Latest news with #Meath
BreakingNews.ie
4 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
OPW bans green and orange colours from Battle of the Boyne site
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has banned tour guides from wearing green or orange clothing at the site in Meath where the Protestant King William III defeated the Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne. The location is of particular significance to unionists, as William's victory in 1690 established Protestant dominance in Ireland and is commemorated by the Orange Order with a series of marches on July 12th each year. Advertisement The rule prohibiting guides from wearing green or orange at the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre is not contained in the official OPW Guide Handbook, which is supplied to guides and information officers at heritage sites. Instead, the directive is being communicated directly to new guides by a supervisor at the visitor centre after they have been hired, according to emails released under freedom of information laws. The instruction, which is believed to be aimed at respecting the sensitivities of both unionist and nationalist visitors, is not the only unusual dress-code directive issued by the OPW to its guides. A section of the handbook dealing with clothing and uniform requirements specifies that 'nudity is prohibited at all sites'. Asked why it was considered necessary to include this in its dress code for new tour guides, the OPW declined to comment. Advertisement The Battle of the Boyne visitor centre was developed following the allocation of €15 million of government funding in 2005. Last year, a further €10 million was provided for the centre under the Shared Island initiative. The site was famously chosen as the venue for Ian Paisley's first official meeting as Stormont's first minister with Bertie Ahern in 2007. The then-Taoiseach presented the DUP leader with a musket used in the Battle of the Boyne. Ireland Irish Prison Service urged for halt of extra court... Read More An email titled 'Welcome aboard' sent by a supervisor to a newly hired seasonal guide last year contained details of the dress code for staff at the visitor centre. It prohibits items including army jackets and clothes that feature 'slogans, badges or emblems'. The email stated that 'green and orange are not permitted on site'. The OPW provides an annual allowance for guides where colour-coded clothing is mandated by local management. This is payable at a rate of €210 for permanent guides, and €100 for seasonal workers. The OPW declined to comment when asked about the prohibition of green and orange clothing at the Battle of the Boyne site.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Irish cycling community ‘devastated' at the death of champion ‘stalwart of road scene' aged 52
THE Irish cycling community is in mourning following the sudden death of a star rider. Craig Sweetman, 52, late of Mornington, Co Meath and Skerries in Dublin, had made eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally, having made his debut in Japan in 2002. Sweetman had attended the Peter Bidwell race in Donore last Saturday evening. However, he was not racing due to an injury and sadly died at his home on Sunday after taking ill. posted a tribute to the married father-of-two who celebrated with his teenage son, Toby, recently after he won a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland. It read: 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. "His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.' said that the long-term member of Stamullen Road Club in Meath was a popular figure on the Irish road racing scene for decades. They wrote: 'He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare long-term commitment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. "He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002. "Craig was also second in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men's senior Leinster road race champion. "He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. Bizarre moment Tour de France rider snatches cardboard sign off stunned fan... but had brilliant reason for doing it "He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. He will lie in repose at his home on Wednesday from 5-8pm. His removal will take place on Thursday to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Irish cycling community mourns death of Craig Sweetman at age 52
Members of the Irish cycling community have paid tribute to accomplished racer Craig Sweetman, who has died aged 52. Mr Sweetman, late of Mornington, Co Meath and Skerries, Co Dublin, made multiple appearances in Rás Tailteann and competed internationally for Ireland, making his debut in Japan in 2002. A member of Stamullen Road Club, he attended the Peter Bidwell race in Donore last Saturday, but was not racing due to an injury. He took ill and died at his home on Sunday. Mr Sweetman was a former Men's Senior Road Race champion and in 2023 won the Masters 50 title at the Masters National Road Race Championships in Co Meath. READ MORE posted a tribute to the married father of two, which noted that he had celebrated recently with his son Toby after the teenager won a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland. 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events,' the tribute noted. 'This is devastating news for the cycling community.' said Mr Sweetman was 'a stalwart of the Irish road scene' for decades, winning a large number of races at the height of his career. 'He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Mr Sweetman, who worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority, is survived by his wife Gill, sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, and siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie. His funeral Mass will take place on Thursday morning at St Patrick's Church, Skerries .
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish cycling community mourns sudden death of accomplished racer (52)
The Irish cycling community is mourning following the sudden passing at the age of 52 of accomplished racer, Craig Sweetman. Sweetman made 11 appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally, having made his debut in Japan in 2002. Advertisement Mr Sweetman, late of Mornington, Co Meath, and Skerries in Dublin, attended the 'Peter Bidwell' race in Donore last Saturday evening. He was not racing due to an injury. He took ill and died at his home on Sunday. Mr Sweetman started cycling as a teenager and won a large number of races as a younger man. He was a former Men's Senior Road Race champion and in 2023 won the Masters 50 title at the Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. posted a tribute to the married father of two whom they said celebrated with his teenage son Toby a couple of weeks ago after the youngster won a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland. 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.' Advertisement said that the long term member of Stamullen Road Club in Meath was a popular figure on the Irish road racing scene for decades. 'He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare longterm committment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002. "Craig was also 2nd in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men's senior Leinster road race champion. "He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. Advertisement "He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. He will lie in repose at his home on Wednesday evening from 5 – 8pm. His removal will take place on Thursday morning to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kerry and Donegal marriage ‘holding up' as All-Ireland final tension builds
And while no one has, as yet, been consigned to the spare bedroom, depending on how the big game pans out it might well have an occupant soon enough! The north Kerry couple from Lisselton have been here before. They were married prior to the 2014 final between Kerry and Donegal when they held a GAA style wedding. The couple made their grand entrance to the wedding reception on that special day to The Sunday Game theme tune. Of course, it comes as no surprise when one considers Pauline is part of Kerry football royalty being a niece of the late, great Tim Kennelly and cousin to All-Ireland winners, Noel and Tadgh. It's the kind of famous footballing link that lets Robert know exactly where he is. The hop ball started the second that Donegal beat Meath in the semi-final knowing Kerry were waiting. The couple attended both semi-finals in a show of solidarity with one another. However, the battle lines have now been drawn as Pauline and Robert retreat to their respective shades of green and gold. 'He is sitting next to me at night playing 'Jimmy's Winning Matches' on TikTok. The slagging has well and truly started but we're holding up,' Pauline told The Kerryman. 'It's so long since we last met in a big game so we're having great craic. It's lovely to see the flags up around the place. At least we can agree on the colour,' she laughs. Pauline feels Donegal are going to be hard to beat. But on the flip side, an easy semi-final win over Meath won't do them any favours. Robert has been digging Pauline over the fact Kerry always get 'an easy run' to the final every year. 'We'll be absolutely going, 100 per cent. Robert supported me in the semi-final, and I supported him in Donegal's semi-final. We came out on the good side of it. We'll meet up with Robert's family in Dublin before heading to Croker. They're all mad about Michael Murphy, they want it to be his year. If it was any other year I would agree with him,' she said. Being Tim Kennelly's niece naturally means football is that bit more personal to Pauline. Tim was a member of the star-studded Kerry side of the 1970s and '80s, captaining Kerry to All-Ireland glory in 1979 on an occasion that is still top of the Kennelly family's memory list. 'I would have been younger when he was in his prime. We always knew how famous he was. Even the amount of people that still talk about him today, they idolise him. We would have remembered the great times mom and dad had going to matches. They had great stories from travelling around the country watching Tim. 'I know my late mother and Tim are probably looking down at us and laughing at all this carry on. It's great for the family to have that connection. Hopefully, we can bring back Sam Maguire to Kerry. It's also been a great year for our local club man (Ballydonoghue) Jason Foley. He is having a super year for Kerry,' Pauline said.
