Latest news with #Cullen
Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Edinburgh's 'best pubs' named this summer as 19th century bar tops list
The top drinking venues in the Scottish capital have been crowned. The "best pubs" in Edinburgh have been named, with well-loved drinking venues singled out on a new list published by The Times. Edinburgh is known across the UK and beyond for its historic pubs. The Scottish capital is home to bars that date back hundreds of years. On Thursday, July 24, The Times shared a roundup of eight of the top pubs across the city. Beloved and renowned venues from all over Edinburgh were included. Coming in at number one on The Times' list is Café Royal. The Victorian bar is situated on West Register Street, just off of the city's iconic Princes Street. Café Royal is a grand bar and oyster restaurant that is renowned for its real ales and fresh seafood. The pub dates back to 1893, and features opulent Victorian interiors. Visitors to Café Royal can enjoy a curated selection of beers and continental lagers, as well as various wines, spirits, and cocktails. In terms of food, the pub offers up dishes such as fish and chips, steak, and Cullen skink. The Times wrote: "Victorian gin palaces were often considered gaudy and brash, especially by those who thought they were too good to drink in them. Really they were intended as palatial spaces that made for a heightened drinking experience but would still feel welcoming to casual visitors. The Café Royal, built in 1863, pulls off that difficult feat. "The oval central bar evokes top Manhattan hotels, but images of notable Scottish historical figures in stained glass and tall paintings never let you forget you're in Edinburgh. I'm not sure anywhere else could achieve this balance of grandeur and approachability." Meanwhile following behind at number two on the newspaper's roundup is The Royal Dick. The pub is located within the courtyard of Edinburgh's multi-arts venue Summerhall. The Royal Dick was once Edinburgh's vet school, with many nods to its heritage inside. Featuring one of Edinburgh's biggest beer gardens, the venue is a popular spot to enjoy some food or drink before or after a show at the Edinburgh Fringe in August. The newspaper stated: "Theatre cafés are rarely memorable but the Dick, while being clean and modern, also pays homage to its history, with animal bones and lab apparatus among the many interesting specimens and artefacts around walls. A relaxed yet stimulating place, it is of course six deep at the bar during the festival. "But it's worth timing a visit for when the show before the one you're planning to see has just started." Elsewhere, coming in at number three on The Times' list is The Abbotsford. The pub is located on Rose Street in the centre of the city. The Abbotsford is known for its lavish decoration and original island bar carved from Spanish mahogany. The Edwardian venue is home to both a pub and restaurant, the latter of which serves up traditional dishes such as haggis, neeps and tatties and steak and ale pie. The Times singled out The Abbotsford for its whisky selection and "beautifully corniced ceiling". The newspaper recommended that visitors follow the "local tradition" of ordering a dram and a half-pint at the bar. The full list of "eight of the best pubs in Edinburgh" can be found on The Times website.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Keating strikes late as Na Piarsaigh end wait for championship victory
Na Piarsaigh recorded their first championship football victory since 2021 when they struck late to edge Kinsale in a thrilling Group 2 encounter in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork PJFC in Ballymah on Saturday. Kinsale seemed to be set for victory when they led by 2-13 to 1-14 going into injury time, but a late, late goal from Alan Keating helped the northsiders snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Keating also contributed 0-4 to the cause while Keith Buckley hit Kinsale for 0-5, Michael Sheehan struck 1-1 and Sean Downey clipped 0-2. Kinsale will take heart from the 0-7 that their talisman, Brian Coughlan, kicked while two goals from Michael Murphy and 0-2 from James Murphy also helped put them into pole position. They will play Cullen in four weeks' time, with the Duhallow club sitting atop of the group thanks to their 2-18 to 0-13 win over Cobh in Mourneabbey on Friday. Luke Murphy was in imperious form for Cullen, as he kicked 0-8, including two two-pointers. Aaron Nolan helped himself to 1-2, Michael Twomey grabbed the other goal while Colin Walsh and Colin O'Leary both hit Cobh for 0-3. Buttevant signaled their intent in Group 3 with a 2-17 to 1-12 win over Glenville in Ballyhooley. Mark Lenehan was their scorer in chief with 0-7, David Hanlon clipped 0-5, Conor Hanlon helped himself to 1-2 while Aaron Horgan raised their other green flag. Colin O'Keeffe hit 1-1 for Glenville in a game that was closer than the result suggests, while Josh Cooke clipped 0-3 with Ciarán O'Leary and Callum O'Mahony both registering 0-2. Inniscarra marked their arrival to the competition with a 2-12 to 0-12 win over Millstreet in Donoughmore on Saturday night. Last year's JAFC winners proved that goals win matches with Cork hurling star, Seán O'Donoghue, and Stephen Dornan landing the crucial majors. Millstreet were overly reliant on the significant talents of Darragh Cashman, who kicked all but two points of their total. In Group 1, St Nicks and Ballydesmond played out a sensational 4-9 to 0-21 draw in Glantane on Sunday. Diarmuid Wall, Eoin O'Leary, Jake Brosnan and a penalty from Jack O'Sullivan raised the green flags for Nicks, but Ballydesmond stayed in touch thanks to a sensational 0-17 haul from the great Donncha O'Connor, including four two-pointers. His final score of the game put his side a point up deep into injury time, but St Nicks 'keeper, Ross Cronin, slotted over the equalizer. Canovee top Group 1 as a result of their 2-21 to 1-11 win over Urhan in Dunmanway. Conor Dodd and Sean O'Connor scored the goals for last year's beaten finalists, while Jack Kelleher top-scored with 0-10 and Aidan Moynihan clipped 0-5.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
TV – Piper Alpha documentary series announced
It was the world's worst offshore oil disaster, which claimed the lives of 167 people. Now a new BBC documentary series promises to give 'the fullest account yet' of the Piper Alpha disaster and its aftermath. The disaster occurred at 10pm on 6 July 1988, when a series of explosions ripped through one of the North Sea's flagship oil platforms, 120 miles off the coast of Aberdeen. The tragedy claimed the lives of 167 people as flames engulfed the platform, with only 61 survivors. Now, 37 years later, The Piper Alpha Disaster, from BBC Studios for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer will revisit the events of that night and the months that followed to reveal 'a bigger, untold story'. The three hour-long episodes will explore the rush for North Sea 'black gold', the working families shattered by the tragedy and its legacy on industry and individuals for decades afterwards. Piper Alpha was the most productive oil rig in the North Sea. In 1979 it was converted to also send gas back to shore. An explosion occurred when an out of service condensate pump was started after its pressure valve had been removed for a routine examination. Within four hours the platform was destroyed. A Public Inquiry led by Lord Cullen would later reveal a flawed safety culture within the main US owned operator, Occidental and in the North Sea more widely. It made 106 recommendations for offshore oil safety, but no criminal charges were brought. Piper Alpha was the last major oil rig disaster in the North Sea. At the heart of the series will be the unique and compelling testimony heard in the Cullen Inquiry, from men who survived the disaster, whose words, revoiced by actors, tell a remarkable human story of tragedy, heroism and an uncompromising quest for the truth. The films will also feature interviews with the 'unheard voices' – wives, partners and children whose lives were changed forever, and medics, lawyers and journalists who were caught up in the disaster – to reveal an in-depth picture of the tragedy, the forces behind it and its far-reaching aftermath. A spokesperson for the BBC said described the series as 'an emotional retelling of an unforgettable event with resonances that remain'. They continued: 'This is the story of working families, of terrible failures of safety and of a community devastated by loss. It reveals how the oil boom of the 80s transformed entire communities with new lucrative work opportunities, whilst also putting them at deadly risk.' Emma Hindley, Commissioning Editor, BBC Studios Specialist Factual, said: 'This series takes a timely and contemporary view on the UK's worst oil disaster. 'Told from the point of view of the men who were there at the time, their relatives and loved ones, the journalists who reported on it and experts from the inquiry, it gives a visceral, dramatic account of the event itself as well as the effects on the community and the industry worldwide.' Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, said: 'The Piper Alpha disaster had a huge impact on communities in the Northeast of Scotland and beyond. 'The series will tell this tragic story sensitively and comprehensively, drawing on new interviews and on the detailed testimonies of the Cullen inquiry. 'Over three episodes the series will give the fullest account yet of what went wrong and how the impact of the tragedy continues to affect survivors, relatives, and the industry.' BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions is a bespoke unit making premium output in the history, arts, music, and culture space. Recent titles include the Grierson Award winning Inside Our Autistic Minds with Chris Packham; the RTS-winning Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World with Public Enemy's Chuck D; travelogue Tucci in Italy; and Cold War thriller Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Game. Like this: Like Related
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dramatic detail revealed in Adrian Portelli's move to Channel Seven amid feud with The Block's Scott Cam
A glaring detail has emerged following Adrian Portelli announced his new Channel Seven renovation show. The former 'Block Billionaire', 36, revealed this week he would be co-starring in a new reality show for the network – My Reno Rules. Not only will the show be Portelli's first foray into the world of television hosting, it will also see him at the same network as former Channel Nine journalist Alex Cullen. The Today show reporter was sacked by Nine after he accepted a $50,000 gift from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli for calling him 'McLaren Man' live on air. Now the pair will be reunited, with Cullen revealing this week that he will be making a return to the small screen on 7News. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'After everything went down [at Nine this year], Seven were one of the first on the phone to say: 'You have our support, and if you want to come back, we're a phone call away",' he told Confidential. 'I can't tell you how much that meant to me and my family,' he told the publication. 'It's not very nice being the story,' he said, adding: 'It's better telling the story.' Further, The Australian reported this week that Cullen was touted to appear on Portelli's upcoming reality show. Network sources confirmed to the publication that Seven was looking at casting the reporter on the series, although nothing has been 'locked in'. In another surprising twist, reported on Friday that Portelli's controversial rewards club company LMCT+ will be the major sponsor for the reality show. It was also reported that Portelli has donated the two homes that will feature in the debut series. It comes after Portelli and Cullen's social media exchange made national headlines and ultimately led to Cullen's departure from Nine. After putting the reward call out on social media, The Block entrepreneur then posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of $50,000 to the presenter on Instagram. The ill-advised stunt led to Cullen being suspended by Nine, and he did not appear on the show while the network investigated the payment. Nine's parting of ways with Cullen went ahead despite Portelli's claim that the money was always meant for charity. Portelli, who has spent millions of dollars snapping up houses over the last three seasons, shared a post to social media on Thursday revealing he was leaving the Channel Nine series for good. 'Bet my high school teachers never thought… I'D HAVE MY OWN TV SHOW ON Channel Seven,' he wrote alongside a promotional photo of him and Dr Chris Brown. 'The Reno games looking a little dusty. Time for a fresh coat. The gloves are off. My Reno Rules - Coming to Seven.' Seven recently announced the brand-new home renovation series, My Reno Rules, produced by MasterChef Australia creators Endemol Shine. The show will feature four teams of renovators competing on two neighbouring rundown houses in Melbourne. The teams are competing for a huge prize, with a live grand finale awarding two fully renovated and furnished properties. It comes after The Block's Scott Cam sent a warning to billionaire businessman Adrian Portelli ahead of the Nine reality juggernaut's 2026 season premiere. Cam begged Portelli not to attend this year's auction to give others a chance to own a home. 'To be honest we said to Adrian "we'd love you not to come next year, if that's all right." But you know it's up to him it's a public auction and he can do whatever he wants,' he revealed on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie. 'He said he won't come but he may. We don't know, but we do want to give mums and dads the opportunity to have a crack at a block house. 'If Adrian comes and wants to buy the lot of them, well, that rules them out,' Scott said. 'Hopefully we get, a few buyer advocates that come and are representing families. So hopefully they turn up and have a bit of a crack this year.' During the 2024 finale of The Block, Portelli made history by purchasing all five of the properties for a huge $15million. He ensured Maddy and Charlotte Harry became the youngest-ever winners when he bought their home for $3.5million. Portelli's company, LMCT+, has frequently raffled off properties from The Block, including last year's $5million purchase of Steph and Gian's winning home.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Wicklow woman (22) banned from keeping animals for 30 years
Sarah Cullen (22) with an address at Asgard Close, Arklow, Co Wicklow, entered guilty pleas at Arklow District Court yesterday to a total of four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including one of obstructing an authorised officer. Judge David Kennedy imposed a 30-year disqualification from keeping all animals, a nominal €500 fine, and ordered that Ms Cullen pay €2,620.35 in ISPCA costs. The court heard evidence from ISPCA chief inspector Conor Dowling yesterday, who described how he called at the defendant's home on April 9, 2024, which was in response to a report received from a concerned member of the public. Mr Dowling spoke with Ms Cullen, who brought two dogs to the front door: a back and white Collie named Sky and a six-month-old Golden Retriever pup named Romeo. Inspector Dowling said he could immediately see that both dogs were in poor condition and told how he picked up the Collie and was alarmed at how light she was. He said he could feel every bone in her body and described her as "a bag of bones". The inspector made the decision that he was going to bring both dogs for veterinary assessment and would seize them if necessary. While he loaded the Collie into his vehicle, the accused brought the Retriever pup into the house and would not permit the inspector access to it. The court heard that Mr Dowling advised the defendant that he would seek a search warrant to gain access to the dog if necessary. He said she seemed more concerned about who had made the report and said that she wanted to make a complaint about the officer. Mr Dowling told how he gave the accused a business card and advised how she could go about making a complaint, adding that, as he left the property, Ms Cullen said: 'I'll have your job you f***ing c***'. ADVERTISEMENT Collie Sky was taken to a local vet, where she was found to weigh just 7.5kg, but veterinary records showed that she had been presented for vaccination two years prior, at which time she was almost double that weight, at 14.8kg. The vet assigned her a body condition score of one out of five and described her as 'skin and bone'. The court heard how Inspector Dowling obtained a search warrant the following morning, on April 10, and returned to Asgard Close accompanied by gardaí. Contact was made with the defendant, and it was established that she and the Retriever pup Romeo were at her sister's home. Therefore, the officials went to that address and the second dog was seized. Inspector Dowling said that the pup's belly appeared swollen, and he formed the opinion that he had been fed a lot since the previous day. He said the pup vomited during the journey to the vets, producing a large volume of barely digested dog food. The court heard that during the veterinary examination, Romeo was found to weigh 13.5kg, while the vet records showed that he had lost 2.9kg in the previous 11 weeks despite being a growing pup. The vet noted muscle wastage on the back legs of the dog, and said that the dog should weigh over 20kg, describing him as 'skin and bone'. Mr Dowling told of how he later conducted an interview under caution with the defendant, during which she offered no real explanation for the condition of the dogs. She claimed that Sky was a picky eater and acknowledged that she had noticed they were losing weight, but claimed not to think it was as severe as it was. The court heard that both dogs increased in weight over the following three weeks without any medical treatment. Sky almost doubled in weight, increasing from 7.5kg back to her previous weight of 14.8kg, and Romeo gained 25pc of his initial weight, from 13.5kg to 18kg. Both dogs recovered fully and were later surrendered and rehomed. Under cross-examination, Inspector Dowling confirmed that, other than the poor physical condition, there were no other signs of neglect or abuse. When asked by Judge David Kennedy whether the dog's coats were dirty, suggesting that they had been living in a poor environment, the inspector told the Judge that that was not the case. In mitigation, the defendant's history of depression and anxiety disorders was highlighted, as well as her difficult upbringing. The court heard that she 'panicked' when the ISPCA inspector arrived and that she was 'sorry for her behaviour'. On passing sentence, Judge Kennedy wondered 'how it got so bad' and said that he would have thought that the defendant's family "would have been some guidance'. Mr Dowling said that the "poor physical condition of Sky in particular was really concerning". "For a dog to be half of its ideal body weight is exceptional. I'm relieved that I got there in time because I'm not sure how much longer she would have gone on for," he said. "Romeo's future development could have been severely compromised from being deprived of nutrition at such a young age. "Thankfully, due to the wonderful work of our animal care staff, both have recovered fully and are enjoying life in their new homes," he added.
