Latest news with #MaryMurphy
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Story of a Day – Scéal Lae review: Nothing special is pretty special
Story of a Day – Scéal Lae The Cube, University of Galway ★★★★☆ This is simultaneously both a small show and a big show. There is a single actor and a simple, effective stage setting, involving a prop which is variously an upright bed, a kitchen/table, a repository for props. But there are also five musicians live onstage – the Contempo Quartet as part of Galway Music Residency, plus pianist Daniel Browell, conducted by Sinéad Hayes, playing a wonderful original score by Tom Lane. So, a big show. This is pretty cool stuff, and the occasional interactions between the boy and the quartet are sweet and amusing. There are two versions of the same production for young children, written by Mary Murphy, in English and Irish, alternating presentations. It's a small show primarily because it's about one day, one ordinary 'nothing special happens kind of day' in the life of a boy, aged seven. It starts when he wakes up, his dreams dashing and fleeting and just out of reach, as they are for us all, and finishes at bedtime. In between there's family life at home, breakfast, the bus to school, break in the yard, meeting the new girl Nayo ('she is learning how to be here. Maybe at break we can learn each other'), dinner, washing-up, homework. READ MORE Those bare bones are so simple, but both in concept and in production it's beautifully done. Even eating an apple at break takes on comic qualities. Murphy's script has him narrate his day as it's happening, but it is also reflective, allowing him to stand outside himself, the sort of first inklings of the inner voice in a child, which is fascinating. Some of this inner voice is a wordplay-association game in his head: Erasers are made of… disappear. Ideas are made of… everything. Full up is made of… lazy. Teacher is made of…. attention. On the screen behind, Murphy's animated illustrations reflect the day and his reflections in simple suggestive moving brushstrokes. Eoin Ó Dubhghaill as the boy is a lovely blend of devilment and open-face and heart. He captures the nature of a small child: the curiosity, the enthusiasm, the odd trains of thought, the silliness. Directed by Marc Mac Lochlainn, this 45-minute show is gentle and fun and has the high production values children's theatre deserves. Among many lovely concepts is the invisible house – it's gone, and is now a field. Walking by it from the bus stop: '10 minutes walking home alone, is 10 minutes I own.' Simple wisdoms, delicately told, with care. Nothing special is pretty special.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Great-grandmother, 86, ordered by housing association to remove plant pots outside her home as it would 'stop them cutting the grass'
An 86-year-old great-grandmother has been told the plant pots outside her home could be 'disposed of' if she fails to remove them. Mary Murphy placed the six garden accessories beneath a tree on a small patch of communal ground outside the house in Sittingbourne, Kent, in July last year. But now the housing association for Tannery Court is threatening to relocate or remove the pots amid fears they could 'stop them cutting the grass'. Ms Murphy - who has lived in the town for more than 30 years and in the block of flats for four - spent £50 on the pots, hydrangeas, Japanese pieris seeds and compost. However, earlier this month, the Tannery Court housing association told the pensioner to move the pots in order to keep communal areas clear. Despite Ms Murphy's protests, Southern Housing have now said if she does not remove them by July 3, they will 'dispose of or sell' them. Ms Murphy said: 'I love my plants and don't want them taken away. 'I was told by a manager that the area has to be kept clear as it is a fire evacuation route. 'But there's a perfectly good path next to it. Who in their 70s or 80s is going to go over very uneven grass or even shrubs? 'The residents here think it's ridiculous. It's not just me. 'Everyone compliments me on them even the postman and the Amazon delivery driver. 'But I was told by the manager that it is not up for discussion. 'It's red tape gone mad. You have the right to make your surroundings nice.' The grandmother-of-five believes her housing association was alerted to the planters after another local 'savaged' the shrubs earlier this month. On June 12, Southern Housing told the pensioner to relocate the pots to her own garden or the designated area for resident gardening. It said this was due to its rules on keeping communal areas clear and that she was in breach of her tenancy agreement. Ms Murphy, while acknowledging she has broken the agreement, argued during a meeting with estate managers on June 18 that the pots are not causing any harm in their current location. The former Swale Motors service receptionist manager specifically bought the pots so she could see them from her kitchen window and block the 'awful and depressing' view of the bins directly opposite her flat. Despite her protests, management put a notice through her door the next day, stating that if she did not remove the pots by Thursday, July 3, they would 'dispose of or sell' them. Mss Murphy said the 'ridiculous' order is 'red tape gone mad'. A Southern Housing spokesman said: 'We've a designated area for residents' plants and gardening at Tannery Court which is available for everybody to enjoy. 'We work with residents to keep all remaining communal outdoor spaces free, as agreed within their tenancy agreement. 'If we allowed items in this area, it would prevent our grounds maintenance team carrying out contracted works, such as grass cutting and de-weeding. 'This work is covered by an annual service charge that our residents pay, so it's important this work is upheld to a high standard. 'Our team have been in touch with Ms Murphy who has refused the alternative locations we've presented to her. 'This includes moving her plants to the designated area or within her own raised garden area outside the front of her home. 'We encourage everyone to use communal areas considerately, so they remain enjoyable for all residents.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Residents and businesses preparing for Saturday's protests
SCRANTON, LACKAWNNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— With the protests in Los Angeles taking a violent turn, many are left to wonder how the situation escalated so quickly. And with more protests happening nationwide this weekend, could what's happening in LA also happen here in Northeast PA? 28/22 News reporter Avery Nape was in Scranton talking to residents and business owners to see how they are feeling ahead of the protest in the Electric City this weekend. Hundreds of protests will be happening across the country Saturday, including right here on courthouse square in downtown Scranton. It's all part of what organizers are calling the 'No Kings' movement. Public voices opinion on Wilkes-Barre mural While this is a nationwide movement, several protests will be happening right here in NEPA. Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Tunkhannock, and Bloomsburg to name a few. So far more than 200 people have responded on Facebook as attending the protest in Scranton. Organizers describe the movement as a 'national day of defiance' against President Trump and what they call 'attacking civil rights and slashing services.' Residents and business owners I spoke with in Scranton say they are not concerned with the protests though, in fact, they welcome them. 'I think a lot of the talk of violence is overblown and intended to intimidate people and to keep them home, and it should be the opposite,' voiced Scranton resident Mary Murphy. 'When the people come over here, even for protest, but then everybody has to eat. So everybody can spend some money to other stores, you know what I mean,' stated Vito Sparacio, owner, Pizza by Pappas. According to the movement's website the 'No Kings' protests are non-violent events. They say anyone planning to attend should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Beach wheelchairs improve access at Bettystown Beach in Meath
This aims to assist people with a physical disability and those with reduced mobility in accessing the beach and water. The two chairs – the Terra Wheels beach wheelchair is a durable wheelchair and is easily propelled by an attendant using the push handle, while the Hippocampe is a beach friendly wheelchair allowing users to go into the water and swim while the chair floats. Speaking at the launch, CEO of Meath LSP, Mary Murphy spoke about the impact that the beach wheelchairs saying that 'the provision of the two beach wheelchairs at Bettystown beach presents an opportunity for those with physical disabilities and reduced mobility to enjoy the beach, the water and the coastline; whether that is with family members, as part of a school outing or as part of a group.' Councillor Geraldine Keogan of the Laytown/Bettystown district said: 'It's a great initiative to see, I believe that everyone should have access to the beach. It's very important for everyone to be included in everything. I hope to see more people coming to the beach and make avail of the wheelchairs.' However, some concerns have been raised about the limited availability by Councillor Carol Lennon. Cllr Lennon said: 'Whilst it's a great initiative, wheelchair users are restricted as to when they can access the beach. It's a step in the right direction, but not quite far enough. We need to increase the time frame.' The beach wheelchairs are available daily between 11am and 7pm, with bookings offered in two-hour time slots. They can be collected from the Beach Wardens hut located beside the Civic Centre. To ensure availability, Meath LSP has created an online registration page, allowing users to pre-book their preferred times.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Huntington High School hosting Jr. NBA Skills Challenge honoring Devin Myers
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The 2025 Jr. NBA Skills Challenge is coming to Shreveport in honor of Devin Myers, a Huntington High School basketball player whose life was taken by gun violence. Mother of Devin Myers shares how tragic loss empowers her to give more According to a press release, the challenge provides boys and girls, ages 13 and younger, the opportunity to improve upon and showcase their fitness through five fundamental basketball skills: shooting, lay-ups, dribbling, passing, and defense. The program is free for all participants and organizations. Boys and girls will compete separately in two different age groups: 11U and 13U. Participants can compete in up to three levels of competition. The event will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hungtington High School, 6801 Rasberry Lane in Shreveport. All participants must register online at Caddo Parish's website. For more information, contact Mary Murphy at 318-220-6284 or mmurphy@ or LaMarcus Williams at 318-218-7070 or lwilliams@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
