Latest news with #DonalSkehan
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Bord Bia Bloom: Sustainability is a winner at this year's festival
Gardens highlighting the importance of recycling, repurposing, and the circular economy scooped two of the top prizes at this year's Bord Bia Bloom. All of the 21 show gardens showcased at this year's festival, which kicked off at Dublin's Phoenix Park from Thursday, were designed to incorporate environmental measures and with sustainability in mind. However, the competition's judges said the Repak Most Sorted Garden, which secured the large garden category award, and the medium garden category winner, the European Commission's 'Renewed Blooms' Garden, conveyed "particularly strong sustainability messages for visitors to take home". TV host and food writer Donal Skehan and sustainable living advocate Eimear Hutchinson at the Repak Most Sorted Garden which won the large garden category at Bord Bia Bloom 2025. Picture: Fintan Clarke/Creative Coalesce The judges said David Purdy's winning design in the former category showed that waste "is not an inevitability but a design flaw; one that can be solved through thoughtful recycling and regeneration". They also said that the design by David Negus in the latter category, embodied "EU circular economy principles by repurposing materials and blending nature with human-made elements". Percussionists Patrick Lynch and Caitriona Frost with artist 'Decoy' at the European Commission's Renewed Blooms garden which won the medium garden category at Bord Bia Bloom. Picture: Chris Bellew/Fennell The top award in the small garden category went to the Pot Gallery Garden and its designer Alan Rudden which, the judges said, demonstrated how "freestanding and vertical pots can green spaces such as terraces, roofs or balconies". The overall concept garden winner was the Rainbow Brick Balcony Garden, designed by Limerick artist Gary Kirwan as a tribute to Lego. Designer Gary Kirwan from Limerick won the overall concept garden category at Bloom 2025 with his Rainbow Brick Balcony Garden, a tribute to Lego. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins The judges described this garden, constructed from over 800,000 individual pieces over a period of eight weeks as, "playful and unique". The garden itself will be reused at family-oriented events run by Brick Shows Ireland around the country in the coming weeks and months. A total of 19 medals, including eight gold medals, were awarded to show gardens in advance of the official opening of opening of the event by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina on Thursday. Festival-goers take cover as the rain pours down on the opening day of the 2025 Bord Bia Bloom at the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Commenting on the standard of this year's designs, chief garden judge, Andrew Wilson, said that each year of the event, "the quality of the show gardens steps up an extra notch". "The judging panel has been delighted by the range of ideas, the creativity, and the quality of the gardens this year," he said. "It's especially great to see sustainable ideas at the fore. We are seeing this with recycling, the choice of planting, and the reuse and repurposing of materials throughout the gardens." Future farmers Trish Halpin from Knocklong NS, Co Limerick and Emily Lambes, from St Patricks NS, Ballinagore, Co Westmeath, at the National Dairy Council garden at Bord Bia Bloom in the Phoenix Park. Picture: Robbie Reynolds Mr Wilson added that any visitors to this year's event would be "guaranteed to get some great ideas to take home". Bord Bia chief executive Jim O'Toole congratulated all the medal winners whose creativity and expertise, he said, had been "justly rewarded". "Now the public can appreciate their inspiring horticulture displays over the next five days. We have an action-packed schedule ahead with something for everyone, including over 300 performances and demonstrations across seven stages," he added. President Michael D Higgins presented 19 medals including eight gold medals on the opening day of Bord Bia Bloom at the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Now in its 19th year, the festival continues across the June weekend until the bank holiday Monday. "Visitors can pick-up gardening tips and tricks, advice on sustainable living; and try the best of Irish food and drink.' More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this year's Bord Bia Bloom festival, which concludes on Monday, June 2.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Donal Skehan's firm response when asked about having more children
Donal Skehan has given a very definite response to whether or not he plans to expand his family. The TV chef is a doting dad to Noah, six and Oliver, four, who he shares with his longtime love Sofie Larsson. While answering questions from fans in an Instagram Q&A, Donal hilariously responded when asked if he planned to have any more children. Donal Skehan has given a very definite response to whether or not he plans to expand his family. Pic: Instagram 'Will you and your wife want more kids?' the follower asked, with Donal motioning his hand back and forth across his throat in a 'shut up' motion. Well, safe to say that's the end of that conversation. In another clip, Donal opened up about relocating to Ireland with his little ones, with one fan asking: 'How did you cope with relocating back to Ireland? We just moved with 3 kids. It's hard.' The TV chef is a doting dad to Noah, six and Oliver, four, who he shares with his longtime love Sofie Larsson. Pic: Instagram 'There is definitely this period of time, especially after we moved back from LA, because we were in Covid as well, it was really, really hard to find new routines and rhythms and feel like you're part of it. 'But when the kids were kind of into school that really started to bring things back. But it's hard and there's a part of you, you leave behind in the place that you've lived and it's really hard to get that up and running.' Discussing their life stateside, he added: 'I do remember, now not so much, but like certainly in the first two years, it was that really weird feeling of like, you knew there was this other life that you had elsewhere. But slowly, slowly, slowly, you find life again.' While answering questions from fans in an Instagram Q&A, Donal hilariously responded when asked if he planned to have any more children. Pic: Instagram In a Q&A last year, one of his Instagram followers asked him: 'How [does] it feel to be a father' and Donal opened up about about fatherhood. He wrote: 'Easily the hardest and most challenging thing I've ever had to do. Juggling all of what we did before with the demands of parenthood will never not be a shock to the system.' However, it seems that it's all worth it in the end, as he concluded: 'But most definitely the most unconditional love I've ever felt.'
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Notions and necessities: From the Cork Carnival of Science to a jumped-up jumpsuit, it's all here
STEM in action The Cork Carnival of Science will take place in Fitzgerald Park next month over two days, from June 7-8. Ireland's largest outdoor STEM festival includes live science shows, experiments and workshops, exhibitions of science in action, STEM challenges, and nature-focused activities, as well as food stalls and picnic areas. LH For more see NECESSITY Little light of mine Pamalam candles are handcrafted in Dublin 8 using coconut and rapeseed waxes, which are not only more sustainable than traditional waxes, but longer, cleaner and promise a more pure fragrance experience. They come in 10 scent options, including Coconut and Lime, Jasmine and Musk and Tobacco and Oak, and these three are available as reed diffusers. SC Pamalam candles, €20,€35; diffusers, €28, available in selected homeware, flower shops and pharmacies nationwide, NOTION La dolce vita There's a day for everything now, and tomorrow, May 19, is Disaronno Day, a celebration of a classic, 500-year-old liqueur from Lombardy. Sure why not? Beloved for its distinctive almond taste – though it does not contain almonds – feel free to toast this tipple on the rocks, mixed with ginger ale or as an Irish-Italian coffee. It would be rude not to. SC RRP €26, available nationwide NOTION Blooming lovely Bord Bia Bloom is taking place May 29-June 2, with a line up that includes Donal Skehan, Holly White, Diarmuid Gavin, Neven Maguire (above) and Adam Frost. Now in its nineteenth year, the event will feature 20 new show gardens, talks, demos and performances. There will also be interactive workshops at the Budding Bloomers Children's Area. LH Tickets are €30 for adults, €25 for seniors/students and two children (aged 16 and under) go free with each adult ticket purchased. See NECESSITY Jumped up This white denim jumpsuit, €355, is our favourite piece from Irish designer Helen McAlinden's spring/summer collection, which is full of relaxed tailoring for your summer work wardrobe in a palette of olive green, sky blue and khaki, and some more romantic polka-dot pieces - a dress, and wide legged pants - in a brown and cream polka dot inspired by Pretty Woman. LH The SS25 collection is available in-store at No.19 Drury Street, Arnotts Henry Street, and Harvey Nichols. Also available online at Brown Thomas, and Arnotts online, Wolf & Badger, Zalando. NOTION Blanket coverage Inspired by the paintings of Mark Rothko, this 40Shades of Green blanket is the result of a collaboration between artist Ellie Dunne, sixth-generation weavers Molloy & Sons and The Galway Wool Co-op, with heritage wool from their pedigree sheep. Dunne, who is a young adult with Down syndrome and a student at the RHA in Dublin, has previously made bespoke blankets for the Merrion Hotel and a throw in support of Ukraine. She takes her feel for colour and texture to the next level with this new creation, which speaks of the Irish landscape, grass, gorse and even fields of sheep. SC 140x18cm blanket, €675, The Irish Design Shop, D2; Nordic Elements, Blackrock, Co Dublin; NOTION The female gaze The Women Artists Action Group (1987-1991), founded in Clonmel, was a collaboration of women artists, art historians, and professionals working in the arts. including Pauline Cummins, Alice Maher (above), Louise Walsh, Una Walker and Patricia Hurl. The aim was to highlight the work of female artists, and to organise exhibitions and publications. It went on to become part of the International Association of Women in the Arts. (IAWA). WAGG- an archive, is an exhibition of material on loan from the National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) at NCAD, now taking place in South Tipperary Arts Centre until 21st June. LH
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty takes cheeky swipe as Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt is replaced in huge shake-up
BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty was quick to take a cheeky swipe after learning Matt Tebbutt had been replaced as Saturday Kitchen host. On the BBC news show's crossover to the foodie extravaganza, she chatted to stand-in Donal Skehan, who was in charge of proceedings on the weekly programme instead. 6 6 6 As the Irish food writer and cook, 38, joked how Saturday Kitchen had "got rid" of much-loved frontman Matt, Naga, 50, then added the catty comment: "Well done." A giggling Donal said: "Finally, finally. He'll be thrilled to hear that." He then welcomed Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, 58, onto the series, where she revealed her food heaven was chicken - and watermelon took the accolade of her food hell. BBC Breakfast 's Naga and Matt, 51, are known for exchanging banter on the Saturday Kitchen preview segment - delighting fans with their quips along the way. Previously, Naga took a dig at Matt when they were talking about the spring season. She also a before warning him he was on "dangerous ground" in another episode. Yet the foodie previously got his own back when he called out her "posh" habit. Meanwhile, Matt's life off-camera recently came to life. NEW GIG? It came after The Sun exclusively reported how Matt was tipped to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. The chef and restaurateu r is in advanced talks with the BBC One show's producers and may also be in the running to host spin-off series MasterChef: The Professionals. The Beeb's Saturday morning star is set to step into the role alongside remaining judge Jon Torode. It comes after Gregg announced in November he was stepping away from the job following multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour against him. A TV insider said: 'Matt rose to the challenge of coming into Saturday Kitchen after it was previously hosted by another big name in the world of food, James Martin. 'He managed the feat of making it his own and almost making viewers forget who his predecessor was — now Beeb bosses, and the show producers Banijay, will be hoping he can work the same magic on MasterChef. 'Nothing is set in stone, of course, and the result of investigations into Gregg's behaviour have yet to fully conclude. 'But since MasterChef is such a huge show with a massive following, the Beeb are keen to have everything lined up ready.' 6 6 6
BreakingNews.ie
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Eurovision star Emmy was ‘scared' of Irish judges
Eurovision Song Contest hopeful Emmy Kristiansen has said she was 'scared' of the judges who sent her through to represent Ireland in the competition. The 24-year-old Norwegian singer was voted through as the 2025 Ireland Eurovision representative after performing her song Laika Party – about a dog sent into space by the Russians – on RTÉ's The Late Late Show. Advertisement Samantha Mumba, the Irish actress and singer who appeared in a movie based on HG Wells' The Time Machine of the same name, criticised the judging in February, saying they 'were unnecessarily rude' to the finalists, after she entered with My Way for Basel 2025. Eurovision Song Contest hopeful Emmy Kristiansen will represent Ireland (Andres Poveda/PA) Emmy told the PA news agency: 'I love Samantha, we are good friends, and I feel like … I was also scared of the panel. 'And because we are humans with feelings … we have feelings, even though we put ourselves out there so (if) panels – when music is what we do – make comments, it can be really scary, yeah, because we have feelings.' The Irish panel, made of Donal Skehan, a TV chef, Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian, radio presenter Laura Fox and last year's Irish Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug, who came sixth in Malmö, all suggested that Mumba's work could be elevated. Advertisement Mumba posted that they did not have the 'credentials' to judge, and she stood by her 'art.' Skehan responded that her post was 'entirely understandable in such a high-stakes competition', but defended his background, which included entering the Irish competition and being behind hit singles. RTÉ said that the panel's feedback was done in a 'thoughtful and considered way'. Emmy also said it was 'so crazy hard to believe' that she has gone from being a TikTok star to performing in front of audiences, alongside her brother Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen, aiding her performance. 'It's a huge honour, and we're just so grateful,' she said. Advertisement 'I feel like it's almost an even bigger honour to represent another country. I'm so, so, so grateful and happy for the support of the Irish people. That really means a lot.' She also called the experience a 'childhood dream', shared by her brother, and said she hopes that the song helps move away from the 'really traumatising' true story of Laika. Emmy Kristiansen rehearsing her song with her brother (Corinne Cumming/EBU/PA) Emmy said: 'I'm such a big animal lover, if I see a fly drown, I try to save it. So to hear about a dog that was sent out in space all alone, to die, it just broke my heart, and I wanted to create a scenario where she gets to be happy and alive instead.' The two-year-old dog's flight to space on November 3rd, 1957, paved the way for human space missions, and despite surviving in orbit, she was soon dead. Advertisement Reports at the time said she was euthanised after a week, but conflicting stories after the Soviet collapse claimed Laika apparently died of overheating after only a few hours into her journey outside the Earth's atmosphere. Emmy was asked about the controversies at Eurovision last year, and Bambie accusing organisers of not supporting them over a row with Israel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EMMY🤍 (@emmykgk00) She said: 'I hope that Eurovision can be a place where everyone can feel safe and happy and maybe like an escape from reality, celebrating music, because I used to say that my biggest job as an artist is to bring comfort and happiness to everyone that I can – especially in hard times.' The singer spoke before RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst revealed he has written to the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ask for a 'discussion' on Israel's inclusion amid the war in Gaza. Advertisement The EBU has said it appreciated there are concerns about the 'current conflict in the Middle East' and remains 'in constant contact with those participating this year'. Emmy, who took part in the St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin in March, also said she has 'two goals for Eurovision, and that is to try to do my best and to make Ireland proud'. She also revealed her favourite Irish entry was Jedward, the singing twins John and Edward Grimes, who came eighth in 2011 and 19th in 2012 in the competition. Emmy will perform in the second Eurovision semi-final on May 15th, as she represents Ireland, which has had seven wins at the contest.
