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Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast's oldest Christian burial site being neglected, say councillors
At the May meeting of the council's important Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, a number of councillors made an appeal for the council to move forward with work required at Friar's Bush Cemetery, off the Stranmillis Road. At the meeting, member agreed to move from phase one of the newly devised Historic Cemeteries Programme to stage two, which means that money had not yet been committed by the council, but 'options were being fully worked up'. Alliance Councillor Michael Long told City Hall: 'We have been trying to get tours at Friar's Bush Cemetery for a while, and getting an agreement is taking at least two months. 'I know there are staffing issues, but I would really like to push this. It is really a delay to work there which has been really transformational.' SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite said: 'By way of an update, there are tours taking place, and I have been engaging, along with Councillor Gary McKeown, with one of the groups that has been operating tours for quite some time. 'They are very keen for a delegation of councillors to come and take part with one of the tours, and see some of the work they are doing. 'But there has been some frustration, in terms of moving ahead with work. One of their challenges has been getting approved to do Saturday tours, which is obviously a natural time when there will be a lot of tourists or visitors to the city about the place, particularly people who might have family ties to Friar's Bush. 'They have raised with me a couple of other issues they are trying to get progress on – there was a lot of damage from Storm Eowyn, including the felling of one of the large thorn trees which was first recorded in the early 1700s. 'That has not been properly removed, and they are looking for some way to replace that. 'They want support in clearing some of the paths between the graves, so there is safer access for the tour groups. They have also requested assistance on the raising of the headstone of Daniel McNamara, the United Irishman, who died on St Patrick's Day 1869. 'Also, the finial (ornamental) cross that was above the entrance gate was removed through Covid, because there was fear it was rotted and rusted and would fall.' He said: 'It is a real resource in south Belfast, and something that a lot of people have family ties to. I have only recently discovered I have family ties in connection to Friar's Bush. 'I think it is really important that we see that move forward, it is an area of great history within the city, and we need to protect and preserve access to it.' Legend has it that St Patrick built a church and blessed a well on the site of Friar's Bush Graveyard, while an order of friars is also said to have been established there. Two important stones found within the cemetery grounds appear to support this theory. The name Friar's Bush comes from an old hawthorn tree in the centre of the cemetery. 'It was blown down in Storm Eowyn in January and revealed the hidden grave of Daniel McNamara, a Catholic man who helped lead the United Irish rebellion in the 1790s. During the 18th century, Catholics gathered in secret in the graveyard to worship under the bush, as the celebration of Catholic mass was banned under the Penal Laws. After it was consecrated in 1829, the cemetery was used exclusively by Catholics. Court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law The site also contains the mass graves of hundreds of people who lost their lives during the cholera epidemic of the 1830s and the famine of the 1840s. It was maintained by the Catholic Church until 2000 when it was taken over by the council. The council says about the Historic Cemeteries Programme: 'The council owns five historic graveyards, four of which are currently closed: namely Balmoral, Clifton Street, Friar's Bush and Knock. 'Surveys have identified a programme of conservation and health and safety works which are required to improve the condition of the graveyards. 'Conservation and restoration improvements will allow the graveyards to be more accessible to the public and contribute to neighbourhood tourism. Safety works to monuments are being brought forward within a first phase of works.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Logitech is Flipping the Script on Complex Meetings with Rally Board 65
All-in-one video solution packs advanced capabilities into a simple, mobile conferencing device MANILA, Philippines and JAKARTA, Indonesia and BANGKOK, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI), today announced Rally Board 65, an all-in-one portable video conference solution that combines intelligent audio and video with a 65" touchscreen display. Rally Board 65 is simple enough to roll on a cart into satellite offices, yet sophisticated enough to pack a suite of AI-powered features, occupancy and environmental detection into traditional meeting rooms. Businesses face this dilemma every day: they want to provide modern video conferencing tools for their hybrid workforces, but IT teams are grappling with increasing workloads as their tech environments become more complicated. "Hybrid workers expect every workspace—open areas, huddle rooms, training zones—to be video‑ready at a moment's notice," said Michael Long, Head of Sales (Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia), Logitech for Business. "We set out to pair enterprise‑level intelligence with zero‑friction deployment. The result is Rally Board 65—a radically simple, yet supremely powerful conferencing system that shatters the cycle of tech complexity." The powerful, all-in-one video conferencing solution can be up and running within minutes in Android, PC, or BYOD mode, whether teams use Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet*. Simply roll Rally Board 65 on a cart into an open space and flip the device 180 degrees to orient the camera at eye level, or install it in a meeting room with the camera above or below the screen–all with very little IT support. Building on its exceptionally sharp 4K video, Rally Board 65 comes loaded with AI-powered audio visual tech RightSight 2 and RightSound 2 that have become hallmarks of Logitech's video bars. To further refine the experience, Camera Zone limits visual framing and Mic Zone minimizes sound pickup within a designated area. The new Depth Blur technique obscures surroundings, an effect similar to background blur people are accustomed to using on their desktops during video calls. "Think of this trio as a digital cocoon for meetings in open spaces," said Henry Levak, VP of Product, Logitech for Business. "Rally Board 65 uses 3D spatial mapping technology to focus on the action in the meeting, not outside distractions." Sensors within Rally Board 65 detect the presence of people so that IT teams can get accurate readings of how and when employees are using video spaces. These sensors also analyze environmental data like humidity, temperature, and CO2 levels, assign a room health and later, will provide a room energy score, then deliver recommendations to increase ventilation, take breaks, or reduce the number of seats in a room. Insights are fed into Logitech Sync, a centralized platform for IT teams to get a bird's eye view of their organization, drill down for details on specific room performance, and automatically book and release rooms. Approach to Sustainability Using our Design for Sustainability principles, Rally Board 65 was engineered to minimize its environmental impact, using up to 41%* next-life plastics, low-carbon aluminum, recycled fabrics, and FSC-certified packaging. Environmental benefits go beyond physical design. The radar system in Rally Board 65 allows the device to automatically switch to a lower power state when no one is in the space–a function that can significantly reduce the power consumption of customers' commercial buildings. Occupancy, room health, and energy sensing capabilities are also available in a standalone device, Logitech Spot. * Certification details here ** Graphite: 41%, Off-white: 27% About Logitech Logitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help businesses thrive and bring people together when working, creating, gaming and streaming. As the point of connection between people and the digital world, our mission is to extend human potential in work and play, in a way that is good for people and the planet. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech and more of its business products and enterprise solutions at the company blog, Logitech Business or @LogitechBiz. ### Logitech and other Logitech marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Logitech Europe S.A. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company's website at LOGIIR View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Logitech Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Maryland, Cornell to face off in NCAA men's lacrosse championship game
Maryland, Cornell to face off in NCAA men's lacrosse championship game Show Caption Hide Caption At this women's soccer club the vibe matters more than goals Gals FC is a unique club dedicated to giving women and nonbinary people the opportunity to play noncompetitive soccer safely in the UK. USA Today The men's lacrosse championship matchup is set. Top-seeded Cornell and No. 2 Maryland earned victories on semifinal Saturday in Foxborough, Mass. They'll square off Monday at Gillette Stadium for the championship at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN. Cornell got the day started with an 11-9 triumph over fifth-seeded Penn State. The Big Red (17-1) avenged their only loss of the regular season, while the Nittany Lions (12-5) came up short in their third attempt to advance beyond the semifinals. It took nearly an entire quarter for either team to get on the board. Cornell finally notched a goal in the final minute of the opening period, but Penn State held a 5-4 lead at halftime. The Big Red took charge with a decisive 6-1 third quarter for a 10-6 margin. The Nittany Lions had erased a six-goal deficit a week earlier in a comeback win against Notre dame and had trailed by four in their earlier victory against the Big Red, but this time they could get no closer than one the rest of the way. Cornell held on despite record-setting attackman and Tewaaraton Award finalist CJ Kirst being held without a point for the first time in his collegiate career. His teammates took up the slack as Michael Long notched a game-high five points on two goals and three assists, and Hugh Kelleher chipped in with three goals and an assist from the midfield, including the final tally of the game with 5:43 remaining that snapped the Nittany Lions' three-goal run. Liam Matthews paced Penn State with four goals and Matt Traynor scored twice. In the second semifinal, Maryland raced out to an 8-2 lead in the first half and coasted to a 14-8 victory over sixth-seeded Syracuse. The Terrapins (14-4) surrendered the game's first goal in the opening minute but put on a defensive clinic for the remainder of the day. The Orange (13-6), making their first trip to Championship Weekend since 2013, struggled to get good looks at the cage all afternoon. Eric Spanos led the way on the offensive end for the Terrapins with four goals and an assist. But the day belonged to the defenders as Logan McNaney made 14 saves and Will Schaller held top Syracuse attackman Joey Spallina to a single assist. Monday's championship game will be a rematch of the 2022 final, a 9-7 win for Maryland in which McNaney's 17-save effort earned him tournament most outstanding player honors. That title was the fourth overall for the Terrapins in the NCAA era and the second under current coach John Tillman, and Maryland will be playing on Memorial Day for the fourth time in five years. The Big Red will be seeking their fourth NCAA crown but their first since 1977. Big Red coach Connor Buczek, a Cornell alum who assumed the reins prior to the abbreviated 2020 season, has led his alma mater to the title game twice in his four full campaigns at the helm.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council considers purchasing historic Assembly Rooms
The historic Assembly Rooms in Belfast may soon be taken out of private ownership and bought by Belfast City Council. A potential deal is being considered that could pave the way for the restoration of the derelict building, which dates back to the 18th Century. It was the site of the famous Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, which led to the preservation of the ancient tradition of Irish harping. Details of the proposed deal are confidential. The matter was discussed behind closed doors at a city council committee meeting on Friday. Councillors are expected to meet again within the next seven days, and if it is agreed to make a formal bid for the Assembly Rooms, the move will need approval from the full council on 2 June. The historic building belongs to Castlebrooke Investments, which is behind the delayed Tribeca development in Belfast's city centre. Built in 1769, the Assembly Rooms are at the corner of North Street and Waring Street. In spite of the building's historical and cultural significance, it has fallen out of use in the past two decades. The Assembly Rooms has been placed on a list of global 'at risk' heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund. The leader of the Alliance Party group at City Hall, Michael Long, said final details have yet to be worked out but he was "really hopeful" a deal could be done. "The reality is that we now have an opportunity to take hold of the building, which is of great historic significance in Belfast. "This will help to regenerate and revitalise this particular area of the city, which has suffered in recent years. "So many buildings have been lost in Belfast, this is an opportunity to save this really important building." Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said she too is hopeful a deal can be done. "There have been countless political discussions about this over the last number of years. I think there now seems to be a general political willingness and acknowledgement that this is important. "The Assembly Rooms is a building that has massive cultural and historical significance for this city but it also has massive economic and regeneration potential. "We have large parts of our city centre just sitting there derelict and really needing proper investment and that's what I see this as." BBC News NI approached Castlebrooke Investments about the possible sale of the Assembly Rooms. The company made no comment. Belfast's Assembly Rooms on global list of 'at risk' heritage sites 'Give Belfast's Assembly Rooms to the people' Are NI's historic buildings deteriorating?
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council considers purchasing historic Assembly Rooms
The historic Assembly Rooms in Belfast may soon be taken out of private ownership and bought by Belfast City Council. A potential deal is being considered that could pave the way for the restoration of the derelict building, which dates back to the 18th Century. It was the site of the famous Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, which led to the preservation of the ancient tradition of Irish harping. Details of the proposed deal are confidential. The matter was discussed behind closed doors at a city council committee meeting on Friday. Councillors are expected to meet again within the next seven days, and if it is agreed to make a formal bid for the Assembly Rooms, the move will need approval from the full council on 2 June. The historic building belongs to Castlebrooke Investments, which is behind the delayed Tribeca development in Belfast's city centre. Built in 1769, the Assembly Rooms are at the corner of North Street and Waring Street. In spite of the building's historical and cultural significance, it has fallen out of use in the past two decades. The Assembly Rooms has been placed on a list of global 'at risk' heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund. The leader of the Alliance Party group at City Hall, Michael Long, said final details have yet to be worked out but he was "really hopeful" a deal could be done. "The reality is that we now have an opportunity to take hold of the building, which is of great historic significance in Belfast. "This will help to regenerate and revitalise this particular area of the city, which has suffered in recent years. "So many buildings have been lost in Belfast, this is an opportunity to save this really important building." Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said she too is hopeful a deal can be done. "There have been countless political discussions about this over the last number of years. I think there now seems to be a general political willingness and acknowledgement that this is important. "The Assembly Rooms is a building that has massive cultural and historical significance for this city but it also has massive economic and regeneration potential. "We have large parts of our city centre just sitting there derelict and really needing proper investment and that's what I see this as." BBC News NI approached Castlebrooke Investments about the possible sale of the Assembly Rooms. The company made no comment. Belfast's Assembly Rooms on global list of 'at risk' heritage sites 'Give Belfast's Assembly Rooms to the people' Are NI's historic buildings deteriorating?
