Latest news with #Pieta
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
On This Week: THAT 'Normal People' Chain raises €70k for charity
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (2nd - 8th June) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 2nd - 8th June. This Week In Irish News McDonagh Tower, a 15-storey block of flats in Ballymun, north Dublin, was reduced to rubble as part of a regeneration project. Thousands of people gathered to witness the tower's demolition, which was brought down by a controlled explosion. Oscar McAuley, the great-great-grandson of Thomas McDonagh, one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, after whom the tower was named, pressed the detonator. 2024: CSO marked 75 years of counting the Irish economy The Central Statistics Office (CSO) celebrated its 75th anniversary this week. The CSO was established in 1949 to gather, analyse and publish independent statistics and insights about Irish society, its economy, and the environment. In 1951, it carried out its first census, the first Census of Population, which is conducted every five years. This Week In Irish Sports Barry McGuigan captured the WBA and lineal featherweight titles after 15 rounds against Eusebio Pedroza. The fighter, nicknamed the 'Clones Cyclone', was on a 27-fight winning streak before facing Pedroza, who held the title for seven years and made 19 successful defences before this fight. Yet it was McGuigan who had the upper hand, flooring Pedroza in the seventh round before winning unanimously. 2024: Gold for Ireland in 4x400m mixed relay in Europe Team Ireland produced a magnificent performance to win gold at the European Athletics Championships. The relay team included Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr & Sharlene Mawdsley who finished in a time of 3:09:92, a championship record. The four join Sonia O'Sullivan as the only gold medallists for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships. This Week In Irish Entertainment Gay Byrne returned to the Late Late Show set to mark the 50th anniversary of the talk show. After receiving a standing ovation upon his arrival, Byrne spoke about how people hated it when the show started, but it quickly became popular, and the rest is history. The anniversary also included Brendan Balfe, who was in the audience for the very first Late Late Show, who recalled his memories of the first show. 2020: Paul Mescal raises €70,000 raffling THAT chain for charity Paul Mescal raised over €70,000 for suicide prevention charity Pieta by raffling off the iconic chain worn by his Normal People character Connell. The chain became a hit with fans to the point that it had its own Instagram account with over 180,000 followers. Mescal said he particularly wanted to help Pieta because "suicide and depression are themes directly linked to Normal People." This Week In Irish Culture 2003: St Anthony relics tour Ireland The relics of the Franciscan monk Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the Catholic Church's most popular saints, came to Ireland for a nine-day tour. Saint Anthony is famous for his power to return lost possessions, and his tour began at Fairview in Dublin. At one point, the poles used to carry the reliquary were lost in Dublin Airport, but Franciscan Conventual friar Father Xavier Goulet, who helped organise the tour, knew who to turn to. They found them about an hour before the official reception of the relics in Fairview started. 2023: Largest collection of Cumann na mBan memorabilia goes on display One of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Cumann na mBan memorabilia has gone on display at the Cork Public Museum after its surprise discovery in a dusty attic. The archive, which contains over 5,000 items, including photographs, letters, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings, gave insight into the role of the women's Republican paramilitary organisation during tumultuous times in the country's history, especially during the Civil War. The collection would have been lost forever if a house owner had not contacted the museum and asked them to assess the material before selling the property in 2007. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1979: 'Sunday Girl' by Blondie Sunday Girl was written by Blondie's guitarist Chris Stein and was inspired by Debbie Harry's cat having run away. 1983: 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police The Police's signature song was recognised by BMI in the US as the most played song in radio history. 1998: 'C'est La Vie' by B*Witched The iconic song from B*Witched made them the youngest girl group ever to have a UK number one. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week Liam Cunningham (64) Actor best known for roles in Game of Thrones, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and Hunger. Donal Skehan (39) Television presenter, chef and food writer. Helen McEntee (39) Minister for Education and Youth, and Deputy Leader of Fine Gael. Other Irish Trivia From This Week 2019: The Irish pigeon who played a vital role in D-Day An Irish pigeon played a small but vital part in bringing the news of the Normandy landings on D-Day 75 years ago. Paddy the Pigeon was one of 32 pigeons released from Normandy to bring back the news of D-Day to England. He travelled 368 km (230 miles) in four hours and 50 minutes. For this feat, Paddy was awarded the Dickin Medal, which has been described as the animal equivalent of Britain's Victoria Cross, and is the only Irish animal to have been so decorated. Looking Ahead
Irish Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sunny balmy night 'became dimmed' when popular tradesman drowned, funeral hears
A sunny balmy night 'became dimmed' last Wednesday when a popular tradesman and fisherman drowned in the River Blackwater in Mallow, a requiem mass has heard. Simon O'Connell (41) from Meelaheeragh, Kanturk, Co Cork, got in to difficulty in the water whilst swimming at Dysert, Dromagh in Mallow, Co Cork at around 7pm last Wednesday. The alarm was raised and the emergency services were at the scene within minutes. The body of the deceased was recovered down stream by members of the Cork County Fire Service. Fr John Magner told mourners at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kanturk today that there was 'shock, numbness and devastation' in the community following the sudden passing of Simon. 'For me to witness Nancy (his mother) holding her son Simon recalls Jesus in the arms of his mother after the Crucifixion in Michelangelo's Pieta. It (the sculpture) became a living reality for Nancy, for Jim (the father of Simon) and for the O'Connell family.' Fr Magner said that Simon was 'gifted' with his hands. 'His work as a plasterer was much sought after for his workmanship. He loved the outdoors with the dogs and the ferrets and the horses and the fishing — all those outdoor pursuits.' Symbols of the life of the deceased brought to the altar at the mass included a plastering trowel, a fishing net and a dog muzzle. The emergency services who assisted at the scene were remembered in the prayers. Following the 11.30am requiem mass a service took place at the Island Crematorioum in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. Meanwhile, a file on the case is being sent to the Coroner in North Cork. An inquest will be held in due course. Mr O'Connell is survived by his parents James and Nancy, his siblings James and Barry, his nephews Jamie and Danny, niece Isla, extended family and friends.
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Sunny night ended in tragedy when 'gifted man' drowned in river, funeral hears
A sunny balmy night 'became dimmed' last Wednesday when a popular tradesman and fisherman drowned in the River Blackwater in Mallow, a requiem mass has heard. Simon O'Connell (41) from Meelaheeragh, Kanturk, Co Cork, got in to difficulty in the water whilst swimming at Dysert, Dromagh in Mallow, Co Cork at around 7pm last Wednesday. The alarm was raised and the emergency services were at the scene within minutes. The body of the deceased was recovered down stream by members of the Cork County Fire Service. Fr John Magner told mourners at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kanturk today that there was 'shock, numbness and devastation' in the community following the sudden passing of Simon. 'For me to witness Nancy (his mother) holding her son Simon recalls Jesus in the arms of his mother after the Crucifixion in Michelangelo's Pieta. It (the sculpture) became a living reality for Nancy, for Jim (the father of Simon) and for the O'Connell family.' Fr Magner said that Simon was 'gifted' with his hands. 'His work as a plasterer was much sought after for his workmanship. He loved the outdoors with the dogs and the ferrets and the horses and the fishing — all those outdoor pursuits.' Symbols of the life of the deceased brought to the altar at the mass included a plastering trowel, a fishing net and a dog muzzle. The emergency services who assisted at the scene were remembered in the prayers. Following the 11.30am requiem mass a service took place at the Island Crematorioum in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork Meanwhile, a file on the case is being sent to the Coroner in North Cork. An inquest will be held in due course. Mr O'Connell is survived by his parents James and Nancy, his siblings James and Barry, his nephews Jamie and Danny, niece Isla, extended family and friends.
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
See pictures as Wicklow golf clubs do their fair share for very worthy causes
Today at 02:30 It was a busy weekend on the county's golf courses, with plenty throwing their shoulder to the wheel for great causes – and going about it in their unique way. Bray Golf Club certainly can't be accused of not thinking outside the box, holding an event that saw the golf played off by the late hour of because the club held a day's golf inspired by the ever-popular Darkness Into Light walks and, like those walks, this event raised funds for suicide-and-self-harm-prevention charity Pieta.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
See photos as Darkness into Light events shine bright across Kerry
The events, which took place right across the county from Caherdaniel to Glenbeigh and from Tralee to Castleisland, to name but a few, hundreds of participants, all of whom dragged themselves from their warm beds in the pre-dawn hours to walk together in a powerful display of hope and unity. Over the years, the annual DIL walks have become a popular tradition across Ireland and beyond, Darkness Into Light is organised by Pieta, the mental health charity that provides vital support to people in suicidal distress or who are engaging in self-harm. As is tradition, this year's walks around the county began at 4:15am, symbolising the journey from darkness into light and offering a message that no one is ever alone. At all the locations here in Kerry, the spirit of community was palpable with local volunteers out in force, working tirelessly to co-ordinate safe and welcoming events for all involved. The walks were once again a sea of yellow with participants donning the now famous yellow t-shirts that have become synonymous with the event. Pieta expressed their sincere gratitude to all who took part or donated with all of the funds raised from the events set to go towards supporting the charity's free, 24/7 counselling services. Organisers of Kerry events recorded high turnouts, highlighted the importance of continuing conversations around mental health. For those who missed the walk but still wish to support Pieta's work, donations remain open on the Darkness Into Light website.
