Latest news with #Maniac2000
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Bernard O'Shea: Nicola Coughlan has Supermacs, I have Coppers — Five Irish businesses we'd love gold cards for
In 2025, being granted a gold card isn't just a privilege—it's a cultural achievement. Forget Netflix deals or BAFTA nods. If you want genuine Irish respect, you need a VIP card for something that actually matters. Take Nicola Coughlan, for example. In between starring in Bridgerton and charming everyone from Graham Norton to the Vogue crowd, she casually revealed her most impressive accomplishment to date: a Supermac's Super VIP card. Issued for life. Unlimited access to garlic cheese chips. Possibly more potent than her passport. She posted a photo of the card with a caption that read like a mic drop: 'Few things that have happened to me impressed people more than this.' Honestly? Fair. Now, I can't compete with international fame, but I do hold a similarly revered item: a Coppers Gold Card. That's right. Free entry to Copper Face Jacks, the nightclub where careers are forged, relationships bloom and die, and where you're never more than six minutes away from someone roaring 'Maniac 2000.' But what if we thought bigger? What if there were more gold cards for more sacred Irish institutions? Let's say the quiet part out loud: here are five Irish businesses we'd all secretly love gold cards for. 1. Barack Obama Plaza – The spiritual home of mid-journey toilet stop It might be a motorway service station, but it's also a shrine. Named after the 44th President of the United States (via ancestral links to Moneygall, Offaly), Barack Obama Plaza is where Irish people make pilgrimages for breakfast rolls, diesel, and a quiet cry in the carpark. A gold card here? Game-changer. Unlimited sausage rolls, priority access to clean loos, and your own reserved spot under the statue of Michelle and Barack. Imagine pulling in, flashing your card, and being greeted by name like a celebrity on tour. It's not just a rest stop. It's a state of mind. 2. Brown Thomas – Where aspirations are spritzed with perfume Ah, Brown Thomas. You go in for a browse and come out with deep financial regret and a free spritz of Tom Ford on your left elbow. It's less a department store and more a test of willpower. But with a gold card? Suddenly, you're the main character. No more side-eyes from Chanel counters. No more pretending to be buying a wedding gift when you're just sniffing candles. You get a personal shopper, a glass of prosecco on arrival and a makeup artist who calls you 'darling' unironically. Heaven. 3. All Car Parks – Because modern Irish success is measured in free parking There are two types of Irish people: those who pay for parking and those who know a fella. A gold card for all car parks? That's prestige. That's wealth. That's freedom. Forget flying private. The proper flex is driving into any town in Ireland and confidently ignoring the parking meter. No more tapping apps, scrambling for coins, or desperately trying to decode whether you're in a loading bay. Your gold card waves all fines. It's basically diplomatic immunity with a windscreen sticker. 4. The NCT Centre – Where dreams are dashed over wiper blades The NCT Centre is Ireland's great leveller. It doesn't matter who you are—teacher, builder, bishop, or Taoiseach—if your car fails due to a dodgy headlamp alignment, like your driving test, you're driving home in shame (yes, I know the irony). The waiting room is a temple of tension, where people sit in silent prayer, watching their reg plates pop up on the screen like the results of a medical test. Nothing brings out middle-aged existential dread like a softly muttered, 'It didn't pass today.' A gold card means guaranteed passes, fast-tracked appointments, and immunity from the man who asks, 'Have you your insurance disk up?' You drive in, they salute. You drive out with a cup of tea and a sticker that says, 'Passed First Time (Because I'm Class).' And best of all? You never have to look up what 'axial play in wishbone bushes' means ever again. 5. Every Deli Counter in Ireland – The beating heart of the nation No matter how fancy our coffee gets or how many brunch spots are open, the Irish deli counter reigns supreme. It's where real decisions are made. Where builders, teachers, and sleep-deprived parents queue shoulder to shoulder for sustenance wrapped in foil. A gold card for all deli counters? It's the ultimate fantasy. You walk in, and they know your order. You say nothing. You raise an eyebrow, and they start buttering the roll. Chicken fillet, stuffing, cheese, taco sauce—all yours. No charge. No judgement. Just warm, bready love from Malin to Mizen Head. Nicola Coughlan might have Supermacs. I might have Coppers. But the truth is, a gold card isn't about VIP velvet ropes or getting a table at some rooftop bar in Manhattan. The real Irish fantasy isn't excess—it's recognition. It's walking into a place and being seen. Being known. Not for fame, but for familiarity. For being part of the furniture. And if it comes with free curry chips and a club orange? Even better. Read More How Cork got a science centre and space observatory in a 16th-century castle
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I've never been so excited in my life' scream fans as iconic Irish 00s song hits streaming services for first time ever
FANS of a major 2000s DJ have been left screaming as the popular artist has announced a rerelease of one of his major hit singles. Dublin based DJ and producer Mark McCabe has celebrated the 25th anniversary of his hit song Maniac 2000 with a new recording. Advertisement 2 Mark McCabe has re-released his hit single Credit: Instagram 2 Mark's fans were delighted by the release Credit: Instagram The popular musician released his chart-topping hit Maniac 2000, which turned 25 years old today. The song is the fifth best-selling Irish single, and to mark its milestone anniversary, he has re-recorded the hit. The remastered version features vocals from Mimi Lane and was released today on streaming platforms. Before this re-release of the song, it was not available to stream online. Advertisement READ MORE ON MUSIC Sharing the song with his followers, Mark posted a video of him performing the song. Friends and fans all flocked to his comment section to gush over the fabulous drop. One fan wrote: "Well done Mark. Forever young! Thanks so much for including Mimi." Maria commented: "Ah the memories." Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive Ronan joked: "In the timeless words of Carl Cox: 'oh yes, oh yes!' Siobhan remarked: "I've never been so excited in my life I'm absolutely buzzing." Ireland AM host's left shocked at guest's sunbed horror Another fan added: "Pop offff and the sun is shining." Yesterday, as part of the promotion for the track, Mark appeared on an episode of Advertisement A delighted Muireann and Tommy posed for a quick snap with the musician. MAJOR MILESTONE He also brought along Late Late Toy Show breakout star and now major DJ, Calum Kieran. Calum rose to national prominence when he played a set on RTE's popular Christmas show; viewers instantly fell in love with the pre-teen, almost launching his career overnight. Since then, Calum's music has gone from strength to strength and his career has largely been spearheaded by Mark. Advertisement Elsewhere on the show, the happy hosts were elated to be joined by early 2000s boy band, Five. The group were on the show to promote their upcoming reunion tour with all of the original members. The pair grinned wide as they took a quick photo with the group, where Muireann and Tommy could barely contain their smiles.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ireland AM star completely missing on air AGAIN during ‘busy' show in shake-up as guests praise ‘favourite' hosts
IRELAND AM had a host shake-up this week as one of the mainstay presenters was missing from the Virgin Media studios. , and co-host the hit morning show together on weekdays. Advertisement 4 Tommy and Muireann hosted Ireland AM solo today Credit: Instagram 4 The pair enjoyed a music heavy show Credit: Instagram 4 Muireann and Tommy were joined by Five on today's show Credit: Instagram However, Alan was off air today, leaving just Tommy and Muireann to host the hit morning breakfast show. On today's show, the pair were joined by iconic DJ Mark McCabe as he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his hit club track Maniac 2000. Delighted by his drop in to the show, both Muireann and Tommy posed for a quick snap with the DJ. He also brought along Late Late Toy Show breakout star and now major DJ, Calum Kieran. Advertisement Read more on tommy bowe Calum rose to national prominence when he played a set on RTE's popular Christmas show; viewers instantly fell in love with the pre-teen, almost launching his career overnight. Since then, Calum's music has gone from strength to strength and his career has largely been spearheaded by Mark. Elsewhere on the show, the happy hosts were elated to be joined by early 2000s boy band, Five. The group were on the show to promote their upcoming reunion tour with all of the original members. Advertisement Most read in News TV The pair grinned wide as they took a quick photo with the group, where Muireann and Tommy could barely contain their smiles. After a busy and music heavy show, Tommy took to his Instagram to share some of the snaps. Ireland AM host's left shocked at guest's sunbed horror He captioned the post: "And now they are 7! Class having Five in launching their comeback tour. "Mark McCabeofficial re releasing MANIAC2000!!! And @djcalumkieran and Hypeman Jackson in for a DJ lesson. Busy morning on @irelandamvmtv." Advertisement Friends and fans raced to the presenter's comment section to gush over his fabulous guests. One of their guests, DJ Calum commented: "Two of our favourite people! It's always so much fun coming on with you two. Thanks so much for having us." Ruth gushed over Five being in studio, writing: "Have my ticket can't wait x." Joanie said: "Muireann, what a lucky gal you were this morning!!" Advertisement Another fan added: "There's something really magnetic in your photos." 4 Alan Hughes was missing from the show this morning Credit: VMTV
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
My Wedding Day with Brian Redmond: 'Our anthem for the first dance was Mark McCabe's Maniac 2000'
We got married on May 17, 2007. We had the ceremony in St Matthew's Church in Lucan, where we were living at the time, and we had the reception in Dunboyne Castle in County Meath. We had 120 guests, so not too big, and not too small. I asked Jen to marry me about 18 months beforehand, and we'd been together maybe another 18 months before that. We were going to visit my brother in Hong Kong. The day before, I arranged a meal with Jen, Jen, and our two sets of parents. I planned on asking Jen to marry me before the meal and hoped we would be celebrating our engagement with the trip to Hong Kong. She said yes, so we had a lovely meal with our parents and then went to Hong Kong the next day. We had a second trip planned to go and visit my brother a couple of months before the wedding, and we decided to get the gents' suits made for myself and each of the groomsmen and the dads. We went for a fairly standard look for the suits; they were a very dark brown and because they were tailored, it meant that each person could get what they wanted, whether that was single-breasted or double-breasted or a three-piece suit, they could all have their own take on it. I know some of the guys to this day have that suit from our wedding. And I still have mine, stored away with Jen's wedding dress. Jen's dress was perfect; the main reason was because she was wearing it, but also Jen's mother makes wedding dresses and so Jen worked very closely with her to design her dress from scratch. I think that was probably special for both of them. We were lucky enough to be able to do that and it meant a lot to them. Music is something that's obviously important to me, and Jen as well. Throughout the day we had little music nods. Brian and Jen Redmond on their wedding day. We had a friend who was connected with the Dublin Gospel Choir. So we arranged for the choir to sing at the wedding ceremony in the church. That was pretty spectacular and made the ceremony even more memorable. Given my background in dancing and the type of people that were going to be at the wedding, Jen didn't want to do a big convoluted performance in a room half full of professional dancers, but we had a bit of fun with it. We did a little choreographed number to Jack Johnson's Better Together. And then we went into what was our anthem at the time for the first dance, and that was Mark McCabe's Maniac 2000. Everybody could join in and jump around the place, and it took the pressure off everyone. Our band was what you might describe as left field. They were a sort of disco punk band from Wexford. We'd been to see a few different bands before the wedding, and we just wanted somebody that was really good fun, and that's exactly what they were. I can't remember what the first song they sang was, but I remember the lead singer of the band jumped down off the stage, ran across the dance floor and jumped up on the very first table, and performed the song from there, and I thought, yeah, we're in for a good night. Our speeches were very traditional: I did a speech, and I guess I wouldn't have done as much public speaking then as I'm used to doing now, but I wasn't particularly nervous about it. My father-in-law, again, being traditional, did the speech to represent that side of the family. One of his quotes highlighted the fact that I love my food. He stood up and said that he didn't so much see it as losing a daughter as gaining an eating machine. We stayed up right through to three or four in the morning. Apart from being played as our first dance, Maniac 2000 was also played by the DJ at some point during the night, about half 11 or 12 o'clock, and then for the dirty stop-outs that were still there with us at three or four in the morning, I remember somebody playing it on their phone again at that time. It was a long night. When I look back on the day, one thing I remember was our first dance. It's the only time during the wedding day when nobody will come near you. You're on show all day long, with people wanting to talk to you, but when you're getting up to your first dance, it's the first moment of just the two of you together. Although it's very public in terms of how it's done, it's the first moment where it's just you and your partner. And I had this overwhelming sense during that first dance that all the formalities are done, and the rest of our lives are ahead of us. And it really did feel like the end of the wedding day, but the start of everything else that was to come.
