Latest news with #DarraghKane
Extra.ie
05-08-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Popular zoo's wild request has the internet divided
A Danish zoo has asked people over social media if they would consider donating any unwanted pets as food for its predators. Carnivores have to eat, but it's not every day you see a zoo requesting that people hand over their household pets as lion chow. Aalborg Zoo in Denmark are leaning towards that idea, however, as they believe it could be the best use for a pet that a homeowner might be looking to offload in the near future. Danish pets can be donated as food for predators. Pic: Darragh Kane Writing on Facebook, the zoo said: 'Did you know that you can donate smaller pets to Aalborg Zoo? 'Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs make up an important part of the diet of our predators – especially in the European lynx, which needs whole prey, which is reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild. 'In zoos we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals – in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity. 'If you have an animal that has to leave for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us. 'The animals are gently euthanized by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder. That way, nothing goes to waste – and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators.' The zoo's website also gives information on what type of horse they are willing to accept as an animal's dinner. If you're looking to offload a horse, then it must have a passport and have been healthy for the past 30 days. It also must measure at most 147cm at the withers – the ridge between its shoulder blades. Unsurprisingly, the zoo's unconventional idea has sparked mixed reactions across social media. One evidently shocked person wrote: 'A deeply perverse and degrading mindset that is behind this sick invention, which has spread a terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark and this only supports this sad underdevelopment. 'Imagine giving away your pet/animal as fodder, it hardly gets more disrespectful and unworthy than that.' Another agreed: 'A country is only as progressive as the way it treats its animals. – Mahatma Gandhi. Feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable.' A third added: 'This is a joke right, no one would bring his healthy pet to a zoo so they can kill it and feed it to there animals.' However, there were some folks who understood and supported the initiative. A previous donor stated: 'Took a horse to the zoo, a few years ago. It was the quietest and most serene way it went down. 'It was the best experience for both horse and sweet staff who took care of it in the finest way, and grateful for the donation. It could definitely be recommended.' Another shared: 'This is such a fine arrangement.. I have delivered a rabbit to you and it was a super nice and professional experience.' Yet another commented: 'Good initiative rather than being thrown in the trash when they are not cute anymore, or the neighbor is tired of your hens suddenly getting roosters that are noisy and illegal within the city limits.' A couple of others also made light of the situation, with one laughing: 'Can I also donate my healthy but annoying neighbourhood children? Is there an age limit?' After the post gained a lot of traction, the zoo decided to turn off the rest of their comment section. They stated: 'Due to much international interest, we have chosen to close the comments section on this post. We understand that the post awakens feelings and interest, but hateful and malicious rhetoric is not necessary – and we urge you to preserve the good tone. 'We elaborate and are happy to answer questions in the inbox or by email.'
Irish Examiner
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Picture This keep Good Vibrations going at the Marquee
The clouds were rolling in over Cork, but the vibe was all sunshine and lollipops as the crowds ambled towards the iconic Marquee tent for the first of two homecoming gigs from Picture This. Some 20 years ago, Beach Boy Brian Wilson opened the very first Live at the Marquee with his debut Cork show in 2005. On Wednesday, the Athy pop-rockers stepped into that legacy with the first of two sold-out gigs — bringing their signature mix of stadium-sized emotion and small-town charm back to a stage that's helped define their journey. It was a fitting band to keep those Good Vibrations going. Inside the tent, Gen Alpha and Gen Zs in festival fits mingled with Millennials, with a few Gen Xers dotted about — highlighting the multigenerational appeal the band has quietly cultivated since their 2015 viral debut. Picture This first headlined the Marquee in 2017, selling out both nights, and even played a Cork wedding that same summer after a bride-to-be cheekily propositioned them during a fan Q&A. You can't say they're not a band of their word. Crowds screaming as Picture This perform. Picture: Darragh Kane Another sell-out on Thursday, and the atmosphere was electric, the energy dialled up to the max. 'Are you ready for the best night of your lives, Cork?' frontman Ryan Hennessy roared, and is left in no doubt of the answer. Plus the crowd had a brand new floor to stomp their feet on — perhaps a birthday gift? With this tarmac, Mr Aiken, you are spoiling us. Though Picture This are by now regulars on Irish stages, this gig felt more reflective, more celebratory. With their 2023 album Parked Car Conversations still in rotation and rumours of new music in the pipeline, this set played like a love letter to their fans and a flex of their maturing sound. The pacing, the interaction, the stage production, it was all pitch perfect. Not even an impromptu 'Olé Olé Olé' from the crowd threw them off their beat. They kicked off with a soaring 'Act of Innocence', an arms-aloft statement of inte Margo, Jack, James, and Emma Ryan, Tipperary, at the Marquee. Picture: Darragh Kane nt, and from there, the emotional hooks kept coming. The setlist is heavy on fan favourites, with Hennessy working the crowd with his signature mix of sincerity and swagger. He reminisced about other Cork gigs, riffed with the crowd, continuously thankful for the energy in the room and — more than once — seemed genuinely moved by the raptuous reception. It was a high-energy, emotionally engaging experience that bridges the gap between stadium-scale anthems and intimate crowd connection. Ryan Hennessy's vocals were on point, his bopping stage presence magnetic, and the band leaned into the unique closeness the Marquee offers —turning the tent into a sing-along sanctuary. Picture This returns to the Marquee on Thursday night for round two — likely just as loud, loquacious and loved. A band on fire, and so in tune with their fans. Next up on the Marquee calendar: The Coronas and Christy Moore, followed by a change of pace with comedian Dara Ó Briain. It's shaping up to be a summer to sing about in Cork. Wilson would approve. Here's to the next 20.
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Council issues €1.5m tender to manage St Patrick's Day and 'ad hoc' events in Cork City
Cork City Council is set to spend up to €1.5m for event management and security for the annual St Patrick's Day parade through the city. In an invitation to tender, the council said it could also require services for 'ad hoc' events such as commemorations and visits to Cork from VIPs as part of the contract over the coming years. This ad hoc work may include 'festival markets' in the city that may be held, while the contractor will also have to liaise with artists and musicians to perform at the events. However, it stressed that its main requirements and the bulk of the spend will lie with the annual St Patrick's Day parade in March which attracts tens of thousands into the city centre. At the most recent parade, up to 50,000 people turned out with one of the standouts being the inspirational Kabin Crew kids behind the viral hit of 2024 bringing The Spark to the people of Cork. It said: '[It] is the central event of the Cork St. Patrick's Festival weekend that attracts up to 60,000 people to the City and between 3,000 to 3,500 participants in the parade. The Kabin Crew kids leading Cork City's St Patrick's Day parade this year. The council's main requirements and the bulk of the €1.5m spend will lie with the annual parade in March. File photo: Darragh Kane 'Other annual events that the events section may deliver include an event to celebrate the switch on of the Christmas Lights and Cork Christmas Festival. "This framework may be used by other sections of Cork City Council who deliver events such as the Carnival of Science, VIP visits, commemorations, etc, as well as other ad hoc events of various size and scale.' In terms of event management the council will be paying for a supplier to manage the different participant groups in the parade, including collating applications from those who want to be in the parade. It will also need to plan out the parade from start-to-finish, and liaise with services such as the gardaí and fire service while having first-aid and ambulances on standby across the event. Security services will also need to be provided, such as event stewards and supervisors. As well as that, it must also erect barriers for crowd control on Copley Street and Anglesea Street the day before the parade, as well as on South Mall and Merchants Quay on the day itself. The council added that it wanted the supplier to develop 'concepts, identify and source suppliers, negotiate artists fees and advise of feasibility of programme ideas and concepts as they arise in conjunction with Cork City Council'. While the initial contract is for 2026 only, Cork City Council said it may extend it into 2027, 2028 and 2029 also.
Sunday World
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
Young woman running in Cork City Marathon event dies
She was attended to by emergency services at the scene close to the finish line on Cork's Patrick's Street, but later died. A participant taking part in the Cork City Marathon event has died, it has been confirmed. It is understood the runner was a young woman who was running the half-marathon race. She was attended to by emergency services at the scene close to the finish line on Cork's Patrick's Street, but later died. The full marathon commenced at 8.15am in the city centre, while the the half marathon commenced at 10.15am from Monahan Road. A 10k race was also part of the event. Road closures were rolled out across the city to facilitate the race. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: 'Cork City Council is deeply saddened to confirm that a participant in the Cork City Marathon has tragically passed away. "The person was attended to immediately by the emergency services on the scene. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.' Runners starting the Cork City Marathon 2025, a Cork City Council event. Photo: Darragh Kane News in 90 Seconds - June 1st
The Irish Sun
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tragedy as woman, 20s, dies after becoming unwell at finish line of Cork City Marathon as tributes paid to runner
A WOMAN in her 20s has tragically died after taking part in the Cork City Marathon today. The runner, who was taking part in the half-marathon section of race, was close to the finish line on Patrick Street when she suffered a medical emergency. She was attended to by medics at the scene close to the finish line before being rushed by ambulance to Cork University Tragically, the runner was pronounced dead some time later. Her family has now been notified of her death. In a statement issued by the READ MORE IN NEWS "The person was attended to immediately by the emergency services on the scene. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased." Cllr and He wrote: "It is with deep sadness that I heard the passing of a woman in her 20s at the Cork Marathon today. Most read in Irish News "She became unwell at the finish line on Patrick Str. Immediate medical attention was provided to her. "My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones." Thousands of runners across the country and 550 international participants from more than 26 countries took part in the race. The full marathon kicked off at 8:15am in the city centre, while the half marathon commenced two hours later from Monahan Road. Road closures were rolled out across the city to facilitate the busy race. 1 Thousands of runners took part in the Cork City Marathon today Credit: Darragh Kane
