logo
Big celebrations for Fiadhnait's 21st

Big celebrations for Fiadhnait's 21st

Dundalk After Dark
The Argus
Today at 16:10
On Saturday night we headed for Shaky Bills where a very special 21st birthday party was taking pace for Fiadhnait Sloane from Avenue Road and there to make sure she had a wonderful night were her parents Dara and Paul, brother Fiachra and boyfriend Jack Davis from Lurgan along with big crowd of relations and friends.
Fiadhnait who has just completed her second year in DCU where she's studying to become a secondary school teacher was looking stunning and when I first met her, she asked me not to forget to give a mention to granda Peter Sloane who was minding the shop and granny Nuala Moore over in Monaghan both of whom couldn't make to the party and to godfather Sean Moore who had come from Westmeath specially for the celebrations.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Book are my business: Children's Books Ireland publications officer Ruth Concannon
Book are my business: Children's Books Ireland publications officer Ruth Concannon

Irish Examiner

time05-07-2025

  • Irish Examiner

Book are my business: Children's Books Ireland publications officer Ruth Concannon

Ruth Concannon is publications officer with Children's Books Ireland (CBI), which aims to help children and young people become readers for life. How did you get into your role? I did a masters in University College Dublin, and my thesis was on children's literature. I knew it was an area I wanted to explore, so I did an internship with Children's Books Ireland. When I finished that, I worked in Charlie Byrne's bookshop in Galway for a few years, and also with Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin City Council Culture Company, and the National Library of Ireland. I always kept books at the heart of it. I returned and did a masters in children's and young adult literature at DCU, then I saw this job come up, and I jumped at the chance. I am in the role just over two years now and it was a real full circle moment, because it was almost 10 years after my internship that I became a full-time staff member. What does your role involve? It's a really varied role. I lead on selecting books for review on our website and across our publications. I edit our magazine, which is our flagship publication, and our other reading guides. I help Elaina, our CEO, to select books that are highlighted on TV, radio, and in the media. I also write round-ups for various media outlets. I represent CBI when we go to the Bologna Book Fair and to YALC, the young adult literature convention, which is in London every November. I work across the team, with our comms team, book gifting and for awards submission. I track Irish-published books, to see what are the best opportunities for them to shine. What do you like most about what you do? There is something really special about finding a book and passing it on to the right reader. I get a real buzz off that, whether it is matching one of our reviewers with the right book, or showing parents, caregivers and teachers a list of books on a topic that can help them through a difficult time. It's also really great to be able to help authors get their books out there. I still work as a book doctor, so seeing the look on a child's face when they get a book, that really means a lot to me. I believe that a book can really spark something that can change the course of your life. The book clinics are great because I get to see what the children themselves are enjoying — they are incredibly honest, which I always appreciate. What do you like least about it? I'm really fortunate in that I read widely because I have to read across age groups and genres. Sometimes it would be nice to have more time to savour the books, like when you finish a book and it's so good and profound that you would like to sit with it for a while before you move on to the next. Three desert island books If I was on a desert island, a comfort read would be key, so I would bring Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy. I love the way she tells stories and knits everything together, and the sense of community that you get from her books. I love listening to her audiobooks as well, because her cousin Kate Binchy reads them and she is spectacular. The next book would be The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson, who was a very influential author on me growing up. I absolutely adored her books, and it's a treat now to revisit them, because she has started to write adult sequels, which is such a gift. The last one is likely the most important one, The Secret of the Ruby Ring by Yvonne McGrory, an author from Donegal, which came out in the early '90s. When I was about nine, my aunt got me a box of books from a charity shop for Christmas, and this was in it. It was the book that started my journey to becoming a reader; if I hadn't read it, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.

Zach Bryan Phoenix Park tickets, banned items, stage times, transport, weather, and everything you need to know
Zach Bryan Phoenix Park tickets, banned items, stage times, transport, weather, and everything you need to know

Dublin Live

time20-06-2025

  • Dublin Live

Zach Bryan Phoenix Park tickets, banned items, stage times, transport, weather, and everything you need to know

The Phoenix Park is set to welcome country chart-topper Zach Bryan for a series of three gigs this weekend. Over 180,000 fans expected to flock to the park for his sold-out shows. The Oklahoma native, known for his raw, poetic songwriting and electrifying live shows, rose from posting homemade tracks on YouTube to topping the charts with hits like I Remember Everything, Pink Skies and Something in the Orange. His Phoenix Park shows - on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 of June - mark his biggest performances in Ireland yet and a major jump from playing to smaller crowds at The Helix just three years ago. The last time he performed in the capital, it was to a modest crowd of 1,500 at the DCU venue back in April 2023. Aiken Promotions, who are managing the concert, have confirmed that a robust security barrier is currently being installed around the Phoenix Park stage, as it prepares for its first large-scale concert since Ed Sheeran's performance in 2018. Here's all you need to know if you're one of the hundreds of thousands heading to the shows this weekend. When and where is it happening? Zach Bryan will be performing three gigs at Phoenix Park in Dublin on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20-22. Are there any tickets remaining? The concerts on Friday and Saturday are completely sold out, but at the time of writing, there are a limited number of tickets available for Sunday on There are also a limited number of resale tickets available. Those attending the concert with children are encouraged to buy tickets for the designated alcohol-free family area. Each individual wishing to enter the area will require a ticket. What are the gate and stage times, and who are the supporting acts? The event is set to kick off at 6pm, with gates opening at 5pm, and wrapping up around 10.30pm. The main entrance from Phoenix Park is a 45-minute walk, so attendees should brace themselves for a lengthy stroll. Those holding early access tickets can gain entry from 4.30pm, and the concert grounds will remain open for entry until 9pm. Two support acts, including Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann, will warm up the crowd for the country singer, with gates opening at 5pm. Early queuing will not be allowed. What transport options are there? With an anticipated 180,000 fans descending on Phoenix Park over the weekend for the concerts, significant traffic disruption is expected in the surrounding areas. Concert-goers are strongly encouraged to utilise public transport where possible, as parking will be severely limited and local access restrictions will be enforced around the park. The majority of attendees are predicted to use the Park Gate entrance, meaning roads around Parkgate Street, Conyngham Road and the North Circular Road are likely to be particularly congested, especially before and after the concerts. Gardaí have implemented a comprehensive traffic and policing plan to manage the crowds and ensure safety, but drivers should anticipate delays and consider alternative routes if travelling near Phoenix Park on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening. Concertgoers are advised to allow ample time for their journey. It's suggested to factor in at least 45 minutes to walk from public transport stops to the concert site itself. Luas: Broombridge Luas Station is approximately a 30-minute walk from Phoenix Park, while the Luas stop at Heuston Station is about 40 minutes from the park's centre, or roughly 9 minutes from the park gates at Chesterfield Avenue. Train: If you're taking the train, Heuston Station is your best option. From there, you can catch a bus from Parkgate Street, or walk-it's about 45 minutes on foot to the concert site, and around 9 minutes to the park gates. Bus: Dublin Bus services such as the 26, 38b, 39, 70, 99, C5 and C6 all serve Phoenix Park. Private coach and minibus services are also operating from various locations nationwide, and these will park inside the park. Bus Éireann is providing special services from Cork, Limerick and Galway. The Marathon Group will be running dedicated concert buses from Earlsfort Terrace and other routes that will drop you inside the park. Car: There's no parking near the venue or inside Phoenix Park itself. Gardaí will have a traffic management plan in place, and Dublin City Council will clamp or tow cars that are parked illegally. If driving is your only option, try to carpool and use park and ride facilities (such as Red Cow, M3 Parkway, Navan N51, Cheeverstown, Carrickmines or Stillorgan). If you park in a city centre car park, double-check the closing time. Drop-off/Pick-up: Drop-offs can be made at the Dublin Zoo car park, where stewards will be on hand. For pick-up, it's the same spot, but whoever's collecting you needs to be inside the park by 9.30pm. What will the weather be like? Dublin's weather this weekend will bring plenty of dry spells with sunshine, though showers are possible at times. Friday will be very warm with highest temperatures of 19 to 26 degrees in light to moderate southeasterly or variable breezes with some showers appearing in parts of Dublin. Saturday will be warm, with temperatures reaching 19 to 23 degrees, and will see a mix of cloud and sunny spells along with scattered showers-some of which could be heavy or thundery, especially coming up from the south. On Sunday, it will feel a bit fresher, with highs of 16 to 21 degrees, and similar conditions of sunshine, cloud, and a few showers in a moderate westerly breeze. What songs will Zach Bryan perform? Zach Bryan has only performed a handful of concerts so far this year, so the setlist for his Phoenix Park shows is still under wraps. However, his recent headline slot at Stagecoach Festival 2025 in April gives fans a good idea of what to expect. That set featured a mix of emotional ballads, fan favourites and big singalong moments - although setlists often vary from show to show. Here's what he played at Stagecoach 2025: Overtime Open the Gate God Speed Blue Jean Baby (First time played live) Whiskey Fever 28 Fifth of May Oklahoma Smokeshow Dawns Motorcycle Drive By Tourniquet Lawyers, Guns and Money (Warren Zevon cover - Introduced as his favorite song of all time) East Side of Sorrow '68 Fastback Oklahoma City Purple Gas (Noeline Hofmann cover - with Noeline Hofmann) If She Wants a Cowboy American Nights Pink Skies Something in the Orange The Good I'll Do Heading South Snow (Dedicated to Read Connolly's dog who is sick) I Remember Everything (with Willow Avalon) Nine Ball Hey Driver Heavy Eyes Burn, Burn, Burn Quittin' Time (Extended horns/strings intro – The Godfather theme) Encore: 30. Revival What is security like and what items are banned? For the gig, it's best to travel light and only bring the bare necessities. You're allowed a small bag (A4 size or smaller), your mobile with your pre-downloaded ticket, ID, sun cream, weather-appropriate attire (a raincoat or rain mac is suggested as brollies are not allowed), an empty 750ml plastic reusable water bottle (no metal bottles), and comfy shoes, as the trek from the entrance to the venue will take at least 45 minutes and the event is fully standing. Don't bring bags larger than A4, grub, beverages, booze, brollies, any type of chair, prams, scooters, skateboards, laptops, cooler boxes, hampers, or professional cameras (small 35mm cameras are fine). Selfie sticks, flag poles, large banners, or any item that could block views or jeopardise safety are also prohibited. The concerts at Phoenix Park in Dublin are completely cashless events. Gig-goers are advised to bring a card or digital payment method for any purchases, as cash won't be accepted. This includes transactions for merchandise, food, and drinks. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.

DCU's NuBar pays tribute to 'dear friend' bartender following death
DCU's NuBar pays tribute to 'dear friend' bartender following death

Dublin Live

time19-06-2025

  • Dublin Live

DCU's NuBar pays tribute to 'dear friend' bartender following death

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info DCU's NuBar has paid a heartfelt tribute to a beloved bartender following his death. Allan Stevenson was a well-known face around the northside student bar. In an emotional statement, the NuBar said on Instagram: "It is with a very heavy heart we tell you of the passing of our dear friend Allan, our colleague and, most importantly, our friend. "Fly high, Al. May you get the best bed in heaven." Friends, family, and former DCU students took to the comments to express their grief. One person said: "Sending lots of love to the NuBar family. Allan was an absolute gent." Another person said: "Only fond memories of Allan and the NBar team. Sorry to hear. He will be very missed." A third commentator added: "Allan, bro, you will be missed, pal. A genuine gentleman. May you rest easy now, buddy. So, so sad. Condolences to Allan's family." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store