Latest news with #TheUndertones
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Undertones: Teenage Kicks for Derry choir as recording hits the big screen
Teenage Kicks, so hard to beat - so the classic hit by The Undertones goes and so too it proved for choir members from a Londonderry special education school who have recorded a new version with the legendary punk members from Ardnashee School and College attended a special cinema screening of the performance on Wednesday, which was filmed last December at the home of Derry City FC, the Ryan McBride Brandywell regarded as one of the band's best-known songs, the 1978 hit has also become an unofficial anthem for Derry City recorded performance was part of the club's outreach initiative to promote inclusion through music and community engagement. About 50 pupils formed the choir to record the song, bringing new energy to a much-loved Candystripes anthem."It was very good. I'm very proud of myself," said pupil Logan after seeing himself on the big screen at the Brunswick school choir's rendition had previously caught the attention of the band after an earlier version was shared online, prompting The Undertones to want to collaborate on the special recording. Bass guitarist Mickey Bradley, who attended Tuesday's screening, praised the students' energy and musical ability. "To see all those children who are getting great pleasure out of singing a song that you were involved in, you know it's hard to beat," he said."The joy and the enthusiasm that they had for it, kind of reminded me of the way we were whenever we were teenagers—whenever we made the record, you know." Guitarist Damian O'Neill said it was a really enjoyable project to be a part of and praised the choir's performance."Watching the kids when they were singing it and the joy that they were getting, they were obviously having fun," he said. "We get that same feeling," he addedKaren Pyne, Derry City FC's supporters liaison officer, said this project has been a fantastic initiative, and everyone loves the new recording."Three years ago we set up Different Together in conjunction with Ardnashee School and College to bring inclusion and diversity to the club." Tuesday's event also included tributes to filmmaker Vinny Cunningham, who directed the original video in December and passed away in February at the age of 58. Mr Cunningham, a dedicated Derry City fan, was well known for his work on Mahon's Way, Lesser Spotted Ulster, and documentaries about both the Troubles and The Undertones. An encore due to popular demand Ardnashee principal Raymond McFeeters described the experience as "magnificent" for the children involved. "I think they thought that they were the stars," he appointed deputy mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Niree McMorris, said the pupils should be incredibly proud of everything they have achieved. "It's wonderful to see this school being recognised for the special children that are within it. To be involved in the project with Teenage Kicks is amazing." The screening ended with loud applause and cheers — and an encore by popular demand from those in attendance. "It was so amazing that we had it on twice," said pupil Faye. Cian, another pupil and choir member, attended the screening with his parents and said he could hardly believe his eyes when he saw himself and his friends on the big screen. "I was like: 'No way, is that actually real?' I loved it."
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
June bank holiday in Cork: Five events to fill your weekend
Here's a list of five things to consider. Macroom Music Fest – Sunday June 1 All roads lead to Macroom this June Bank Holiday as some of Ireland's most respected musicians venture south for the Macroom Music Festival. Derry band The Undertones will headline, and their upcoming performance will mark their first since featuring at the Macroom Mountain Dew Festival back in 1981. Household name Sharon Shannon will meanwhile bring her musical talents to Midwest Cork, and platinum selling Irish singer/songwriter Ryan Sheridan will complete the exciting line-up. Tickets are still available from €46 via Art and Soul, Castlemartyr - June 1 Ireland' biggest art and sculpture event, which will feature over 350 works, will open from Sunday, June 1 at Cork's five-star Castlemartyr resort. The event will feature works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Banksy, Julian Opie, and Salvador Dali. The free event will run from June 1 until June 29 and will be open to the public daily from 11am–7pm, with guided tours running at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm daily. More information and accommodation offers can be found on and Cork Rose of Tralee selection night – June 1 Lovers of the Rose of Tralee will have the chance to witness history as the woman to represent the Rebel County in the iconic competition will be chosen on Sunday, June 1. Current Rose Shauna O'Sullivan will hand over her sash in the Rochestown Park Hotel after a year of life-changing experiences. ADVERTISEMENT The 2025 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 15 – 19. Doors will open at 6pm and the event is expected to run until 11:30pm. Tickets are still available for €25 from Eventbrite. Cork Harbour Festival – May 24 to June 2 Cork's Harbour Festival will conclude on June 2 after 10 days of maritime fun. Visitors can explore the history and heritage of Cork Harbour as well as witnessing the drama of the flagship race, Ocean to City, on May 31. Events will range from on-the water adventures to music, art, poetry, workshops, talks and seminars, there is something for everyone. Another must-see experience includes the Old Cork Waterworks Experience, which gives visitors the chance to manoeuvre through Victorian architecture, which is synonymous with Cork's history. Tickets start from €3. For more information visit: Cork City Marathon – June 1 The Cork City Marathon returns on June 1. Calling all witty people to create the funniest sign possible to motivate those taking part in Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Organised by Cork City Council, the event's popularity continues to soar, attracting runners from across Ireland and beyond to the scenic streets and vibrant atmosphere of Cork city. Building on the €200,000 raised for 58 charity partners in 2024, this year's goal is to raise €250,000, ensuring the event delivers even more for vital local and national causes. All tickets are sold out, but the event is one of the most popular in any Leesider's calendar.
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Feargal Sharkey on being diagnosed with prostate cancer after sore throat complaints
'DOING WELL' | The Derry-born singer (66), who said the issue was resolved last year, revealed he is now doing 'very well' as he urged other men to get tested. The Derry-born singer (66), who said the issue was resolved last year, revealed he is now doing 'very well' as he urged other men to get tested. Had he not visited his GP, Sharkey believes there may have been 'a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life'. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in Northern Ireland. Over 1,200 males here are diagnosed with the disease every year, and around 290 die from it. It usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs of it for many years. Most cases develop in men aged 50 or older. Sharkey, who grew up during the Troubles and is now a high-profile environmental campaigner, spoke out about his diagnosis in an interview with the Daily Express. He said: 'About a year and a half ago, I randomly went to see my GP with a sore throat. Now I've known him long enough but he goes, 'No no, you're that bloke that used to sing. So if you're telling me you've got a sore throat, there's something going on'. 'So my doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that he is, went, 'Oh Feargal, by the way, you're 65 now, I'm going to run the full battery of tests'. 'Two days later, it turns out, I began a journey which led to the [diagnosis] of prostate cancer. 'Thankfully, that's all now been resolved a year ago. But here we are, had it not been for that random visit to my local GP, I would never have known that I was at that point carrying prostate cancer, and if it had not been seen to, it could have been a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life. 'The reason I'm very happy to talk about it is because if there's one man out there over the age of 45 go and see your GP. Go and get the blood test done.' Sharkey was the lead vocalist of The Undertones. Their most famed single was 'Teenage Kicks', which was released in 1978. 'We were deflated when we first got the record': The Undertones, from left, Michael Bradley, Damian O'Neill, Feargal Sharkey, John O'Neill and Billy Doherty. Photo: Fin Costello/Redferns Prostate cancer is back in the headlines after six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy (49) revealed his diagnosis, which is now terminal. Last weekend, former US President Joe Biden (82) said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. A PSA test - a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood - can detect the signs of the disease. Sharkey added: 'Now, for one in eight of you, you will be put in the same journey I've had and it's quite astonishing to think that in this country right now, one in eight men have prostate cancer. Most of them don't even know it. So go and have the blood test and if you're lucky, you'll walk away. "If you're lucky, like me hopefully, you'll have caught it early on and you can deal with it and get on top of it. 'But, and I have such unbelievable admiration for Chris Hoy over the last couple of months, if you end up where Chris is, well you're now looking for a very different outcome and not the one you were expecting for your life, my friend. So, for a blood test - go get it done right now.' According to the NHS website, symptoms of prostrate cancer include an increased need to pee, straining while you pee or a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied.
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Feargal Sharkey reveals prostate cancer diagnosis
Singer and environmentalist Feargal Sharkey has revealed he was diagnosed with cancer last year after visiting his doctor to seek treatment for a sore throat. The water campaigner and former front man of Derry band The Undertones told the Daily Express the health issue was "resolved" a year ago and urged other men to get tested. "My doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that he is, went, 'Oh Feargal, by the way, you're 65 now, I'm going to run the full battery of tests, '" he said. "Two days later, it turns out, I began a journey which led to the [diagnosis] of prostate cancer." In a direct appeal to the public, Sharkey urged men to stay informed about their health options. "Now, for one in eight of you, you will be put in the same journey I've had, and it's quite astonishing to think that in this country right now, one in eight men have prostate cancer," he said. "Most of them don't even know it. So go and have the blood test and if you're lucky, you'll walk away." Doctors have a range of tests for diagnosing prostate cancer. These include a physical examination of the prostate (known as a digital rectal examination, or DRE), blood tests, biopsies and MRI scans. Men may be offered a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to look for markers in the blood. The PSA test is not used in routine NHS screening because it is not yet reliable enough to detect prostate cancer that needs treatment. However, men over 50 can ask their GP for a PSA test.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The Undertones star Feargal Sharkey reveals shock prostate cancer diagnosis after GP visit for a sore throat
FEARGAL Sharkey has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a casual visit to his local GP for a sore throat. The water campaigner, 66, has spoken out about his 2023 ordeal to raise awareness and urge men to undergo cancer screenings. 2 After his testicular cancer scare, the Undertones singer is now doing 'very well' and pledged to 'carry on this fight' for clean waterways after his health issue was cleared up a year ago. A keen angler, Feargal told the Express: 'About a year and a half ago, I randomly went to see my GP with a sore throat. "Now I've known him long enough but he goes, 'No no, you're that bloke that used to sing. 'So if you're telling me you've got a sore throat, something is going on'. 'So my doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that is gone, 'Oh Feargal, by the way, you're 65 now, I'm going to run the full battery of tests'.' That wondrously awkward old physician's insistence on checking out the singer resulted in him being diagnosed with prostate cancer. But 'without that random visit' to his local GP, Feargal would have never known that he had cancer, and warned 'it could have been a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life.' He urged all men over 45 to go and get checked out for prostate cancer saying 'If you're lucky', you'll walk away.' The campaigner has slammed water companies, blaming their 'greed, profiteering, financial engineering and regulatory incompetence.' He has denounced companies such as United Utilities, which deals with wastewater across the Northwest of England. How to check your prostate cancer risk Storm overflows at two water treatment plants dumped raw untreated sewage at Cunsey Beck and Haskshead Pumpking Station, both flowing into England's largest Lake Windemere. The company claimed the spill was due to record rainfall last August but mourning evidence indicates spills are happening regularly. Campaigners claim the spills are due to a lack of infrastructure investment. Feargal said: 'Sewage dumping has nothing whatsoever to do with heavy rain. In an interview on BBC Radio 4 Today was asked if banning bonuses for water bosses and criminal liability for spills would go far enough in the new water bill. In response, he said: 'Whitehall has no monopoly in any of this by any means. Welsh Water, for example, is actually the largest sewage dumper in the United Kingdom. Scotland has any number of rivers in bad ecological condition. 'Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland has been poisoned to the extent that it too now turns green, like Windermere.' What causes prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is very common but its causes remain a mystery. As with most cancers, the older you get, the more you are at risk, and its most common in men in their older 70s. Ethnicity plays a role and it is more common in Black men than white men, and least common in Asian men. There is a genetic element, and your odds are worse if you have a male relative whose had the disease. Being overweight increases your risk of getting the disease, and excersize lowers it. A very high calcium diet rich in dairy is thought to increase the chances of getting sick so you might have to lay off the cheese. One in eight men will get prostate cancer THE risk of developing prostate cancer depends on many factors. Here are some of the facts about the disease and how many men it affects... One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime It is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, and the second most common in men There are 55,000 new cases every year in the UK, and 1.4million globally Around 12,000 people lose their lives to prostate cancer annually in the UK and almost 400,000 around the world Prostate cancer accounts for 28 per cent of all new cancer cases in men in the UK, and 14 per cent of all new cancer cases in men and women combined Prostate cancer survival has tripled in the last 50 years in the UK More than three-quarters (78 per cent) of patients survive for 10 or more years About 490,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer in the UK It is most common in men aged 75 to 79 Since the early 1990s, cases have increased by 53 per cent in the UK Mortality rates are up 16 per cent since the early 1970s in the UK Incidence rates are projected to rise by 15 per cent in the UK between 2023 to 2025 and 2038 to 2040 Mortality rates are expected to fall five per cent in the UK over the same years
