Latest news with #CarnegieLibrary
RTÉ News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Something for the Weekend: Alannah Thornburgh's cultural picks
Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer from the west of Ireland with a focus on traditional Irish harp. Alannah's music explores her family heritage, reimagining melodies from the Irish harping and American folk & jazz traditions. Alannah was awarded 'Best Folk Instrumentalist' at the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards and she is the current Musician-In-Residence at Carnegie Library, Fingal County Council/Music is also a founding member of Alfi, a trio who combine traditional Irish and Appalachian music and song. In February 2025, Alannah released her acclaimed debut album Shapeshifter; this September, she performs as part of Tradition Now in the National Concert Hall We asked Alannah for her choice cultural picks... MUSIC I have been incessantly listening to Poor Creature's album All Smiles Tonight since its release at the start of July. I think Ruth Clinton (Poor Creature, Landless) is a genius (which she displays very impressively across many art forms!) Another album that I have on repeat is Double You - a collaborative album by two instrumental virtuosos Aoife Ní Bhriain & Catrin Finch. FILM My go-to films are anything silly and light-hearted (Bullet Train and Detective Pikachu are coming to mind as I write this). I have a curiosity for thrillers and horror films (especially from a soundtrack/soundscape point of view) but truthfully I am too much of a wimp to watch either genre (the twist at the end of Fight Club was so intense for me that I fainted!) BOOK I really enjoyed Donal Ryan's collection of short stories A Slanting of the Sun. I absolutely adore Eithne Massey's The Turning of the Year: Lore and Legends of the Irish Seasons, a book that I return to often for inspiration. Manchán Magan recently announced that he will be releasing a new book in September Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) which I will definitely be pre-ordering (his book Wolf-Men and Water Hounds is another favourite of mine). PLAY I saw Louise O'Neill's masterpiece Asking for It in the Gaiety Theatre a number of years ago - a truly harrowing but moving piece of work. I was fortunate enough to compose and perform some music for the RTÉ radio play Clarity at Last written by the immensely talented Charlie McGuinness (due for broadcast in late 2025, I believe). TV I was hooked on Severance this year, both from a storyline and musical point of view (the use of a theremin in Season 2 was just perfect). I am also a big fan of The Bear, and I have been meaning to rewatch Desperate Housewives since becoming obsessed with Kyle MacLachlan's Instagram content. GIG I have been very lucky to see Fionn Regan perform live twice already this year (in The Ambassador Theatre and at Night & Day Festival). I will be heading to All Together Now in a couple of weeks and I am ecstatic about seeing Fontaines DC, CMAT, Wet Leg and Bricknasty live. ART My favourite artist is Conor Campbell, the Limerick-born colour-blind artist whose work is so intricately beautiful and unique. Conor painted the artwork for my album Shapeshifter, and I am looking forward to celebrating his work at Tradition Now in the National Concert Hall on Thursday 25th September (alongside Diarmuid Mac Gloinn, Gareth Quinn Redmond and Junior Brother). TECH My partner Alex is developing a memory retention app as part of his Masters in Design Innovation and I have been a (hopefully supportive) guinea pig during the testing process! THE NEXT BIG THING... Shamrock Showband! The lads (Conor McAuley & Jamie Bishop) are two great friends of mine and have recently released their debut (self-titled) album. Check them out!
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Discover Dunfermline: The perfect city break destination
The ultimate combination of an illustrious past and modern convenience, the city of Dunfermline is a location like no other. Filled to the brim with things to do and places to visit, it is the definitive in city break destinations all year round, offering visitors top-class attractions, history and heritage, food and drink, arts and culture, and outdoor activities and spaces to enjoy. Once Scotland's ancient capital, Dunfermline is actually Scotland's newest city, having been granted the status as part of the late HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, making it the eighth former borough to do so. Steeped in history and culture, the Heritage Quarter is well worth a visit. Step back in time over 700 years with trips to Dunfermline Abbey, which dates back to the 11th century, and the magnificent ruins of neighbouring Dunfermline Palace; Abbot House, a beautiful 'A' listed building that is instantly recognisable by its colour and fondly referred to by locals as 'the pink hoose', dating back to at least the 16th Century with a delightful gift shop and café for you to really make the most of your time there; Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries (DCL&G), an award-winning museum, gallery spaces, shop and reading rooms all adjoining the world's first Carnegie Library; and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, where you can experience the life of one of the great Scots of the 19th century, philanthropist, steel tycoon, writer, lecturer, entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie; all are absolute must-haves on your to-do list in House. (Image: Welcome to Fife) If you prefer to spend your time a little more in the present, why not get involved in this vibrant city's bustling cultural scene? Home to painters, printmakers, designers, jewellers, photographers, a textile designer, an upholsterer, an upcycler and an illustrator – just to cover all bases! - Fire Station Creative has 20 artists' studios, a gallery, classrooms and café, all set in a former art-deco fire station. Offering a range of creative classes for all ages so you can get involved, there are also lots of regularly changing exhibitions in the gallery space for you to take inspiration from. Prefer something a little more theatrical? With bold theatre, powerful vocals, and feel-good nights to remember, The Alhambra Theatre and Carnegie Hall are ready and waiting to dazzle you. Dunfermline is also home to one of Scotland's most important and popular urban parks. Pittencrieff Park, or 'The Glen' as it is more commonly known by local people, is renowned for its resident peacocks and sprawling size, with 76-acres that attracts over 750,000 visitors each year. If strolling through a picturesque park is a little too low-key for you, how about tackling one of Dunfermline's longer routes? Set on the Fife Pilgrim Way, a 64-mile-long walking route stretching from Culross or North Queensferry to St Andrews, the city is a perfect stop off. Pittencrieff Park. (Image: Welcome to Fife) With its central location, Dunfermline is easy to get to either by road or public transport, with Edinburgh only around 30 minutes away for a quick visit. Ideal as a home-base too for exploring the surrounding area, its compact feel and relaxed atmosphere lends itself as a retreat from the faster-paced city breaks one might typically imagine. This is shown time and again with the local delights on offer here. Whether you're on the lookout for a quaint guesthouse to stay in for the week, a comfortable hotel to sink into after taking part in one of the dozens of activities to choose from, or you'd like a little more privacy with a house of your own to rent, there are options to suit every need and budget. Options right in the city centre include Garvock House Hotel and De Brus Hoose self catering Abbey and Palace from above. (Image: Welcome to Fife) Of course, you'll need to stay well-fed and hydrated throughout all of this; why not sample one of the many delicacies and delights throughout Dunfermline, with plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafés and coffeehouses to be found in the city centre, from fine dining at Jack O'Bryans to coffee with a view at The Granary. There's something for everyone in this charming locale, whether you're a solo traveller, you've got a dozen family members in tow, or you're looking for a quiet location for you and your partner to enjoy. No matter how you choose to spend your time here in Dunfermline, you can be sure it will be time well spent. Pittencrieff Park is known for its peacocks. (Image: Welcome to Fife) Find out more and plan your trip to Dunfermline now. W:
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Forbes
Three Reasons To Wait For Apple's Next MacBook Pro
A MacBook Pro is displayed inside the Apple Carnegie Library store on May 30, 2025 (Photo by Kevin ...) Apple may be planning an evolutionary update to the iPhone, introducing the first fashionably thin smartphone running iOS. Those looking for a new Mac will be watching for details on the next release. That will be the MacBook Pro, and it will be worth the wait. The MacBook Pro's M5 Advantage While the M5 chipset is expected to be a relatively steady upgrade of the macOS-focused Apple Silicon, that performance upgrade will be keenly felt as Apple establishes its deskbound operating system in a world focused on artificial intelligence. Apple's approach to offer as much local processing of personal data as possible requires as much power as possible inside the Mac. The M5 is expected to be launched in 2025, and only two devices are likely to carry the chipset. The first, echoing the debut of the M4 in 2024, will be the iPad Pro. On the Mac side, again echoing 2024's approach, will be the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro And External Displays Apple has leaned into external displays as a key differentiator between the consumer-focused MacBook Air and the professional-focused MacBook Pro. That has meant that display support has typically allowed for more resolution and more screens on the Pro laptops compared to the Air. With a potential upgrade to Apple's Studio Display—three years after its initial launch—there is another opportunity to pair this with the MacBook Pro capabilities. It may be that the new display could ask for the M5 chip in a laptop to reach its full potential. With a release date 'before 2026', retail availability on the MacBoko Pro in late 2025 would allow the two to launch in partnership. MacBook Pro's Faster Connectivity Alongside the M5 upgrade offering a 15 to 20 percent uplift in pure performance, another speedy upgrade is lurking inside the spec leaks of the next macOS laptop, namely Wi-Fi 7. The new iteration of the communications standard offers speeds of up to 46 Gbps, compared to 9.6 Gbps for Wi-Fi 6, thanks to increased bandwidth and higher data density. Those who invest in or have access to new networking equipment can pair faster connectivity with a more powerful processor to unlock greater potential from their laptop. MacBook Pro Launch Date Although the M5 chip has not yet been launched, news from the supply chain suggests the chipset is on course for Apple's late-October launch event, a date which has seen significant upgrades across the Mac platform. The MacBook Pro is set to be the flagship for the 2025 edition. Now read the latest MacBook Pro, iPhone, and iPad headlines in Forbes' weekly Apple Loop news digest...
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Pittsburghers visit libraries to seek relief amid heat wave
As the heat makes the weather miserable, finding any relief is welcome. People will find just about anywhere they can to be inside and cooled off. In addition to cooling centers, some people are using libraries, which can also connect them with services if they find themselves in need. "One of the last places you can go to without any expectation to buy anything. You can walk in their doors, there's things to do," Allegheny County Library Association CEO Amy Anderson said. According to the ACLA, during weather events, they see more people pass through their doors. Earlier this spring, when wind caused widespread damage and power outages, libraries were more than just for a book and a good read. "When we had all of the power outages after the storm recently, the library was the place to go to charge your phone," Anderson said. For people who have nowhere to go during this heat stretch, there are also services to try and help those who may n ot be as fortunate. Libraries in the Pittsburgh area are part of the Library Social Work Fellowship. This puts social workers in some of the libraries to connect people with the help and services they may need. "It's our job to provide information. We know how to find it. So come in, ask questions and we're here to help," Anderson said. That program helps both libraries in the Allegheny County Library Association and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system.
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby on reaction to mosque
This is planned for the former Carnegie Library building on Baker Street in the town centre. The Grade II listed building has been owned and used by the council for some years but is now empty and we agreed to lease or sell the building. The local councillor, Laura Wright, and I spent some time talking to residents in the area and have been reassured by the local reaction, which has been almost entirely positive. This appears to be in contrast to some of the less well-informed manoeuvres which have perhaps presented a more un-wholesome face of Monmouthshire, much of it on social media. On the doorstep, we were able to provide more information for those who had initial worries. We listened to concerns, mostly arising from mis-information about what the development could entail. In fact, residents were pleased to learn of the big plusses: the building will be open to wider community use for events, celebrations and classes. What has reassured me is that underneath some very unhelpful moves, almost all local people have shown a warm, positive response to multi-culturalism, to inclusion, friendship and tolerance. There is currently too little provision locally for the Monmouthshire Muslims who have diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. Actually, this chimes well with the overall approach in our county, which is well on its way to becoming an official county of sanctuary. In fact, only last week, Abergavenny's own Town of Sanctuary group (AToS) won a Welsh national award for their outstanding work. The voluntary group supports sanctuary seekers and refugees with a range of services - from English language cafés and sewing circles, to job clubs, mentoring, sports, coach trips, and practical resettlement support. Their work exemplifies the best of Monmouthshire - kindness, action, and community spirit. We actively support refugees through various schemes, including the Refugee Resettlement Scheme, Asylum dispersal, and the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy. The county has been involved in resettling refugees since 2016, many of them Afghans who assisted the British Army. We are also involved in the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme, with a significant number of Ukrainian refugees hosted in Monmouthshire. And the crucial role of local communities has been so impressive and reassuring. Those who try to present a different face to our tolerant and welcoming people do themselves, and us, no service. Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby is leader of Monmouthshire County Council.
