young and aimed at a younger crowd.' Her pal Michele agreed, but added: 'Everyone has been really friendly, and you don't get hassled to go to restaurants or shops. Parts of the town are quite dated and need investment.' We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where people can use the toilets Tattoo shop worker Jose Tattoo shop worker Jose, 30, is keen for Lloret to only welcome tourists who will be respectful. He said: 'We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where people can use the toilets. 'Tourists who want to have fun but appreciate we live here are always welcome, even if they're a little rowdy. 'Lloret is a poor town, and most of us have to earn our living for the year in the space of six weeks. "We love tourists and we always want them to come here.' 18 One less impressed visitor dubbed the town Spain's Blackpool Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Budget boozers sell cocktails and shots for 1 euro Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Josh, 30, and Saffron, 27, from Hull enjoyed the cheap drinks at the bars Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Sun reporter Thea Jacobs takes part in one of the outrageous drinking games Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Thea samples the local cocktails Credit: Darren Fletcher What is overtourism? Overtourism is where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity. The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues. As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals. Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources. In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism. These include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations
Irish Examiner
9 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cleo Laine, Britain's most successful jazz singer, dies aged 97
Cleo Laine, the UK's most successful and celebrated jazz singer, has died aged 97. A statement from her children Jacqui and Alec reads: 'It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Cleo, who died peacefully yesterday afternoon. We will all miss her terribly. The family wish to be given space to grieve and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.' She was well known for a longstanding collaboration with her late husband, the composer and reed player John Dankworth, singing with his jazz bands from the mid-1950s onwards. But she also had a stellar solo career, including in the US, where she became the only female artist to be nominated for Grammy awards in pop, jazz and classical categories; few singers have the versatility to deliver atonal Arnold Schoenberg pieces and to have duetted with Ray Charles. Laine was born in Uxbridge, west London, in 1927, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an English farmer's daughter (her original name was Clementina Campbell, though she was registered at birth as Clementine Bullock, her mother's surname). She was raised in nearby Southall and had an unassuming youth, working at various jobs after leaving school including as a hairdresser, librarian and pawnbroker. Still a teenager, she married George Langridge and had a son, Stuart. Jazz couple and husband and wife team John Dankworth and Cleo Laine perform together on stage during a County Hall concert. Picture: PA/PA Wire She sang in clubs after work, but became a professional singer in her mid-20s after successfully auditioning for Dankworth's band the Dankworth Seven. 'In a sense, with them, I started at the top,' she later said. She earned £7 a week, and changed her name to the snappier Cleo Laine. Her marriage faltered – Langridge 'thought my career was a pipe-dream', she said – and Laine left him for Dankworth, marrying him in 1958. She developed her voice, eventually reaching a four-octave range and becoming one of the most esteemed proponents of the scat singing style. She acted in plays and musical theatre in London, as well as performing with Dankworth and his band; in 1961, she crossed over into the British pop charts with You'll Answer to Me reaching No 5. She and Dankworth achieved further recognition with their jazz arrangements of poetry by Shakespeare, ee cummings, WH Auden and TS Eliot. Emboldened by a successful Australian tour, they began live performances in New York. US reviewers received her rapturously, and Laine cemented her American career with concerts backed by her husband at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, alongside musical theatre on Broadway. She recorded an acclaimed album of Stephen Sondheim numbers, duetted with Ray Charles for a recording of Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess, and made collaborative albums with the guitarist John Williams and the flautist James Galway. In 1992, she supported Frank Sinatra for a five-night residency at London's Royal Albert Hall. British singer Cleo Laine in an instrumental mood at her home in Wavendon. Picture: PA/PA Wire In 1970, she and Dankworth founded the Stables venue in the grounds of their home in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, which has gone on to present concerts by Dave Brubeck, Amy Winehouse and many others, and hosts music education projects. In 1979 she was awarded an OBE and in 1997 she was made a dame. Dankworth was knighted in 2006. The couple continued to tour together until shortly before Dankworth's death on 6 February 2010, aged 82. Laine performed later that night, alongside their musician children Jacqui and Alec, for a scheduled concert celebrating 40 years of the Stables; she only announced her husband's death at the end of the concert. 'It wasn't so much 'the show must go on' – I'm not that committed to the stage,' she said in 2010. 'I instinctively knew Johnny would want it to. That if I had died he would have gone on. Johnny and me – we were joined at the hip.' She is survived by Jacqui and Alec. Her son Stuart died in 2019, aged 72.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Cleo Laine, the 'First Lady of Jazz', dies aged 97
Veteran jazz singer Cleo Laine, famed for her scat singing style, has died at the age of 97. Nicknamed the First Lady of Jazz, she was a leading figure of the British jazz music scene along with her late husband, saxophonist John Dankworth, for many years and worked with the likes of Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. The Stables, a charity and venue founded by Laine and her husband, said in a statement it was "greatly saddened" by the news that "one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away". David Meadowcroft, chairman of the charity, said: "Dame Cleo was a remarkable performer who was loved by audiences around the world, and her commitment to ensuring young people had access to great music and music education will continue through the work of The Stables." Monica Ferguson, chief executive and artistic director of The Stables, said: "Dame Cleo was admired greatly by fans, other musicians and by The Stables staff and volunteers. She will be greatly missed, but her unique talent will always be remembered." John Dankworth, who had been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for more than 50 years, died aged 82 in 2010. She was the daughter of a Jamaican father and English mother whose childhood in Southall, west London, was supported by her father's busking talents. Her early singing experience started at home, with group family singalongs alongside her music-loving father. But before her musical career really took off, Laine worked as a hairdresser's assistant. She never gave up, entering talent contests and she sang on a semi-professional basis before finally auditioning for the Johnny Dankworth Seven. After that, she never looked back. She and Dankworth, who married in 1958, worked with some of the top names in the music business - and she scored a UK top 10 hit in 1961 with You'll Answer To Me. She previously told the PA news agency: "At the age of three I was singing, because our family sang, and we entertained each other. So right from a very early age there was this kind of Cinderella dream that I was going to do all this. "When I wrote my autobiography I realised it was quite a Cinderella story in some ways. "To me the wonderful thing is actually having done it, not the accolade, but to be singing, and to be singing at the age I am now. That is the best part of it." She became a dame in the 1997 Birthday Honours list, saying at the time: "I am of course, deeply honoured, but I think they have got the reason for it slightly wrong. "It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me - it has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do, listening to and working with some of the world's most creative musicians.
