Martina Devlin: Brontë heritage site opened by Queen Camilla is another reminder of the sisters' Irish literary influences
It's not often a senior member of Britain's royal family opens a cultural centre with extensive Irish connections, but that's exactly what Queen Camilla did yesterday – and the Brontës were the reason.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Glasnevin Cemetery is set to host its first queer history tour
Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery is set to host its first ever queer history tour, running from 20-22 June, celebrating Pride and exploring LGBTQ+ life in Ireland since the 1800s. Anna Collins, a tour guide and researcher at Dublin Cemetries Trust, who has written and researched the tour joined RTÉ Radio 1 to share all the details - listen back above. The oldest person discussed on the tour was born in the 1850s, while the most recent death discussed on the tour took place in 1995, so the range of characters included is incredibly comprehensive. Collecting all this information was no mean feat, and Anna says that she relied on the knowledge of her co-workers, many of whom have been working at Glasnevin Cemetery for years now. "The people who work here really care about everyone in the cemetery," she insists. "They have all these really interesting stories of people, so initially I just put a call out!" The lengthy and thorough process involved months of research, leading to fascinating stories of LGBTQ+ people in Irish history being unearthed. One of the best-known figures on the tour is Thom McGinty, an Irish-Scottish actor and street performer known as The Diceman, who spent many years performing as a living statue on Dublin's Grafton Street. "He really brought so much life to the street," says Anna. "In fact, when he died, they carried his coffin down Grafton Street, and the shops all closed and contributed to the cost of his funeral." Another great character featured in the tour is Jack Saul. Born in the 1850s in the Liberties, Saul was a sex worker who worked in the brothels of Dublin before moving to London, where he often found himself embroiled in high-profile scandals. "This regular, working-class guy was having to appear in courtrooms against lords and dukes and things like that," she laughs. "So he really developed a bit of a name for himself, quite a scandalous figure."
Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Country star Michael English on how Louis Walsh's mother played key role in music career
The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church Country music star Michael English told yesterday how Louis Walsh's mother played a key role in one of the biggest highlights of his career. The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 and whose funeral took place in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. And Michael English gave his final performance for Maureen when he was chosen to sing at her funeral service on Thursday, where the attendance included Westlife stars Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, plus Eurovision winner Dana. Michael says: 'It was a huge honour to sing at it with the Kiltimagh Parish Choir. I was looking down the church and seeing the Westlife lads and seeing Dana and all these other singers, so it was a great privilege to get the opportunity to do it for Maureen. Kian Egan and wife Jodi Albert with Louis Walsh 'Maureen and her daughters Sarah and Evelyn and other members of the Walsh family used to come to my shows in the early days. 'And the first time I met Maureen she told me I was her favourite singer. It was around 2008 and I was a bit younger at the time and a bit chuffed that Louis Walsh's mother was into what I did. Family and friends of Maureen Walsh attend her funeral Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025 'Maureen was just a lovely country woman who reminded me of my own mother. We struck up a little bond and she said, 'I'm going to get Louis to ring you now and see if he can help you in any way.' 'I thought no more of it, but sure enough Louis did ring me and we arranged to meet up. We had a good chat and I found Louis to be very similar to the rest of his family. I thought he was going to be completely different, but we got on like a house on fire.' Shane Filanwas among the mourners Louis went on to land a major record deal for English with Sony Music – and Michael ended up recording with British producer Nigel Wright, whose work includes the score for The Phantom of the Opera. 'It was a huge experience for me at such a young age and also a huge thrill to be working with Nigel because I'd been a massive fan of The Phantom of the Opera and have seen it about 15 times,' Michael says. 'Nigel arranged for me to go backstage one time to see the workings of it and the illusions that were created by magician Paul Daniels. Dana was among the mourners 'So as well as getting the opportunity to record two great albums I was living the dream – and it was Maureen who had made all that happen for me. 'I would go on to concentrate on the country music scene, but Louis had been great to me while we worked together.' Maureen had been living with Alzheimer's for 12 years before she died. 'I went to see her a few times in the nursing home,' Michael says. 'I was so fond of her and she was a very much loved person in the area, not just because her son was on The X Factor but because of who she was. Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church 'Her house was open to everybody. I was in the house a hundred times and it reminded me of my house, when people would come into my mother she'd say 'will you have a cup of tea?' and she'd take every different kind of biscuit out of the press. 'Louis's mother was like that. She ran an open house and a very welcoming house,' Michael adds.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘You both look so happy', gush fans as Vogue Williams marks marriage milestone with Spencer Matthews in sweet post
VOGUE Williams has paid tribute to her husband in a heartfelt post as they marked a major marriage milestone. The Irish model, 39, has been married to Made in Chelsea star Advertisement 2 Vogue and Spencer got married seven years ago Credit: Instagram 2 The Irish model shared a 'beautiful' snap to mark the occasion Credit: Instagram The couple tied the knot in a secret ceremony at Spencer's 10,000-acre family estate in The mum-of-three shared some loved-up snaps of the pair looking happier than ever. The Howth native stunned in a beautiful yellow dress while Spencer was sporting a black suit. Advertisement READ MORE ON VOGUE WILLIAMS She captioned her post: "7 years married today. Three kids, two dogs and a whole lot of fun." Fans and friends of the couple flocked to the comment section to share their love and congratulate them. Michelle said: "And you look sensational for it so keep going and enjoy more happy years." Linda wrote: "You both look so happy… Happy anniversary my friends." Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Dianne gushed: "Gorgeous couple." Georgina commented: "Couple goals!" Vogue Williams shows off her wedding outfit Another added: "Congratulations... you guys look amazing." Vogue and her family recently Advertisement The happy couple brought their little ones, Gigi and Theodore, to France for . It marks the second time that the couple have married - following The pair exchanged vows at the Château Saint-Martin & Spa in Vence, FAMILY TIME The star-studded guest list included Jack's brother Conor Maynard and their sister Anna. Advertisement Lily is a niece to Made in Chelsea legend Spencer and is also a niece by marriage to Vogue took to Instagram to share some gorgeous snaps of herself and her family all dolled up for the occasion. The 39-year-old looked out-of-this-world wearing an eye-catching silver diamonte dress that she rented from By Rotation. The fabulous frock had a high neck and long sleeve puffy sleeves with shoulder pads and a slit down the leg. Advertisement She finished off her glam look with a pair of open-toe heels that she got from Bicester Village, a Crystal and Co bag, a "mad" statement earring and brown-tinted round sunglasses. While Spencer looked dapper wearing a classic black suit with a white shirt and black dickie bow.
