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Dublin Live
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Brit visiting Dublin realises 'best pint of Guinness' costs more than Ryanair flights
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A YouTuber travelled to Dublin to showcase a side of the city 'people don't see' and to visit the 'local spots and backstreets where the real Dubliners drink'. Danny runs the Honest Places YouTube channel that features him frequenting pubs all over the UK and overseas too. And he recently spent just €35 on return flights to Ireland's capital where he was on the hunt for the best Guinness he could find. Despite saying how cheap the Ryanair trip was, he was critical of other prices, and joked that if you could afford to live in Dublin you could afford to live anywhere. He added: 'Accomodation over here is a joke in Dublin – I think it was about 200 quid a night and that's an AirBnB.' He started his video by walking straight through Temple Bar before getting to Mulligan's in Poolbeg Street – a boozer considered to be Dublin's best by many locals. However, he opted for a pint of Beamish that was 'crisp and creamy'. He then started his mission to find the tastiest Guinness, and headed to The Confession Box on Marlborough Street. (Image: Youtube/, Honest Places) Satisfied with his clean glass, he took a sip, and said: 'Oh aye, that is pucker that. That is, oh bloody hell, that is smooth, that might be the winner you know. That was 11 quid by the way, UK pounds.' His pal replied: 'Standard price over here, isn't it?' And Danny, taken aback by the cost, said: '11 quid? Mate, I spent £6.50 in Manchester.' He then, on the recommendation from a Dub he got chatting to, walked over to Cleary's Pub, on the promise that it was the best pint in town. Having a gulp, he concluded: 'It is nice, it is very creamy. It is the creamiest one I have had today. It is smooth that. It is definitely the best one today.' (Image: Youtube/, Honest Places) He scored it a lofty nine-and-a-half out of ten and despite the high score, there was still a tad room for improvement. And this is where the Guinness Storehouse, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Dublin, came in. After touring the brewery, him and his friend finally reached the top floor where people are handed a pint of the black stuff as part of their ticket purchase, and Danny finally found his winner. 'The glass is spotless,' he began. 'Spotless. Good service as well. To be fair, actually, I know it sounds like a bit of a gimmick, but I can't think of much wrong with that. (Image: Getty Images) 'I think it is, I think it might be me, I think that is a ten. I think that is a ten you know. The temperature is right, left to settle, can't fault it, so if you can't fault it, it has to be a ten.' Unfortunately for Danny, that meant this best pint of Guinness in the whole of Dublin set him back €40. He told his 91,700 subscribers: 'If you want to come here, because you should come here if you like Guinness, but the best Guinness you can get is at the Storehouse. But you have to pay €40, you can't just go there for a pint unfortunately. (Image: Youtube/, Honest Places) 'I don't think you can because if you could, everyone would go in there and it would be slammed – so that's the best pint of Guinness. 'The best pint of Guinness where you don't have to pay €40 is a place called Bowe's Bar and you get pretty much good Guinness anywhere.' To watch Darren's video in full where he visits local pubs, you can do so here
Irish Examiner
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Oasis, Abba, Bono and more: What it's like to play in one of Ireland's top tribute acts
For James Bermingham, it was a question of Faith; that, and the other albums. Matt Houlihan has become something of a Super Trouper. Derek Power found what he was looking for, and as for Gavin Fleming, well, he's feeling Supersonic. Is it even better than the real thing? Definitely? Maybe. Just ask some of the members of tribute bands who this weekend — almost every weekend — are playing shows to people up and down the country, and sometimes overseas. According to Gavin Fleming, electrical engineer and marathon runner by day, but who turns into Liam Gallagher at the weekends, 'I know some people look at tribute bands as a bit 'cruise ship', but our fans would say different — I psyche myself up, it's raw, you get into the zone, and the day you lose that, you should give it up'. There's not much chance of that these days, with Live Forever, the Oasis tribute band fronted by Gavin, playing shows to audiences already hyped by the prospect of the real Liam and Noel Gallagher getting back together again and playing a string of mega shows, including two nights in Croke Park this August. The re-formed Mancunians taking to the stage for the first time in more than 15 years has provided a boost to Live Forever, just one of a number of tribute acts who in some peculiar, opaque way, seem to become something beyond a facsimile of another group. Often, the whole enterprise takes on a life of its own. 'I'm a passionate person, to put it mildly,' says Gavin, who is from Dublin. A self-described 'Oasis fanatic', he had no experience of music when he won a karaoke competition in the Swallows pub in his native Clondalkin, which led to him teaming up with Paul, aka Noel, and the other members to hone what they describe as the 'definitive' Oasis experience. And while the band still work regular jobs, it means that every weekend, they are cranking up both the volume and the attitude to appreciative audiences who may even like the odd obscure B-side being dropped into the setlist. 'It's what they represent,' Gavin says of Oasis, sounding like a true believer. 'They are the band that defined an era, they are saying you can still get through this, it's the way out, it's the Irishness, it's that punching the air thing...' YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH James Bermingham as George Michael: 'I'm so passionate about George's music, I fell into the role,' he says. 'It was like a hand in glove.' James Bermingham knows the feeling. Another Dub, he was a taxi driver whose livelihood took a huge hit in the economic crash, ultimately pushing him towards his passion for the work of George Michael. A trained musician, James had been a pop fan since his childhood, but it was the album Faith which propelled his own particular obsession. 'I couldn't get work for love or money so I said I would go back to my first love,' James says of the recession years. 'I gave it a proper go. In 2011, I did my first show, I did the solo circuit in pubs and clubs, from there on in it accelerated, I got better with the feedback. You're programming yourself to be someone. It can be a pseudo science, and I applied those techniques to the tribute thing.' According to Robbie Lee, the Svengali behind James is 'the head off George Michael', yet James himself says that he focused first on the voice, and then later on the appearance, the mannerisms. He even took a kind of method acting approach, finding that on listening to George's old media interviews, if he replicated George's English accent when speaking, it helped with his impressive vocal delivery. 'I'm so passionate about George's music, I fell into the role,' he says. 'It was like a hand in glove.' James Bermingham as George Michael: 'It is a privilege, to replicate someone who has been adored for decades and who is a timeless artist.' Yet that doesn't mean that it did not take a whole pile of work to get to the point where being George Michael is now his full-time profession. As James points out, George had a relatively small back catalogue, even including the Wham! era — 'it was quality over quantity'. It means he had to nail every number so he can mix up the setlist. Evidently, it's working: when we speak, he is gearing up for a main slot at the prestigious summer festival dedicated to George in his home suburb of Goring in London. It surely helps that George's appeal is far from dimming and if anything, is growing among younger fans. 'My eldest daughter is 25, they love the '80s, they are crazy about the '80s,' James says. 'Her old classmates, they love Wham!, Duran Duran ... I'm 51 myself, and there was something magical about the '80s that was probably on a par with the '60s, it was a magical decade.' It might say something that the ever-brilliant RnaG radio show An Taobh Tuathail, presented by Cian Ó'Cíobháin, recently finished its Friday night electronic/club show with the relatively obscure Wham! cut Nothing Looks the Same in the Light. James is delighted with this news. 'What I do when I find myself down and out sometimes is to never take it for granted,' he says. 'It is a privilege, to replicate someone who has been adored for decades and who is a timeless artist.' A PERSONAL WATERLOO Abbaesque, Matt Houlihan as Benny, top left: 'They are amazing songs, they are arranged beautifully. It's not Leonard Cohen or Rage Against The Machine but they are so well crafted." Photo: Gareth Chaney For Matt Houlihan, the story was a little different. 'No, I was not [a fan], I will admit,' he says of Swedish pop legends Abba. Which, given he is Benny in the ultra-successful group Abbaesque, may have proved an issue. 'I had pretensions to be a serious musician back then, I had a future ahead of me of rock stardom and Glastonbury and all that kind of stuff and Abba was not on my radar at all.' Born in England, raised in Clonmel, and a self-declared funk fan, being Benny was initially a bit of a challenge. 'For a few years I didn't like that fact that I was doing it,' he continues. 'I remember being in a bar in New York with my wife-to-be and sitting down talking to this fella and he was all about music and my wife said 'my husband plays music' and I started kicking her leg under the table. "The band was Abbaesque, for whom Matt has played for approximately 25 years. 'I can still remember his name — Ramon. And he said, 'oh man, that's so bad, I feel so bad for you.'' It is safe to say those feelings don't linger these days. 'Now, I love it,' Matt says. 'They are amazing songs, they are arranged beautifully. It's not Leonard Cohen or Rage Against The Machine but they are so well crafted. They're about love and innocence. We get audiences from infant to 90 years old, and the division of the sexes has changed a lot — there are more un-ironic male fans coming to the gigs, and that was never was the case before.' Matt denies he had a Damascene moment where he ultimately embraced his role in what is a hugely successful enterprise, playing in an acclaimed band with its own dedicated following, but he does recall sharing a cigarette outside a club as he turned 50 with another musician. 'I said 'look at me, I'm wearing a wig, putting on high heels, acting like a twat on stage — what the fuck am I doing?' And she said: 'look at you, you're wearing a wig, putting on high heels, you're dancing around a stage for a living... And I said 'you're right'.There are worse ways to make a living.' FINDING WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR Derek Power, in his former role as Bono: 'It takes a lot of work — it goes from really low to really high, it takes a lot of power.' If Derek Power ever sold his soul, it was in the services of U2, more specifically his role as Bono for many years in the Joshua Tree. Now retired from wearing the shades, and happily living in Tenerife, Derek's introduction to U2 was the classic War album, though his favourite is Achtung Baby. 'Bono has a distinctive vocal,' he says of the artist formally known as Paul Hewson. 'It takes a lot of work — it goes from really low to really high, it takes a lot of power.' That range is something he mastered over the years, but he admits that when it comes to emulating Ireland's greatest ever band, there are some downsides. 'Everybody hates Bono,' he says with a laugh. 'Now, if I did it in mainland Europe, I'd make a fortune but in Ireland, it's marmite, people like him or people don't.' Derek met Bono once, and found him to be absolutely charming. Gavin has met Liam, and had a similar encounter. Robbie Lee, who first set up the tribute bands website way back in 1998, is convinced that the musicians are all invested in what they do. He recalls a time when Live Forever were doing a show and Gavin had been preparing for a marathon, meaning his on-stage pint — always more of a prop in any case — was non-alcoholic. 'The publican says, 'you'd know he wasn't drinking.'' Gavin chuckles at this, and adds that Liam himself doesn't drink these days. In fact, Liam is looking and sounding as good as ever, and as for a metamorphosis, it's arguable that anyone who listens to Colombia at high enough volume will end the song at least 20% Liam and feeling biblical. So Oasis are very much here, but according to Robbie Lee, there can be a risk in the tribute scene when it comes to an act who has passed on, as their profile starts to slip away. LIVING THE DREAM Live Forever, the Oasis tribute band. Picture: Emily Quinn Yet given the appetite for tribute acts, it seems the scene is as robust as ever, particularly in an era where the traditional pathway for an original band — demo, radio airplay, short-term deal with a label, potential stardom — seems a relic of another era. 'I'm not as factional as when I was a kid,' Matt says, sounding like someone who misses the era where you were almost defined as much by what bands you didn't like as those you did. He is not the only interviewee to remark that these days, how you fare on social media, and particularly TikTok, is as likely to be a bellwether for future career prospects as a spin on a radio show. Derek wonders whether a modern day U2 would make it as a far as album three or four, while James remarks that today, thanks to the internet, everything is effectively available all the time, instantly: 'You have multifaceted trends happening at the same time.' There we were, now here we are. Are we in danger of drowning in a sea of nostalgia? According to Gavin, absolutely not. 'The biggest rock and roll comeback of all time is coming,' he says with relish. Live Forever will be 15 years on the go by next January. 'We always play it down but the people who come to our show, they're supporters of the band, and they say 'you constantly deliver'. I think we are more than a tribute band … we are normal working class lads out living a dream.' Music can always exert its strange power. James Bermingham recalls the time he played a gig in a place near Sydney, Australia. 'We did a venue where the promoter forgot to promote the show, and the warm-up act was a thrash metal band, and I said 'how am I going to do this?' The other band said to try George's song Freedom 90. I went up and did that song with them, they stayed on for my set, it was all pop and glam, and those fans who were there for the death metal band stayed for the full hour of my set. Careless Whisper... they knew that song inside out.' Live Forever will play Whelans Dublin from 2pm before Oasis take the stage in Croke Park on August 16 and 17. Tickets from Abbaesque play Gleneagle Arena, Kerry on August 9 and Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick on September 20. Tickets from The Ultimate George Michael Tribute performs at Palmerstown House Estate, Kildare on July 25. Tickets from Read More Tom Dunne: Bruce Springsteen gives us an early Christmas gift
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Trying to keep up with the big man' – Top GAA talisman beams in pic with Man Utd star during warm weather training
SAM MULROY had a chance encounter with a Manchester United star as he embarked on post-season training in the Algarve. The Louth forward was being put through his paces at the same time as Red Devils striker Rasmus Hojlund. Advertisement 2 Sam Mulroy has been training in the off season Credit: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile 2 Sam Mulroy shared a photo of himself with Rasmus Hojlund And the Naomh Mairtin man took the chance to take a photo with the Dane. Mulroy said: "Trying to keep up with the Big Man @ 2025 proved to be a historic year for Mulroy and his Wee County teammates. The peak of their season came when they beat Meath to win the Leinster football championship for the first time since 1957. Advertisement Read More on GAA However, the county board will have a task on their hands to replicate that success in 2026 following the The former Dub stepped down on Tuesday after two years at the helm. He is odds-on to replace Brennan won All-Irelands with the Dubs in 2011 and 2013, but had to retire from inter-county football in 2015 due to an achilles injury. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Comment Louth also won the Leinster under-20 title this summer , and were beaten in the minor provincial decider by And in a statement released on Tuesday, Brennan insisted the future is bright for the Wee County despite his exit. 'Lots of fight' - RTE GAA pundits react to Sean O'Shea's 'very interesting' interview after Kerry dethrone Armagh He said: 'On behalf of the Louth senior football team management and staff, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for what has been an extraordinary journey with this incredible organisation. 'I want to thank Chairperson Seán McClean for his unwavering support - always engaged, energetic, and available in his commitment to all things Louth GAA . Advertisement "His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in everything we achieved together. 'My sincere appreciation goes to the Louth County Board, the Louth Clubs, and all the staff at Darver for their tremendous support throughout these past two years. "The foundation of support you provided made our work possible. 'Most importantly, I want to express my profound gratitude to the Louth Senior Footballers. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of your journey these past two years. Advertisement 'What you have accomplished for the Gaels of County Louth will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come. Your dedication, heart, and commitment have made history . 'As you embark on the next chapter of your journey, I have complete confidence that fresh perspectives will bring new energy and insights to your honest and hardworking team. The future is bright for Louth football.'
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘The Monk is sophisticated enough, he likes his Eggs Benedict' – ‘Crime World' host Nicola Tallant on Gerry Hutch's eating habits
The podcaster reveals she met him for the face-to-face conversation over a dinner of halloumi burgers and chicken wings, before the November election. The broadcaster, who is this week's guest on the Under the Grill podcast, said: 'There was no coddle or any of this sort of stuff, even though you think he's such a traditional Dub, don't you? 'I'd say he has better taste than you and I. He's floating around the Mediterranean and he has probably eaten very nicely. He ordered a haloumi burger, and I, embarrassingly, had chicken wings. What an amateur I am. 'He is sophisticated enough – he like his Eggs Benedict. 'I did meet him in town over the course of the general election and he had an old-fashioned Irish breakfast at lunchtime.' Hutch walked free from the Special Criminal Court in 2023 after the State unsuccessfully sought to prosecute him for his involvement in a gun attack at the Regency Hotel in 2016. He is currently under investigation by authorities in Spain for alleged money laundering. He narrowly missed out on securing a Dáil seat in last year's general election. Ms Tallant said: 'He is quite distinguished looking: he's unusual looking and he had kind of shaved his beard, and he has those sharky eyes. 'The day he came out of prison, he had the full beard and looked like something from Castaway. ADVERTISEMENT 'It just added to the whole drama of everything when he walked free that day. He has differing styles and I don't think he has worn the beard since then. But he's an interesting character. 'The Monk interview was a mega success with our listeners. There are comedy sketches about him now. 'His voice is so funny. He shocks you in a funny way when he speaks. He does have a star quality: for a criminal, he does have some charisma. 'The Monk interview is the biggest that was ever broadcast in Ireland. If you look at the figures properly, they're up there with the Joe Rogan [podcast]. 'It's off the scale. On YouTube alone, before we hit the audio figures, there's about 1.4 million. You can double that for listeners.' Ms Tallant joined Kevin Dundon and Caoimhe Young in the Under the Grill kitchen to chat about her dad's roast chicken dinner. In Under the Grill, Ireland's best loved personalities choose a dish from their childhood and Kevin Dundon cooks it up in his kitchen alongside Caoimhe Young. Under the Grill is available to watch on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
Arabian Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Dubai Tourism Surges to 8.68 Million Visitors in First Five Months
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has welcomed 8.68 million international visitors between 1 January and 31 May 2025, reflecting a 7 per cent increase compared with the 8.12 million who arrived during the same period in 2024, according to the Tourism Performance Report from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. In May alone, the city hosted 1.53 million international tourists. Western Europe emerged as the largest source market, supplying approximately 1.917 million visitors—or 22 per cent of the total. Trailing behind were Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe with around 1.396 million tourists. South Asia contributed 1.242 million visitors, while the Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for 1.275 million. The Middle East and North Africa numbers reached 989,000, with Southeast and Northeast Asia, the Americas, Africa and Australia following with 9 per cent, 7 per cent, 4 per cent and 2 per cent shares respectively. ADVERTISEMENT Hotel inventory expanded slightly, reaching 825 establishments with 153,356 rooms by the end of May, up from 822 hotels offering 150,202 rooms a year earlier. Occupancy averaged 83 per cent across the five-month span, climbing two percentage points from 81 per cent in 2024. Total occupied room nights reached 19.09 million, a 4 per cent increase over the previous year's 18.34 million. Average visitor stays remained steady at 3.8 nights—even as room rates climbed. The average daily rate rose to AED 620, while revenue per available room increased to AED 513, marking a 7 per cent improvement. These figures follow a landmark 2024 for Dubai, which attracted a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors—an increase of 9 per cent compared to 17.15 million in 2023. At the close of 2024, hotel capacity stood at 832 properties with 154,016 rooms, confirming the city's commitment to expanding hospitality infrastructure. Analysts attribute this growth to strengthened global connectivity, robust destination marketing campaigns and a curated events calendar. In Q1 2025, Dubai recorded a 3 per cent year‑on‑year rise in visitor numbers from 5.31 million in the first quarter of last year. Regional data from the same period finds Western Europe contributing 22 per cent, CIS and Eastern Europe 17 per cent, and GCC countries 15 per cent. Commenting at the Arabian Travel Market expo, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, underlined the role of tourism as a gateway for inward investment, talent and trade. He highlighted new partnerships with Amadeus, Premier Inn Middle East and Hyatt, plus training collaborations between the Dubai College of Tourism and Marriott, aimed at enhancing Emirati workforce participation. Industry observers note that average daily rates in the hospitality sector climbed to AED 647 in Q1, underpinned by stronger ADR and occupancy figures. Sustainable tourism initiatives also gained traction; over 150 hotels have since earned the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp—a 118 per cent year‑on‑year increase. Dubai's appeal spans an array of demographics. While Western Europe remains the single largest source market, growth from South Asia, the GCC, CIS countries, and Southeast Asia reflects diversified outreach efforts. Leisure, business travel and high-profile events are all contributing factors. Capacity expansion has run in parallel with evolving demand. Investments continue not just in hotel rooms but in broadening the tourism ecosystem—spanning cultural attractions, entertainment venues and transport links. Airport infrastructure upgrades and added flight routes further bolster access for key markets. Despite the sustained momentum, the industry faces challenges including seasonal weather variations, geopolitical volatility and budget competition from other destinations. However, Dubai's consistently high ADR and RevPAR metrics suggest healthy pricing power across its hospitality sector. The emirate's strategy emphasises quality over quantity, focusing on richer, high-yield tourism segments including luxury experiences, MICE, health tourism and eco‑conscious travel. This is aligned with the broader economic vision outlined under the Dubai Economic Agenda, aiming to double the size of the economy by 2033. Continued collaboration between government bodies, private-sector operators and international partners is central to sustaining this trajectory. As global travel rebounds from pandemic-era disruption, Dubai is leveraging its infrastructure depth, event portfolio and marketing muscle to strengthen its position in the upper echelons of global tourist destinations. Economic projections for 2025 remain positive. With visitor numbers tracking ahead of last year's pace and average daily rates increasing, tourism is projected to deliver significant contributions to GDP and related sectors such as transport, retail, entertainment, F&B and real estate.
