Latest news with #ChaniAnderson
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Top 8: Get the scoop on the best of shop-bought ice-creams this summer
In Iceland, where my son and his family live, ice cream shops often have long queues in winter, when the days are short and cold. Why should we confine ourselves to hot days? They are adventurous there with flavours such as liquorice, and Bragarefur, where your three choices of sweets and fruits (berries are popular) will be blended to order with vanilla soft serve. For this week's Top 8 supermarket shopping expedition, I enlisted the help of the seven- and 12-year-olds to choose from the shelves. They and their three-year-old brother, along with an eight-year-old cousin, were happy to taste them all. We often make our own ice cream at home, typically using a custard base, adding seasonal fruits — blackcurrants, sieved raspberries, roasted rhubarb — or by blending cream and sugar with fresh strawberries or gooseberries. Use within 24 hours, as the ice cream can harden so much that it separates when defrosting. Manufacturers solve this problem by adding skimmed milk powder, which adds shelf life and stability, while maintaining a consistent texture. When buying tubs of ice cream, it is important to buy them last in the supermarket, use a chill bag, and get them home before they start to thaw. Scúp roasted banana gelato 476ml €6.95 Scúp roasted banana gelato 476ml. €6.95 Food pics: Chani Anderson Whole milk, fresh cream, and sugar make a very good, creamy ice cream with a roasted banana (a decent 8.7% which shows in the naturally fruity flavour), with extra natural banana flavouring. It also contains skimmed milk powder. Made in Wexford. Score: 9.75 Murphy's 500ml €10 (€20/litre) Murphy's 500ml €10 (€20/litre) Fresh milk and cream, organic sugar, free range eggs blend with a decent portion of 100% Valrhona cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, natural locust bean and carrageenan to stabilise. It's unusual not to find skimmed milk powder and other stabilisers, and it shows in the natural taste and texture. One described (and all agreed) it was like eating a deliciously rich, frozen hot chocolate. See for outlets. Score: 10 M&S Collection Colombian coffee ice cream 500ml €6.50 (€13/litre) M&S Collection Colombian coffee ice cream 500ml €6.50 (€13/litre) From the West Country in England, fresh milk, cream, sugar, and dried skimmed milk deliver a sophisticated flavour of freshly made, lively coffee to make an ideal finish to a meal when you fancy coffee, but it's too late to drink a cup. Nicely creamy too. One of the adults' favourites. Score: 9 Moo'd mint choc chip gelato 460ml €5 (€10.86/litre) Moo'd mint choc chip gelato 460ml €5 (€10.86/litre) This was chosen as a favourite by the seven-year-old. We were surprised she liked the fresh flavour of mint so much. A generous amount of good-quality dark chocolate chips, skimmed milk (not dried) and a decent 24% cream, stabilised by guar gum, xanthan gum and carrageenan for a smooth texture. A lovely finish to a meal, like After 8 chocolates with ice cream. Made in Cavan. Score: 8.75 Dunnes Simply Better butterscotch ice cream 550ml €5.99 (€10.89/litre) Dunnes Simply Better butterscotch ice cream 550ml €5.99 (€10.89/litre) Tasters immediately liked the slightly burned toffee style of this ice cream. Older tasters remember it as a taste of the butterscotch bars they enjoyed on the way home from school. The smooth, creamy texture and taste result from milk, cream and sugar with a hint of saltiness. Produced in Northern Ireland. Score: 8.5 The Good Dairy Company Kinder Moo ice cream 650ml €8 (€12.30/litre) The Good Dairy Company Kinder Moo ice cream 650ml €8 (€12.30/litre) A strong Kinder Bueno flavour was loved by children familiar with the bars. A lovely creamy texture from fresh milk and cream comes from the Good family farm in Nohoval, Kinsale, as well as skimmed milk powder in its base. Different packaging is due soon, when it will be stocked in SuperValu, alongside its current range. We bought in Bradleys, Cork, also available now in the Good Dairy Kinsale shop. Score: 8 Lidl Gelatelli peanut butter crunch 500ml €3.25 (€6.50/litre) Lidl Gelatelli peanut butter crunch 500ml €3.25 (€6.50/litre) A flavour new to us, 5% whole peanuts are caramelised for a good crunchy contrast to the creamy texture made from cream, skimmed milk and traditional egg yolk. The sweetness of the ice cream, which has a hint of salt, contrasts interestingly with the addition of more peanut butter throughout. Tasters loved it. Score: 8 Mullin's Belgian Chocolate Chip ice cream 900ml €5.95 (€6.61/litre) Mullin's Belgian Chocolate Chip ice cream 900ml €5.95 (€6.61/litre) A chocolate sauce ripples through a creamy chocolate ice cream. While the chocolate is not as pure or intense as our top marker, it still made for a delicious mouthful for the kids. Skimmed milk, cream, and egg are used, and a hint of vanilla is added to enhance the richness. Score: 7.75
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Protesters slam Cork greenway route: 'It feels like they are trying to bulldoze my village'
A woman who lived in constant fear when she lived in an earthquake zone in the US says plans to route a major Cork greenway through her family's land have triggered the same deep-rooted anxiety. 'I lived on a fault-line in California, and the anxiety of that is equivalent to the anxiety we're feeling over this greenway plan and the impact it could have on our family's land,' Megan Sheehan said. She was speaking as she joined a protest last night by several people impacted by the 300m-wide emerging preferred route corridor (EPRC) for the vast Cork to Kinsale greenway outside the last of three public information events on the scheme, which will accept online submissions until August 15 at The preferred route runs through her father-in-law's dairy farm, and over a site where she and her husband have lodged a planning application for a home. 'This is my father-in-law's land. They are the third generation to put blood, sweat, and tears into this farm. If it splits the farm, it will affect their livelihood,' she said. Local residents and school children protest against council plans to extend the greenway through Monkstown. Picture: Chani Anderson 'And we want to build our home here, but there has been no real consultation about the route — it's just awful. "I am not opposed to a greenway, but they are going about this the wrong way. It feels like they are trying to bulldoze my village They want to connect Cork and Kinsale, that's their goal, but the human cost of that isn't being weighted as heavily 'This route plan only makes sense on a map. If you actually walked it, no way in heck would you think it could work.' She said the vast investment required for the greenway should be spent first repairing and maintaining roads in the area. 'I do believe in greenways, but we need roads that don't melt or wash away in floods,' she said. Her neighbour, Rob Power, said seeing his house and garden fall within the preferred route 'didn't feel great'. 'I have two young daughters and this greenway could be 100m from our back garden, and I would have security concerns around that,' he said. 'This is being sold as a benefit to tourism but, if you look at what's there between Ballinhassig and Riverstick, there is very little of tourist value in it. It just looks like lazy design. Plans were approved last year for a 400m stretch of greenway and public realm upgrades in Monkstown, which includes the removal of the village island and the creation of a new car access and boat trailer park between the greenway and the Sand Quay. Picture: Chani Anderson 'My brother-in-law's farm is next door to me, and there is potential that his farm could be split in half. 'The council can't give us costings either. To bring the 175-year-old viaduct up to standard, through surveying it, scaffolding, addressing the condition of the stone and steel — sure, that would swallow money. 'And they want to open Goggins Hill tunnel, that's an 820m-long curved tunnel. I'd have concerns about the safety of that too.' Noreen Ring said aside from security, safety, and privacy concerns, people are worried about the disruption to nature and wildlife, to farmers' ability to farm effectively, and about potential compulsory purchase orders (CPOs). 'More worrying than anything is the lack of trust and transparency in this whole process,' she said. 'There is supposed to have been a landowner's consultation prior to this step in the process that they are currently in. However, landowners had nobody call to their door to be consulted with in any way. 'We are still finding out about impacted people who have received no letter. We have been doing everything we can to advise people of the greenway and about the final consultation, going door to door with flyers, putting them in shops, post offices etc. Whilst we are not against greenways being built, our challenge is that it is predominantly being planned on private land, as opposed to on State land, and they can't tell us why they won't build it on State-owned land A spokesman for Cork County Council said the non-statutory consultation underway on the preferred route at the moment is an attempt by the council to make people aware of their draft plans for the greenway. 'But we need people to respond. We need people to write in, to make submissions, and let us know what they're feeling. If they don't like it, to perhaps set out alternatives, and if there is something we are not aware of, please tell us — we will do our best to find a solution,' he said. Deputy Michael Collins TD with Noreen and Patrick Ring, who are protesting against Cork County Council plans for the Cork to Kinsale greenway at the Viaduct in Cork. Picture: David Creedon The council will seek to avoid severing farms but, where it may be unavoidable, it will look at accommodation works, he said. 'We need to do this right, and we want to bring the public with us. We are not trying to hide anything, but we do need people to engage with us, and to give us their reactions, solutions or alternatives.' Monkstown Meanwhile, in Cork Harbour, residents in Monkstown have vowed to fight to save their cherished "village island" which is slated for removal under contentious council plans for a stretch of greenway and active travel infrastructure. Plans were approved last year for a 400m stretch of greenway and public realm upgrades in the village, which includes the removal of the village island and the creation of a new car access and boat trailer park between the greenway and the Sand Quay. The scheme will form part of the larger Lee to Sea greenway route, but residents say the council hasn't listened to their concerns, or properly considered their compromise suggestion. Among those to express concern about the plans was the acting principal of Scoil Barra Naofa, who said the village island is the only safe collection and drop-off point for buses for the school. 'It provides a safety refuge for parents and children waiting, dropping, and collecting. It is also a safe route for children to walk and cycle to and from school,' she said. Monkstown's 'village island', where the proposed extension of the greenway is planned to run, prompting concern among local residents. Picture: Chani Anderson 'Moving the island would result in bringing a busy carriageway closer to our pupils while they walk and cycle to school and attend school tours and matches. This would be quite concerning for us as a school, as we feel it would be a serious health and safety risk The Monkstown TidyTowns committee says its alternative proposal would give the council all it requires, without removing the island. 'It also retains the current levels of safety for children and the community at large by separating the R610 from the village as it is,' spokesman Gary Duffy said. The council spokesman said the scheme has secured planning and is on a funding pathway for delivery, but added that he would be willing to meet those who still have concerns.
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
D-Block Europe review: Hip-hop act turns Marquee into Cork club night
It was a semblance of a club night at Live at the Marquee on Tuesday as thousands descended onto the Marina to welcome one half of D-Block Europe to the Cork City stage. What is the only hip-hop act of a long line of big top acts, Young Adz performed some of the London-based duo's top hit singles without Dirtbike LB. Their song Prada was also nominated for a Brit award for Song of the Year last year. D-Block Europe or DBE have been around since 2010, after signing a deal with New York rapper Jadakiss. They have slowly been growing in prominence with a younger crowd. D-Block Europe delight fans at Live at the Marquee on Tuesday night. Picture Chani Anderson. D-Block Europe have since raked in some 5bn streams across various global platforms and are known for creating catchy tunes using Autotune and trap beats about sex, drug dealing, and owning luxury items. Their Live at the Marquee concert is the latest in their tour, which has seen a surprise sell-out of both nights. A trove of young teenagers dominated the audience as they snaked their way into the blue and yellow tent under pouring rain and floods. Neon coloured dresses of pink and orange exploded at the venue; knee high boots and tan limbs were exposed as sweaty bodies jumped up and down under the tent. Young lads in tracksuits and hats of various colours eagerly made their way to find the best spot in the standing area, ready to launch themselves into one of the many mosh pits that would maybe open. Concert goers make a dash for the tent during a torrential downpour before the D-Block Europe gig at Live at the Marquee on Tuesday night. Picture: Chani Anderson Special guest Kairo Keyz opened for the duo. He was well-liked by the crowd as the deep bass from his tunes hyped and readied the audience for the big act. Screens of Snapchat recording stuck out across the pit as the DJ for the night hyped the crowd ahead of DBE's set. Young Adz arrived on stage shortly after 9.30pm and performed to the crowd with magnetic energy who were ready to party. Strobe lights of white, blue, and green dancing in the air as the deep bass of their songs echoes across the tent. "You alright, Cork?", Young Adz said after performing their opening tune Darling as he apologised to say that DBE's other half, Dirtbike LB, was not here. This was very similar to their last Irish performance where Young Adz was visibly absent from Longitude's main stage last year. Kairo Keyz on stage supporting D-Block Europe during their gig at Live at the Marquee on Tuesday night. Picture: Chani Anderson. Powering through most of the set list, Young Adz gave it his all to get the crowd into a momentum, while blaring some familiar favourites including Prada, Ferrari Horses, and Pakistan. DBE will return for a second night at the Marquee on Wednesday with the question of whether it will once again be a one man show or a duo. Kingfishr will then return for another sold-out night on Thursday. Summer gigs at the big top will then conclude this weekend with three nights of Michael McIntyre and his new show MACNIFICENT! Out and about at Live at the Marquee Hallie MacDermet, Saoirse Freeman, and Anya Leahy take a selfie before the D-Block Europe gig at Live at the Marquee on Tuesday night. Picture: Chani Anderson Concert goers in the front row wait for D-Block Europe to come on stage at Live at the Marquee. Picture: Chani Anderson The crowd is in great spirits waiting for D-Block Europe's arrival. Picture: Chani Anderson Fans made sure to get a good view of the stage. Picture: Chani Anderson Concert goers came prepared for the Live at the Marquee gig on Tuesday night. Picture: Chani Anderson Fans in the front row made sure they would not miss a second of the gig. Picture: Chani Anderson The atmosphere was electric as concert goers watch D-Block Europe perform. Picture: Chani Anderson Read More Amble review: A movement begins as trio charm a packed Marquee in Cork
Irish Examiner
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'We're gutted, but we'll be back': Fans in Páirc Uí Chaoimh pay dues to Tipp's All-Ireland win
Anguished groans reverberated across SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh when Tipperary scored a third goal in their All-Ireland hurling final second-half blitz of Cork. Some deflated families left before full time, knowing that Cork's fate was sealed, and opting to beat any waiting traffic. But most stayed on at the Rebels' Fanzone until the damp, bitter end. 'We're gutted,' Sarah Hallissey said after Cork's loss. 'But Tipperary's win was well deserved in the second half.' Cork fans at the Rebels' Fanzone in Páirc Uí Chaoimh erupted in celebration several times in the first half of Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final — only for their cheers to turn to groans as the second half progressed. Picture: Chani Anderson She had driven up from Tralee to the fanzone screening at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with her husband John Hallissey. 'We don't regret the drive up. But it will be a quiet car on the way home,' the couple admitted. Undeterred by Sunday's loss, little boys colonised the pitch after disappointed supporters streamed off, taking out their hurleys and hitting sliotars, not wasting an opportunity to play on the famous grass. Little Zachary Dowling and Stephen Dowling who said of the Rebels' Fanzone: 'It's great to have something to go to that's family-friendly and not a pub.' Picture: Chani Anderson And little Aoibheann Leogue, who plays camogie with Douglas under-8s, will keep the Cork flags up at home for the Cork women's team next week in their semi-final against Waterford. She has high hopes that Cork will take home that other senior trophy, the O'Duffy Cup. Eleanor Mooney, described by her family as Cork's biggest hurling supporter, said she goes to all the games with her brother and sister-in-law, Donal and Mary O'Callaghan. Nessa Harrigan and Alan McCarthy had high hopes early on in the All-Ireland hurling final. But Alan expressed well-placed caution too: 'It's a close game, it could go either way,' he said. Picture: Chani Anderson 'We thought we'd bring it home this year,' Donal O'Callaghan said. 'But Tipperary were outstanding in the second half. The better team won on the day. "You can't win games only getting two points in the second half. But we'll be back next year — and we'll be back for the team's homecoming in Cork tomorrow with our colours on. Elaine Mooney added: 'Win of lose, we'll always support them.' The game had started with high hopes, and Cork dominated in the first half. 'Up the rebels!' a girl in a red tank top screamed as she skipped into the All-Ireland hurling final screening. 'We'll be back': That was the message from Cork supporters who gathered in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, despite their disappointment after Cork's loss to Tipperary in the All-Ireland hurling final. Street vendors had set up stalls draped in Cork flags selling red and white merchandise as people in their county colours streamed towards the Rebels' Fanzone at the stadium to watch the big game. The green pitch was turned red with supporters, glued to the game broadcast over a giant screen. Friends shared jackets and plastic ponchos, huddling on them together to stay dry on the wet grass. Alan McCarthy came to the city from Newmarket. 'I didn't get tickets for Croke Park. But I actually think this is better, to have all the Cork supporters in one place,' he said. 'There's a brilliant atmosphere. I'd actually choose here over Croke Park. 'Cork is up four which is a great start. But it's a close game, it could go either way.' Stephen Dowling held little Zachary Dowling in his arms: 'It's his first big game,' Mr Dowling said. They had travelled from Fermoy, enticed by the family-friendly nature of the event. The fans realised during the second half that Tipp were going to get the better of Cork in the All-Ireland hurling final. 'I'm a fair-weather fan. But it's great to have something to go to that's family-friendly and not a pub,' Mr Dowling said. "The whole complex here is great. And we were down in the Marina Market first. So you couldn't do better, certainly not in Tipperary anyway!' Fiona Leahy from Midleton travelled down from Dublin, where she was visiting family, to watch the game in her home county. 'I wasn't able to get a ticket to Croke Park. But the atmosphere here is incredible.' Amy Murphy, Carrigaline, overcome with emotion after Cork's defeat by the Premier County. A football player, Ms Leahy said that she likes the high-energy nature of hurling. 'It's nice to support Ireland's national sport,' she said. Edel Fleming was watching the game with a group of friends. 'The sea of red is always magical to see,' Ms Fleming said. 'It's a close game — it's anyone's game at this point,' she said at half time. Cork supporters at the Rebels' Fanzone in Páirc Uí Chaoimh felt elation at Cork's early lead give way to dejection as Tipperary put in a blistering second-half performance to claim a decisive victory. The sunny start to the match was suddenly, rudely interrupted by a characteristic Irish downpour as fans rushed up steps to the cover of the surrounding stands. Little boys lashed sliotars against walls with their hurleys as they waited in the dry for the downpour to pass. Before the All-Ireland hurling final, young Cork supporters pucked sliotars around — or, in this case, performed some pretty impressive cartwheels — in the Rebels' Fanzone at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: Chani Anderson Expertly fake-tanned limbs, perfectly blow-dried hair, red Cork jerseys, and white shorts were worn by legions of teenage supporters as they huddled from the rain. Others draped large Cork flags over their shoulders. Many others came weather-ready, their translucent ponchos blocking the rain without obscuring proud county colours. Éile O'Connell at the Rebels' Fanzone in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, to support the Cork hurlers ahead of the All-Ireland hurling final. Picture: Chani Anderson And, when the rain did quickly pass, people poured back down the steps and out onto the pitch. Although all of the free tickets for the 20,000-capacity event were taken, not everyone seemed to have used them, with the place lively and awash in red jerseys but with no need to jostle too aggressively for seats. Disappointed fans at the Rebels' Fan Zone in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as Tipperary defeated Cork. Some children, bored with the game, entertained themselves with handstands, cartwheels, and chase at the side of the pitch. The stadium erupted in screams — and then sighs — when Cork almost scored but hit the post. 'Cork's been unlucky,' a commentator on the big screen said, eliciting a few heartfelt nods of agreement across Pairc Uí Chaoimh.
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Cork people give their views on renaming of redeveloped city centre park
Corkonians have been vocal in their criticism of proposals to rename the city's Bishop Lucey Park amid concerns that a change may undermine their city's historical integrity. Passers-by near the amenity made their feelings known to the Irish Examiner following its closure to the public in December 2023 for redevelopment. Councillors in Cork City Hall recently voted 17-11 to approve a section 140 motion submitted by Workers' Party councillor Ted Tynan, Green Party councillor Oliver Moran, and Social Democrats councillor Niamh O'Connor, calling for the renaming process. Mr Tynan said much of the documented clerical abuse — sexual, physical, or psychological — occurred during Bishop Lucey's time, both as a serving priest and as bishop of the Diocese of Cork and Ross from his appointment in 1952 until his retirement in 1980. Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon objected to the move, criticising what he described as 'this headlong rush to change for, what many people, are the old certainties'. Delia Manning: 'The name should stay as it is.' Picture: Chani Anderson Some people on the streets of Cork shared his views, including Delia Manning. 'Absolutely not,' Delia told this newspaper. 'The name should stay as it is. Bishop Lucey Park is here as long as it is and people are familiar with it. Why change it when it's part of Cork City? I say leave it as it is. We are all familiar with it and I'd like to see it stay that way. Ken Aherne was also taken aback by the proposals. 'Historically, it's known as Bishop Lucey Park. I don't see a particular need to change it. I'm one of those people who believes that cities have their own individual histories and these histories should be preserved where possible. There is no need for a name change.' He said that while he has no objections to 'Páirc na mBan Chorcaí' - a name suggested by Workers' Party councillor Ted Tynan - he feels it may not resonate, given the location. 'Places like Bessborough, where women really suffered, is where these tributes should be. I don't think Bishop Lucey Park has any connections like that.' Ken Aherne: 'I don't see a particular need to change it.' Picture: Chani Anderson Meanwhile, Lee O'Keeffe said he doesn't feel the proposed new name makes sense. 'I don't think the name should be changed but if it is to be renamed, I don't think it should be Páirc na mBan Chorcaí. I think something more relevant to the area would work better. "Something like UCC Páirc might make sense since Western Road is close to the park.' Some admitted they knew little about the bishop it was named after. Tony Kelliher: 'I don't have a problem with it staying the same and I don't have a problem with it changing either.' Picture: Chani Anderson Tony Kelleher added: 'I wouldn't know much about the man really but it's a traditional thing and that's what it's always been known as. I don't have a problem with it staying the same and I don't have a problem with it changing either. "I certainly have no problem with it being changed to Páirc na mBan Chorcaí. Why not?' Ruby Poland said she is supportive of a name change. Ruby Poland: 'Good to have less ties to Catholicism in the city.' Picture: Chani Anderson 'I suppose it's good to have less ties to Catholicism in the city,' she told the Irish Examiner. I think we need a better name to represent us as Irish people rather than Catholics. The proposed new name is a lot more inclusive so it's better for women. Denis Ryan, however, was keen to retain the name. 'Even though I'm new to Cork I'd keep it the same. I don't think I'd want to see a change.' Bishop Lucey became Bishop of Cork in 1952, with the diocese of Ross added six years later. He built five new churches named after the five Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary in the city's rapidly developing suburbs, and went on to oversee the foundation of 13 churches during his time as bishop. The historical figure set up St Anne's Adoption Society in 1954 and started the Cork diocesan mission to Peru in the mid-1960s. He died in 1982, and the park was named in his honour when it opened in 1985 as part of Cork 800 celebrations.
