Latest news with #CountyLimerick
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
The Philip Byrnes Wexford fall looked awful… but some of us must bite our tongues until investigation is complete
PUNTERS were quite rightly stunned and social media went into meltdown after a shock unseat on a horse who drifted like a barge at Wexford on Wednesday. Philip Byrnes flopped off Redwood Queen – trained by the jockey's old man Charles - in the opening 2m1f claiming hurdle. 3 3 3 Although on itself merely an extreme example of desperate riding, what angered many about this was that Redwood Queen had drifted in the betting from 7-2 to 13-2. She clearly had the race in the bag when the jockey disappeared out the 'side door'. Byrnes runners, more than most other stables, appear to do best when the money is down. My Saturday NAP A Listed winner on comeback from ages off having previously run well in the 2000 Guineas when well fancied - everything, including the strong pace, points to a big run here. Back my tip simply by clicking the odds above. To an outsider, the County Limerick handler runs what the majority would call a 'gambling outfit', for all that racing fans would have no proof of any financial transactions. So when a Byrnes runner drifts like a barge, is clear at the last and then the jockey falls off, naturally many will cry foul play. Only time will tell if that was the case - as the IHRB launch their full investigation. But the chances are the case will eventually be dropped. Only money trails could really prove guilt, and with so much punting action now on the Black Market, if anyone was trying to do something untoward they would have to be very thick indeed to leave any trace. I did ask one top class jumps rider what they thought of the fall, and their response was interesting. "Terrible bit of riding really," they said. "The horse came out of his hands and he was unbalanced but who knows whether that was enough to fall off?" They added: "Personally I don't think he's that good a stunt rider. I think if they wanted to throw themselves off it would have looked more obvious. "It's really hard to throw yourself off a horse. I just don't think he's that good." Social media is always fascinating on these occasions. People like me – journalists and presenters on TV – tend to come in for a barrage of abuse. The general gist is that we 'don't tell it as it is'. As well as that, we should 'have an opinion' and we won't talk out against the 'racing family'. What those on social media are actually saying is that if we don't agree with what they suggest we are on the so-called 'gravy train'. In this case, what those on social media wanted me to say was a jockey had deliberately fallen off a horse who had taken a walk in the betting because connections did not want it to win. They would also like me to add the whole game is corrupt. To say the above is fine for most, although technically there would always be a chance of action being taken against them if the authorities found there was no case to answer. But if a TV presenter was to say such things – or someone in writing – they would be in court or before lawyers before you could count to ten. I know this as a fact. In my early days of broadcasting I was laid off for a month for two instances which I stand by to today, but which could not be proven. Did one of those mouthing off on social media offer to help pay my bills because I had publicly stood up for the punters? No they did not. Being a keyboard warrior is, naturally, a very different world to broadcasting or writing in a newspaper. Social media has given the people an opening to express themselves like they have never had before. But just because the rules of the land appear to matter little online, everyone should remember that for broadcasters and journalists it's a different world. The Wexford incident looked awful. But was it deliberate? I have absolutely no idea. And at this stage none of you reading this have any concrete proof either. Such is life. It's the calm before the Derby and Royal Ascot this weekend, but one race I'm excited to watch is Saturday's Group 3 Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and live on ITV. Old favourites Audience and Kinross are in the line-up, but it's Alyanaabi who interests me. He was once fancied for last year's 2000 Guineas, and eventually finished fifth behind Notable Speech. He carried on at about a mile for Owen Burrows, but his stamina has always been open to question and he returned over course and distance when scoring on May 10. I was impressed then and everything looks right here for another bold run with a strong pace assured. Come on, Alyanaabi! Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Reuters
6 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Dates announced for 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland
May 28 - The 2027 Ryder Cup will take place from Sept. 17-19 at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland. The dates for the 100th anniversary edition of the biennial golf competition were announced on Wednesday. "The official announcement of the dates is always a significant milestone in the Ryder Cup journey for a country and a venue, and we're delighted to today confirm details for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor," said Guy Kinnings, chief executive of the European Tour Group. "Rory McIlroy's victory in the Masters last month to complete the career Grand Slam, combined with anticipation of July's Open Championship, has already heightened the buzz around golf on the island of Ireland. This announcement will add to that excitement as Ireland continues its preparation to host golf's greatest team competition for the second time in 2027 when the Ryder Cup celebrates its 100th anniversary." It will be the second time Team USA and Team Europe square off in the Emerald Isle. Europe won by a record 18 1/2 to 9 1/2 margin in 2006 at The K Club in County Kildare. "The passion of Irish people for golf makes Ireland really stand out internationally as a golfing venue, said Patrick O'Donovan, Ireland's minister for arts, media, communications, culture and sport. "For Ryder Cup week, the eyes of the sporting world will be on the beautiful village of Adare, and I am confident that the local community of Adare and the people of Limerick and Ireland generally, will ensure that this event is a wonderful success and that all who attend will want to return to visit Ireland again." The Golf Course at Adare Manor, located on the banks of the River Maigue, hosted the Irish Open in 2007 and 2008. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones, the course underwent a redesign by Tom Fazio in 2017. The 2025 Ryder Cup is being held this September at Bethpage Black in New York with captains Keegan Bradley for the Americans and Luke Donald for the defending champion Europeans. --Field Level Media
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Dates announced for 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor
The 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor will be held from 17-19 September, it has been confirmed. Ryder Cup Europe announced that four "build-up days" will take place between 13 and 16 September before the matches begin on Friday 17 will be the second time Ireland has hosted the biennial contest after Europe's victory over the US at the K Club in County Kildare in 2006. Adare Manor, in County Limerick, was confirmed as the host venue in 2019. It previously hosted the Irish Open in 2007 and 2008 before undergoing an extensive renovation in 2027 event will be the 46th edition of the Ryder Cup and will mark its 100th anniversary."Rory McIlroy's victory in the Masters last month to complete the career Grand Slam, combined with anticipation of July's Open Championship (at Royal Portrush), has already heightened the buzz around golf on the island of Ireland," said DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) chief executive Guy Kinnings. "This announcement will add to that excitement as Ireland continues its preparation to host golf's greatest team competition for the second time in 2027 when the Ryder Cup celebrates its 100th anniversary."Patrick O'Donovan, Irish Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, said: "The passion of Irish people for golf makes Ireland really stand out internationally as a golfing venue. "For Ryder Cup week, the eyes of the sporting world will be on the beautiful village of Adare, and I am confident that the local community of Adare and the people of Limerick and Ireland generally, will ensure that this event is a wonderful success and that all who attend will want to return to visit Ireland again."This year's Ryder Cup takes place at Bethpage Black in New York from 26-28 will again be led by Luke Donald after the Englishman orchestrated a 16½-11½ victory in Rome in 2023. The US will be captained by Keegan captains for the 2027 event have not yet been confirmed.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Traveller girls look wedding-ready on their Communion day - complete with ballgowns, carriages and three-tier cakes
Perching on white thrones beside three-tiered cakes adorned with white icing, their make-up perfect and tiaras perched on their heads, the girls looked every inch the perfect brides in their voluminous white gowns. But these scenes were not from a lavish wedding day, however. Girls from the Traveller community have been enjoying the UK and Ireland's most lavish First Holy Communions throughout April and May when the religious ceremony is traditionally held. With white, flowing gowns, balloon arches, and a carriage suitable for Cinderella herself, one might easily mistake the events, where Catholic children receive the Eucharist for the first time, for weddings. In addition to marking the important rite of passage of receiving the body and blood of Christ for the first time, a child's First Holy Communion appears to be an excuse for parents and loved ones to throw an unforgettable bash to remember the occasion. One young woman employed the help of hair stylist Tori Boylan, who describes herself on her TikTok as a 'pro bridal and party hair specialist', to achieve her jaw-dropping look. The girl from Rathkeale, County Limerick, put on a glittering display in a dramatic white ball gown, white sash, floor-length veil and net gloves. She finished off her look with glamorous makeup, complete with a pink blusher and matching lipstick. Her look isn't one-of-a-kind, and another bridal specialist, @kimsqueenstyles, worked with a duo of girls called Sofia and Vallerina to mark their First Holy Communion in a similar fashion. Kim shared an image of one of the young girls stood on the stage, which featured a balloon arch and a LED light up cross, mirroring an engagement pose, as a man, presumably her father, knelt down on one knee with her hand in his for a photograph. Prior to the event, Sofia and Vallerina posed on the stage in silk white robes before changing into their elaborate gowns. Both of them opted for similar hair and makeup styles, which included glowing, bronzed faces, and their hair up to ensure the focus was on their dazzling gold and pearl tiaras. Elsewhere, a different young lady appeared to have trumped the others when it comes to having the most dramatic First Holy Communion entrance. TikTok account @royalbridalweddings shared a clip of a girl, dressed in an elegant princess dress and holding a silver wand, arriving at her First Holy Communion in a magical white carriage with her family. She was helped in and out of the carriage by presumably her mother, who also dressed in white for the happy occasion. And it was no easy feat, with her mother and other guests throwing the flowing material from the girl's dress into the carriage before they could set off to their destination. Meanwhile, another girl called Savanna looked equally as elegant as she donned a long-sleeved white glittering gown for her special day. The same TikTok account shared a short clip of the girl posing and swishing around in her dress, enjoying time at home before setting off to the venue. @toriboylan95 MY RATHKEALE COMMUNION GIRL TODAY SANTANA 🤍✨🤍✨ HAIRSTYLIST TORIBOYLAN94 ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOW ME 🤍✨🤍✨ MAKEUP @Melanie Meade ♬ original sound - Tori Boylan Elsewhere, another called Annie added a white umbrella to complete her glamorous look. Annie had a stylist spritzing perfume in her hair before she walked outside of her home, which was decorated with a white carpet rolled out for her to step out onto. 'Here is Annie', @kimsqueenstyles wrote alongside the footage of the young girl on her special day. One dress was clearly not enough for her, and Annie later changed into a stunning after-party dress made from gathered white material. In a different post, Kim shared footage of another event she worked on for a young girl called Juliet, who sat posing on a floral embellished swing in the sunshine for photographs. Later on, the swing appeared to move inside as Juliet posed by what appeared to be the same swing under the neon lights of the after party. Meanwhile, Nicole Mcadorey from Belfast shared footage of her daughter posing in her white dress before her First Holy Communion. 'We have waited forever for this day - my little darling's First Holy Communion,' Nicole wrote alongside the clip of her daughter. It's not just elaborate gowns and fancy decorations that families have splashed out on for their children's communions, but also lavish cakes. One young girl called Nellie enjoyed a stunning three-tiered cake, complete with white frosting and pink icing flowers designed by White Blossom Bakes. Meanwhile, another event planner called Andrea Shillingford, who goes by Extravagant Travellers Events, shared images of another three-tiered cake draped in flowers for a young girl called Rosie. Rosie appeared delighted as she posed on the marble dancefloor, which was inscribed with the words, 'Rosie's Holy Communion'. It comes after a bride who tied the knot in lavish style at The Dorchester has pulled off what appears to be the UK's most expensive Traveller wedding to date. Louise Durant, 21, and Billy Maguire, 22, celebrated their union in a winter wonderland wedding at the luxurious Mayfair hotel - where room hire can start at £10,000 - surrounded by 350 guests. The bride, whose family is from the Traveller community, said the festive nuptials - which took place in December - were 'more than a dream come true'. 'It was beyond my wildest imaginations,' she told MailOnline. 'The day started amazingly and just got better and better. It was perfect.' The family had been saving for two years, and indeed no expense was spared to create the perfect magical occasion. Louise's parents couldn't confirm how much exactly the wedding set them back, but said it was well over £100,000 - and didn't baulk when figures of around £250,000 were mentioned. Those in attendance at the five-star venue on Park Lane - which has been visited by the likes of David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor - were treated to glittering décor with flowers as white as snow, festive candles, icy blue lighting and an elegantly trimmed Christmas tree. The azure dancefloor, which featured a glitzy disco ball gave the illusion of an ice rink for the happy couple to enjoy dancing on, while each table was adorned with snow globes and Christmas cracker party favours containing Bible verses. Friends and family compared the beaming bride to a 'princess', who was the image of glamour in a structured ivory gown, while followers on social media likened the celebrations to a ' royal wedding '. Louise, 21, and Billy, 22, live in Yorkshire and had been together for four years before deciding to tie the knot. Festivities on December 14 kicked off with a bang as four ex-London double decker buses picked up guests from their hotel, the Hilton on Park Lane, at 11.30am and took them all to St John's Church in Hyde Park. Louise's dress - by Eleni Bridal Couture of North London - featured a corset-style bodice embroidered with lace detailing, which fanned out into a sweeping skirt, and long sleeves which puffed at the shoulders. The bride and her 12 bridesmaids were taken there in a horse-drawn carriage from The Dorchester. She entered the church with music from the London Fanfare Trumpets who had dressed for the ceremony to look like Coldstream Guards. The service was an hour, and then guests were taken to The Dorchester for the wedding breakfast and the evening service. Starters was a mushroom soup with pastry on top, while the main featured a festive Christmas turkey dinner. To finish up, desert was sticky toffee pudding with the couple's initials and the date of the wedding written in chocolate sauce. Each table was adorned with snow globes containing photos of Billy and Louise, white shortbread biscuits in the shape of a dove, and Christmas crackers which contained a verse from bible and a chocolate in. The evening ceremony was in The Dorchester's ballroom and ran until 1am - and Louise and Billy's first dance was Ain't Nobody by US funk band Rufus and Chaka Khan. Music was provided by The Function Band and DJ Andrea Shillingford. One of the guests - Belsie Connors, who regularly sings at Traveller fairs and events - also sang for the occasion. Louise and Billy - who work for the family's holiday and lettings business - stayed at The Dorchester until December 16 and then embarked on a three and a half week honeymoon to Barbados, Orlando and New York. 'We had family from all corners of the UK, it was brilliant to see everyone. I had the best bridesmaids,' the bride gushed. 'The staff at the Dorchester were incredible, they helped make our big day all the more memorable. 'These are memories that will last a lifetime.' Her mother Vicky Morrison, who lives with relatives on a gated compound made up of five static homes near the village of Bagworth in Leicestershire, said the whole family 'chipped in' to make the couple's dream wedding come to life.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aisling Bea gasps 'that's hard to hear' as she confronts 'shameful' family history on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?
Aisling Bea gasps 'that's hard to hear' as she confronts her 'shameful' family history on Tuesday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Today's (Tuesday 20 May) instalment of the BBC show, which sees celebrities explore their heritage, will see the actress look through some historical documents during a meet up in County Limerick with historian Dr Richard McMahon. Richard opens up to the comedian, from Kildare, Ireland, about her great-grandmother Martha Sheehy and her time during the great famine. However he could find records from the early 1850s which gave him a sense of position that she was in at the time. Aisling says: 'Before famine 40 acers in area of court, then her estate in Ballycannon she had 115 acres post famine...' Richard tells her: 'The family have a larger farm by the end of the famine then they had pre famine Ireland. Today's (Tuesday 20 May) instalment of the BBC show, which sees celebrities explore their heritage, will see the actress look through some historical documents during a meet up in County Limerick with historian Dr Richard McMahon 'So during this devastating period in Irish history, which would have such a long terrible legacy for all of us afterwards, how does someone come to have more land if owned than renting so soon after the famine?' Aisling asks him. Richard explains: 'During the famine landlords would have evicted 100,000s of people off the land and when they are moved of the land, the land is taken over by farmers like your great great great grandmother Martha.' Aisling tries to wrap her head around it and replies: 'So while she might not be evicting them, she maybe using it as an opportune moment.' 'Some people got larger farms on the back of people getting moved off the land,' Richard tells her. Aisling brutally says: 'That is hard to hear. I'll be honest. 'Having spent all our childhood learning about the Irish famine in our history classes, anyone who, any terrible situation profited... 'It does make me feel a little bit shameful to be honest.' The current series of Who Do You Think You Are? has been an emotional one. Richard opens up to the comedian, from Kildare, Ireland, about her great-grandmother Martha Sheehy and her time during the great famine Last week Layton Williams broke down in tears after learning the 'awful' truth about his enslaved ancestors. He grew up in Bury, Manchester, with his mum and three siblings, but his dad - who was born in Bury - also has Jamaican roots, and wanted to find out more. Speaking about what he found out at the end of the instalment, Layton said: 'I'm feeling a mixture of feelings, like a bag of feelings. 'When you're a person of colour, you always know that is probably the eventuality. But when you actually have it all spelt out to you that your family would have, you know, been enslaved, quite frankly... 'To actually think about it and to really know their names, and know that they were children growing up in it, there's so much black power in that. 'And I don't think I've been like, really, really proud of being, like, a person of colour. 'And really, like leaning into "I'm a beautiful black man and I'm proud to have come from people who went through that, but kind of came through the other side..." 'Now I'm going to cry.' The actor, 30 - who took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 - appeared on the latest episode of the much-loved BBC show Fighting back the tears, Layton continued: 'It's really, it's really beautiful and it's important that we don't' forget because it's real and it happened, and it was sad. 'And I'm sure it was awful, but we made it here. And my family is like, actually, they're bonkers. 'But they're amazing. And there's so many of us. 'And I really, really hope that whatever they went through, like we were kind of worth it, you know?' 'So yeah, I will look back at this experience for sure and be really happy. 'I'm really proud of the family that came before me.' The week before Ross Kemp broke down as he unearthed a family secret that he spent his whole life questioning. The 22nd series of Who Do You Think You Are returned to our screens in April. The likes of Andrew Garfield, Diane Morgan, Mushal Husian, Ross Kemp, Aisling Bea, Will Young, Fred Siriex and Layton Williams explore their family history. Simon Young, BBC Head of History, said of the new series: 'The stellar line-up this year is a real treat for our audiences. 'But so is the history, from the shock of a royal ancestor to epic stories of survival. 'And that's why this series endures, because it hints at the amazing family micro-histories that make all of us who we are.' Colette Flight, Executive Producer for Wall to Wall Media, added: 'Spanning centuries and travelling the globe, Who Do You Think You Are? is back. 'With eight much-loved celebrities to entertain and captivate us as they delve into their family histories. 'As they discover their ancestors' adventures, triumphs, trials and tribulations, their rich family stories reveal incredible snapshots of history. 'Including one of the greatest villains of Medieval England, the evacuation at Dunkirk, rescuing art looted by the Nazis, and the birth of American Independence.'
