Louth comes alive for Crinniú na nÓg 2025
This year's Youth Ambassador is Grace Gonnelly, a talented 17-year-old filmmaker from Dundalk and member of M.A.D. Youth Theatre. Grace's powerful short film Cliff Edge—chronicling her personal journey living with a chronic pain condition—earned her the RTÉ Factual Award at Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year in April. She now inspires her peers to express themselves through the arts and get involved in this national day of free creative activities for young people.
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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Beginner's pluck: Full-time writer Grace Flahive
Grace spent her early summers reading, and has been writing stories since she was a small child. 'I wrote my first novel — a very self-indulgent one — as a teenager, and continued writing through university.' After graduating in Canada, Grace moved to the UK to take an MA. I meant to stay for just a year, but I'm still here. 'I got a job in publishing with DK Books in London and then for Temon Hudson Arts Books.' 'After my MA, I made the decision to take writing seriously. I started writing Palm Meridian in 2021 and knew from the first chapter it was a book I wanted to run with. 'I found my agent, Susan Armstrong, and the book sold at a three-way auction in the UK and the USA.' Who is Grace Flahive? Date/place of birth: 1992/ Toronto. 'My grandparents moved from Co Kildare in 1951. I'm an Irish citizen.' Education: Catholic Secondary School in Toronto; McGill University, Montreal, English Literature with philosophy; University of the Arts, London. MA in Publishing. Home: London. 'I spent part of covid in Toronto.' Family: Wife. The day job: Full-time Writer. 'It's a dream come true. I was having to squeeze my writing in.' In another life: When I was growing up, I played ice hockey. I was set on becoming professional.' Favourite writers: 'My main influences are Lauren Groff, Rachel Khong, Melissa Broder, and Olivia Laing.' Second book: 'I'm at the messy stage of starting.' Top tip: 'Writing is fickle. It's easy to feel discouraged. Sleep on it. The next morning, with fresh eyes you may feel differently.' Instagram: @graceflahivewrites. The debut Palm Meridian Renegade Books, €23.20 It's 2026 in Palm Meridian Retirement Resort — a Florida resort for lesbians — and Hannah — sick with terminal cancer, is enjoying her last day alive. She's throwing an end of life party and is hoping her long lost lover might attend. Before the night ends, she learns a devastating secret. The verdict: Funny and heartwarming, this novel portrays a realistic, yet not dystopian view of the future.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
What to watch on TV and streaming today: Philomena, Here We Go and Krays
Grace Virgin Media One, 9pm A psychiatrist is found dead in her flat, and although it's initially believed her demise is the result of a burglary gone wrong, the police soon realise it was a targeted attack. Here We Go BBC One, 9pm & 9.30pm Alison Steadman and Katherine Parkinson are back for the third series of the much-loved sitcom. They'll be dealing with all that life can throw at them as parents Rachel and Paul start new jobs. Bob Mortimer and Tom Allen do battle with Richard Ayoade and Harriet Dyer in the first of a new run. Joe Wilkinson and Ian Smith also feature alongside regulars Susie Dent, Rachel Riley and Jimmy Carr. Philomena RTÉ One, 9.35pm Moving true-life drama following journalist Martin Sixsmith's efforts to help Philomena Lee find out what happened to the son she was forced to hand over for adoption after giving birth in a convent as a teenager. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan are on top form as the duo. Critical: Between Life and Death Netflix, streaming now Imagine the stress of working in a trauma unit in a metropolis. Now, imagine your every move being recorded and uploaded to Netflix to be viewed by millions worldwide. No pressure… This fly-on-the-curtain six-parter brings viewers inside the world of emergency medicine in London, where a major trauma hits every hour. It offers an intimate portrait of the teams who must carry out life-and-death decisions, and the equally eye-watering level of logistics involved in shepherding severely injured people to the nearest hospital. If you're thinking, 'Isn't this just 24 hours in A&E?', it's produced by the very same people behind that award-winning show. This made-for-Netflix docuseries features exclusive access to London's Major Trauma System, with 40 cameras squirrelled away across four hospitals over three weeks. It goes beyond procedures to reveal the humanity behind bold interventions and the emotional drive of NHS staff. Not for the squeamish, obvs. Washington Black Disney+, streaming now If you already caught The Amateur (Rami Malek, Caitriona Balfe) in the cinema, Disney+ is also releasing a Hulu miniseries (based on the bestselling book of the same name) this week. Black, an 11-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, has a prodigious mind, propelling him on a global adventure that reshapes his understanding of family and freedom. Acapulco AppleTV+, streaming now If Foundation's OTT (yet stilted) performances are wearing thin, take heart — Acapulco embraces the ham with flair! In season four, present-day Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) races to revive Las Colinas ahead of its grand reopening, while in 1986, young Maximo (Enrique Arrizon) fights to reclaim the hotel's top spot. Trainwreck: P.I. Moms Netflix, streaming now This weekly episodic seems to have been going on forever, and I never want it to end. In 2010, Lifetime launched a reality show about soccer moms moonlighting as private investigators. As secrets surface and criminal accusations mount, both the show and its subjects spiral toward disaster. Amy Bradley is Missing Netflix, streaming now In 1998, Amy Bradley vanished from a cruise ship without a trace. Decades later, sightings and speculation still swirl. This three-parter explores this haunting cold case and her family's fight to bring her home. Krays: London Gangsters Prime Video, streaming now Twins Reggie and Ronnie ruled London's underworld for two decades — and had their story portrayed by the Kemps to boot. Through prison recordings, this documentary reveals the powerful bond behind their dubious legacy. Untamed Netflix, streaming now If you've already mainlined all three series of Sneaky Pete, it's OK — Netflix has teed up this new Eric Bana and Sam Neill (both looking suitably at home in rangers uniforms) vehicle for you. Set in Yosemite, the National Parks agents are caught between a brutal crime, the wilderness, and themselves. Ironically, in Trump's America, they'd have probably been laid off. Surf Girls: International Prime Video, streaming now From breakout star Ewe Wong to Olympian Sol Aguirre, follow four female surfing athletes as they face personal hurdles, cultural expectations, and fierce competition. Wall to Wall Netflix, streaming now Imagine saving enough to buy an apartment only to face financial ruin while sandwiched between mysteriously noisy floors. It's South Korean, so Woo-seong's neighbourinos could be anyone (or anything).
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Jason Manford on his Irish roots, and how humour kept him out of trouble in Manchester
Jason Manford likely got the performing bug from his mother's side of the family. His maternal grandparents, a folk-singing duo called The Peates, emigrated from Dublin to Manchester in the 1950s. Later, they jumped on the showband wagon. As a kid, Manford, now 44, remembers his grandmother, Nora, playing in Irish bars on Sunday afternoons in the 1980s. 'My memory of those afternoons is sitting under the pool table with me brothers eating crisps hearing my nana singing, Grace or The Fields of Athenry. At some point, my parents worked out that I was able to sing. Nana took a shine to me because of that. As soon as I was able to sing, I'd get up and sing a few songs with her. 'I think, always, I had an idea of what might be funny. From an early age, maybe eight, I used to sing In the Ghetto by Elvis, which is not a funny song, but obviously it's funny because an eight-year-old is singing it. I would try and do a bit of an Elvis impression – the karate kick, a lip curl and shaking the hips. I remember it used to make people laugh. 'My Uncle Michael, the eldest, probably the only one of my uncles and aunties born in Ireland, and the only one with an Irish accent, was hilarious. I loved watching him because he was such a funny performer. He was talented. He did everything – he sang, he played the guitar. He could properly yodel, which is such a funny thing to do. That classic Irish thing where almost the talking between the songs is as entertaining as the songs.' During summer months, Manford came over to Ireland for a couple of weeks' holidays, running amok with his cousins around Templeogue, Dublin. His father is 'very English', so religion wasn't a big part of their lives growing up. He was shocked by how long mass lasted in a Catholic church. 'In C of E, you're in and out,' he says. 'In 25 minutes, he's said his thing. Off you go. In Dublin, it was a case of, 'Are we still here?' It felt like everything in Ireland was a little bit stricter because of the religious element. There were a lot more rules – 'You can't do that,' 'you can't say that' kind of thing. Back in Manchester, things felt a bit more feral.' Jason Manford grew up in Moss Side, near Manchester City's old Maine Road stadium. (Photo by) He adds: 'It's funny, in the UK when I'm on tour, a cousin somewhere or an uncle will occasionally get in touch, and go, 'Oh, Jason, I know you're in Preston this week. I wondered if it's possible to get two tickets. I don't mind paying.' Then I come to Dublin, and I get a phone call from some cousin I've seen three times in me life: 'Jason, can I get 40 tickets?' They ask for all sorts. 'Can you do a meet-and-greet with my girlfriend?' They're not shy about coming forward in Ireland.' Manford grew up on Moss Side, part of inner-city Manchester, home to Manchester City's old stadium, Maine Road. It was a tough neighbourhood, notoriously dubbed 'The Triangle of Death' because of gang violence. Many of Manford's classmates are either dead or in prison. He used his knack for humour as a survival tool. 'Humour was massive for me during my childhood – learning to have a laugh,' he says. 'Learning to laugh at yourself is the most important thing you can learn as a human being. If you don't take things seriously, you're not quick to snap if someone says something provocative. You've always got a way of getting out of things with words rather than actions or being physical. 'If you're funny at school, you can have a laugh with everybody, whether it's the nerds or the bullies. You can get away with things. Bullies didn't pick on me necessarily because I always had something to say, I might be a bit mouthy. Generally, bullies are not good with their words so they wouldn't go toe to toe with you when it comes to arguments, certainly in front of other people or girls. Humour kept me out of trouble. 'Comedy was always something I was interested in. Being witty meant grown-ups noticed me more. The odd teacher noticed me and thought of me for certain things. When I got to high school, our deputy head teacher, Mr. Wiley, if there were any presenting things he needed doing, he would often ask me. Obviously, that's part of the reason my life has shaped the way it is because of someone like him.' Manford was still a teenager when he first did live stand-up in 1999. He was working at a comedy club in Manchester as a glass collector when a comedian booked to perform failed to show up. Manford stepped into the breach and never looked back. He's built an impressive career on the stand-up circuit and is a regular on UK television light entertainment shows. In 2012, Manford made his West End debut in a musical; he's performed lead roles in several musicals, including Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk and Prince Charming in Cinderella. He hasn't yodelled on stage yet, like his Uncle Michael, but his quick-fire comedy chops are always on hand to get him out of a jam if needed. He recalls an incident on stage in Northern Ireland a few years after a 1996 Provisional IRA bombing of city-centre Manchester, close to a shopping centre. 'I remember one of my very early gigs was in Belfast,' he says. 'Belfast now is very different to Belfast around the time coming out of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. We were one of the first sets of English comics to go over and play in the centre of Belfast. There was a guy on, from London before me, and the audience ruined him. I went on, and I said, 'I'm from Manchester.' A guy made a heckle, 'Did you enjoy the bomb?' The whole crowd were like, 'Ooh, that's too far.' I said, 'Well, nobody died, and we got a new NEXT.' That helped to diffuse the situation.' Jason Manford is on a nationwide tour, including Cork's The Everyman, Friday, July 25. See: Jason Manford – Five of his jokes 'Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.' 'I spent two years in therapy for my Phil Collins addiction, but I did it. Against all odds. Just take a look at me now.' 'Me and my wife decided we don't want kids. So, if anyone wants them, we can drop them off tomorrow.' 'I don't hate ginger people. Don't get me wrong, I like ginger people. They were the only people who stopped me from getting bullied at school.' ''Do not touch' must be the worst thing to read in braille.'
