Latest news with #Medieval
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Repeated vandalism in Wexford playground poses danger to children – ‘It is just dreadful'
Ferns Tidy Towns, who look after the area, took to social media to express their frustration over the most recently incident that took place after 9 p.m. on Friday, July 25. "Over the last couple of months the Medieval themed playground in the community park has been repaired time and time again to enable the children of the community to enjoy playing in the outdoors. It's very disappointing to visit it and discover the vandalism done to the slide leading from the turret,' a representative explained. "Those responsible should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. Not alone have you damaged community property, you've left a children's play area in a dangerous condition,' they added. Although a garda representative said they were aware of the incident but had no reports on file, there is speculation that the incident was carried out by a group of young people who were witnessed causing the damage by kicking and stamping the slide. Given the severity of the damage to the slide, families have been instructed to keep their children away from the area to avoid potential injuries. Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy municipal district Barbara-Anne Murphy said it was incredibly disheartening to see. "It is just dreadful that children can't make use of a playground that has been specifically made for them. I only realised it was repeated incidents which is terrible. The whole community work so hard together to keep the area working and tidy. That playground is cherished by so many children and to take that away is awful,' she said. She further recognised the avoidable cost that was repeatedly being laid at the feet of the Tidy Towns group, a volunteer organisation that gives up their own time to look after the community space. "When cleaning up something that was deliberately damaged, of course that money would have already been earmarked for something else.' She added that it was all the more discouraging that it appeared to be older children and youths deliberately taking facilities away from younger children. ADVERTISEMENT "The trouble is is that this is being done by older children and youths. I have said before that youths need more places to hang out and socialise in Enniscorthy area but that does not mean they can destroy other areas,' she said. Although many social media users are pushing for cameras to be installed to deter future incidents, Cllr Murphy is not entirely convinced that it is the core solution. "It takes so long to get CCTV and to get the various people to sign off on it and it's not right. I know privacy laws have a role to play but I think everyone is used to being filmed all the time now. However, I'm not sure cameras are the solution here maybe its youth diversion. Maybe the FDYS or WLD could be brought in for a solution. The FDYS do wonderful work with youngsters,' she added.
Cosmopolitan
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Chrishell Stause and G Flip Renew Vows in Medieval Ceremony
Chrishell Stause and G Flip are The reality TV star and the musician renewed their vows on Saturday, July 26, over two years after they tied the knot in 2023. But this wasn't just any old vow renewal—this was a time-bending event that took Chrishell and G Flip's vow renewal to Medieval times. And, no, I'm not talking about the theme restaurant. Chrishell and G's ceremony took place at a castle venue in Los Angeles. The two exchanged vows on a turret as the sun set behind them, dressed in era-appropriate clothing. Chrishell was in a white, corseted gown, while G opted for a red knight costume, complete with a sword. And the festivities included a sword fight, knights in shining armor, and celebrity guests, of course. Chrishell shared an invite to the event on her Instagram stories that read, 'Lord Flipo and Lady Stause bid thee join in revelry and royal delight.' She also added the caption, 'Lots of gay merriment to happen later today!' Hairstylist to the stars and close friend Chris Appleton was in attendance. He shared a few photos of the intimate event on his Instagram, showing off just how Medieval the whole affair was. Fellow guest Molly Burnett shared another look at some of the evening's entertainment—including what looks like a full-on duel. This marks Chrishell and G Flip's fourth (!!) wedding ceremony total and second vow renewal. In a May 2025 interview with Us Weekly, G said that it was a 'goal' to renew their vows every year. 'I think it's really healthy and it's good to update your vows every year,' they said. 'I reckon it makes you stronger, looking your person in the eyes and promising them new things every year.' Chrishell added, 'We do it every July. I'm so excited for this year's. It's my favorite day.' She also told the magazine that they try not to plan their vow renewals too far in advance, explaining, 'We normally plan it a week out, so it's super last-minute and then it's more spontaneous. We don't ever want to take the fun out of it, so it becomes a chore. That's the only rule: It can't be stressful.' Huzzah to the happy couple!
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India-UK FTA promises a cheaper peg: the story of Scotch whisky
India and the UK signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement on Thursday which will, among other things, bring down tariffs on Scotch whisky from 150% to 75% immediately, and to 40% over the next 10 years. India is a 'priority growth market' for the industry, according to the trade group Scotch Whisky Association. What is Scotch, and what is its history? The word 'whisky' comes from the Gaelic uisge beatha or usquebaugh which derive from the Medieval Latin aqua vitae, meaning 'water of life'. While the Scots and the Irish disagree on the geographical provenance of whisky, its alchemical origins are beyond dispute. In the Consideration of the Fifth Essence of All Things, the 14th century alchemist John of Rupescissa recorded the preservative properties of the distillate of wine, which he called aqua vitae. 'John…notes how meat left in the open air quickly begins to rot, but when immersed in alcohol it is preserved indefinitely…,' Johns Hopkins University professor Lawrence M Principe wrote in The Secrets of Alchemy (2012). The earliest reference to aqua vitae in Scotland comes from a 1494 entry in the Exchequer of Rolls. 'To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae, VIII bolls of malt,' the entry states (translated to modern English). (1 boll =140 pounds or roughly 63.5 kg). In the 15th century, aqua vitae 'might be drunk by royalty and the nobility but it was not yet by any means the drink of the people', Michael Brander wrote in The Original Scotch: A History of Scotch Whisky from the Earliest Days (1975). But it still was not the whisky we know today. As techniques of distillation improved and became widespread in Scotland during the 16th century, the production of aqua vitae grew, and so did its reputation of having medicinal properties. Raphael Holinshed's 1578 text Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland said: 'Beying moderatelie taken, it sloweth age; it strengtheneth youthe; it helpeth digestion… it abandoneth melancholie; it relisheth the harte; it lighteneth the mynde; it quickeneth the spirites… trulie it is a soueraigne liquor' (quoted by Brander). A FEW WHISKY WORDS SCOTCH WHISKY is defined as 'a spirit distilled in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added), fermented by the action of yeast and matured for at least three years in oak casks in Scotland', according to The Scotch Whisky Regulations, 2009. THE AGE statement on a bottle of Scotch refers to the youngest whisky in the blend or batch. A bottle with no age statement implies that the whisky has been blended for three years. During the ageing process, a portion of the whisky — on average 1-2% a year — is lost due to evaporation. This is called the 'angels' share', with folklore attributing this loss to benevolent angels who claim their due from the whisky casks. SINGLE MALTS are made exclusively of malted barley, and are produced at a single distillery using pot stills. SINGLE GRAIN Scotch is made from a mixture of malted barley and other grains such as corn or wheat, and distilled at a single distillery using continuous column stills. BLENDED SCOTCH is a combination of single malt whisky and single grain whisky from different distilleries. By the 17th century, the term uisge beatha was being used to refer to a spirit distilled from barley, the forerunner of whisky as we know today. 'Crude though it may have been, often mixed with cinnamon and herbs, or sometimes with honey and oatmeal, to make it palatable, the modern whisky was slowly developing. Where the malt was dried with peat smoke, this and the pure mountain water must have already been adding its own unique flavour to Highland 'uisge',' Brander wrote. In 1644, the Scots Parliament introduced a duty 'on everie pynt of aquavytie or strong watteris sold within the country' indicating that the spirit must have become fairly commonplace in Scotland by then. Such regulations would also shape how whisky developed differently in the different geographical regions of Scotland. In the northern Highlands, where enforcement of duties was lax, an illicit whisky economy thrived. The whisky here remained truer to its origins — malted barley, often peated, was the grain of choice, which gave Highland whiskies their distinctive bold and smoky flavours. Lowland distillers, on the other hand, had no option but to pay the duties. This led to them experimenting with grains other than barley, since by the 18th century, duties primarily targeted the raw material rather than the finished product. Unlike the Highland 'single malts', Lowland whiskies often comprise a mix of grains including wheat and corn. Restrictions on whisky production were relaxed as late as 1823, after which the industry saw rapid growth. Three main factors led to a boom in Scotch whisky production and export in the 19th century, and cemented its popularity worldwide. First was the development of the column still in the 1830s, which allowed for the manufacture of far greater quantities of whisky at a time than the old pot still. While many high-end distillers still use pot stills, the column still paved the way for commercial production of whisky. Second was the shortage of wine and brandy around the 1870s-1880s, primarily due to the scourge of phylloxera, a parasitic insect, that ravaged vineyards across France. 'The English who had hitherto relied on brandy as their after-dinner drink were ready for a substitute… The 1880s and '90s were to see a succession of brilliant Scots whisky salesmen taking London by storm,' Brander wrote. Third was colonialism, which carried whisky to countries around the globe — including India — where native elites took to the drink, often to ape the colonial masters. Today, 152 operational distilleries in Scotland sell roughly 1.4 billion bottles of Scotch annually — more than American, Japanese, and Irish whiskies combined, according to the SWA.
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Hidden Wicklow nature sanctuary to host ‘Music in the Forest' festival
Dorlindon Nature Sanctuary is a little-known spot situated between Roundwood and Kilmacanogue. It blends magical, fantasy‑themed handcrafted elements—like elven domes, log bridges, shrines, and rustic stone structures—with pristine forest and wetland habitats. Forest warden Brendan Hyldbrand said: 'We have been operating for the past seven years at Dorlindon Nature Sanctuary, and continue to develop and rewild the site. We want it to be accessible but without comprising too much at the same time. It's about giving space to nature, and the compromise involved. Once humans are involved in nature, there has to be a compromise as well. 'I suppose you would call me the owner, but really we don't own anything as we won't be around forever. I rewilded the place and included a number of structures, which I crafted myself.' Music in the Forest will run over weekends in July and August, bringing together live performances of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music, performed in a mythical forest environment. Brendan added: 'This is our first time hosting a festival like this and it is something we are very excited about. We have hosted events such as weddings, yoga retreats and school treasure hunts before. The weddings we hosted were pretty low key and involved lovers of nature. 'The festival dates will have a maximum of 135 people permitted as we want to limit the potential impact on biodiversity. It's a rare opportunity to gather, listen, and reflect in a place where music, imagination, and tradition meet. A contribution from the proceeds will go to the Children's Health Foundation.' The festival will feature 3pm to 5pm daytime concerts in a natural forest amphitheatre. Things got underway on Saturday, July 19, with Catherine Rhatigan, Treasa Ni Mhaoilean and Eileen Carr. On Saturday, July 26, a selection of Renaissance sacred polyphony from Josquin Desprez sacred music, performed by the Renaissance music vocal ensemble based in Dublin. Join Traditional Arts Collective on Saturday, August 2, for an afternoon of traditional music, myth, dance and song. You will hear tales from Irish mythology and be introduced to ancient instruments including Irish bronze age horn, flute, harp, voice and bodhrán along with sean-nós dancing demonstrations. Kathleen Loughnane and Cormac Cannon will explore 17th- and 18th-century Irish and Scottish repertoire on Sunday, August 3, drawing from the manuscripts of early music collectors. With her harp arrangements and Cormac's deep dive into the piping traditions of past uilleann masters, their programme blends solo and collaborative pieces. Cormac joins on pipes, flute, and whistle for a selection of tunes that bring old sounds vividly to life. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Paul Dooley and Kseniya Rusnak present an eclectic selection of traditional tunes from Ireland and Ukraine on Saturday, August 9,, including music from the old Irish harper composers and the medieval harp repertoire, songs and some contemporary pieces. On Sunday, August 17, Ravensdale will present compositions that include a variety of inspirations from the Early Medieval period and are sang in Old Norse, Slavic, English and Germanic, in reference to Slavic and Nordic lore. The vocal octet Dynamics Vocal Ensemble presents a selection of choral music ranging from the renaissance to contemporary, from Farmer, Palestrina, Monteverdi, Pärt, Alfven, Kodaly to Irish and German folk songs, on Saturday, August 23. Tickets for each concert can be purchased by visiting
Forbes
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Today's ‘Wordle' #1491 Hints, Clues And Answer For Saturday, July 19th
How to solve today's Wordle. Looking for Friday's Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here: We're basically rushing toward the end of July already. This time of year, as we dip into the back half, I'm always a little stunned. So much has happened in 2025 already, but it still feels like we shouldn't be this close to Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, 2026. Let's not think about all that, though. It's summertime. Stop and smell the roses. And then solve a Wordle with me. How To Solve Today's Wordle The Hint: Medieval armament. The Clue: This Wordle has far more consonants than vowels. Okay, spoilers below! The answer is coming! FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder . . . Today's Wordle Every day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. BALMY—which I snagged from today's Strands puzzle—was a terrible opening guess today. 896 words remained and all grey boxes. SPIRE slashed that number way, way down to just 7. SNORT left me with only one: SWORD for the win! If you added LE to the end of that word, you'd get SWORDLE which could be a fun word game about Medieval stuff or weapons or something. I just like swords a lot. I own six or seven. Today's Wordle Bot The Bot and I each get zero points today for tying and guessing in four, so our July scores remain: Erik: 5 points Wordle Bot: 9 points The word "sword" comes from Old English sweord, related to Old High German swert and Old Norse sverð. All derive from Proto-Germanic swerdam, though the exact origin is uncertain. It may be linked to the root swer- meaning 'to cut' or 'to hurt.' Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when I'm not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.
