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The Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
"The recession has followed us, it's marked us": The children of the boom and bust
THE NEW SINGLE from CMAT with its recession-era inspired lyrics has shone a light on the experience of children who were born into the boom, but grew up during the bust. The artist shared a snippet online from her upcoming song Euro-Country this week, which includes the lyrics: 'All the big boys/All the Berties/All the envelopes, yeah they hurt me/I was 12 when the das started killing themselves all around me/And it was normal/Building houses that stay empty even now.' The lyrics hit home for many Irish people who were kids between 2008 and 2013 and are now in their twenties and thirties. 'What happened when the Celtic Tiger collapsed was the worst thing I've ever experienced as a child. Countless suicides, ghost towns and pay cuts,' one man said online. 'Not enough attention to this part of our recent history. It affected the younger generations so much', another person said. While another said they have never 'felt so specifically and deeply for a lyric.' As a child of the recession, the CMAT lyrics struck a chord with me, too. I remember trying to predict how long the recession would last over lunchtime in third class, and teachers warning us there was no future for young people in Ireland. During a visit to family in Donegal, playing in the local ghost estate became my favourite pastime. Paul Murray's award-winning bestseller The Bee Sting examined the same themes, looking at recession-era Ireland through the eyes of a couple – and of their son and daughter. The book showed the stress, anxiety and fear the children experience as their father's business falls apart and their parents' marriage comes under increasing strain RTÉ journalist Adam Maguire has a book coming out in September about the same topic. The book, called The Bailout Babies, examines how recession kids grew up in an era of economic prosperity but never got to benefit from it - and are now navigating a new type of adulthood in post-boom Ireland. Research from the massive Growing up in Ireland survey suggests the recession hit children hard. Mothers under economic pressure were 84% more likely to experience depression than mothers who weren't, while parents who felt economic distress – which was a lot of people – showed harsher styles of parenting and less warmth. They also experienced marital issues, reporting more arguments and unhappiness in their relationship. The worsened relationships between children and parents were associated with higher anxiety in children, bad behaviour, lower child happiness and lower educational test scores. 'I wouldn't have a lot of trust in things' Shannon, who was 14 when the crash hit, was hospitalised with anorexia in 2008, something she believes was partly caused by the stress of the recession. 'I remember life going from zero anxiety to being surrounded by it. You picked up the anxiety around you,' she told The Journal. As a teenager, Shannon was aware of what was going on with her family and the country as a whole, and struggled as there was nothing she could do to help. Advertisement She witnessed an increase in alcoholism and suicide, with several of her friends' older siblings taking their own lives. The stress she experienced as a teenager has never left her. 'I'm always on high alert. I wouldn't have a lot of trust in things. I know a lot of my generation are like that, that's just the way we grew up,' she said. Ultan from Wexford was 9 when the recession hit. His family were significantly impacted by the crash as they struggled to pay off loans they had taken out during the boom. '[My parents] tried their hardest not to let us feel they were stressed, but you could tell', he said. 'Mam and Dad had to work through Christmas because they couldn't afford not to,' he added. Ultan struggles with a scarcity mindset due to the experience, and finds it hard not to spend his money immediately. He said: 'I struggle with holding onto money because I feel like as soon as I have it, it will go. It's not a guarantee that it will be here next month.' He said seeing the CMAT lyrics brought back memories of the recession he hadn't realised had impacted him so much. 'The das killing themselves line, it brought back a lot of memories of being in school and it happening to people in my class', he said, explaining that as a child he didn't realise why it was happening. Several family members and whole families from his school emigrated. 'I remember thinking, this is just going to be how it will be, I'll just have to leave Ireland when I'm older. It wasn't until I was 21 that I realised I could stay,' he said. Róisín McManus from Cavan was 11 when the recession hit. She said news of the crash and stress over money was a constant during her childhood, something she feels has never left her. 'I think for people in our generation, the recession has followed us, it's marked us, we felt the burden of money from a young age, and we still do', she said. 'At this stage, it's almost like a lifelong experience that money can be tight, and you're always conscious of that,' she added. 'Growing up, I was more conscious of money and how it doesn't go very far,' she said. She recalls noticing things in her life were suddenly different, as trips to the cinema and meals out ended. Róisín's major memory is of people in their early twenties in her community emigrating for work. She wonders if growing up in this environment has contributed to a pattern where Ireland's young people are once again emigrating. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. 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Business Insider
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Dive into these six summer reads, recommended by BI's editors
Happy Fourth! Your cookout's soundtrack may sound a little bland this season since there's no song of the summer. Waaaah! Here's why there's no new bops. While you're here, subscribe to Defense Flash, BI's new guide to the latest innovations in military strategy, defense tech, and more delivered right to your inbox every week. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here here. This week's dispatch Poolside page turners After the cookout, and the party, and the drinking, and the water play, you'll be yearning for some quiet time. And if you're like me, that means curling up with a good book. There are plenty of old and new summer reads to make you forget about going back to work next week. I asked six of our editors at Business Insider what their favorite reads are. Here's what they said: Jamie Heller, Editor in Chief: I just finished " The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray, and I mostly couldn't put it down! In this family saga set in Ireland, Murray develops consuming characters and keeps you in suspense, all with a writing style that's distinct but also easy to follow and enjoy. I highly recommend it! Bartie Scott, Deputy Editor, Economy:" Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett makes a great summer read with its whirlwind romance and heartwarming mother-daughter dynamics. While the material is sweet and whimsical, Patchett's writing is high quality, and if audiobooks are more your style — or if you're picky about narrators — it's worth knowing that Meryl Streep reads this one. Bryan Erickson, Executive Creative Director: I am rereading " Capote's Women" by Laurence Leamer because much like the series, "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," once was not enough. I identify with Truman's scarf-wearing escapism, and am slightly obsessed with the NYC that came before me. Paige DiFiore-Wohr, Deputy Editor, Freelance: If you're looking for a suspenseful, twist-filled story about friendship, betrayal, and redemption, " The Drowning Woman" by Robyn Harding is the book for you. The story follows a once-successful restaurant owner who's now living out of her car as she encounters a rich socialite who's about to change her life. Nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. I finished this thriller in less than a day. Tracy Connor, Standards Editor: I devoured " Pineapple Street" by Jenny Jackson by the side of a pool last summer, relishing every twist in the tale of a rich New York City family grappling with relationship, parenting, and personal problems. It's a modern and sharper version of the delicious epics I used to sneak from my parents' bedstand in the 1970s. Joe Ciolli, Executive Editor, Markets and Investing:" Our Band Could Be Your Life" by Michael Azerrad is a compelling look at how independent musicians forged their careers in the pre-internet era. Thirteen chapters dive into 13 bands who developed crucial networks for the music and touring industries we know today. I don't even like most of the bands, but it's still the best music book I've ever read. BI may earn a commission if you purchase through our links.
Metro
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Claudia Winkleman 'eternally grateful' after undergoing surgery
Claudia Winkleman has undergone eye surgery, she has revealed. The Traitors host, 53, has taken to social media to thank her eye surgeon for operating on her today. 'This amazing human makes me see. He's operated on my eyes before and he did it again today,' she said on Instagram, alongside a picture of her next to Dr Julian Stevens. 'No eyeliner for weeks and I sleep in googles (no words) but I'm eternally grateful,' she added. 'Do NOT zoom in on my left eye – it's wonky. Thank you Julian. I paid for the treatment, this isn't an ad. I just love him. It's very possible I'm still a bit sedated. Night night.' The Strictly presenter's comments section was flooded with support from well-wishers, as follower Suzanne Robinson said: 'Get well soon.' 'Love you !! Hope you feel better. Amazing man,' said ava_xoox while gurcharan_davany added: 'Speedy recovery eyeliner queen.' While it's not clear why Claudia underwent the surgery this time, she's previously been open about suffering with severe short-sightedness, which means she can't see objects far away. Speaking on the How To Fail podcast in 2023 about how she doesn't take too much notice of her appearance, Claudia explained: 'I was born, I think with minus 15 [eyes], so I've never really been able to see my face. It's all guesswork.' Claudia – who is known for her iconic long fringe – went on to say she's had operations because she was 'banging into walls' and she now wears lenses and glasses. However, despite laser eye surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Claudia found her vision was still blurry. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video She added: 'I've always had terrible eyesight, which is going back to the blurriness of the paintings I like, and the blurriness of how I'd really like life to be, which is no overhead lights – 17th century is where I would have absolutely smashed it.' Finding lightness in her eye issues – and acknowledging her trademark black eyeliner – Claudia said: 'Often when the kids have been playing with my phone with the camera switched round and I have to call somebody or I'm making a call, I'm like 'I don't understand why Ozzy Osbourne..I didn't even invite him round', and then I'm like, 'Ah, it's me.' More Trending Earlier this year, Claudia also touched on her condition on Gabby Logan's The Mid Point podcast. 'I've had so many operations on my eyes. I had a lens replacement in my left eye because my astigmatism was so bad I was minus 16, but that was 14 years ago,' she said. Claudia explained how she then became long-sighted: 'Then I had a little fiddle with but because I was so short sighted by then fixing it I'm now long sighted so I can't really read any more. 'I can with glasses, I've got plus 2.5 but I can't read The Bee Sting with those glasses and that light.' 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: Stephen Fry reveals why he put himself through 'agony' of Celebrity Traitors MORE: BBC drops brand new season of The Traitors and you can binge all 12 episodes MORE: Strictly legend 'almost missed deadline' to accept honour in King's birthday list
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Claudia Winkleman's battle with chronic eye condition
The television presenter was awarded an MBE for her services to broadcasting in the King's Birthday Honours Television personality Claudia Winkleman has opened up about her health struggles, revealing a chronic eye condition left her 'never really' able to see her own face in the mirror. The 53-year-old star, who yesterday was awarded an MBE by King Charles, has undergone various operations to try to correct her vision. Previously the Traitors host has spoken about "how blind" she is as she struggled with myopia, or short-sightedness, for years. In an interview with the How To Fail podcast last November, she explained: "I've always had terrible eyesight, which goes back to the blurriness of the paintings I like and the blurriness of how I really like life to be. "I've had a couple of operations since then because I was just banging into walls. But now I wear lenses or glasses or whatever." She continued: "A lit candle and everything is just a bit fuzzy around the outside. 'I was born, I think, with minus 15, so I've never really been able to see my face. It's all guesswork. "But everything is ish, it's just a vague idea, which is how I'd like to live. I don't want to live in 'perfect land'. I want to live in 'fuzzy world '. "If there's perfect here — people who want things to look good and ordered and alphabetised and organised — and then there's the other end, I'm past the other end. I like irregular and ramshackle and messy. Just look at the way I do my eye make-up. I'm not very good at neat." As reported by The Sun, she admitted that she has previously struggled to read an autocue while presenting. She also revealed that her vision problems have changed over time as she went from being short-sighted to long-sighted. In 2021 she said: 'I can't even begin to tell you how blind I am. It's embarrassing. I can't read the autocue. My eyes have deteriorated so badly, I'm not meant to drive. I am doing the wrong job." In another interview on Gabby Logan's podcast The Mid Point in December, Claudia said: "I've had lens replacement. I've had so many operations on my eyes. I had a lens replacement in my left eye because my astigmatism was so bad. I was minus 16, but that was 14 years ago. "Then I had a little fiddle with it, but because I was so short-sighted, by fixing it I'm now long-sighted, so I can't really read anymore. I can with glasses—I've got plus 2.5—but I can't read The Bee Sting with those glasses and that light." Yesterday (June 13), Claudia was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours alongside her Strictly Come Dancing co-host, Tess Daly. 'I am incredibly grateful to receive this honour,' Claudia said. 'It's a real privilege to work with extraordinarily talented people and I have only got this because of them. 'So this is for the BBC, the traitors and the faithful, for pianos and for the cha cha. I will buy a hat and am taking my mum. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble.'
The Guardian
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on climate fiction: no longer the stuff of sci-fi
No novelist should ignore the climate emergency, Paul Murray, author of the bestselling novel The Bee Sting, told the Observer last year: 'It is the unavoidable background for being alive in the 21st century.' In recognition of the vital role of literature in responding to the Anthropocene moment, this week the inaugural shortlist was announced for the Climate Fiction prize. The five novels include Orbital by Samantha Harvey, set during one day on the International Space Station and the winner of last year's Booker prize; time-travelling romcom The Ministry of Time from debut novelist Kaliane Bradley; eco-thriller Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen; And So I Roar, about a young girl in Nigeria, by Abi Daré; and a story of migrants in an abandoned city in Téa Obreht's The Morningside. All the shortlisted authors are women. Climate fiction is not new. Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam dystopian trilogy, Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic The Road, Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behaviour and Richard Power's Pulitzer-prize-winning The Overstory are just some of the landmark literary novels to have taken on the crisis. Science fiction, inevitably, has become the genre of ecological catastrophe, with hits like Kim Stanley Robinson's The Ministry for the Future (Barack Obama was a fan), which opens in 2025 with all the inhabitants of a small Indian town dying in a heatwave. The late Ursula K Le Guin wrote that the job of sci-fi was 'to extrapolate imaginatively from current trends and events to a near-future that's half prediction, half satire'. The job of the realist novel is to reflect the world in which we live. For a long time, the possibilities of environmental breakdown were largely considered too wild for the realism. As a result, climate fiction hasn't been taken seriously enough. In The Great Derangement in 2016, Amitav Gosh argued that the failure of so many novelists, including himself, to address the most urgent issue of the age was part of a broader cultural failure at the heart of the climate crisis itself. Freakish weather events are no longer the stuff of speculative fiction – 'global weirding' is upon us. What was once dubbed 'cli-fi' is simply contemporary fiction. Ecological anxiety is as much a part of the fictional worlds of a young generation of novelists like Sally Rooney as the internet and mobile phones. The novels on the Climate Fiction prize shortlist do not conform to dystopian stereotypes. Some aren't explicitly about the crisis. Some are even hopeful. Far from being a portrait of a world ravaged by disasters, Orbital, for example, is a hymn to the awe-inspiring beauty of our planet. It could be argued that having a Booker prize winner on the shortlist suggests there is no need for a specific award, which might marginalise climate fiction as a niche genre. There is no shortage of literary gongs. The Wainwright prize, set up in 2014 to celebrate the best nature books, now includes an award for writing on global conservation. Yet awards amplify the message and reach of books that might otherwise be overlooked. Scientists have been warning about global heating's dire consequences for decades. Governments and industry haven't listened. Now novelists are taking up the challenge. Stories can create an impact far greater than data alone. They can inspire change. In a world where reality has become stranger than fiction, this new prize is necessary and important. There is no bigger story.
