Latest news with #Dublin-born
Dublin Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Irish actor hits back at Conor McGregor following 'bottler' jibe
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 Conor McGregor has found himself in a Twitter row with 'Game of Thrones' actor Liam Cunningham following the capture of an aid ship headed for Gaza. The yacht, which counts activist Greta Thunberg among its 12-person crew, was seized by Israeli forces early Monday morning and is currently being escorted to an Israeli port, as confirmed by officials. The boat, known as Madleen, is part of the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition's efforts to deliver aid to Gaza and highlight the escalating humanitarian crisis there. Setting sail from Sicily just last week, Madleen had Cunningham in attendance at its send-off. Cunningham, the Dublin-born star, has been openly critical of the Irish Government's handling of the Gaza humanitarian situation, reports the Irish Mirror. Last week, he argued that the Irish Navy should be safeguarding the vessel carrying aid, claiming these charitable endeavours are stepping in where governments have not. Cunningham said: "They are doing the job that we are supposed to be doing, the people who are supposed to respect international law." He added: "There should be a flotilla of Irish naval vessels standing up for our international law and treating international law with the respect it deserves, not this wonderful, disparate group of people who have got together to put their lives in danger because they're not being backed up. "There should be a European force circling that boat to ensure that they get there, because that is their legal responsibility." (Image: Fabrizio Villa, Getty Images) The news that the flotilla had been stopped by Israeli forces in the early hours of Monday sparked outrage on social media, with the 64-year-old actor expressing his fury online. He wrote: "The Freedom flotilla was attacked during the night. The ship was rammed, boarded and the 12 volunteers kidnapped. This is more reprehensible behaviour from the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv." UFC star McGregor seemed to taunt Cunningham for not being part of the voyage himself, replying to the actor's post with a jibe. McGregor teased: "I thought you were on this boat Liamo, what happened? You forgot your goggles? You get sea sick off the gargle? Bottler." However, Cunningham didn't hold back in his response to McGregor, firing back with a sharp retort. Cunningham hit back at McGregor, saying: "Didn't know you could read and write Conor. Thought you used your hands to tap out." The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has stated that the activists aboard the Madleen were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" as they attempted to bring much-needed aid to the beleaguered area. "The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies -confiscated," the coalition declared in a statement. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
A 26-year-old man has begun a first-of-its-kind swim around Ireland (100km down, 1,500km to go)
TEN DAYS SINCE Daragh Morgan began his swim around Ireland's coastline, he is now 105km in. Having begun the challenge to swim the 1,600km that encompass Ireland's coastline on 31 May, the 26-year-old is attempting the world's first tidal-assisted swim around Ireland in support of both the Simon Community and RNLI. The Dublin-born man hopes to complete the challenge in four months. Speaking to The Journal , Morgan said that he has been training for the momentous swim over the past five years. Having always been around the sea growing up, he had the idea to undertake the coastline swim several years ago. He has spent the last number of months intensely preparing for what is roughly six hours of swimming per day to cover between 10 to 14 kilometres, when permitted. He and his small crew set off from Galway, where he has lived for the past seven years, and have since travelled through the Aran Islands and past Clifden. Swim Éire / Instagram Swim Éire / Instagram / Instagram The swim is incredibly dependent on the weather, Morgan explained, speaking on a day off from the water due to inclement conditions. He alongside the rest of the three-strong crew, who are following alongside in a small fishing boat, have been 'roughing it' as they undertake the challenge. Advertisement As they move along the coastline, they have taken to staying with friends and camping. 'We're doing it kind of a different way and but it's working,' he said. 'We're coming back to a kind of base most of the days, gearing up, getting the boat ready, going, doing the swims, and coming back, and then getting ready for the next day if it's permitted.' Morgan and his crew hope that the swim, titled Swim Éire , will raise valuable funds for both the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Simon Community. They chose the homeless charity as they believe housing to be a 'basic right' and that it is a rising issue in Ireland. Funds raised will firstly go towards supporting the swim, such as equipment needed and operational costs, and any funds beyond that will be split between the two charities. The team are hoping to raise €55,000 . 'A massive strong point of it is we have people who really know the area, who are so passionate about the area. I think for me, one of the main things that this swim is really showcasing is the passion and love of the people in area,' he said, highlighting areas in Galway such as Conamara. 'This has been in progress for so long, and it's just brilliant that we can actually see miles on the clock and the needle moving forward,' he said. You can follow along with Swim Éire here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Love Island's Maura Higgins lookalike Megan Clarke reveals what she REALLY thinks about being compared to show legend
Megan reveals why she has been single for nearly three years MAURA LESS Love Island's Maura Higgins lookalike Megan Clarke reveals what she REALLY thinks about being compared to show legend Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island's new Maura Higgins lookalike has sympathy for her fellow Irish beauty after she snogged married McFly guitarist Danny Jones. Musical theatre student Megan Forte Clarke, 24, from Dublin, said she is flattered by comparisons to Maura, who is ten years older and appeared as a bombshell on the ITV dating show in 2019. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Megan Forte Clarke said she is flattered by comparisons to Maura Higgins 3 Dublin-born Megan, 24, said: 'I love Maura — what a compliment. She's an icon' Credit: Instagram 3 Maura, who is ten years older, appeared as a bombshell on the ITV dating show in 2019 But asked how she felt about Maura's now infamous kiss with Danny, 39, at a Brit Awards after-party in London earlier this year, Megan said: 'We've all had a drunken kiss.' Megan, who is set to enter the ITV2 villa tomorrow, has drawn comparisons to Maura thanks to her Irish accent and glamorous brunette looks. She said: 'I love Maura — what a compliment. She's an icon. 'She is like the Queen of Ireland. So if people are comparing me to her, then cheers, love that, thank you.' Meanwhile, Megan, who calls herself the 'modern day Bridget Jones', said she has been single for nearly three years after her university boyfriend cheated on her. She added: 'We were on and off for about a year during my first year at university and I've been single since. 'We met at uni [The Brighton Academy] — musical theatre boys are never a good idea.' Asked if it ended on good terms, she said: 'No. No, God, no! He cheated on me quite a bit. The girls were none the wiser. 'So I would never blame a girl in that sense, but I definitely confronted him. He felt my wrath. I didn't really get any revenge. I think ignorance is bliss, so he was blocked. I haven't spoken to him since.' 'Hell and horror' Of her recent dating life, she said: 'It has been more than two years of hell and horror. ITV are celebrating ten years of Love Island with a huge TV celebration featuring the show's biggest stars 'I've been asked on a walk for a date. I'm like, 'That's brilliant, I love being a dog'. 'It is just never good and then they ghost you. So many frogs.' But the boys of the villa will be pleased after Megan revealed she has stocked up on bikinis and sexy outfits for The Hideaway — the villa's private area where Islanders can spend time together alone. She said: 'Yeah, I have shopped till I dropped. I feel like you can't be too prepared with stuff like that. 'Better to be over prepared than underprepared. 'So I've got a lot of options for bikinis and night time.' But the Dublin-born beauty said she will be keeping things real by wearing her plastic retainer to bed after having braces during her university years. She said: 'That's always humbling when you're comfortable around a boy and you are clicking it out in the morning.' But of wearing braces, she added: 'I think a lot of boys actually quite liked it, which I was surprised by.' 'I've had a little flirt' Megan revealed that she has been given strict instructions by her mum to keep things PG in the villa. She said: 'My mum's been like, 'Meg, please do not have sex in the villa'. I don't think I would anyway — too exposing.' Megan, who currently works in telesales, said she has not had any office romances, but cannot resist charming her colleagues. She revealed: 'I've had a little flirt here and there because, you know, you have to make work life fun, but nothing has come of it.' Last Christmas, the beauty starred as one of the ugly step-sisters in a Christmas pantomime of Cinderella in Tewkesbury, Gloucs. She said: 'To be fair, they were meant to be Kardashian-esque and ugly on the inside. 'So I got to wear fabulous costumes. I had a ball.' Hopefully, in the villa, she will meet her own Prince Charming.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
U2's Bono finally explains why he has such an unusual name
Bono is one of the most recognisable stars on the planet thanks to his years in U2, but the frontman was once called something very different before he became famous Globally recognised as Bono, U2' s celebrated frontman was once Dublin-born teenager Paul Hewson before his ascent to international stardom. So where did the moniker 'Bono' originate? The creation of Bono is an intriguing tale involving a bohemian street gang, a local hearing aid store, and inspiration from a Latin phrase. Like other one-name music legends such as Cher, Shakira, and Sting, Bono – alongside bandmate the Edge – turned their unique stage names into a worldwide phenomenon. The journey began nearly five decades ago with a young lad in Dublin. The future icon was a member of "Lypton Village" alongside future rock figures Guggi and Gavin Friday, who all lived around the same neighbourhood. During their youthful escapades, this group indulged in crafting extravagant and imaginative nicknames for each other, with Bono being no exception to this ritual. Initially, they labelled him with the cumbersome "Steinhegvanhuysenolegbangbangbang", but it became evident that nickname wouldn't last, leading to a shortening to just "Huyseman". This evolution of nicknames didn't stop there, with "Houseman" soon making an appearance, reports the Irish Mirror. The nicknaming process continued, giving rise to the elaborate "Bon Murray" and the even more refined penultimate version "Bono Vox of O'Connell Street". And so the handle "Bono Vox" has its roots tied to a hearing aid shop located near the famed O'Connell Street in Dublin, though the exact story of how Bono adopted the name is somewhat shrouded in mystery. The star initially loathed his nickname, but upon discovering its Latin meaning, he warmed to it. Bono Vox, which translates to "good voice", seemed fitting for someone who has sold over £170 million records worldwide. Paul Hewson embraced the moniker Bono at just 14, and over time, it became an integral part of his identity. On Virgin Radio with Chris Evans, the U2 frontman shared: "I've been called a lot of things over the years! I was three years old and my friend was four, and we had a sort of street gang into our teens, and I had many nicknames. "I'm very pleased that I qualified for Bono, even though it is tricky in some quarters." As U2's fame grew, the stage names of Bono and his bandmates solidified their public personas, fostering a sense of intimacy with their fans. Bono further explained: "The really significant thing is, I suppose, that we decided to be called by those names when we went out into the public, because it implies a kind of intimacy with your audience, which is nice." He also addressed the use of his birth name: "Some people will occasionally come up to me and say, 'Hey, Paul, how are you doing Paul?' as if that's getting close. The last person to call me Paul was my dad, and he's dead. So don't call me Paul."
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Galway set for new Japanese restaurant from acclaimed city restauranteur
Kombu - which is named after the Japanese seaweed – is a new ramen and bao bar and will be operated by award-winning chef and restaurateur JP McMahon. The new location will operate from Druid Lane in Galway city and has been described by McMahon as a 'love letter to Japan', with a menu featuring ramen bowls, rice dishes, bao buns and other Japanese cuisine. The menu has been inspired by traditional Japanese street food, according to McMahon, who says that Kombu is a 'realisation' of his love for Japanese cuisine. A social media post by the restaurant has teased one of the potential dishes on offer at the restaurant, with further updates expected closer to the opening date. Kombu will further bolster McMahon's restaurant portfolio in Galway. The Dublin-born chef also runs Michelin star restaurant Aniar on Dominick St in Galway city and is the co-owner and chef patron of Cava Bodega on Middle St. 'I've taught Japanese cooking classes at Aniar for years,' said Mr McMahon. 'Our Ramen and Bao Bar pop-ups have been a big hit at at Aniar as part of Blas na Gaillimhe Festivals of Food, and of course, I'm passionate about cooking with seaweed, utilising it broadly in Aniar - so this felt like a natural evolution.' A head chef has been put in place, with Aniar chef Gabriel Ossani taking the reins. Further hires are expected with the restaurant taking applications for managerial positions, as well as floor staff, additional chefs and kitchen porters.
