Latest news with #CoWestmeath
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
Water supplies ‘on a knife edge' with warm and dry weather set to continue, Uisce Éireann warns
The number of areas of the State experiencing drought conditions has increased to 26 as the spell of warm and dry weather continues, Uisce Éireann has said. With next to no rainfall due across the country in the coming days, the utility company said water supply remained 'on a knife edge' in the Greater Dublin Area. It said average demand so far this year had been at a record level of more than 630 million litres per day. 'This is close to the limit of what can be sustainably produced by our water treatment infrastructure,' Uisce Éireann said. The issue in Greater Dublin is not lack of raw water, but production capacity to treat supplies, a spokesman said. READ MORE The region is especially vulnerable to shortages because of persistent supply issues, separate to the drought conditions, but if the dry spell continues, any restrictions that may be deemed necessary will have widespread impact in the region given it is the most populated part of the country. With fine weather forecast to continue into next week, Uisce Éireann has appealed to consumers to be mindful of their water usage. A water conservation order, commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban, has been in place for supplies in Mullingar, Co Westmeath; Milford, Co Donegal; and Kells-Oldcastle, Co Meath, since early May. The 23 supplies in drought status, as determined by Uisce Éireann, are: Ahascragh and Inis Oírr, Co Galway; Ballylaneen, Co Waterford; Buncrana, Letterkenny (Goldrum), Milford and Carrigart-Downings in Co Donegal; Carron (Termon Spring), Co Clare; Coalbrook, Riverstown and Dulla, Co Tipperary; Doon, Oola and Pallasgreen, Co Limerick; Ardnaglass, Co Sligo; Lough Bane, Co Meath; Kinnity, Co Offaly; Portloman, Co Westmeath; Kenmare, Co Kerry; Raheenleigh, Co Carlow; Taylorstown, Co Wexford; and Whitechurch and Clonakilty (Jones Bridge), Co Cork. There are no immediate plans to extend the hosepipe bans to other areas, but Uisce Éireann is monitoring all supplies closely and taking measures to maintain normal service through interventions such as tankering to reservoirs, night-time restrictions and pressure management. It is monitoring all of its raw water supplies that feed into its water treatment plants from lakes, rivers, springs and ground sources. Uisce Éireann's head of water operations, Margaret Attridge, said that the sunny spell had led to increased water use. 'Levels in many water sources are significantly lower than normal for this time of year following a dryer-than-average autumn, winter and spring,' she said. 'On top of this, the recent spell of warm weather has led to an increase in demand across many of our supplies, putting further pressure on the network and reservoirs.' Met Éireann is forecasting no rain over the weekend, with temperatures set to increase to 25 degrees in some areas by Sunday. Minimal amounts of rain are forecast up to next weekend, though more substantial falls may occur by Sunday week. Paul Moore, a Met Éireann climatologist, said no records had been broken for prolonged dry spells yet but rainfall this spring had averaged 50 per cent of the norm. Three of the forecaster's 25 weather stations have recorded a dry spell of 19-21 days, while seven had seen an 'absolute drought' of less than 0.2mm of rain over 18-20 days.
Irish Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Heartbreak for Ireland as EMMY dumped out of Eurovision semi-final
There was Eurovision heartbreak for Ireland tonight as EMMY was dumped out of the competition at the semi-final stage in Switzerland. The Norwegian singer, 24, failed to follow in last year's act Bambi Thug's footsteps, who brought Ireland to the final for the first time since 2018. The 10 countries that got through tonight were Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta and Greece. It wasn't looking positive for Ireland just hours before last night's show, as the bookies bet the country had just a 1% chance of taking the title. Sweden's entry Bara Bada Bastu by KAJ is the favourite, with bookies believing they have 42% shot of winning. However, EMMY's performance of Laika Party was praised by many for being energetic and strong. She stormed the stage in a silver short space suit as colourful dog-themed images were sprawled across screens. The singer was backed by her brother Erlend on keyboard and several dancers as they told an upbeat story of the Soviet space dog Laika. Supporters waved the tricolour flag at the St Jakobshalle stadium in Basel for the performance, as the crowd went wild. Spotted in the audience was former Eurovision stars Jedward, who were photographed taking selfies in the audience. Israel was one of the last acts of the night, with singer Yuval Raphael performing New Day Will Rise. Earlier on Thursday, the country's rehearsal was disrupted by pro-Palestine protestors. Six people stormed the performance as they waved Palestinian flags and blew whistles. A spokesperson for Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said security personnel quickly escorted them out of the hall. Despite protests, Israel made it through to the final, and were announced as the second act through at last night's semi-final. The country might also have a chance of taking the crown, with bookmakers placing Israel as their fifth favourite to win out of all the acts. EMMY received some criticism when she was chosen as Ireland's entry, as she doesn't have any connection to the country. However, Laika Party was co-written by Co Westmeath musician Larissa Tormey. Speaking before her performance on Thursday, EMMY said: 'I would say this is like, it's a European Song Contest. I don't think it's about me. It's about the song. And the song is partly Irish because of the songwriter. 'And also, I think it's more about what song and what message the people of a country want to send, rather than who I am as a singer, you know." Arthur Gourounlian - who was a panellist for Ireland's Eurosong Contest - backed EMMY, and said he didn't believe the criticism was fair. He said: 'When people come for people, please take your facts as the girl who has co-written the song is Irish. 'It's not about the person, it's about the song. It's called the Eurovision Song Contest.' EMMY also did a 'deep dive' to represent Ireland, according to Norway's entry Kyle Alessandro. The 19-year-old is the youngest performer in this year's competition, and qualified on Tuesday with his fiery song Lighter. Speaking about EMMY and her keyboardist brother, he said: "I've known them since I was a little kid, and their dancers are also Norwegian this time around. So they're bringing Norwegian-ness to the stage. "But I know that EMMY has also taken a deep dive into the Irish culture." EMMY did not go through in the Norwegian contest after previously competing in 2021, and instead won Ireland's Eurosong 2025 to earn the right to enter for Ireland. Alessandro said he was having a similar experience "because I'm half Spanish, so I represent Norway, but a little bit Spain also because it's my father's homeland". While she didn't make the final, EMMY hopes to continue to perform Laika Party and further her career. She said: 'So first we need to understand that this is actually happening, and then rehearse and plan. And you know, we will definitely try to keep the same vibe but maybe make it bigger, you know. So, yeah, we're really, really excited for these next few months." The Eurovision final will take place on Saturday at the St Jakobshalle stadium in Basel, where 25 countries will battle it out. This will include the 10 victorious countries from tonight, and Tuesday semi-final winners Norway, Albania, Sweden, Iceland, the Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Estonia, Portugal and Ukraine. The 'big five' were fast-tracked into the final - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom - but still performed at the semi-finals. Reigning champion Switzerland, as host, was also guaranteed a slot in the final after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year. The Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast live on RTÉ One on Saturday at 8pm.
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Eurovision hopeful Emmy and team Ireland jet off to Basel for rehearsals ahead of song contest
Norwegian singer Emmy (24) won RTÉ's Eurosong contest in February with her song Laika Party, written alongside Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath songwriter Larissa Tormey. Emmy, her brother Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen and dancers Vilde Skorstad, Karin Aaeng Stuge, Kristiane Lindvik and Christiane Bergersen were in Oslo Airport today ahead of their flight out to Basel for the contest. In a social media post earlier today, Emmy said she was delayed on her way to the airport: "One hour delayed to the airport because of a storm that made some trees fall down and block the road. Stressed? Yess." The Irish Eurovision team's first rehearsal will take place tomorrow in St Jakobshalle in Basel ahead of the semi-finals. The first semi-final will air on Tuesday, with Emmy set to perform in the second-semi final on Thursday, May 15, which is set to air from 8pm on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player. This year's Eurovision grand final will be held on Saturday, May 17.
