Writer Tim MacGabhann on coming clean about his addiction: ‘I told my parents they might want to sit this one out'
You heard it here first; the sculpted shoulders and neck on the cover of The Black Pool is not Paul Mescal. Author Tim MacGabhann stresses this via the Zoom Machine from the home in Paris he shares with his partner and her two children.
'People are going to think this is an elaborate metafictional project where it's actually written by Connell from Normal People,' hoots MacGabhann of the uncanny likeness. 'It really looks like Paul Mescal. And if you've seen Gladiator II, you'll know he's tiny – the armour looks huge on him. The cover of the book could be the view from inside Lucius's armour. But sadly the budget wouldn't stretch to the real Paul Mescal.'
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RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams all smiles as they're photographed at Glastonbury
US singer Gracie Abrams said she was "pinching" herself after she made her debut at this year's Glastonbury Festival where she was photographed with her rumoured boyfriend, Irish actor Paul Mescal. The 25-year-old popstar posted a series of photographs of her performance at the Somerset festival, writing in the caption: "Glastonbury just thank you so much. I will never ever stop pinching myself that we got to do this." The Grammy-nominated artist also shared a video to her Instagram Stories which showed her on the Gladiator II star's shoulders during Olivia Rodrigo's rendition of The Cure's iconic hit Friday I'm In Love on Sunday night, which she performed alongside the band's frontman Robert Smith. Paul Mescal's sister, the singer Nell Mescal, was also in attendance at Worthy Farm this year, and posted a carousel of photos and videos of her weekend to Instagram. Abrams shared a photo to her Instagram Stories and wrote "crying and stuff". Meanwhile, Mescal's Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones posted a series of photos and videos from Glastonbury of them enjoying Abrams' Other Stage performance. Abrams reposted a photo of her in a group with Edgar-Jones with the caption: "tears tears tears". Abrams and Mescal were first romantically linked in June 2024 when they were spotted out together in London. In May of this year, Abrams was in attendance at Mescal's The History of Sound premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Although they weren't photographed together, the pair both wore all-black ensembles.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Louise Bruton: Penneys' adaptive lingerie is half the price of Kim Kardashian's Skims. That's a game-changer
My wardrobe malfunctions may not be as dramatic as some onstage performers, but they can still cause a scene. Having a boogie at a gig in Dublin recently, my movements were cut short. The belt of my linen overcoat, which I had tied behind my back, had unravelled and wound around the spokes of my wheelchair, grounding me to a halt. It took two security guards to set me free. Pairing billowing material with a wheelchair is a rookie mistake. Lots of bad things can happen, from getting lassoed like a calf to mucking up the material as it drapes over the tyres. And if it rains there will be soggy arms for days. I wore the coat knowing those risks, but I also wore it because it looked good. When I get dressed, I usually have a particular persona in mind – kooky art teacher at parties, Paul Mescal in GAA shorts on balmy days, B-list pop star for weddings – but the execution won't always complement my wheelchair. No matter what their personal taste or style is, disabled people usually have to pick an outfit based around function and comfort. This was something I found myself thinking about at the launch earlier this month of Penneys ' latest adaptable clothing line. Included in the range are wardrobe staples such as blue denim jeans (€22), a beige trench coat (€35), white shirts (€20), drawstring tracksuit bottoms (€18), pyjama tops and bottoms (€18 each). There are accessible features like snap fastenings on T-shirts and bras, waist loops to pull up trousers, and hidden openings for stoma or catheter lines on shirts – all potentially helpful adjustments for various disabilities. Penneys' adaptive lingerie (€10/€12) is also half the price of Kim Kardashian 's Skims offerings. It will be a game-changer for some. READ MORE And yet, unfortunately for me, I would never choose to wear the range. The conservative styles don't fit in with my somewhat eclectic taste palette, and I don't see how these adaptable features will make it any easier for me to get dressed or to move around compared with what I wear already.I left the launch trying to understand what adaptive fashion really means, generally and personally. The best way I've seen it in action is when brides take their wedding dresses from civil ceremony to unruly dance floor by bustling the excess material of their skirts up and away from stomping feet. Like dancing brides, adaptive clothing should mean changing your clothes based on your surroundings or your needs. A dress in Primark's new adaptive fashion range Disability is a wide-ranging term used to cover thousands of conditions and illnesses, and within those, each person's experience differs wildly. If only a portion of a clothing line is adaptive, it will serve only a small percentage of disabled people. Browsing the hundreds of items on online retailer Zalando 's adaptive edit, personal style has room to thrive for adults and children. Broken down into categories like fit for prostheses, sensory friendly, easy closure, easy to dress and seated style, these are more than just staple items. While Nike and Skechers have clothes that coincidentally have adaptive qualities in this edit, lesser known names like Anna Field, Pier One and Even&Odd have items designed with disabled people in mind and use disabled models to display them. Alas, these clothes don't sing to me either. Primark's adaptive fashion range will be a game-changer for some When many shops in real life still don't have larger changing rooms, it's easy to throw everything into an online basket, but clothes I've bought from other adaptive lines have been unsuccessful. A raincoat in the seated style used so much material that it pooled over my wheels, catching water and mud and all of the things it was meant to resist at an Irish festival during a yellow weather warning. Loops to pull on shoes have pulled all the way off, and snap fasteners on jackets have not stayed fastened. I am still learning what I need from my clothes, but I also want to shop in a sustainable way instead of this trial and error approach. Adjustable sleeves and elasticated or drawstring trousers are essential for me as I'm in the seated position all day, but I also need breathable materials like cotton, linen or wool to protect my skin and to regulate my body heat. A brand that nails those criteria is Yoke, a London-based studio that uses deadstock fabrics to make relaxed clothing out of natural fibres. Their loose fitting gingham trousers with an elasticated waist means I don't get that sharp pinch from zips or buttons. A cut-off zip-sleeve jacket from Primark's adaptive fashion range Closer to home is Miss She's Got Knits by Dubliner Karen Birney who handknits colourful cardigans, jumpers and vests using Merino or alpaca wool in chunky or cutesy stitches. When her cropped Supersoft MSGK vest came online in her summer drop, I clicked 'buy' immediately. With a vest, sleeves getting frayed by my wheels is a non-issue and the cropped fit prevents material from bulking in my lap. But the best thing about this vest is that people always compliment me when I wear it. Primark launched its new adaptive fashion range earlier this month The above pieces are investments, but because I've become better at searching for what I need online, Vinted fills in the gap for affordable preloved clothing. Most weeks my postman brings a bundle of vintage and designer clothes that tend to my needs with no compromise on the environment, my style, or my bank account. Well, maybe some financial compromise. Adaptive clothing shouldn't be niche, but with Penneys on board everyday fashion is becoming more accessible for disabled people. I would argue, however, that if brands really wanted to implement an adaptive approach, then a free alteration service for customers would cater to all bodies and backgrounds while also looking out for the planet. A gal can dream.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Gracie Abrams snogs and parties with boyfriend Paul Mescal until 3am after finishing Glastonbury set
GRACIE ABRAMS finished her set on The Other Stage then headed straight for her significant other – as she snogged and partied with boyfriend Paul Mescal until 3am. Gracie and Paul were joined by his singer sister Nell, as well as his Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones and her photographer boyfriend Ben Seed, at The Glade stage to take in a set by US DJ Seth Troxler. Advertisement 4 Gracie Abrams put on a performance at Glastonbury with boyfriend Paul Mescal in the crowd Credit: Getty 4 Gladiator actor Paul Mescal was spotted supporting Gracie during her set 4 Paul and Gracie were seen embracing after her set and partied until 3am An onlooker on Friday night said: 'Paul and Gracie were all over each other and couldn't resist a cheeky snog while their pals used the loos. 'Gracie was still full of energy despite playing on The Other Stage just hours before. 'The group were clearly still on a high from her magical performance as the sun set over Paul earned boyfriend points as he got in among the crowd to watch Gracie's set – alongside his fellow Irish actor Advertisement READ MORE ON PAUL MESCAL At one point, Daisy was up on Ben's shoulders showing her appreciation for the music. A source said: 'Paul is so proud of Gracie and loved being with their friends as she saw her dream of performing at Glasto come true.' Gracie sang hits including That's So True, Close To You and I Love You, I'm Sorry. But although Paul is now a Hollywood actor and his girlfriend a chart-topping artist, he was overheard telling pals he is a normal person and was camping in just a regular tent like the rest of us. Advertisement Most read in Bizarre Glad to hear that, Paul. Paul Mescal makes the most of the heatwave with girlfriend Gracie Abrams as they enjoy a picnic at a London park 4 Daisy Edgar-Jones was seen watching Gracie Abrams at Glastonbury
