Latest news with #SallyRooney
The Journal
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Controversial Mayo data centre project opposed by author Sally Rooney stalled
CONTENTIOUS PLANS TO proceed with a data centre in Co Mayo opposed by international best-selling author, Sally Rooney have been stalled. This follows a third party appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Mayo County Council's decision to grant planning permission last month to Mayo Data Hub Ltd for a data centre at Mullafarry and Tawnaghmore Upper, Killala. One of the objectors to the data centre, Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare has lodged the third party appeal. The data centre for a site located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina will require 50MW average electrical power to operate. A planning report lodged with the application by John Spain Associates states that proposed development 'will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy'. The Spain planning report also states that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the required connection for the data centre. The report states that the project 'was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with Eirgrid because this location is outside grid constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power'. In his original objection with the Council, Doyle stated that his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate. In her own objection to the centre, Sally Rooney told the Council that 'I urge you in the strongest possible terms to refuse planning permission for this wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal'. Rooney said that she was making this submission 'as a resident of County Mayo and a concerned citizen.' The Normal People and Intermezzo author said: 'Climate change represents an immediate and unprecedented threat to our way of life here in Mayo and to the future of human life around the world'. Advertisement She said: 'Unless we act now to stop runaway overheating, children born today are likely to witness a catastrophic breakdown of global civilisation.' Rooney said that in 2023, 'private corporate data centres accounted for 21% of Ireland's total electricity usage – more than all urban households combined'. Rooney said: 'The truth is that these data centres exist largely to support online advertising. Some estimates suggest that online ads account for 50% of internet data usage; others put the figure between 60% and 80%. She added: 'Whatever the specific figure, online advertising is extremely energy-intensive and is increasing in scale all the time, requiring more data centres, more energy, and more fossil fuels. Rooney said: 'Advertising, needless to say, is pointless. It adds no value to the real economy. It does not improve the overall quality of life for anyone. It is an utter waste of resources. At the best of times, this seems a shame; at a time of urgent global crisis, it is a catastrophe.' Rooney argued that 'wasteful consumption of electricity is a disaster. Not only does it drive energy prices upward for ordinary consumers; it also increases the total demand for energy and thus the total demand for fossil fuels' Rooney said that as the applicants have conceded that the project will result in the emission of more carbon dioxide' into our already overheated atmosphere'. She said: 'This additional atmospheric carbon will contribute to climate change not only here in County Mayo, but everywhere on the earth, as part of the catastrophic planetary crisis that is global warming.' Rooney further contended that 'Carbon credits' and 'offsetting programmes' deployed by operators of data centres 'act only as a smokescreen for corporations that want to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for profit'. She said: 'These gases have already been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and in the coming years we can be confident they will claim the lives of thousands more. No complicated EU policy instrument can wave that fact away.' In her six-page submission, Rooney further stated that 'Not only would this proposed data centre represent a wasteful use of precious and limited electricity; it could also endanger that vital resource for other users, including hospitals and homes.' A decision is due on the appeal in September.
BreakingNews.ie
24-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Plans for Mayo data centre opposed by Sally Rooney stalled after appeal
Contentious plans to proceed with a data centre in Co Mayo opposed by international best-selling author, Sally Rooney have been stalled. This follows a third party appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanála against Mayo County Council's decision to grant planning permission last month to Mayo Data Hub Ltd for a data centre at Mullafarry and Tawnaghmore Upper, Killala. Advertisement One of the objectors to the data centre, Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare has lodged the third party appeal. The data centre for a site, located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina, will require 50MW average electrical power to operate. A planning report lodged with the application by John Spain Associates states that proposed development "will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy'. The planning report also states that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the required connection for the data centre. Advertisement The report states that the project 'was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with Eirgrid because this location is outside grid constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power'. In his original objection with the Council, Mr Doyle stated that his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate. In her own objection to the centre, Sally Rooney told the Council that 'I urge you in the strongest possible terms to refuse planning permission for this wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal'. Ms Rooney said that she was making this submission 'as a resident of Co Mayo and a concerned citizen.' Advertisement The Normal People and Intermezzo author said: "Climate change represents an immediate and unprecedented threat to our way of life here in Mayo and to the future of human life around the world'. She said: "Unless we act now to stop runaway overheating, children born today are likely to witness a catastrophic breakdown of global civilisation.' Ms Rooney said that in 2023, 'private corporate data centres accounted for 21 per cent of Ireland's total electricity usage – more than all urban households combined'. Ms Rooney said: 'The truth is that these data centres exist largely to support online advertising. Some estimates suggest that online ads account for 50 per cent of internet data usage; others put the figure between 60 per cent and 80 per cent. Advertisement She said: 'Whatever the specific figure, online advertising is extremely energy-intensive and is increasing in scale all the time, requiring more data centres, more energy, and more fossil fuels. Ms Rooney said: 'Advertising, needless to say, is pointless. It adds no value to the real economy. It does not improve the overall quality of life for anyone. It is an utter waste of resources. At the best of times, this seems a shame; at a time of urgent global crisis, it is a catastrophe.' "Wasteful consumption of electricity is a disaster. Not only does it drive energy prices upward for ordinary consumers; it also increases the total demand for energy and thus the total demand for fossil fuels' Ms Rooney said that as the applicants have conceded that the project will result in the emission of more carbon dioxide" into our already overheated atmosphere". Advertisement She said: 'This additional atmospheric carbon will contribute to climate change not only here in County Mayo, but everywhere on the earth, as part of the catastrophic planetary crisis that is global warming.' Ms Rooney further contended that 'Carbon credits' and 'offsetting programmes' deployed by operators of data centres 'act only as a smokescreen for corporations that want to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for profit'. She said: "These gases have already been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and in the coming years we can be confident they will claim the lives of thousands more. No complicated EU policy instrument can wave that fact away.' In her six page submission, Ms Rooney further states that 'Not only would this proposed data centre represent a wasteful use of precious and limited electricity; it could also endanger that vital resource for other users, including hospitals and homes.' A decision is due on the appeal in September.
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Approval for Mayo data centre plan is appealed
Contentious plans for a data centre in Co Mayo have been stalled after an appeal was lodged against the county council's decision to approve the Mayo Data Hub Ltd plan. The data centre on a site located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina will require 50MW average electrical power to operate. Planning consultants John Spain Associates, for the applicants, said the proposed development 'will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy'. The Spain report also notes that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the connection for the data centre. READ MORE It says the project 'was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with EirGrid because this location is outside grid-constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power'. However, one of the objectors to the plan – Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare – has now lodged a third party appeal to An Bord Pleanála. In his original objection to the proposal, Mr Doyle said his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate. Bestselling author Sally Rooney, who was born in Castlebar and lives in Mayo, was also among the original objectors to the scheme, calling the data centre plan a 'wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal'.
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Plans stalled for data centre in Mayo
Contentious plans to proceed with a data centre in Co Mayo opposed by international best-selling author, Sally Rooney have been stalled. This follows a third party appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Mayo County Council's decision to grant planning permission last month to Mayo Data Hub Ltd for a data centre at Mullafarry and Tawnaghmore Upper, Killala. One of the objectors to the data centre, Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare has lodged the third party appeal. The data centre for a site, located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina, will require 50MW average electrical power to operate. A planning report lodged with the application by John Spain Associates states that proposed development "will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy". The Spain planning report also states that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the required connection for the data centre. The report states that the project "was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with Eirgrid because this location is outside grid constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power". In his original objection with the Council, Mr Doyle stated that his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate. In her own objection to the centre, Sally Rooney told the Council that "I urge you in the strongest possible terms to refuse planning permission for this wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal". Ms Rooney said that she was making this submission "as a resident of County Mayo and a concerned citizen." The Normal People and Intermezzo author said: "Climate change represents an immediate and unprecedented threat to our way of life here in Mayo and to the future of human life around the world". She said: "Unless we act now to stop runaway overheating, children born today are likely to witness a catastrophic breakdown of global civilisation." Ms Rooney said that in 2023, "private corporate data centres accounted for 21% of Ireland's total electricity usage – more than all urban households combined". Ms Rooney said: "The truth is that these data centres exist largely to support online advertising. Some estimates suggest that online ads account for 50% of internet data usage; others put the figure between 60% and 80%. She added: "Whatever the specific figure, online advertising is extremely energy-intensive and is increasing in scale all the time, requiring more data centres, more energy, and more fossil fuels. Ms Rooney said: "Advertising, needless to say, is pointless. It adds no value to the real economy. It does not improve the overall quality of life for anyone. It is an utter waste of resources. At the best of times, this seems a shame; at a time of urgent global crisis, it is a catastrophe." Ms Rooney argued that "wasteful consumption of electricity is a disaster. Not only does it drive energy prices upward for ordinary consumers; it also increases the total demand for energy and thus the total demand for fossil fuels" Ms Rooney said that as the applicants have conceded that the project will result in the emission of more carbon dioxide" into our already overheated atmosphere". She said: "This additional atmospheric carbon will contribute to climate change not only here in County Mayo, but everywhere on the earth, as part of the catastrophic planetary crisis that is global warming." Ms Rooney further contended that 'Carbon credits' and 'offsetting programmes' deployed by operators of data centres "act only as a smokescreen for corporations that want to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for profit". She said: "These gases have already been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and in the coming years we can be confident they will claim the lives of thousands more. No complicated EU policy instrument can wave that fact away." In her six page submission, Ms Rooney further stated that "Not only would this proposed data centre represent a wasteful use of precious and limited electricity; it could also endanger that vital resource for other users, including hospitals and homes." A decision is due on the appeal in September.
CairoScene
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
The Art School Dropout Edit
They never finished the degree, but they always understood the assignment. You've seen them. Sitting on pavement outside a gallery, sketchbook in one hand, a cigarette or iced oat latte in the other. They talk in references - Barbara Kruger, Sally Rooney, Rei Kawakubo - and they wear their clothes like walking critiques of conformity. They might don thrifted oversized jackets with shoulder pads that don't sit quite right, paint-streaked trousers that used to be beige but now lean toward 'off-white with history of stains and spills,' and T-shirts screen printed with something ironic, maybe even in Times New Roman. The fashion history of the art school misfit finds its grounds in rebellion. In the '60s, they wore beat-up denim and army surplus coats, channeling the anti-war student. In the '90s, it was grunge and deconstruction, like Martin Margiela's threadbare seams or Yohji Yamamoto's academic draping. Today, their look is an archive of eras - Dickies workwear meets Schiaparelli earrings, a vintage Céline tote. They dress like they read theory for breakfast and don't care about trends, even though they're constantly setting them. This edit is for the misfits, and the ones who dropped out - not because they couldn't hack it, but because the classroom was too small. It's for those who live in between critique sessions and underground zine fairs. Those who treat clothing like a medium, and getting dressed like a daily project brief. So no, it's not polished. It's layered. Intuitive. Slightly chaotic in the best way. Welcome to the wardrobe of the art school dropout - who may or may not still have their student ID for the museum and library discount. Jessica K | The Roman Jacket, Cabiria Corset & Mago Pants This satin set plays with contrast - between softness and structure, heritage and now. The Roman jacket and argyle corset offer texture without shouting. It's tailored nostalgia, repurposed for the dropout who sketches in gold ink. Medina | Maison Mohair Beanie This mohair beanie reads cozy at first glance, but look closer - it's full of cryptic texture and punk softness, fitting right in with the dropout's undone uniform. Mallakä | The Bedazzled Flannel I This piece features a familiar silhouette glitched with unexpected sparkle. This oversized flannel is the dropout's take on small-town nostalgia, remixed with stage-light fantasy. It's worn best while staying in, daydreaming out. Isis Dunya | Leopard Set This two-piece leopard set plays like a high-octane version of a teenage dream. Equal parts girlish and grounded, it's the dropout's answer to Y2K revival - worn with boots, bad posture, and a brilliant idea. Apoa | Rose Choker Equal parts pop-art and petal, this choker feels like a wearable sketch. It's delicate yet bold, soft yet strange - exactly the tension that defines the dropout's taste. Not Boring | Dating Season T-shirt Graphic and cheeky, this tee doesn't take itself too seriously - which is why it works. A nod to suburban rebellion and skater energy, it's the perfect dropout staple. Irony sold separately. Precious Trust | Workwear Pearls Jacket This jacket wears like a film still - gritty, brooding, and edited in grayscale. It's a wearable monologue from the dropout who dropped acid before critique day. It has just the right mix of angst and artistry. Mozari Jewels | Hag El Laila Rings There's a charm in wearing your colour theory on your fingers. These cabochon-cut flower rings from Mozari feel like relics from a folkloric daydream. They're the kind of statement you'd make after ditching design school for a jewellery bench. Proud Angeles | Not Proud Polo With its oversized fit and tongue-in-cheek slogan, this Proud Angeles polo leans into post-ironic streetwear. The airplane motif and sport stripes feel like a sketchbook doodle that made it big. Raw the Label | Denim Set in Light Dirty Shade This denim-on-denim moment turns washed-out blues into something sculptural. Raw the Label's matching set echoes the utilitarian lines of workwear but sits somewhere between wearable and installation. Nöl Collective | The Mina The rust-toned corduroy jacket feels tactile and rooted - like something you'd sew in your studio apartment between theory lectures. Handmade in a refugee camp and dyed naturally, the look bridges craft, story, and statement. It wears like a soft protest. Coddiewomple | CW Crewneck Milan This piece looks like it was made in a basement silkscreen studio on a caffeine high. Styled with clashing layers, it's a nod to that art student energy - half-styled, half-accidental, and all self-aware. It's merch for your imaginary band and the final year project rolled into one. Suez Studio | Khayamiya Crescent Jacket This Suez Studio jacket incorporates hand-stitched khayamiya panels into a crisp modern silhouette. Its heritage technique reimagined as outerwear - clean, graphic, but deeply textured, perfect for the dropout who still honors the source. Menage 07 | Volume 5 Beanie This beanie punctured with metal eyelets has the energy of a late-night design experiment gone right. It balances punk utility with precision shape - genderless, seasonless, and full of texture. Double A | Beckett Leather Waist Belt Brown With asymmetrical panels and blunt metal studs, this belt could double as a sculpture in your thesis show. It's the kind of accessory that doesn't just cinch - it directs the entire look. Anippe | Freesia Top This sheer yellow mesh top toes the line between daring and playful. The asymmetrical panels and exposed structure give it an experimental edge, and the high-cut silhouette hints at dancewear. BLSSD | Oversized Silk Blazer Dress Warning: do not paint with this on. A pristine white oversized blazer reworked into a dress, worn with textured gaiters - this look plays with proportion like a sculptor plays with clay. It's minimal, yet confrontational. Rafa Earth | Crochet Fishnet Shawl Delicate and conceptual, this piece literally wraps you in metaphor. The fishnet veil and shimmering underlayer merge textile and narrative - a nod to patience, process, and ritual. Rebel Cairo | Feline Open-Back Linen Dress A wild cut in a domesticated print, this linen mini captures the chaos of a thesis meltdown and the thrill of ditching it. Unapologetically sassy, it's for the dropout who turned their final into a performance piece. Steffy Gamayel | Mystique Cardigan A crocheted patchwork of mismatched stripes and striking colour clashes, this cardigan has the soul of a sketchbook. Handmade but not precious, it feels like a wearable collage from a textile student's final project. Brown Toast | Dissociation XL Tote Oversized, screen-printed, and a little too honest, this tote reads like an overexposed zine you'd pick up at a student-run gallery. Its XL size fits a sketchpad, your trauma, and a half-finished manifesto. Antreprima & Bea Bongiasca Jewellery | Wire Bag & Colourful Jewellery This beaded wire bag and jewellery are part toy, and entirely unserious in the best way. They're the kind of accessories an art school dropout grabs on the way to a manga exhibit or a rave-themed performance piece. Functional? Barely. Expressive? Entirely.
