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The Journal
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Neighbour of Street 66 loses second high court action over noise levels at gay bar
A NEIGHBOUR OF one of Dublin's best-known gay bars has lost his second court action aimed at taking away its music, singing, and dancing licences, claiming the venue's loud tunes kept him awake at night. Tommy Bergin, who lives above the popular Street 66 bar on Parliament Street, brought the objection to the permits before Judge Máire Conneely at Dublin District Court. However, she dismissed the action on several grounds, among them the location and character of the area, in a part of the city centre known for entertainment. 'I believe that in a location such as this on a busy street, it is not reasonable to expect that the music would be completely inaudible,' she ruled as she held that the bar was a suitable premises to keep the licences. Council worker Bergin complained about the noise levels when music was played late on Friday and Saturdays, leaving him with sleepless nights, and he could make out not only the songs but also the lyrics of each tune. Last year, the late Judge Marie Quirke had ordered that the maximum music volume be limited to the levels recommended by a sound expert witness. She had ordered the bar to implement a ten-point drop in the music levels: 78 decibels in the front and 86 decibels in the back of the premises, which was undertaken. However, Mr Bergin claimed today that the problem had not changed. He said last year the songs he used to be able to hear mainly included Celine Dion and Whitney Houston tunes, but now it was Florence and the Machine or Britney Spears numbers, and 'clap along, stomp along' tracks. He told the court it had been an issue for three years, and after the lifting of COVID restrictions, the sound level 'went bonkers', the music went through the roof, and his apartment 'was shaking'. He stated that the noise level covenant with the building management company stipulated that music should not be audible in the adjoining premises. Cross-examined by Dorothy Collins BL, for the bar, he was told invoices showed the works carried out by her client, who claimed she spent €50,000 on sound insulation measures. Advertisement However, he maintained the bills did not show a special outline of the work, and he could not be sure it was sound insulation. Visibly upset, the bar owner, Siobhan Conmy, said she would do everything possible to resolve the issue with her neighbour. Conor Duff BL, for Mr Bergin, told the court that based on the evidence, all roads lead back to the premises not being suited for the services and activities it offered. The court heard that a speaker had been removed, sound limiters were used, and air conditioning was installed, which reduced noise because the venue did not have to leave doors or windows open. Dismissing the action on several grounds, the judge held that little weight could be attributed to evidence of a building management company witness who supported the objection. That witness maintained there had been several complaints, but the judge said those complainants had not come to court to be questioned. She also found that it was not a matter for the court to get involved in enforcing a covenant in a private lease. The sound insulation value of the concrete floor was insufficient, and a higher standard may be required between domestic and communal spaces. The expert used by Mr Bergin was of the view that the efforts by the bar had not worked, and it was not suitable for music or singing. Other evidence from a Dublin City Council inspector's tests was regarded as having little weight. Judge Conneely stated that this testing was subjective, which may have been sufficient as a starting point, but no further scientific testing was conducted by the official. She held that it was not independent evidence. Regarding Mr Bergin's claim that he could hear the lyrics which had been offset by turning on appliances like his washing machine, she noted his own engineer stated that if he opened his windows, external noises would further assist in mitigating the sound of the music. She also noted that he had not engaged directly with the owner for three years, and the bar's expert suggested that the discovery of a leak problem could be an opportunity to enhance insulation. She noted that the bar had been licensed for several years. The experts agreed it was in line with building regulations, but domestic and commercial premises may require different standards. Therein lies the problem, she said, as there were no specific standards to act as a reference point, 'It is a dispute between the experts as to what is acceptable for a domestic and commercial premises side by side, and there was no EU law surrounding the appropriate levels.'
Metro
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Heartbreaking reason Glastonbury nearly ended in the late 90s
Can you imagine a festival season without Glastonbury? We're not referring to the occasional hiatus caused by the pandemic or the years that the festival took a break to give the farmland at Worthy Farm a much-needed rest from the 200,000 visitors it hosts annually. But in 2025, we'll likely be facing the last Glastonbury until 2027. Emily Eavis revealed last year that she and her father, Sir Michael Eavis, are seriously considering taking a break in 2026. While a two-year gap will be a long wait for die-hard festival fans, it's worth remembering that, in a different reality, we could be living in a world where Glastonbury ceased to exist at all. Everything has a natural expiry date, and last year, Emily shared that Glastonbury nearly came to an end in the late '90s. Yes, we were nearly deprived of Jay-Z covering Oasis, Dizzee Rascal's cameo during Florence and the Machine and all those glorious shots of celebs trudging through mud. On the BBC's Sidetracked podcast, Emily opened up about the tough times that nearly led to the festival's closure. She revealed that her father, Sir Michael, originally planned to retire in the late '90s, and with it, bring an end to Glastonbury. Despite some critics thinking it was a publicity stunt to sell tickets, her parents were genuinely serious about calling it quits. Sir Michael and his wife Jean had planned to retire and travel the world, and they envisioned that the start of the new Millennium, the year 2000, would herald the end of Glastonbury. In fact, Sir Michael admitted that he thought he would never host another one. But after Jean's death in 1999, Sir Michael chose to continue with the festival. He later shared on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs that the festival had become his 'new partner' of sorts after his wife's passing. 'We had agreed to retire, but Jean never made it. So I became more determined to keep the festival going. I didn't have a partner, and of course, the kids were keen too! It felt like my new lady friend, in a way—the festival,' he said. The very first Glastonbury festival was held on Saturday, September 19 at Sir Michael Eavis' dairy farm in Pilton, Somerset It was originally named the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival and was renamed as Glastonbury Fayre just one year later. This subsequently evolved into the Glastonbury Festival we know and love today 1,500 festival goers attended the first festival and a ticket for the three-day event cost just £1. However, attendees also were treated to free milk from the Eavis dairy farm Two major headliners pulled out of the first ever festival – Wayne Fontana and The Kinks, but a very worthy replacement helped Sir Michael pull it out of the bag in the shape of the glam rock band Tyrannosaurus Rex, who would later be known as Sir Michael originally set up the festival to make some money and clear some debt, but it wasn't the financial big hitter he had envisaged as he previously said: 'I don't know exactly what my loss will be, but not too great' Sir Michael founded the festival in the early '70s on his Somerset farm, and over the decades, it's grown into one of the world's most prestigious music events. The first Glastonbury, held in 1970 and originally known as the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival, had tickets priced at just £1. Attendees even got free milk from Sir Michael's own dairy. The inaugural festival featured T. Rex, Quintessence, Duster Bennett, Steamhammer, and a host of local bands. Since then, Glastonbury has hosted world-class acts like Hawkwind, New Order, The Smiths, Peter Gabriel, The Cure, Oasis, Blur, The Prodigy, Radiohead, and so many others. It's no wonder every year the question on everyone's lips is, 'Who's headlining this year?' The festival's rise in the '90s saw its status soar, thanks to massive acts like Oasis, Blur, and Radiohead. As Glastonbury grows, it continues to be a cultural milestone, defining an era of British music. This year, Sir Michael will turn 90, and it's clear that the festival and the man behind it deserve a well-earned moment of rest. It's no surprise that with such a legacy, he might take a break too. His contribution to the UK music scene is immeasurable, and in 2024, he was knighted for his services to music and charity, after receiving a CBE in 2007. As the visionary once said: 'We started with 500 people in 1970, and now millions want to come every year. That's quite extraordinary, isn't it?' Extraordinary it is, and whether or not Glastonbury takes a break in 2026, it remains one of the world's most iconic festivals—cementing Britain's place on the global cultural map and raising millions for charity each year. More Trending From its humble beginnings in 1970, Glastonbury has grown into a global phenomenon, with countless historic moments along the way. Who could forget 'the year of the mud' in 1997, the infamous site flooding of 2005, Jay-Z's groundbreaking hip-hop headline in 2008, or the 2022 festival featuring both Billie Eilish, the youngest-ever solo headliner, and Sir Paul McCartney, the oldest? Looking ahead, the 2025 festival is set to be a standout, featuring performances by rock legend Neil Young, pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, Alanis Morissette, and a long-awaited return from Sir Rod Stewart, who'll headline 23 years after his last Glastonbury appearance. For many, it will be an unforgettable send-off before the much-anticipated fallow year. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Glastonbury mystery performer 'gives away' appearance with arrival in the UK MORE: The weird and wonderful ways you can cure a Glastonbury hangover MORE: Fat Joe sued for $20,000,000 over claims of underage sex with minors
Metro
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
British popstar's £1,900,000 house could be concealing 'human remains'
Florence Welch's £1,900,000 country mansion could quite literally be hiding a few skeletons in the closet. The Florence and the Machine star, 38, plans for extensive building work at her Somerset home could uncover 'human remains.' The Dog Days Are Over singer purchased the sprawling 12th-century estate four years ago to realise her dream of living in a 'gothic' setting away from London. She recently snapped up the fourth property in the ground and plans to re-unify all the buildings in plans that have been approved by the local council. However, The Sun reports that an archaeological survey has warned the homes could be concealing medieval skeletons. Submitted to Somerset Council by John Moore Heritage Services, the report says there 'is clear potential for archaeological remains dating to the medieval period.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It adds: 'If human remains are encountered and have to be removed, they will be cleaned, recorded and lifted in accordance with a Ministry of Justice licence. 'Exhumation and post-excavation treatment will be carried out in accordance with published. All associated deposits, e.g. pyre sites, mausolea and mortuary enclosures, will also be fully investigated and excavated.' The publication claims Florence has agreed to give any historical artefacts to the Somerset Museums Service. More than a decade ago, the Shake It Out singer revealed her plans to live in a historical setting. She told Vogue in 2011: 'I really want a Gothic castle. Or a church, but I haven't had time. I've only been home for about two weeks in the last two years.' Florence is not the only celebrity to have spooky happenings in their home. This Country star Daisy May Cooper, 38, revealed she was forced to move out of her Wiltshire home after enduring supernatural encounters for three years. Guests recounted strange noises, the smell of cigarette smoke and even seeing 'shadow figures', while Daisy's housekeepers revealed pictures kept being mysteriously taken down and found in weird positions on the landing. The Am I Being Unreasonable star also said she saw children's severed legs running past her bed. 'I cant remember what happened first, whether it was the sound or the security light that comes on on my landing, but the sound is actually the thing that scares me the most,'she told Danny Robins on his hit BBC podcast, Uncanny. It was the sound of feet running on a wooden floor and what I can only describe as a pair of children's legs, a 7 or 8 year old, and it had these white shorts on, and these legs ran around the bed and me and my son both tracked it for a matter of seconds then it was just gone. It completely vanished. More Trending 'It was the most extraordinary thing I've ever seen.' Daisy then learnt that a boy had drowned in the nearby lake, which was visible from the window to the spare room, in 1959. She continued: 'It's so funny and it's so ridiculous, and I know what people think when I say it and how stupid it sounds, but I saw what I did and the sound of that thing coming in was terrifying. I can't ever get the sound out of my head. It was horrible.' Metro has contacted Florence's rep for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The tiny hidden gem Scottish island home to 'excellent pub and café'
Nothing says 'holiday' quite like an island trip. Fortunately, you don't need to travel halfway around the world for a stunning island getaway. Scotland is home to more isles than you could possibly count. While many are uninhabited, there are a few that are worth a proper visit. One of these hidden gem Scottish islands is Easdale. The tiny isle has an area of just 62 acres and is home to a population of around only 60 people. Easdale is one of the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn. It is separated from the nearby island of Seil by a thin channel that can be crossed on a five-minute ferry journey from the village of Ellenabeich. The island was formerly home to major slate quarries, and was even considered a centre for Scotland's slate industry. However, following the death of commercial quarrying in the 20th century, Easdale's population began to dwindle and its future was in doubt. However, in the years since, the island has undergone a regeneration. The population has grown, and today it is one of the smallest permanently inhabited islands in Scotland. Popular music act Florence and the Machine even filmed two music videos on Easdale. The beautiful island can be seen as a backdrop in the visuals for their singles Queen of Peace and Long and Lost on the island—with local residents appearing as actors. When arriving on Easdale yourself, you will quickly realise that the best way to see the island is simply by walking around. In fact, the entire circumference can be traversed in around an hour. In terms of things to do on the island, the fascinating Easdale Folk Museum should be your first port of call. Housed in an old workers cottage, the museum will teach you about everything from the local slate industry to geology and boats. When it comes to food and drink, The Puffer is pretty much your only option. Fortunately, the family-owned pub, café, and restaurant has earned rave reviews. The Puffer's café menu includes a homemade soup of the day and sandwiches served with dressed salad and rainbow coleslaw. Among the fillings on offer are cheddar and ham, venison, halloumi, and haddock. Meanwhile, its dinner offerings include Loch Fyne Jarl battered haddock with twice-cooked chips and panko breaded halloumi sticks. You can also enjoy meat and veggie burgers, as well as various sharing platters. The Puffer has an average rating of 4.6 out of five on Google based on 89 reviews. Customers have praised it as "fabulous", "excellent", and "friendly and welcoming". Elsewhere, Easdale itself has also received positive reviews from visitors and tourists. The island has an overall score of 4.8 out of five based on 96 reviews. One traveller posted: "I absolutely loved visiting Easdale. Walking the whole circumference only takes about an hour and the views are so stunning. "There are plenty of places to take seats and contemplate nature too. Thank you to all the residents especially, your warm welcome made my trip all the better." A second echoed: "Excellent walk around old slate workings. Lunch in pub excellent as was the boat trip from the mainland." A third Google user shared: "A wonderful place. Ideal for lowering the revs and enjoying the days simply by being there."
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Chelmsford artist Erin LeCount to play Radio 1's Big Weekend
A singer-songwriter who began performing live around Essex as a child said it was a "lovely surprise" to be selected to play at Radio 1's Big LeCount, from Chelmsford, will perform on the BBC Introducing stage during the three-day festival at Liverpool's Sefton Park in 22-year-old said she was "speechless" when Matt Plumb, BBC Introducing presenter for Essex and Cambridgeshire, told her she had been selected to represent the area."Looking at the Saturday line-up, with the likes of Sam Fender and Wolf Alice - people I've seen live in concert many times - its such an honour," she said. "I've never been to Liverpool either, so I'm looking forward to a nice weekend."LeCount said she had been fully focused on a show in London next week - her first for some time - so it was a "nice surprise" to learn she had a slot on such a big stage in the latest single, Silver Spoon, released on Friday, was about "the ways you grow up" and how that affects relationships, she said. 'Embrace the madness' She counts Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush among her influences, along with Sampha, FKA twigs, and The xx."I love artists who produce their own music, of anyone who goes all-in and embraces the madness," she credited the Hermit Club in Brentwood for supporting her from a young age and allowing her to perform at open mics."I got into the habit of doing live music and I just wanted to keep performing as time went on," she said."I felt comfortable sharing it online when I was 17 or 18, and it's ended up here, which is quite nice."It feels I've had a nice break and now I'm back in full force, I've got the show, and lots of writing to do and lots of live prep for Big Weekend."I think I'll have to pull something special out of the bag."Radio 1's Big Weekend runs from 23 to 25 May, with a line-up including Tom Grennan, Mumford & Sons and Lola will appear on Saturday, 24 can hear Erin LeCount's interview with BBC Essex on BBC Sounds. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
