Latest news with #NightTimeEconomy
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Dublin's Help Zone van to relocate to Croke Park for Oasis gigs
Dublin City Council has announced that Dublin's Help Zone van, affectionately known as 'The Nee Naw', is heading to Croke Park to support the Oasis concerts. It will be parked on Mountjoy Square from 4pm to 12am on Saturday and Sunday, providing care and support to concertgoers before and after the shows. Advertisement The 'Nee Naw' will be on hand for anyone who needs help, whether that's first aid on their way in or out, a quiet place to gather themselves, or assistance locating lost belongings. Dublin's night-time economy advisor, Ray O'Donoghue, said: 'We've shown that this service is becoming a vital part of the city's fabric. "Whether it's offering real help or simply being a visible safety presence, 'The Nee Naw' is one of several initiatives making Dublin a safer, more welcoming place at night.' The van has had a successful summer run on Camden Street, where it supported hundreds of people, Dublin City Council said.
Irish Examiner
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Limerick's new initiative aims to increase footfall at night
There was a 'great buzz' in Limerick as the second edition of a new initiative kicked off, in a bid to boost the city's night-time economy. Twilight Thursdays runs on the last Thursday of every month, offering a mix of family-friendly fun, live music, food and drink experiences, as well as cultural showcases. Presented by Limerick City and County Council, the initiative is designed to energise the city's night-time economy and cultural life, and invite locals and visitors alike to explore the city after dark in 'a safe, welcoming' atmosphere. Limerick City is one of nine locations selected to participate in the national Night Time Economy pilot programme, which is supported and funded by the Department of Culture. Night-time economy adviser at Limerick City and County Council, Craig Power, told the Irish Examiner: 'Twilight Thursday is basically about bringing people into the city with the end goal of getting retail hours extended, getting business to open up later. 'But to ask businesses to do that, we need to be able to increase footfall in the city centre, so that's what we're doing. In the meantime, we're supporting culture, the food and beverage industry, hotels, restaurants, bars. We've got great partners in the likes of Uber and Free now that allow us to offer 40% off taxis for the nights in question.' So far, the events have been well received by the people in Limerick - despite the weather. The Limerick Wild Geese Festival Crew, Tobi Omoteso, Raquel Castillo, Ciara O'Callaghan(Ceese), MuRli Evans Boevi and Isac Maurice Kossivi at The Commercial Bar. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson For the owner of The Commercial, Rocky O'Shea, the initiative resembles a mini culture night - one which takes place every month. 'It's like a small little culture night and I always say culture night is the start of the season. It's where everyone comes back from holidays, the kids go back to school and there's a load of free events and it gives people a reason to come out. People go out and go, 'Jeez, this is a great city' and it kicks off a little bit of the nighttime buzz around,' Mr O'Shea said. 'You can see that this is slowly doing the same. I went around the last one and I was in a couple of places I wouldn't normally be, and there was a great buzz,' he added. The next Twilight Thursday will be taking place in Limerick on July 31.
Irish Examiner
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
‘Don't Touch My Knob' gig challenges lack of female acts at Cork's Live at the Marquee
As a positive reaction to the lack of gender diversity on Cork's Live at the Marquee line-up, musician Áine Duffy has spear-headed a gig in the historic Elizabeth Fort featuring female artists. Cork City Council and the Night Time Economy have partnered with Ms Duffy to present 'Don't Touch My Knob' in the historic former fort and women's prison off Barrack St. The all-female line-up includes MC and comedian Sinéad Quinlan, musicians Ria Rua, Áine Duffy and electronic DJ Nathalie Mac. Elizabeth Fort was specially chosen for its significant role in history as a female prison and deportation centre between 1822 and 1837. 'No female headliners? No problem,' Ms Duffy said. 'Join us for a powerhouse protest gig celebrating incredible female artists, too often hidden by corporate gatekeepers. No female headliners at the Marquee and just 2% females on the airwaves. We're taking back the stage. 'Expect raw talent, skill, craic, and laughs. This isn't just a gig. It's a statement,' Ms Duffy said. Ms Duffy, a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Bandon, has previously toured the world, including in the US, Spain, Italy, and Canada with her music, which often blends Rock, RnB and Dance. "It's like David Grohl gate-crashed an Irish protest rally," was how one of her gigs was described. Áine Duffy at her mobile gig venue, a converted donkey box, in 2021. During the covid pandemic, she converted a donkey box into a mobile gig venue to safely tour her album outdoors when gig venues were closed internationally during successive lockdowns. Ria Rua is a multi-instrumentalist and artist who fuses alt-pop, electro-grunge, and industrial textures with a powerful, unapologetic sound. DJ and co-founder of the Electronic Music Council Natalie Mac brings powerful beats and a passionate commitment to nurturing Cork's electronic music talent. Comedian and RedFM radio presenter Sinéad Quinlan delivers laugh out-loud humour with an authentic, relatable twist. The gig's name was inspired by a sign Ms Duffy previously erected at gigs which said: "Please do not touch my knob (without consent)" to deter men from adjusting her equipment. She said people, mostly men, consistently came up to her during live performances and tried to adjust her public address (PA) system. 'I was playing a gig in West Cork — it was wonderful but a stream of people kept coming up trying to adjust my PA system. I think they were just trying to help but I know what I'm doing, I've been doing this for years. "A woman came up to me the next day and suggested I put a sign up saying 'keep your hands off my knob' and I did. It's worked so far. 'I want to be gentle and humorous about it. But if I was a man, I would not have to do that.' The women will perform on August 1 at Elizabeth Fort in Cork City from 8pm. Tickets at €20 are available from Read More 50 more acts announced for sold-out All Together Now festival
Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Limerick launches ‘twilight' initiative to boost night-time economy
Limerick council is launching a new 'twilight' initiative to boost the night-time economy, starting from this Thursday. Twilight Thursdays will run on the last Thursday of every month, offering a mix of family-friendly fun, live music, food and drink experiences, as well as cultural showcases. Presented by Limerick City and County Council, the initiative is designed to energise the city's night-time economy and cultural life, and invite locals and visitors alike to explore the city after dark in 'a safe, welcoming' atmosphere. A number of bars and restaurants are offering a range of food and drink offers on Twilight Thursday. Limerick City is one of nine locations selected to participate in the national Night Time Economy pilot programme, which is supported and funded by the Department of Culture. Mayor of Limerick John Moran said the initiative was all about 'reimagining Limerick after dark'. 'This initiative is about more than just one Thursday a month, it's a movement to showcase Limerick's incredible culture, energy, and the ability to do things differently. We want people to embrace the opportunity to support local businesses, meet friends, and above all, enjoy themselves. Whether you're discovering a new venue, enjoying live music, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Twilight Thursdays will undoubtedly improve our city's night-time offering. Let's make this a tradition that brings our community together.' Night-time economy adviser at Limerick City and County Council, Craig Power, said: 'Twilight Thursdays marks an important step in reimagining Limerick's night-time offering. We encourage everyone to take part in this first edition and look forward to building on its success with even more exciting offerings in the months ahead.'
