Pat McCabe returns with ultra violence, arch irony, vicious satire and outlandish characters
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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The blue-flag Irish beach that's starred in top TV shows & movies with soft sands, turquoise waters & secret caves
TAKE a look at the blue-flag Irish beach that's starred in top TV shows & movies with soft sands, turquoise waters and secret caves. This breathtaking spot, Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow, is the perfect place to visit before summer ends. 4 Brittas Bay has won the European Union blue-flag for five years 4 The beach has been a backdrop for numerous TV series and movies 4 The sand dunes are home to numerous plants and wildlife species Stretching for 5km along Ireland's east coast, the beach is famous for its soft white sands, turquoise waters and unspoiled natural beauty. Brittas Bay is nestled just south of Wicklow town and has long been a favourite getaway for families, walkers and holidaymakers who come from all across Ireland. Known for its sand dunes, safe swimming areas and wide open shoreline – the beach has been awarded blue-flag status for many years. This fabulous spot has featured in the hit series Vikings, RTE's miniseries No Tears and a film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. And its golden dunes are considered some of the finest in Ireland, providing the perfect habitat for plants and wildlife. The tourist hot-spot is ideal for picnics, long walks and beach games, with its vast open sands stretching as far as the eye can see. Visitors to Brittas Bay are greeted by sweeping views of the Irish Sea, with calm mornings and stunning evening sunsets. The coastal roads nearby make it perfect for a scenic drive, while walkers can explore the dunes and nearby Wicklow countryside. What's more, Brittas Bay is less than an hour from Dublin - making it one of the most popular seaside escapes throughout the summer months. Brittas also offers a wide range of outdoor activities. 'We should've known better', says stranded beachgoers as hundreds of Irish flock to overcrowded beach as temps hit 30.8C This stunning spot is a favourite for surfers, swimmers, kite-flyers and nature enthusiasts – and it has a rich local history dating back centuries. Learn to ride the waves at Brittas Bay Surf school or take in the views horse riding down the beach. Golfers can enjoy a round at The European Club close by or practice their skills at the driving range And there is plenty of wildlife including seabirds, rabbits and rare plants hidden within the sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy peaceful coastal walks, try water sports, or simply relax with an ice cream on the promenade. 'STUNNING BEACH' This much-loved beach is hugely popular with families, holidaymakers and campers – and there are countless spots to sit back and enjoy the sea air. The beach has a life-guarded on watch during swimming season. And there's plenty of B&Bs and campsites nearby including Staunton's Caravan Site, O'Drischoll's Caravan Park and Brittas Bay Park. Beachgoers took to Tripadvisor to rate their experience. One person said: 'What a stunning beach. "Love soft sand and great sand dome to climb to get great views of the love coast of Wicklow - even found secret little caves at the end of her beach we were recommended this beach so glad he recommended it." Another said: 'Brittas Bay is much beloved by people from Dublin and in the summer they flock there. 'Many have mobile homes and summer houses and it gets really busy on hot days - the beach is vast and can accommodate the crowds."
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Liam Gallagher's sad link to tragic Irish uncle he's named after
'William was killed in a workplace accident' Liam Gallagher on stage at their Oasis Live 25 Concert at Croke Park. Photo: Steve Humphreys The Gallagher brothers have invited their Drogheda-based cousins to their Dublin shows – with Liam sharing a touching bond with them as he's named after their tragic father. The Sunday World has learned that William Gallagher, a brother of Liam and Noel's dad Tommy, was tragically killed in a workplace accident in the early 1970s. The same family are grieving again after William's son, Alan 'Rusty' Gallagher, a first cousin of the Oasis stars, died unexpectedly earlier this year. 'William, or Liam as he was known, was killed in a workplace accident,' reveals a family friend. 'I think he was working for a cement factory and was tragically killed at one of their sites. 'He left behind his wife Mary and their four young song, Mark, Derek, Willie and Alan. 'Liam Gallagher was named William after him in his honour and his memory, and shorted his name like his uncle did to Liam when he was growing up.' Tommy and William originally hailed from Duleek, Co. Meath, with the Oasis's star's father moving to Manchester, where he met their Mayo-born mother Peggy. Peggy, who still lives in Manchester and also has a holiday home in her native Charlestown Co. Mayo, is due to travel to the Dublin concerts this weekend. But Tommy, who has been estranged from his sons for over 30 years, is not welcome and has gone to ground in recent years with few people knowing his whereabouts. Family portrait of the Gallagher family in the mid 1970's from left to right Noel, Paul, Liam and Mum Peggy Gallagher (Photo by Dan Callister/Liaison) 'William/Liam Gallagher and his family lived in the Ballsgrove estate in Drogheda,' reveals our source. 'I can remember when the Gallagher lads from Manchester used to come over on holidays and used to kick football in the green with their cousins. 'Everyone could remember the English lads in their bright coloured flares — it was Noel and their older brother Paul. Liam was too young at the time to be allowed out. 'The joke among the locals is 'we used play football with Oasis up in the green in Ballsgove'. 'Other locals can remember Tommy and Peggy giving them one pound coins as little treats when they were kids.' Mary is still alive and is fondly talked about as a kind-hearted woman by locals in the Co. Louth town. Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at Croke Park. Photo: Steve Humphreys 'There's a sad footnote to all this as one of her sons, a son of William, died unexpectedly at his home in Drogheda back in March this year,' he adds. 'He worked for Bus Éireann and left behind four children and three grandkids, and his death shocked the local community as he was a lovely guy and liked by everyone.' When Oasis played in Cork in 1996 their Drogheda cousins were treated like VIPs in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 'They had backstage all areas passes and were looked after then,' discloses our source. 'They've been invited again this weekend to the Croke Park shows. 'Oasis usually highlight someone who's recently died in their live version of Live Forever, which they did as shows for the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Diogo Jota, and I'm sure Alan will be in their thoughts when they're playing it in Croker as they would have basically grown up with their cousin and had fond childhood memories.' Noel Gallagher at Croke Park. Photo: Steve Humphreys Oasis also have another tragic connection to their time travelling to Ireland, revolving around the pub they used frequent. As teenagers they went to their dad Tommy's native Duleek in Co. Meath. 'He [Liam] was good at pool, but he was also good at the pull too,' Tommy once said. 'All the girls in the village were mad for him. I made a man out of him — he was drinking pints of lager in Big Tom's pub, winning games of pool for a fiver and being a bit of a hit with the birds.' Big Tom's closed down nearly 30 years ago and the owner of the pub was tragically killed in a car accident. John Reilly, from Bellewstown, Co. Meath, was aged 81 when, in December 2003, his vehicle was involved in a deadly collision with another on the M1 outside Monasterboice, Co. Louth. 'He was nicknamed 'Big Tom' by locals as he named his pub after the country and western singer with that nickname, Tom McBride,' reveals a local. 'Tommy and the Gallagher lads would have known him well and would have been shocked at the tragic way he died.'
Sunday World
11-08-2025
- Sunday World
When Ireland's ‘The Traitors' will hit our television screens
The main show, The Traitors Ireland, will be hosted by Siobhán McSweeney The Traitors Uncloaked will air after each episode of the main show Grab your cloak and lantern… The Traitors is here. RTÉ have announced Sunday, August 31 as the broadcast date for Ireland's version of the hit reality TV show which has already made waves in the UK and US. The Traitors was originally commissioned in the Netherlands and pits three mystery 'Traitors' in a large group of contestants against the 'Faithful' others, with all contestants voting on who they think are the Traitors, resulting in the person receiving the most votes being banished. And there's €50,000 on the table for the person who survives all the votes and reaches the end of the show, whether they are a Traitor or a Faithful. Siobhán McSweeney will host The Traitors Ireland. Photo: Phil Sharp News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 The main show, The Traitors Ireland, will be hosted by Siobhán McSweeney, who played the acerbic Sister Michael in Derry Girls. After-show Uncloaked, hosted by comedian Kevin McGahern, will feature 'all the best analysis and reaction to the latest betrayals, mind games and manipulations'. The show will be set in Slane Castle, while the after-show will be filmed in RTÉ's Limerick studio. The Traitors Uncloaked will air after each episode of the main show The main show will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Such is the popularity of the UK version of the show hosted by Claudia Winkleman on BBC, the season 2 finale drew in eight million viewers. The US version is available on NBC Universal's streaming service Peacock and is due to return for a third, fourth and fifth season.
