Mark Tighe: More bizarre moments in high-stakes trial as Gerry Adams takes on BBC
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The Irish Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Irish Sun
Shock as Love Island couple expected to make final are DUMPED by axed stars – and miss out on £50k
A LOVE Island couple has been axed by ex-Islanders after footage left them questioning the integrity of their connection. The ex-Islanders have spoken and ousted a couple from Love Island in a dramatic fire pit moment. 5 Former Love Islanders were teased to return to the villa last night Credit: Eroteme 5 Lucy and Tommy were among the returning Islanders Credit: Eroteme 5 Lauren and Harrison were also seen walking into the villa Credit: Eroteme 5 The current Islanders will be shocked when they see their former co-stars return to dump one of the couples Credit: Eroteme The cast returned to the villa for the always-shocking Islander Jury on Friday and sent this pair packing. In scenes that will air on Sunday night, former cast made their epic returns to make the huge decision. Former Islanders including Harry Cooksley's ex While The Sun can't reveal their identities at this crucial stage of the ITV2 dating show, we can share that Islanders made their decisions having watched back footage and been shocked by what they saw. Read More about Love Island A source said: 'This couple have been a big part of this series so this is a shocking moment. 'But having watched it back, ex- Islanders have become privy to action they weren't fully aware of and it left them more than questioning the integrity of this connection. 'The couple were sent packing on Friday afternoon and the scenes will air on Sunday.' It comes after Conor and Megan were dumped from the villa following a public vote on Friday night. Most read in TV Receiving the fewest votes from viewers, Conor and Megan were announced to be leaving before they packed their cases and departed the villa. Megan had only recently returned to the villa as a bombshell after previously having a connection with Conor the first time around, earlier on in the series. Love Island stars in shock as OG couple are brutally dumped just DAYS before the final Fans were fuming that the pair had the least votes and were in turn branded the least compatible couple on the show. Many thought another couple should have been voted as the least compatible, with several taking to social media to air their thoughts. One person said on X: "MEGAN AND CONNOR. "THIS IS RIGGED. LOVE ISLAND 2025 - ALL the dumped stars so far LOVE Island 2025 is in its penultimate week. Here are all the dumped Islanders so far ... Sophie Lee Blu Chegini (has since returned) Malisha Jordan Will Means Shea Mannings Poppy Harrison Caprice Alexandra Megan Clarke (has since returned) Remell Mullins Ryan Bannister Alima Gagigo Martin Enitan Chris Middleton Yas Broom Rheo Parnel Giorgio Russo Emily Moran Andrada Pop Ben Holbrough Tommy Bradley Lucy Quinn Lauren Wood Harrison Solomon (quit) Emma Munro Boris Vidovic Billykiss Azeez "WHO VOTED FOR DEJON AND MEG?! OWN UP NOW. NOW." Another added: "Gutted to seeing the both of them being dumped from the villa. "So happy for the both of them being together. And it should have been Meg & Dejon." Conor and Megan's dumping came just mere hours after Helena and Blu were dumped from the Islander. With the final now in touching distance, the couples that remain are Meg and Dejon ; ; Toni and Cach; ; and Angel and Ty. But who will win the coveted £50,000 and title of winning couple? And which couple won't make the final after being voted out by their former co-stars? 5 Helena and Blu, and Conor and Megan have already left... but who will be next?
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Storytelling and music combine in cautionary family tale at Mermaid Arts Centre
Cautionary Tales is billed as an introduction to opera that is ideal for first-time operagoers, families and primary school audiences. It opens at the Mermaid Arts Centre on Saturday, September 13, and is aimed at children aged seven and above. The production follows the success of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as Opera Collective Ireland returns with a second production created especially for children. The production also reflects the aim to launch the careers of emerging Irish opera artists by giving them the chance to perform major roles and grow their craft in a professional, collaborative setting. With five fast-moving stories, Cautionary Tales brings to life a miniature world of mischief and moral mayhem. From zoo antics to fire brigades, each tale captures the chaos of childhood through surprising twists and sharp humour – all framed by a sleepover setting where four singers spin tall tales and draw others into their imaginative worlds. Mischievous in tone and playful in its takes on right and wrong, Cautionary Tales sits comfortably alongside the work of Roald Dahl and David Walliams. Inspired by Hilaire Belloc's sharply moralistic poems, the opera promises to deliver an entertaining mix of mischief, music, and a good old-fashioned telling off. The opera was created by Errollyn Wallen CBE and premiered in 2011 to critical acclaim. The Belize-born British composer was recently named as one of the world's 20 most performed living classical composers. Her piano-led score in this opera is a blend of musical references, leaping from Bach to the Mission: Impossible theme. Opera Collective Ireland's 2025 staging offers a fresh and timely look at how children today are immersed in screen time – and it makes the case for the joy of shared, in-person experiences. As Errollyn Wallen said: 'I am delighted that Cautionary Tales will be enjoyed by Irish audiences. I relished composing this opera about badly behaved children – and their parents.' Cautionary Tales is on at the Mermaid Arts Centre, on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Tickets are €20 and €60 for a family of four and €70 for a family of five.
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
My Life with Emma Quirke: 'I represented Ireland as a competitive puzzler'
As a little girl who devoured jigsaws I never imagined I would one day have the chance to represent my country as a competitive puzzler. Last April, I realised a lifelong dream after scooping first prize in the solo category of the inaugural UK National Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in Bradford. I completed a 500-piece puzzle in a record time of 41 minutes and 55 seconds. My personal best leading up to that was fourth place in the semi-finals of the World Jigsaw Puzzle championships in Valladolid, Spain. My dad almost sobbed with pride. Since I was very small, my talent for jigsaws has been a source of fascination within my family. At four years old, it proved difficult to find a puzzle that challenged me. Not content with the traditional way, I began doing them upside down and at lightning speed. My parents started buying me harder jigsaws. By the time I was six, I was completing puzzles with a thousand pieces. However, I never thought it could turn into a competitive pastime. When I was in secondary school, the emphasis was predominantly on football and soccer. I suppose, in a way, puzzling is a sport too, but it wouldn't be considered your typical hobby. Realistically, I never thought that jigsaws would give me the chance to see the world. As a teenager, I largely kept my jigsaws a secret from everyone with the exception of my family. I never fell out of love with them and completed one most days after school. Years went by and a friend sent me a video about the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships. I signed up and the rest is history. Since participating, I've gained so much confidence. I'm much more open to talking about jigsaw puzzles and that's down to a lot of reasons. Champion jigsaw maker Emma Quirke with a jigsaw from her appearance on BBC. Picture Dan Linehan When I first started competing, I appeared on BBC News. Hollywood star Hugh Jackman shared a video of a few of us doing puzzles for the worlds on his Instagram stories. It was nice to see that someone with so many talents would be proud of us. In the months that followed, I grew so much in confidence. In my role as a primary school teacher at Lacken National school in Blessington, Co Wicklow, I try my best to support my pupils in whatever they feel most passionate about. I want them to be able to follow their dreams just like I did. Jigsaw puzzles have opened up my eyes to the fact that there is more to life than what we see and are exposed to every day. The children support me too. Many of them tune in to watch me compete via a livestream. They cheer me on and make me cards. My enthusiasm has rubbed off on them as members of the school jigsaw club can attest. It's nice to be able to teach the kids who aren't sporty that there are other ways they can shine. We now have 20 members. The sessions are always really fun and it's so cute to see the kids all working together. It has been great for their self-esteem. Moreover, jigsaws are beneficial for so many aspects of a child's development. They are brilliant for children of all ages as they promote fine motor skills. They are also great for memory. IT IS not just the kids who support my pastime. I have 200 jigsaw puzzles in my home, but my housemate Elizabeth doesn't mind. Rather than asking me to get rid of them, she has started joining in. She sees the energy I pour into every one of them. Champion jigsaw maker Emma Quirke at her home in Killarney, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan The largest puzzle I have completed to date is a 5,000-piece jigsaw. The picture is of seashells and it's a bit all over the place. I prefer the images to be higgledy-piggledy rather than your usual landscape because it's more of a challenge. I try to do a puzzle every day. When you get to a point where you're fast and you can compare your times with other people it's quite fun. I'm part of the Irish Jigsaw Puzzle Association, where I get to meet with people from all walks of life with an interest in puzzling. The skill is still quite niche even though there is a broadened awareness now. People are often quite surprised to learn I do puzzling. At first, they don't understand what is involved or how it works. When I explain how I do it they are always quite impressed. I think a lot of the time, they are shocked to see that both my hands are working so fast. Hand-eye coordination is a really important element of puzzling. When you are working with children, you have to be quite patient and focused and a lot of that would transfer. Puzzles are an escapism. Jigsaws throw you out of the world for a while. All you can think about is that puzzle. If there's one thing jigsaws have taught me it's how to live in the moment.
