
Notions and Necessities: From creative and restorative escapes to literary festivals and museums, it's all here
Summer in the second city
One of the nicest spots for a Cork city summer cocktail is The River Lee Hotel's River Club. In collaboration with The Boatyard Distillery, the popular terrace is decked out in foliage from west Cork, courtesy of Fox Flowers, and has a new cocktail menu to boot. A Safe Harbour (spiced rum, lime, sugar and ginger beer with a Beamish float) is the recommendation from Derry Girls star and soon to be Traitors Ireland host Siobhán McSweeney, who the hotel has teamed up with to create a Curated Weekend itinerary. SC See thedoylecollection.com/cork
NECESSITY
Your cosmetic clean sweep Formulated with eyecare specialists, Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover is ophthalmologist-approved and capable of removing even waterproof cosmetics without any stinging or oily residue. No rubbing and no waking up with panda eyes. SC
Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remove, €9.98, Boots.ie; selected pharmacies and opticians
NOTION
Pinball wizard Specsavers has launched an Elton John Eyewear collection inspired by the Rocket Man himself. The selection, which includes 12 frames and two limited-edition sunglasses, is a mixture of the out there, and some more subtle options. LH
Priced from €190, available in Specsavers nationwide, see specsavers.ie
NECESSITY
Midweek switch off The Station House Hotel in Meath is running Midweek Departures, a series of creative and restorative escapes throughout the summer on Wednesdays. The line-up includes pilates, sauna and stretch on July 9; a landscaping and gardening workshop on July 2 and August 6; Swainstown farm to fork experience with Arthur Preston, seen above, and Station House head chef, Gordon Mooney on July 16; and wine tasting on August 13. LH For information on the full overnight package see stationhousehotel.ie
NOTION
Dublin can be heaven Following a €4.3m transformation, The Little Museum of Dublin has reopened in its St Stephen's Green home. Even when in its temporary location, the popular museum had remained the No 1 thing to do in Dublin according to TripAdvisor, and it is likely to stay on top now it is back permanently on The Green, with a newly expanded exhibition space and many recently donated Dublin artefacts, a sunny patio space and a lift to improve accessibility. SC
See littlemuseum.ie
NECESSITY
Turn on the water works We all know to ramp up electrolytes after a workout or an upset tummy, but ORS Hydration Tablets are also worth adding to holiday packing, as hot weather can dehydrate and deplete essential minerals. Available in a variety of flavours with Sports, Immune and Kids options. SC
ORS Hydration Tablets, 24 soluble-tablet tube, €9.95, pharmacies nationwide
NOTION
Afternoon delight The Galmont Hotel in Galway has launched a new Afternoon Tea taking place in their Coopers Lounge, with views of Lough Atalia. Alongside your meal, the hotel is now playing host to a live pianist on Saturdays, adding to the generally chilled-out vibe. LH
Thursday-Sunday 2.30pm to 5pm. The Galmont's Afternoon Tea in the City costs €46pp (€39pp without prosecco or cocktail), see thegalmont.com
NECESSITY
Go West The week-long West Cork Literary Festival is taking place in Bantry from July 11-18, with a programme that includes master classes, readings, workshops, interviews and book launches. Authors with events include Eimear McBride, Katherine May, Seán Ronayne (pictured) and Wendy Erskine. LH
For tickets and further information, see westcorkmusic.ie/LFProgramme
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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Notions and Necessities: From creative and restorative escapes to literary festivals and museums, it's all here
Summer in the second city One of the nicest spots for a Cork city summer cocktail is The River Lee Hotel's River Club. In collaboration with The Boatyard Distillery, the popular terrace is decked out in foliage from west Cork, courtesy of Fox Flowers, and has a new cocktail menu to boot. A Safe Harbour (spiced rum, lime, sugar and ginger beer with a Beamish float) is the recommendation from Derry Girls star and soon to be Traitors Ireland host Siobhán McSweeney, who the hotel has teamed up with to create a Curated Weekend itinerary. SC See NECESSITY Your cosmetic clean sweep Formulated with eyecare specialists, Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover is ophthalmologist-approved and capable of removing even waterproof cosmetics without any stinging or oily residue. No rubbing and no waking up with panda eyes. SC Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remove, €9.98, selected pharmacies and opticians NOTION Pinball wizard Specsavers has launched an Elton John Eyewear collection inspired by the Rocket Man himself. The selection, which includes 12 frames and two limited-edition sunglasses, is a mixture of the out there, and some more subtle options. LH Priced from €190, available in Specsavers nationwide, see NECESSITY Midweek switch off The Station House Hotel in Meath is running Midweek Departures, a series of creative and restorative escapes throughout the summer on Wednesdays. The line-up includes pilates, sauna and stretch on July 9; a landscaping and gardening workshop on July 2 and August 6; Swainstown farm to fork experience with Arthur Preston, seen above, and Station House head chef, Gordon Mooney on July 16; and wine tasting on August 13. LH For information on the full overnight package see NOTION Dublin can be heaven Following a €4.3m transformation, The Little Museum of Dublin has reopened in its St Stephen's Green home. Even when in its temporary location, the popular museum had remained the No 1 thing to do in Dublin according to TripAdvisor, and it is likely to stay on top now it is back permanently on The Green, with a newly expanded exhibition space and many recently donated Dublin artefacts, a sunny patio space and a lift to improve accessibility. SC See NECESSITY Turn on the water works We all know to ramp up electrolytes after a workout or an upset tummy, but ORS Hydration Tablets are also worth adding to holiday packing, as hot weather can dehydrate and deplete essential minerals. Available in a variety of flavours with Sports, Immune and Kids options. SC ORS Hydration Tablets, 24 soluble-tablet tube, €9.95, pharmacies nationwide NOTION Afternoon delight The Galmont Hotel in Galway has launched a new Afternoon Tea taking place in their Coopers Lounge, with views of Lough Atalia. Alongside your meal, the hotel is now playing host to a live pianist on Saturdays, adding to the generally chilled-out vibe. LH Thursday-Sunday 2.30pm to 5pm. The Galmont's Afternoon Tea in the City costs €46pp (€39pp without prosecco or cocktail), see NECESSITY Go West The week-long West Cork Literary Festival is taking place in Bantry from July 11-18, with a programme that includes master classes, readings, workshops, interviews and book launches. Authors with events include Eimear McBride, Katherine May, Seán Ronayne (pictured) and Wendy Erskine. LH For tickets and further information, see


RTÉ News
4 days ago
- RTÉ News
Elton John says 'we will not back down' in awards speech addressing AI concerns
Elton John said "we will not back down" in an awards speech where he pleaded with the UK Government to "do the right thing" by strengthening copyright protections when artificial intelligence (AI) models learn from creatives' content. The UK Government has repeatedly rejected changes to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, proposed by the House of Lords, aimed at strengthening protections for the creative sector. Peers have attempted to amend the Bill by adding a commitment to introduce transparency requirements, aiming to ensure copyright holders are able to see when their work has been used and by who. Veteran rock singer Elton, 78, who picked up the Creators' Champion Award at Billboard's Global Power Players Event on Wednesday, is among hundreds of creatives who have raised concerns over AI companies using copyrighted work without permission. In an Instagram post he thanked the US magazine for the award and said: "Supporting the next generation of British artists is one of the major driving forces in my life. "As everyone in that room was aware, the Data Bill is currently looming over our industries and the future livelihood of all artists. It is an existential issue. "Earlier this evening, the Government was defeated for an unprecedented fifth time by the House of Lords who have backed the crucial amendment to the Bill. "I am now calling on the Government to do the right thing and get transparency added to the Bill. "Administration of copyright must be transparent. And it must have an artist's full permission. These two principles are the bedrock of our industry. They must be included in the data Bill as a backstop. "Let's be clear – we want to work with the Government. We are not anti AI. We are not anti big tech. We are not against Labour. We want a solution that brings all parties together in a way that's transparent, fair and allows artists to maintain control of their work. "We will not let the Government forget their promise to support our creative industries. We will not back down and we will not quietly go away. This is just the beginning. "Thank you, Billboard. And thank you Baroness Kidron and The House of Lords for standing up for our world-beating artists, journalists, playwrights, designers and authors."

The Journal
18-05-2025
- The Journal
Elton John calls UK government 'absolute losers' over 'criminal' copyright plans
BRITISH POP LEGEND Elton John branded the UK government 'absolute losers' today over planned copyright law changes that would hand exemptions to tech firms. In a blistering interview broadcast by the BBC, 'Rocket Man' star John said he felt 'incredibly betrayed' and accused the government of preparing to 'rob young people of their legacy and their income'. The changes which he branded 'criminal' would allow tech firms to use creators' content freely unless the rights holders opt out. But John, 78, who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in his decades-long career, said young artists did not have the resources 'to fight big tech'. He said he was not against artificial intelligence (AI) but that when it came to music and creativity a line should be drawn. The government's Data (Use and Access) Bill is currently going through parliament. The parliament's upper house supported an amendment designed to ensure copyright holders would have to give permission over whether their work was used and, in turn, see what elements had been taken, by who and when. Advertisement But on Wednesday MPs in the lower house, in which the Labour government has a huge majority, voted down the changes. If the government's planned changes to copyright laws went ahead they would be 'committing theft, thievery on a high scale', John told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. 'The government are just being absolute losers and I'm very angry about it,' John said, blasting Technology Secretary Peter Kyle as a 'bit of a moron'. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously said the government needs to 'get the balance right' with copyright and AI while noting that the technology represented 'a huge opportunity'. 'They have no right to sell us down the river,' John added, urging Starmer to 'wise up' and 'see sense'. More than 1,000 musicians including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn released a silent album in February to protest at the proposed changes , saying they would legalise music theft. Earlier this month, writers and musicians including John and Bush also condemned the proposals as a 'wholesale giveaway' to Silicon Valley in a letter to The Times newspaper. Other signatories included musicians Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Sting, and writers Kazuo Ishiguro, Michael Morpurgo and Helen Fielding. A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson said the bill was focused on 'unlocking the secure and effective use of data for the public interest –- boosting the economy by an estimated £10 billion over the course of the next 10 years'.