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North Wales Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Gut-lurching moment huge rockface collapses near walkers at popular North Wales slate quarry
A student artist has described the gut-wrenching moment a huge quarry wall collapsed, sending tonnes of rock and slate thundering towards him. By chance Aran Jones, 21, caught the dramatic incident on camera at Dinorwig slate quarry, Gwynedd. He kept filming while others bolted from the area, belatedly joining them as a giant dust cloud billowed into the sky, clearly visible from the village of Llanberis below. 'If there hadn't been a large pit beneath the rockface, we could have been in trouble,' he said. Rockfalls are periodically reported at the quarry, once the world's second largest slate mine. But local people said the noise made by yesterday's incident (Wednesday, July 23) was the largest they'd heard in more than three decades. The collapse was a sobering reminder of the dangers of a site that's seen surging number of visitors in recent years. For some people, it also showed the bravery of quarry workers who reshaped a mountain above Llyn Peris often with the most rudimentary of tools. Aran, from Mynydd Llandegai near Bangor, visited the quarry during a trip back home from Cardiff, where he studies art while working as a pieman at Donald's Coffee and Pies. Having risen at 3am, he'd already climbed Crib Coch and Yr Wyddfa by the time he arrived at the quarry. 'I was by walking myself when when I heard what sounded like slates cracking and splitting,' he said. 'I'd been at the quarry a few days before and I'd heard the same sound then. 'I thought it might be the quarry's goats, standing on a ledge and dislodging slate. So I began filming, hoping to spot them." Join the North Wales Live Aran continued: 'All of sudden the rockface gave way. I thought I was far enough away, so I kept filming. But had it not been for the massive pit beneath, all that rubble and debris would have come rushing towards me. 'A couple were on the path behind me. When the rockface collapsed, they came running past me, trying to get to safety. That woke me up a bit to the danger, so I began running with them.' Mountain rescue teams have repeatedly warned of the risks of visiting Gwynedd's old slate quarries. Interest in them has risen following their designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but often they remain just as hazardous as when they were being worked. In April, staff at the Dinorwig power station reported hearing spontaneous rockfalls in a part of the quarry that climbers call the Quarry Peppermint Tower Area. Thuds of rock landing, including a 'big boom', were also heard by climbers. Around the same time, a climber was seriously injured by falling rock dislodged by a colleague above him. He was rushed to Royal Stoke Hospital's major trauma centre after being recovered by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and an air ambulance. Llanberis MRT had previously warned visitors to exercise extreme caution at old slate quarries. It came amid rising concerns over the number of people straying from paths and taking risks in 'dangerous places'. At the time, the MRT said: 'No Instagram story is worth the level of risk that some people are unwittingly taking.' No one was hurt by yesterday's rockfall but photos and videos appear to show smaller rocks littering a nearby public path. To guard against such incidents, site owner First Hydro Company restricts public access to some quarry areas and closes off others completely. Urging everyone to stay safe, station manager John Armstrong said the large rockfalls 'demonstrates why we don't allow unauthorised access or exploration of the quarry'. Aran suggested anyone using the quarry keeps their wits about them. 'If you hear any creaking or cracking in the rocks, get away from the area as quickly as possible,' he said. 'The old quarrymen used to listen out for these warning sounds. 'If you sense something is about to happen, at places like Dinorwig there's a good chance it might.'
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Small businesses from Offaly and Waterford win BMW entrepreneur competition
BiaSol is a five year old sustainable food company based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, focused of transforming brewers' spent grain into high-fibre, plant-based food products. The company creates a circular solution that addresses food waste and improves nutrition, making products from upcycled grain, including breakfast bars and granola, along with mixed baking packages for scones, cookies or pancakes. The business founded and ran by siblings Ruairi and Niamh Dooley is Origin Green certified and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting a healthier, more circular food system. It has won several awards since setting up, including: Best Food and Drink Startup in 2023; RDS Rural Innovation Award 2023; Irish Business Design Challenge Winner 2024; Blas na hÉireann Awards (2022, 2023, 2024); and Great Taste Award 2024. Urban Aran based in Waterford City first opened by Christine Murphy in 2021 with design labels focusing on sustainable, locally made garments using 100% fine merino wool. The premium Irish knitwear brand blends the Aran stitch techniques with bold contemporary design. Christine combined her love of Aran stitches growing up and admiration for street art into a slow made fashion collection, with the help of her local enterprise office. Managing director of BMW Ireland, Helen Westby said: 'BiaSol and Urban Aran both stood out for their creativity, clarity of purpose, and potential to scale. 'Their entrepreneurial spirit perfectly reflects the values behind this competition - innovation, ambition, and a commitment to driving positive change. We're delighted to support them on their entrepreneurial journey.' The new BMW programme celebrating sustainable companies in Ireland was launched in partnership with entrepreneur Peigín Crowley and supported by Enterprise Ireland. As part of the winning prize, each winner will receive the use of a fully electric branded BMW iX1 or iX2 for a period in 2025, along with tailored mentoring support. They will also receive a brand feature package including a professional photo and video shoot and promotional content via BMW Ireland's social media platforms.
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Macbeth/Riders to the Sea review: Druid triumph with 50th anniversary double bill
Macbeth/Riders to the Sea, Mick Lally Theatre, Galway International Arts Festival ★★★★★ As an Aran mother, to lose one son to the sea might be unfortunate, but to lose six? That's verging on farce itself, surely. And this is the trouble with Riders to the Sea. It's hard not to hear in Synge's woe-is-me lines something of the parodic performative misery of An Béal Bocht or similar spoofs. There's not a bit of that comedy on stage in this spare production, thankfully, but it's out there, an offstage echo of irreverence. Still, Marie Mullen does well as old Maurya, allowing a certain modernity to peek out from behind her character's fatalism. As Druid marks 50 years, this feels like a necessary gesture to where the company is rooted, geographically and theatrically. We see Mullen again a few minutes into the main event, the Scottish play, as Lady Macbeth. Marty Rea is in the lead role, and the age gap of this couple, the Macrons of Dunsinane if you will, creates a shifting power dynamic that director Garry Hynes exploits brilliantly throughout. ''Tis the eye of childhood,' Lady Macbeth says as she chides her husband's infirmity of purpose in their regicide. It's as if Marty Rea has latched onto that line, and indeed the play's obsession with eyes. A scene from Macbeth, featuring Marty Rea and Marie Mullen. Picture: Ros Kavanagh In the tiny Mick Lally Theatre, we are arranged like a retinue in an Anglo-Saxon hall, divided into rows by rude planks of wood above the dirt floor. It's intense and intimate, and Rea's eyes shine out at us. Darting and childlike indeed at first: bewildered at the witches' prophecy of greatness. Later, in his mania, they are fixed and burning. And, finally, empty. As Duncan puts it at one point, 'There's no art/To find the mind's construction in the face.' Clearly, Marty Rea has other ideas. He gives a superb refutation of that line. The tragedy of his Macbeth is this strange innocence he conveys, his initial unworldliness, his shaken 'single state of man'. All of it tending to make a mother of his wife. It's Mullen's Lady Macbeth who wears the trousers alright, and vicariously wants that crown. Uneasy lies the head that will wear it? You bet. Especially since it's a crown of thorns, literally ripped from atop the same looming crucifix that overlooked Synge's world in the first half of this double-header. In Shakespeare's Scotland, Christianity feels more real, more integrated, compared with the patina over folk beliefs it seems for Synge's islanders. Mullen's Lady Macbeth has a fierce zeal and a confidence won from maturity. In one scene, she barges loudly through a pair of doors, walking in a beeline, full of purpose and literally cutting short one of Macbeth's tortured soliloquies with the clatter. An inspired moment, in a production that brims with them. But of course, it's Lady Macbeth's conviction that wanes, as she's reduced to a guilt-riddled sleepwalker. Macbeth's, meanwhile, grows in his unhinged mania. Rea struts and scrambles, spitting and stuttering on his Fs, as if always on the verge of an expletive, invoking Satan as he summons his servant. Flailing futilely against fate in a way Synge's Maurya would surely recognise. A scene from Riders to the Sea, in Galway. Picture: Ros Kavanagh The ultimate power couple are at the centre of Hynes's interest here, such that there's a notably easing of tension in scenes without them. But some breathing space is welcome across this long evening of theatre. Amongst the excellent cast, Rory Nolan is Banquo, played with a level-headed maturity that contrasts nicely with Rea's Macbeth. Caitriona Ennis, Pattie Maguire, and Emmet Farrell are given great scope as the witches, their hands burning with eye-like wounds. There are echoes of earlier Druid takes on Shakespeare here, certainly in Francis O'Connor's design. But there is an intensity and directness here that perhaps surpasses any of those. It's a production more than worthy of carrying the 50th-anniversary mantle. It transfers to the Gaiety in September, but really deserves to be seen on home turf, in the crucible of the Mick Lally Theatre. Until July 26 in Galway. At Gaiety, Dublin, September 25-October 5
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fan makes 'shocking' discovery on Lorde's new X-ray album cover: 'I hope she gets some more fibre'
Lorde stunned followers when she released an X-ray of a pelvis as the cover of her latest album - but one fan has now made a 'shocking' discovery on the image. A TikTok user who goes by Aran shared a video on Friday claiming to be a 'board certified radiologist' who found something disturbing in the X-ray. Aran says the image - which shows the inside of the singer's pelvis, inter-uterine device included - also contains a 'cloudiness' which indicates 'constipation'. 'Hi everyone, I'm a board certified radiologist and there is something that I've noticed on Lorde's Virgin album cover that no one else has,' Aran began. 'So this cloudiness here is actually from faeces.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'While it's perfectly normal to show up on a medical X-ray, we usually only see this level of cloudiness in patients who are very blocked up or have severe constipation. 'So, while it's not necessarily a medical emergency, I can only imagine how uncomfortable it feels. 'I wish Lorde an amazing album release day, but I really hope she gets some more fibre into her diet,' they finished. While it is unclear that Aran is actually a 'certified radiologist', they are not the only fan who has made the claim Lorde's X-ray shows faeces in the bowels. One user took to X to claim their friend, who is an alleged nurse, looked at the album cover and confirmed the 'white blob' in the image was 'poop'. 'She said those white splotches to the left her of tail bone was s***,' the fan wrote. They then shared a screenshot of a text message which read: 'That like white blob on the left that's poop.' It comes after the hitmaker, 28, sent fans into a frenzy with a surprise performance at Glastonbury on Friday, which saw her whip her top off in the sweltering heat. Thousands of fans flocked to the Woodsies stage after rumours of a set from the Royals hitmaker spread around Worthy Farm. Such was the excitement that bosses announced the stage had temporarily closed due to overcrowding shortly before her set began. The singer - who previously graced The Pyramid stage in 2022 - performed all of her biggest hits from Ribs to Green Light, as well as a rendition of her new album. The show came on the same day as she dropped supporters' jaws by unveiling the cover of her new vinyl - which featured a very racy photograph. The singer had already raised eyebrows with the project's main artwork, which features an X-ray of her pelvis. However, the vinyl for Virgin - Lorde's fourth studio album and first since 2021's Solar Power - is more explicit and featured what appears to be genitals in plastic pants. Taking to social media to express their shock, some fans worried about their family members potentially seeing the NSFW cover. They shared on X: 'So the new Lorde vinyl just got delivered. I was not prepared for the insert.' While it is unclear that Aran is actually a 'certified radiologist', he is not the only fan who has made the claim Lorde's X-ray shows faeces in the bowels Another said: 'Lorde really got her cat out like that on her vinyl huh?' One more wrote: 'My Lorde vinyl is getting delivered to my parent's house I'm scared [sic].' However, not everyone was so critical of the vinyl's artwork and others described it as 'beautiful' and far from being shocking. 'A lot of you are being very weird about the Lorde vinyl cover… who tf cares if her lordeussy was out. It's just a body,' someone wrote. Others said the reaction to the vinyl was so extreme they expected it to be a lot more explicit than it actually is. 'I really thought the Lorde vinyl insert would be a lot worse than people are saying it is, you guys are kinda dramatic,' one said. Lorde is one of the highest-selling New Zealand singers of all time. Her 2013 song Royals reached number one in America, eventually being certified 14 times platinum.
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Dressing the Scottish woman : A guide to timeless & modern style
Timeless & Modern Style Scotland is a land of rugged landscapes, rich history, and bold fashion. Scottish women's style effortlessly blends tradition with contemporary trends—think tartan, tweed, and timeless elegance mixed with edgy, modern flair. Whether you're embracing heritage looks or updating them for today's fashion scene, here's how to dress like a true Scottish woman. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish women's style effortlessly blends tradition with contemporary trends—think tartan, tweed, and timeless elegance mixed with edgy, modern flair. Iconic Tartan: More Than Just a Kilt No Scottish wardrobe is complete without tartan—the country's most famous textile. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad User (UGC) Submitted While kilts are traditionally male attire, women have reclaimed tartan in stylish ways: Tartan Skirts & Dresses – From mini skirts (a nod to punk fashion) to elegant midi-length pleated styles. – From mini skirts (a nod to punk fashion) to elegant midi-length pleated styles. Tartan Blazers & Coats – A structured blazer in Black Watch or Royal Stewart tartan adds sophistication. – A structured blazer in Black Watch or Royal Stewart tartan adds sophistication. Accessories – Scarves, handbags, and even tartan boots make a statement. Neon and pastel tartans are shaking up traditional patterns, perfect for festivals and streetwear. The Ultimate Heritage Fabric Scottish tweed is warm, durable, and effortlessly chic. Key pieces include: Tweed Blazers & Jackets – Perfect for layering over dresses or jeans. – Perfect for layering over dresses or jeans. Tweed Skirts & Trousers – A refined alternative to office wear. – A refined alternative to office wear. Tweed Accessories – Handbags, hats, and even gloves for a countryside-chic look. Styling Tip: Pair a tweed blazer with a turtleneck and leather boots for a modern take on Highland style. & Wool: Luxury Meets Practicality Scotland is famous for its soft cashmere and wool knits, ideal for the unpredictable weather. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cable-Knit Sweaters – Chunky Aran knits in neutral tones (cream, gray, heather green). – Chunky Aran knits in neutral tones (cream, gray, heather green). Cashmere Scarves & Wraps – Lightweight yet warm, perfect for layering. – Lightweight yet warm, perfect for layering. Wool Coats – A tailored wool coat in charcoal or plaid elevates any outfit. Pro Tip: Look for brands like Johnstons of Elgin or Pringle of Scotland for authentic luxury knits. From Countryside to City Scottish women know how to balance practicality and style with their shoe choices: Leather Ankle Boots – Essential for rainy Edinburgh streets. – Essential for rainy Edinburgh streets. Brogues (Scottish Brogues) – Classic lace-ups with decorative perforations. – Classic lace-ups with decorative perforations. Wellington Boots – A countryside staple, now styled with skirts and tights. – A countryside staple, now styled with skirts and tights. Trending Now: Knee-high leather boots paired with tartan skirts for a modern Highland look. Celtic & Contemporary Scottish jewelry blends ancient symbolism with modern design: Celtic Knots & Thistles – Symbolizing eternity and national pride. – Symbolizing eternity and national pride. Pebble Jewelry – Inspired by Scotland's rugged coastlines. – Inspired by Scotland's rugged coastlines. Silver & Pewter – Traditional materials with a sleek, minimalist twist. Must-Have Piece: A Luckenbooth brooch (a historic Scottish love token). Scottish Street Style Today's Scottish women mix heritage pieces with urban edge: Punk Tartan – Ripped fishnets, tartan pants, and leather jackets (thanks to Glasgow's punk scene). – Ripped fishnets, tartan pants, and leather jackets (thanks to Glasgow's punk scene). Edgy Layering – Thick wool capes over ripped jeans, or a tweed skirt with combat boots. – Thick wool capes over ripped jeans, or a with combat boots. Sustainable Fashion – Many Scottish brands focus on eco-friendly tweed, organic wool, and recycled fabrics. Inspired by: Scottish influencers like Emily Millichip and designers like Christopher Kane. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wear: From Highland Balls to Weddings For formal events, Scottish women embrace elegance with a local twist: Evening Gowns with Tartan Sashes – A nod to tradition at galas. – A nod to tradition at galas. Tweed Suits for Weddings – A stylish alternative to dresses. – A stylish alternative to dresses. Kilted Skirts – Some women opt for feminine versions of the kilt for formalwear. Royal Influence: Kate Middleton often incorporates tartan into her outfits, keeping Scottish fashion in the spotlight. Final Thoughts: How to Embrace Scottish Style Whether you're Scottish by heritage or just love the aesthetic, here's how to make it work: Mix old and new – Pair a vintage tweed blazer with distressed jeans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Play with textures – Combine cashmere, leather, and wool for depth. Accessorize with meaning – Celtic jewelry or a tartan scarf adds authenticity. Scottish fashion is all about confidence, heritage, and a touch of rebellion—just like the women who wear it. Which Scottish look is your favorite? Share in the comments!
