Latest news with #BrianBoru
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Recovering from 10-14 at half-time against Benetton saved Munster from oblivion
Brian Boru, Munster's most famous High King and along with his sons Murchad and Toirdelbach, gained a notable win in Dublin, 1014. Some 10 centuries later, latter day High King Ian Costello, along with princes Mikey Prendergast and Denis Leamy, managed a similar 10-14 feat on the final day of the URC is, recovering from 10-14 at half-time in Musgrave Park, Cork, to defeat the significance of Boru's victory was driving Sigtrygg Silkbeard's hated Vikings out of latter-day regent Costello had saved Munster not just from the vikin' ignominy of failing to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions it was also a win that may well have pulled the province back from the brink of insolvency and the potential to become bit players in future Champions Cup qualification, hit and miss, miss and hit, etc etc. Without elite European competition qualification year-by-year, Munster would be fringe theatre, noble, a night out, but tickets and sponsorship would flatline, quality foreign signings would have less quality, and when it comes to future-proofing, continually losing the battle for emerging talent - hello to currently booming Limerick and Cork is the current landscape that the Heineken Cup winning days, the wide-eyed charge of 2000 and 2002 followed by the search for Holy Grail to 2006 seem as simple as driving on the Cup participation funds and large crowds at Thomond Park that giddied at year on year thrill and spills, cheated in Lille, losing to a fevered Basque nationalist rally in San Sebastian, FOUR epic finals in nine seasons, two gone as the child might say as right now Munster's growing problems are myriad and split across many parts of the the product most needs to be seen as a string of pearls, ordered, valuable and with the wow-factor close to the surface, they are without the string, the pearls have fallen from the top table and are rolling in all directions - think of the Malteasers ad gag. Talking simply Reds, money's too tight to mention down there and fans should beware of thinking Pairc Ui Chaoimh, with it's 6,000 extra seats and 9,000 extra standing is a swingeing top end prices and that equates pulling in and around an extra €600k gross in the event of a capacity crowd. €400k if it is just 40, and South Africa A at Pairc Ui Chaoimh drew 41,400 in November 2022, a record attendance for a Munster home are costs though; ground rental from the GAA is around €200k - the Aviva is 300k - and there will be an expensive day-long stewards bill as they won't be using the Thomond stewards, while there are no corporate boxes, Thomond has 15 which take in quite the this too of their top end coaching: The province parted company with Graham Rowntree in October 2024 with Costello taking the reins immediately; he is still there, interregnum, to most likely had spoken to their new Head Coach Clayton McMillan as early as November 2024 when he was in Ireland/Limerick was with the All Blacks and knew he could not start until next June/ the news came in late February the new man and would not be in place until July, Costello was undermined ahead of the last seven URC games which went, in sequence, LLWLLWW. Who knows what players and fans were to make of Prendergast and Leamy's roles last season, this season and next season. If Costello didn't want the top job - and he said he didn't - he shouldn't have been sat on the nest. Munster might have been Munster better set in giving Prendergast a stab at the top job, interim coach, see how he got and as the squad floundered, it was easy to wonder if there was a get out clause for either party had they failed to make the 2025/26 Champions Cup, had they not come back from 10-14 in that last game with the one hand McMillan wouldn't have come cheap (circa €300k before bonuses) and on the other hand a coach with All Black aspirations might not have fancied coaching in the European bargain-basement Challenge Cup. Meanwhile the playing staff, barring RPI Player of the Year, Tadhg Beirne, have become almost an addendum to each of Central Contracting, Andy Farrell, Ireland and the Lions.I'd specifically question bringing in a coach from the other side of the world and letting FOUR iconic home-grown players leave with one sweep of a brush at a time when the first team is so short of home grown O'Mahony (2010-25), Conor Murray (2010-25), Stephen Archer (2009-25) and Dave Kilcoyle (2012-23) are all departing, taking with them a collective 57 seasons about the there are those who worry about identity, ethos, tradition, who think it has to be central to a 'smaller' club especially one on the verge of turbulence, they will be questioning just who planned it was planned watching a TV set in New Zealand it's bonkers; if it was planned by either of the Munster executive or finance committee it may end in a spotlight being shone it was planned by an in-situ coaching staff who were not going to be in charge the following season it makes no sense is currently torn between a French and an Australian offer while Kilcoyne may be injured when it comes to playing full-time and this has been done before, would it not have been worth offering O'Mahony and/or Archer contracts to Christmas to help in the dressing room given the significant power handover?I am not quite going as far as suggesting somebody hire Peter to mow their lawn every second Sunday and Munster put him on a €1 pro contract with win bonuses. Or am I?
Irish Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I've been drinking Guinness for years and just realised what the logo means'
Guinness isn't just any beer - it's Ireland most iconic export and a proud symbol of Irish heritage recognised all over the world. This famous dry stout, brewed in Dublin since 1759, is instantly recognisable by its rich, dark colour and creamy white head. Loved for its unique roasted malt flavour, over 10 million glasses of Guinness are enjoyed every single day across the world. But there's something even the most seasoned Guinness drinkers might not know - the famous logo you see on every bottle, can and pint glass isn't just a decoration. After years of drinking the legendary beverage, many people are only just realising what the Guinness harp really means, and it's deeply Irish story. The harp isn't just any harp. It's inspired by one of Ireland's oldest and most treasured symbols, the Brian Boru harp. This ancient 14th-century Gaelic harp, sometimes called the O'Neill harp, is kept safe at Trinity College Library in Dublin, where visitors from all over come to see it. Guinness explains: "Ireland was well-known overseas at the time for its rich culture and musical heritage. The harp was a significant emblem of this tradition and has been a heraldic symbol of Ireland from the 13th century. The Guinness Harp is based on the 'Brian Boru Harp', considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of the Gaelic harp, or cláirseach. "The mythology of the harp itself is that it once belonged to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. More recently, the harp has been dated to the 14th century but maintains its nominal association with Ireland's legendary king. The original creator of the harp remains a mystery. The harp was donated to Trinity College Dublin in 1782, where it continues to be on display today." The harp first appeared on a Guinness bottle label back in 1862 and while it has gone through several redesigns over the centuries, it's been synonymous with the brand ever since. In what might come as a twist, the Guinness harp actually faces the opposite way to the official Irish harp used by the government. Guinness said: "The Irish Free State chose the same Brian Boru harp as the official emblem on its founding in 1922 and it remains on the Republic of Ireland's national coat of arms. It appears on the Presidential seal, as well as coins and passports. As Guinness had already trademarked the logo, the Irish State were required to 'flip' the image harp faces in the opposite direction - compare the logo on an Irish coin to your pint glass!" This little detail has clearly surprised fans on social media, especially with the recent 'split the G' trend, where people have been dissecting and celebrating Guinness's logo like never before. One person wrote: "How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?" Another shared: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp?? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold."
Irish Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Have fun — and indulge your nosy side! — with a day out in Munster
Much more than people-watching, us Irish love nothing more than house-watching — that being, running the rule over, and judging, other people's homes. Go on, admit it — you've done this before?! It's human nature, after all — and on a boat tour with Killaloe River Cruises, you can indulge both your interest and envy while cruising Lough Derg. Two weeks ago, during the mid-term break, I headed to Tipperary and Clare for a day out — and what a day it was. It thundered down rain the entire two-hour car journey from Dublin to our first stop in Ballina in Tipperary for a cruise with Killaloe River Cruises ( But as soon as we arrived, the sun came out and so too did our high spirits as we stepped onboard the Spirit of Killaloe for a tour of Lough Derg. Killaloe River Cruises also do tours of the River Shannon, nestled in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, which is preserved by Waterways Ireland. This boat tour was a real highlight of our trip as we took in the beautiful scenery — and the aforementioned houses dotted all along the shores of Lough Derg as well as some pretty impressive boats — while engrossed in the commentary on the many interesting sites we cruised by. From the history of the Killaloe Canal and the Shannon Scheme of 1929, to the story of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who kept watch over the river crossing at Beal Boru. The Spirit of Killaloe is a purpose-built passenger boat with two decks — so on a good day you can sit on the top deck and enjoy the sunshine while on a bad one, you can run for cover in the heated lower deck, which has large windows so you can still take in the views. Perfect. There's also a fully-stocked bar so you can kick back and relax with a beer or Irish coffee while kids will enjoy the hot chocolate and snacks available. A moment of real delight on this hour-long tour was when the captain let my nephew, aged nine, steer the boat — and he was particularly thrilled to learn that at one point he was in both Tipperary and Clare at the same time. The departure point for this cruise is right opposite Flanagan's on the Lake — a lovely spot where you can enjoy a drink or bite to eat after your tour. The price for a family of four is just €46.64, with additional children €6, and it runs seven days a week throughout the summer months. Dogs are also welcome onboard so I'll definitely be returning with my little fur baby soon. Next up on our day out was a quick trip across the lough into Clare for a chocolate-making lesson at Wilde Irish Chocolates ( I've done many chocolate factory tours over the years but this one is by far the best for kids, as it is short and sweet (pun intended!) — meaning, unlike the drive down, there were no moans of 'are we done yet?'. Once you arrive to the factory in Tuamgraney, Co. Clare, you get straight into making your own personalised bar with the resident chocolatier as part of its Build Your Own Chocolate Bar Experience. This experience, which is suitable for all ages, allows you to customise your own version of a Wilde chocolate bar to take home with you. And while you wait for your bar to harden, you can enjoy a drink and some house chocolates in the Hot Chocolate Cafe, which has eight different varieties of hot chocolate, while personalising your own wrapper for your bar. The shop is also choc-full of handmade chocolates — buy some and compare it to your own creation. The whole experience takes around 30 minutes and is available between 11am and 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday, priced from €11 for adults and children. Our final stop was to head back to Ballina for dinner in Goosers Bar & Eating House ( where elevated bar food is the order of the day. Sat in front of a cosy fire, we tucked into some of the best and freshest bar food (if you can even call it that!) I've ever had. This is the type of food you can just tell has been prepared and cooked from scratch and not a moment before you order it. Seafood seems to be the real hit here, though, ashamedly, just one of us opted for a fish dinner — Hake in Ale Batter with Mushy Peas, Fries & Tartar Sauce — which went down an absolute treat. Other dishes we enjoyed were the 8oz Fillet Prime Irish Steak with Cherry Vine Tomatoes, Sautéed Onions, House Fries and Peppercorn Sauce, the Goosers Hereford Beef Burger on a Brioche Bun with Melted Irish Cheddar and Fries and Sausage and Chips. And you know a meal is good when not a word is spoken during dinner — especially with a chatty nine-year-old in your party. The staff here are also very attentive — a joke about the Fillet Steak being for the nine-year-old got laughs all round when the waiter realised it was indeed for the nine-year-old — and the atmosphere is inviting and cosy. And it's right on the riverside, bliss. I highly recommend that you eat here on any visit to Ballina — I guarantee you will not be disappointed. After a truly enjoyable day out, we hit the road for home with a vow to return in the summer for a day of water activities on Lough Derg — here's hoping the sun comes out for us then too!
Daily Record
26-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Guinness drinkers floored after discovering true meaning of brand's logo
Each year, approximately 1.8 billion pints of Guinness are consumed globally. To give you an idea, stout enthusiasts are downing over 10 million glasses of the black brew daily. Despite many of us savouring the flavour of the dark elixir – made up of four primary ingredients - water, barley, hops and yeast – there's still intriguing trivia about the company that people are discovering. This includes facts about the iconic harp logo recognised in nations across the globe. So, did you know this entertaining piece of alcohol trivia? It's a fun fact to ponder on your next pub visit with friends. So here's all you need to know about the Guinness logo that's been around for 163 years and counting. The history behind it extends far beyond just being part of the beverage's emblem. The logo is inspired by a renowned Irish harp from the 14th century known as the O'Neill or Brian Boru harp. This can now be viewed at the Library of Trinity College Dublin – attracting hundreds of visitors each day. This is because the ancient artefact is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps worldwide. However, there's a significant difference between the harps seen in the library and on Guinness products. They are mirror images facing opposite directions. This is due to the Irish government adopting the harp as its official emblem in 1922, leading Guinness to modify its own design to prevent confusion. It has been reimagined several times – the current incarnation features "sharper, more detailed features". Mark Sandys, Diageo Global Head of Beer and Baileys, commented: "The Guinness harp was originally based on the legendary 'Brian Boru harp', a powerful symbol of Ireland's national identity and heritage. "In keeping with the Guinness 'Made of More' ethos, we have reintroduced a special handmade quality to the harp to reflect the experience, craftsmanship and passion that we put into brewing our Guinness beers." For those who've never paid much attention, they may have only just found out an interesting tidbit about the Guinness logo. On social media platform X, one user posted: "How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?" Another pondered: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold." The piece of booze knowledge has left people floored. You really do learn something new every day!
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Guinness drinkers finally realise meaning behind famous logo after 163 years
The Guinness logo is recognisable to more than 150 countries in the world – but have you ever stopped to think about the famous emblem's history and true meaning? Guinness is one of the most iconic beer brands in the world. It is a dry stout that originated in Dublin, Ireland, and is known for its deep, dark colour and creamy white head. It's been around since 1759 and is loved for its distinctive roasted malt flavour, which people say reminds them of coffee and dark chocolate. The Irish stout is sold in more than 150 countries – and people knock back more than 10 million pints of the black nectar per day. But next time you get a round in, take some time to think about the history of the iconic brand. Even though many of us are familiar with the Guinness logo, which has been around for 163 years, plenty are completely clueless about what the harp was inspired by. So here's some fun trivia to test your friends on next time you're at the pub... Why does Guinness use a harp as a logo? The emblem is based on a famous Irish harp from the 14th century, which is known as the O'Neill or Brian Boru harp. You can see this ancient instrument at the Library of Trinity College Dublin, where plenty of tourists flock to as it is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps in the world. There is a difference in the two designs, though. The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted that the symbols are mirror images of one another. They point in different ways, which helps people to tell them apart. The Irish government adopted the harp as its official symbol in 1922, prompting Guinness to change its version to avoid clashing. It's undergone numerous redesigns over the years – with its current form including "sharper, more detailed features". Mark Sandys, Diageo Global Head of Beer and Baileys said: "The Guinness harp was originally based on the legendary 'Brian Boru harp', a powerful symbol of Ireland's national identity and heritage. In keeping with the Guinness 'Made of More' ethos, we have reintroduced a special handmade quality to the harp to reflect the experience, craftsmanship and passion that we put into brewing our Guinness beers." You learn something new every day, which is evident given that Guinness drinkers have taken to social media to share their surprise. One commenter wrote: How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?" Meanwhile, another said: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp?? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold." What is Guinness made from? 1. Barley (Malted and Roasted): Barley is the primary grain used in Guinness. Some of it is malted (soaked and dried to encourage germination), and a portion is roasted to give Guinness its characteristic dark color and rich, roasted flavors. 2. Hops: Hops are flowers that act as a natural preservative and add bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malt. They contribute to the beer's distinctive flavor and aroma. 3. Water: Pure water is a key ingredient. Guinness is famously brewed using water from the Wicklow Mountains near Dublin, Ireland. 4. Yeast: Guinness uses a proprietary strain of yeast, which ferments the sugars in the malted barley to produce alcohol. This yeast has been preserved and reused in the brewing process for many years.
