‘This isn't a job that comes along every day' – Mark McSorley on taking over at Dromoland Castle
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• What concerns McSorley had about taking over at Dromoland Castle
• How he plans to bring the experiential luxury modern travellers are seeking out to the estate
• What goals he has for the five-star castle hotel
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Irish Independent
13 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
How the Lions rated: Joe McCarthy best of Ireland players as Henry Pollock shines despite sin binning
Elliot Daly – 8 An impressive showing from the three-time tourist, who bagged tries in each half and made a grand total of 94 metres off 12 carries over the course of the action.
The Irish Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Meet the ‘Neom' WAGS – glam Brit TikTok housewives of Saudis building $1tn mega city… and why it's hiding a dark secret
IN the deserts of north-western Saudi Arabia sits a gated Brit family enclave - and while wives stay home to look after their young kids, their husbands are busy building Neom - the $1 trillion mega-city. But the glamorous Brit influencers also act like they too are working for the project as they spend their days posting social media content, painting a glossy picture of life there - but it hides a dark secret. 19 Women who live in Neom have taken to TikTok to share what life is like there Credit: TikTok/follow_eisha 19 A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago Credit: instagram/@aidamcphrsn 19 A residential facility in NEOM designed for 10,000 residents A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago as their husbands landed various jobs working for the Saudi project. The high salaries are said to be the main attraction for a new life in the desert - as well as the often free accommodation - with some senior executives offered over $1 million annually. It appears that most, if not all of the women had normal jobs before taking up social media as they moved thousands of miles away. And, by offering an insight into the project and their luxurious life there, the women have accumulated thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok. Footage uploaded to social media shows perfect pre-schools, playgrounds, virtually zero traffic and community-building activities like coffee mornings for the housewives. Families also come together in a central food hall on the site for buffet-style eating for every meal of the day. The temporary accommodations are also equipped with luxury amenities like swimming pools, spa facilities, playgrounds and football pitches. One TikToker shared a video on how items compare price-wise in Saudi supermarkets, with a punnet of strawberries or blueberries costing up to £10. But the Brit expat insists, "considering where we are, the prices are really really good". And to help deal with such a change in environment, UK chocolates and sweets are stocked on the shelves. Humiliation for Saudi Arabia as £1trillion 110-mile long sideways skyscraper The Line will only be 1% of planned size But the rosy image posted of Neom couldn't be further from the underlying truth, having been built on bloodshed and slavery - with women in the country reportedly slaughtered for speaking out against the ruling regime. Neom was announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's Project 2030 in 2017 - a major push to wean the oil-rich nation's economy off its reliance on fossil fuels. The anticipated cost of delivering the gargantuan scheme is reported to have spiralled from a $500bn (£386bn) estimate to a head-spinning $8.8 trillion (£6.8 trillion), according to But even more shocking are the human rights abuses and brutal conditions for workers looming over Neom - issues that have plagued the country well before the project. I absolutely love the community here, and I just wouldn't change it for the world. Samantha Brit mum As many as But as some international workers continue to ensure the high-tech, blood-soaked utopia is built on time, their families are residing in a gated community equipped with everything they could possibly need - including a Starbucks. Nick McGeehan from NGO FairSquare told The Sun how mumfluencers in Saudi are "very clearly a public relations strategy" - and "quite an effective one". He said: "It is trying to attract all sorts of investment into the country to sort of realise its commercial ambitions for the country, and to do that, it needs to sort of exhibit this progressive, tolerant face. 19 Brit mum Samara films day-in-the-life videos in Neom Credit: TikTok/@ 19 Brit mum Samantha shows off her new lifestyle over 4,000 miles away Credit: TikTok/@ 19 The temporary accommodations are also equipped with luxury amenities like swimming pools, spa facilities, playgrounds and football pitches 19 It remains unclear when Neom will finally be completed Credit: NEOM "Western women are a key part of that. Sending this message to audiences that this is a safe place, it's a good place for families, is very important to them. "And of course, the reality in Saudi Arabia is quite different to the one that's being presented, unfortunately." Life in Neom Brit mum Samantha films day-in-the-life videos showing off her new lifestyle over 4,000 miles away. This consists of school runs, gym sessions and salon appointments, which she describes as "great" and "amazing" in nearly all of her videos. Similarly, another Brit mumfluencer Samara has lived at the compound for over two years. She has dubbed her time on Neom as "incredible" and, like Samantha, shows off the amenities and what she and her family get up to day-to-day. Samara says in one video: "I can't believe I am saying this, but it has been nearly two years since I packed up my life in the UK and I got on an aeroplane with my then five-week-old baby to move to somewhere that I had never ever been before. "It was absolutely madness if you ask me but honestly it was the best decision I have ever made in my life and it still is. "I absolutely love the community here, and I just wouldn't change it for the world." 19 Influencers have showed off Neom's vast, traffic-free, facilities Credit: TikTok/@sarasarasid 19 Neom is envisaged as a futuristic city in the desert Credit: @neom / instagram 19 It was announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's Project 2030 in 2017 Credit: @neom / instagram Despite previous denials from Neom that influencers aren't paid, Nick has his doubts. He said: "I would be very surprised if there wasn't a commercial dimension to this. "We've seen this in the past, and we know that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States spend millions and millions of pounds on public relations, and they're very smart how they do it." Just two weeks ago, Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed for "high treason". He was the founder of news blog The Saudi Scene, which is said to have regularly addressed topics in the country, like its infamous lack of rights for women. Nick pointed out how the life of expat influencers in Saudi differs greatly from the women who were born and raised there. The reality is, it's still quite a brutal place for anyone who wants to speak out, and it's still not a great place for women to go because of the way that women are still second-class citizens in the country Nick McGeehan NGO FairSquare Women's rights are incredibly patchy in the country and women exercise little control over their marriage , children, education, and even healthcare. Only six years ago were Saudi women were granted the right to drive. It is also known that women are being jailed, starved and flogged in "hellish" Saudi prisons for being "disobedient" to their husbands. Documented cases show various evidence of abuse and neglect at the notorious Dar al-Re'aya Prisoners are left malnourished and locked up in solitary confinement, the organisation claims. Several cases of suicide attempts in recent years have also been reported. 19 Harrowing footage shows an inmate trying to escape a notorious Dar al-Re'aya prison Credit: Facebook 19 Saudi human resources professional Mashael al-Jaloud, 33, walks in western clothes past women wearing niqab, an Islamic dress-code for women Credit: Getty 19 A Saudi woman celebrates as she drives her car in her neighborhood, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia in 2018 19 The project has been plagued by delays and setbacks Credit: Neom The name of the jails, Dar al-Re'aya, literally translates to "care homes ". They have existed since the 1960s and were initially presented as a rehabilitative "shelter" for women accused or convicted of certain crimes. The infamous cells house women and girls between the ages of just seven to 30. Nick said: "We cannot believe the sort of public relations image that we're sold about the country from influencers on TikTok and other social media. "The reality is, it's still quite a brutal place for anyone who wants to speak out, and it's still not a great place for women to go because of the way that women are still second-class citizens in the country." Nick believes it is "dangerous" to perpetuate this kind of unrealistic lifestyle on social media, based on the idea "you just have to shut up, consume, shop, sunbathe - and don't say a goddamn thing about what's going on to the people who've stood up and ask for their basic rights". He concluded: "It's cheap PR, right?" Some influencers living in Neom have been approached for comment. Futuristic city Neom is to be an unbelievable futuristic city across 26,000 sqft on the Red Sea and will include smaller projects like Some infrastructure in the plans includes floating buildings, as well as ultra-luxurious holiday and ski resorts. 19 The anticipated cost of delivering the gargantuan scheme is reported to have spiralled Credit: Rise 19 Neom continues to fall chronically behind schedule Credit: Neom 19 Sci-fi ideas from levitating trains to an artificial moon are reported to have been among the features of the project Credit: Rise But even after eight years, little progress has been made. And the project has been the subject of a number of controversies. One former employee has shared their story of working at the gigaproject with The Sun, shedding light on the atrocities taking place behind Neom's doors. Rights organisations have long blasted the Saudi regime's record on workers' welfare, with a recent Human Rights Watch report detailing the "gruesome yet avoidable" deaths faced by many migrant workers. The advocacy group mentions that some workers died falling Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea told The Sun: "Unfortunately, migrant workers in Saudi Arabia continue to face widespread abuses, some of which may amount to situations of forced labour, including at high-profile gigaprojects. 19 Many experts have questioned the viability of the proposals Credit: @neom / instagram 19 Widespread problems with workers' rights have been reported across these projects Credit: AFP "On Neom, Human Rights Watch has found that ambitious targets set by Saudi authorities have tight and unrealistic deadlines which can lead employers to demand that workers continue to work under dangerous conditions. "Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia experience illegal and exorbitant recruitment fees, limits to job mobility, obstacles exiting the country, as well as serious health and safety risks." Michael, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, told The Sun that the project is unlikely to be anywhere near complete before 2055. Talking about delays, Michael said: "From the very beginning, Neom had a very long timeline. "There were certain objectives they wanted to achieve by 2030, but most of the leadership were aware of a longer timeframe." Michael said Neom's management has "overspent quite a bit" since its announcement. He says: "They were focusing on way too many things at the same time. "They just wanted everything at the highest level possible. The biggest entertainment complex in the world. The biggest media studio in the region. "No matter how much money you throw at the thing, it takes more than just money to make it work." The much hyped project, aided by an aggressive social media marketing campaign, has sought to big up Neom as a vision of futuristic city living. Sci-fi ideas from features of the project. But Neom continues to fall chronically behind schedule, with many of its most ambitious projects still looking like a distant dream. Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project By Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution. Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project: Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities : One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe. This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city. The Saudi government's crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations. This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM's image as a forward-thinking, humane project. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns : NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern. The project's scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity. Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage. The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project's sustainability. Economic Viability and Cost Overruns : NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history. But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure. The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale. This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals. Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns : NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems. While this technological ambition is central to NEOM's identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents' lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties. The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM's technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian. Cultural and Social Disconnect : NEOM's vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia's deeply conservative cultural norms. The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom. This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM's globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society. The disconnect between the project's ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia's social fabric without causing significant friction.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Travellers left ‘potentially hazardous' POO at park to fester in 30C heat…the smell was ‘unbearable'
"POTENTIALLY hazardous" waste including poo and used bog roll was allegedly left to fester at a park in 30C heat by travellers. Locals living near the Hough Ends Fields in Chorlton, Manchester, have complained of unbearable smells following the encampment. 9 Caravans parked up at Hough End playing fields in Mauldeth Road in West Manchester - about 200 yards from the GMP Training and Mounted police complex Credit: STEVE ALLEN 9 The playing fields were taped off, with used toilet paper and nappies left strewn around Credit: STEVE ALLEN 9 The field is used by rugby union team Broughton Park FC and is popular with dog walkers Credit: STEVE ALLEN It comes as a large traveller encampment was evicted from the playing fields last Friday - with the city council then posting signs reading: "Potentially Hazardous Waste Do Not Enter. "Cleaning will be commencing as soon as possible." The authority also taped off a vast area of woodland with the same "do not enter" signs in place. Around 30 caravans had pitched up from June 12 for eight days with residents and dog walkers horrified at the level of filth and muck spread around. Read more news The pitches invaded by the Travellers are used by rugby union team Broughton Park FC. One 80-year-old walking her dog Sky told The Sun: "It was disgusting. Dirty toilet paper just blowing about, nappies and sanitary towels. "One pick-up truck just raced onto the field and missed my dog Sky by just inches – they have no respect and don't seem to care. "They left a pile of cuttings from trees and garden waste down the other end and that needed clearing away. Most read in The Sun "The smell was absolutely horrendous." International business student Conor Gregory, 22, who lives nearby, hails originally from Appleby in Cumbria - which hosts the annual Horse Fair every June. Shops close down and streets patrolled by cops as thousands of travellers gear up for 2nd day of Appleby Horse Fair Conor added: "It has got a lot worse more recently." Shopworker Kyra Crump, 18, said: "The litter and mess and other filth is just appalling. They obviously have no common decency – otherwise they would clear it all up themselves. "If you go out you have to watch where you are walking as there is so much waste on the floor. "People were posting images of just how disgusting it was. "They don't care about the local community at all. One minute they are here and the next they are gone." 9 The city council blocked off the park for cleaning Credit: STEVE ALLEN 9 Business student Conor Gregory Credit: STEVE ALLEN 9 Local shop worker Kyra Crump Credit: STEVE ALLEN Games host Connie Harphand, 25, who has a flat overlooking the playing fields, said: "It was a shock waking up one morning and seeing them all there. "My flat mate sent me a video of the antics and we had vans and police cars ever day. "We probably had 30 or so caravans and they were just driving through an entrance they had made for themselves on the main road." A 59-year-old handyman, from Altrincham, who works in the area, but declined to be named, told The Sun: "I've worked around here for 25 years and they have been turning up more in recent years. "Some of the people I work for are very appalled that it's happening so much – they fear it will have an impact on property prices and want the council to keep them out." The city council has confirmed it has blocked access to sections of Hough End Playing Fields, for the clean up and a vast skip stands on the path with all the tapes and warning signs now removed along with the waste. A council spokesperson said the waste was found after a "traveller encampment" was "evicted" from the Fields last Friday (June 20). A statement read: "An encampment of travellers was evicted from Hough End Playing Fields on Friday, June 20. 'The site was assessed and re-secured and an initial clean-up operation to remove a huge quantity of waste was undertaken. "The removal of the remaining waste by our contractor Biffa has started today to ensure that this part of Hough End is re-opened and accessible for residents once again.' The statement from the authority added it will investigate security for the park. The spokesperson continued: 'We continuously review our site security and we will work with the rugby club to see how we can both better secure this site for the future ." The council spent millions on a controversial expansion of the Fields' leisure centre that opened in 2022, with campaigners arguing building car parks and artificial sports pitches on the grass was bad for the environment. The Sun has contacted Greater Manchester Police for comment. 9 The encampment was evicted earlier this month Credit: STEVE ALLEN 9 Police at the park during the eviction Credit: STEVE ALLEN 9 Toilet paper, nappies and other toilet waste was left behind Credit: STEVE ALLEN
