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Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
In pictures: Rory Gallagher's early years - confirmation, first press shot, Taste
Cork Rocks For Rory is a citywide event that marks the 30th anniversary of Rory Gallagher's passing in June 1995. A number of exhibitions, concerts, discussions, etc, will take place in Cork over the next few weeks. Confirmation Day, South Mall, Cork, 1960: Rory Gallagher and his mother on his confirmation day at the South Mall in Cork. Picture courtesy of the Gallagher family 'Rory and his mother, Monica, on the day of his confirmation, standing on the South Mall, looking back towards Cork City Library in the background. Rory is wearing short pants, which all schoolboys would have worn at the time, a cap from his school, the North Mon, and a suit my mother bought for him, although for Rory, even in his showband days, wearing a uniform was never the done thing for him.' Competition Winner, Academy St, Cork, 1961: Rory Gallagher on the roof of the Irish Examiner building on Academy Street in 1961. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive 'Rory won a talent contest at Cork City Hall. It was part of the Ideal Homes exhibition. They had heats for it up in the balcony, which was curtained off. They built a small stage. I remember being there with him. He did two numbers, including Lonnie Donegan's The Grand Coulee Dam. The guy doing compere said he couldn't get over the fire and energy that Rory put into the performance. Somebody from the Evening Echo wanted to get a picture of Rory so he was brought to the Examiner's Academy St office. The photographer took him onto the roof because the light was better. It was Rory's first photo in the press.' Showband Days, The 32 Club, North London, 1965: Rory Gallagher, second from right, on stage with the Fontana showband in the 32 Club in London in 1965. Picture courtesy of the Gallagher family 'This is a picture of the Fontana showband. As far as I know, it was taken at the 32 Club, which was a venue for showbands in north London. Rory must have been 17 years' old at the most. Rory is on the right-hand side, behind the microphone. You can tell it's him because of the guitar – he's got this Stratocaster. The band used to go over and play gigs in England, usually at Lent, because they couldn't play in Ireland during Lent.' Cavern Club, Leitrim St, Cork, 1966: Rory Gallagher with the Taste outside the Cavern Club on Leitrim Street in Cork in 1966. Picture courtesy of the Gallagher family 'This is Taste on Leitrim St in Cork. You can see the chimney stack in the background, which is the old Murphy's brewery. Rory's on the left. The centre guy is Eric Ketteringham, the bass player, and on the right, Norman Damery, the drummer. They're outside the Cavern Club where they did a residency. Behind them is their old VW van, with its split screen. At that time, the band would have been booked around Munster, the odd gig in Dublin, and then trying to break through up to Belfast. I did travel in that VW van with them up to Belfast. It was quite fun, but cold in the winter though because of the engine being at the back.' Isle of Wight Festival (on stage), 1970: Rory Gallagher and Taste at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. Picture courtesy of the Gallagher family 'This is a backstage shot at Taste's Isle of Wight performance, taken looking out at the audience, which no one could put a number on. I've seen figures suggesting it was 100,000 people, with people camped up on the hills. Oddly enough, it was the day the band decided to split up. Rory was unhappy with the management. There was a lot of tension. There was a very early start, getting out of London, to get down to the ferry to get out to the island. When they got there, the manager was there and there were all sorts of disputes, but it was the biggest day of their lives. They put things to one side. They said, 'OK, this will be the last one. Let's make the best of it,' which they did. The band did several encores. They stole the show.' Isle of Wight Festival (backstage), 1970: Rory Gallagher and Taste at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. Picture by John Minihan, courtesy of the Gallagher family 'This is Rory in his check shirt. Richard McCracken is in the middle with his arms around both guys, the drummer, John Wilson, being on the right. That picture was taken by the famous photographer, John Minihan. John was there at the Isle of Wight festival covering it, probably for the Daily Mail. It's backstage after their performance. They played in the afternoon. John was so proud, being Irish. He made his way backstage. He wanted to get the picture.' The exhibition, Rory's Early Impact - Rory Gallagher's Early Years in Cork up to Taste MK2, is at the Atrium, Cork City Council offices, June 14 to July 4, as part of the Cork Rocks For Rory event. Cork Rocks for Rory Gallagher's 30th Anniversary: Five highlights Rory Gallagher's Early Years in Cork up to Taste MK2, Atrium, Cork City Council's New Civic Offices, June 14-July 4: photographic exhibition capturing images of Rory Gallagher's rise, including his showband apprenticeship, up to 1970 and his years with Taste. 'The Continental Op' – The Global Musician, Cork Public Museum, June 14 – December 2025: exhibition cataloguing Rory Gallagher's tour memorabilia, concert posters and some of his guitars, music instruments and amps. Lyrics, Vinyl & Visuals – Rory Gallagher; the Man and His Interests, Cork City Library, June 14 – August 24: exhibition examining Rory Gallagher's influences, including hand-written drafts of his songs; his private record collection, among them Buddy Holly and Muddy Waters albums, and his book collection. Taste at the Isle of Wight 1970, Triskel Arts Centre, 7pm, June 26: screening of Oscar winner Murray Lerner's iconic documentary of Taste's performance at one of the all-time great music festivals, including rare footage and interviews with Bob Geldof, The Edge and Brian May. Joe Bonamassa Plays Rory Gallagher, Live At The Marquee, 8pm, July 1-3: legendary American blues guitarist runs through the canon of one of his heroes. Promises to be three special nights. Read More Rory Gallagher and the town he loved so well: Early days in Cork
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to leave out 65p fruit to keep flies away
Fly infestations are the one downside of finally getting a blast of warm weather - luckily this surprising fruit will keep these disease-spreading pests far away from your home Flies are an unequivocal nuisance as soon as summer rolls around – but don't whack out the fly swatter just yet. It might sound mad, but experts say leaving out this one fruit will keep them at bay. Of course, leaving out food is usually a bad idea when it comes to attracting flies. These airborne nuisances will feed on a wide array of decaying matter, from vegetables to meat to even faeces. This means that they put you at a high risk of consuming harmful bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli – which can be deadly. However, while flies are usually drawn to fruits for their high sugar content, there is one that they find off putting. All you need is to pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are famous for their mild taste and high water content. In fact, they're often used as a palate cleanser between meals given their neutral flavour. But fortunately, this sentiment isn't shared by flies. 'House flies are repelled by the scent of cucumbers, particularly the more bitter varieties,' explained Glen Peskett, a DIY expert from Saxon Blades. He told Ideal Homes: 'The exact reason isn't fully understood, but it's believed that the natural compounds in cucumber skin, such as cucurbitacins, produce a smell that flies find unpleasant and instinctively avoid.' They also work to repel the dreaded fruit fly infestation, as they typically prefer sweeter fruits. Simply place cucumber slices next to entry points in your home, like doors and windows. It's also a good idea to place them in other areas where flies like to congregate. This includes bins, which are usually an insect hotspot due their large amounts of decaying matter. Beyond being versatile, cucumbers are also incredibly pocket-friendly. You can pick up a whole cucumber from Sainsbury's for a bargain 65p, making it cheaper than chemical fly killers. Although, be warned not to leave your cucumbers out too long. Once they begin to rot, they will begin to attract flies rather than repel them. For this reason, they should be replaced roughly every two days. Of course, while it serves as an effective deterrent, cucumbers on their own won't stop a fly infestation. It's vitally important to practice good hygiene in your home. This means covering fruit bowls and avoiding leaving food out on your counters. You should also make sure to wipe down surfaces, including floors, to get rid of bacteria. It also helps to keep your windows and doors shut when possible, to stop flies from sneaking in. If you have blinds, it's best to keep them drawn.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Households with robins in the garden are urged never to do one thing
Robins are a national favourite among bird species, representing hope, but enthusiasts who want to spy the red-breasted birds have been warned to do so from a distance Robins are a beloved British bird, characterised by a bright orange-red breast, a brown back, and a dumpy shape. They are commonly found perched on a garden fence and are known as the garden birds that sing throughout the year to proclaim their environment. While their appearance may be cute, they are highly territorial and can exhibit aggressive tendencies, often driving away unwanted guests. Therefore, robins are often best appreciated from a distance. These birds are renowned for nesting almost anywhere. From flower pots to post boxes, there's really nowhere that a robin can't nest. They are one of the earliest birds to start building their nests, usually beginning in March to commence their breeding season, laying eggs around mid-April. If you see robins beginning to pile up materials like leaves and moss, chances are they are preparing to build a nest. While it might seem like a fun idea to keep an eye out for these nests during this season, households are advised not to. Robins are known to abandon their nests if they feel humans have discovered it or if they sense the nest is no longer safe. Despite being a popular garden bird, Robins are incredibly cautious of human activity. If they sense a potential predator, they will abandon the nest entirely to protect the eggs and their young. However, if gardens are considered a nest, it's best to wait a few days before approaching as they tend to return. Additionally, robins can have multiple broods each season, returning to the same nest for every brood unless something makes it feel unsafe. Brits are also reminded that, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, all birds, along with their nests and eggs, are protected by law. Causing any disruption to these is a criminal offence. However, for Brits wanting to welcome these little birds into their backyard, it's important to invest in the correct bird box. Gardening expert James Ewens told Ideal Homes: 'Robins won't go near the classic bird boxes with the tiny round holes, they are great for smaller birds like blue tits. What you need is an open-fronted bird box, with a wide entrance, and a clear view.' He notes that robins tend to keep a close eye on their surroundings, as they often nest lower to the ground, making them more susceptible to predators than other birds. It's also important to consider what material your birdbox is made of. Robins are attracted to natural wood because it mimics the habitats they would naturally settle in, such as log piles or tree hollows. So, this nesting season, be prepared to welcome some robins, but be sure to keep your distance
