Latest news with #TomHonan
Extra.ie
22-05-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
A bee-line into town! Dublin Bus is a hive of activity…
When you're buzzing around town on the bus, please spare a thought for the busy bees hard at work back at the depot… literally. Two Dublin Bus staff – mechanic Paul Granger and driver Irwin Bannon – have set up bee hives in two depots which are now home to some 250,000 bees. And as well as helping conserve the native Irish black bee, a species that is in increasing need of support, they are producing close to 1,000 jars of the sweet stuff in a good year. Beekeepers (L to R) Irwin Bannon and Paul Granger. Pic: Tom Honan The honey is harvested and fed back to the bees to ensure they survive over winter and any remaining is raffled off to staff in the depot eager to try the sweet taste. Paul is a beekeeper back at his home in Offaly and a few years ago went to management to suggest installing a few hives on some unused ground at the Phibsborough depot. Bosses thought it was a great idea, so he cleared a patch and installed two hives. The successful project has now grown to a second depot nearby in Broadstone, and there are now five hives at the two depots. Pic: Tom Honan The bees forage far and wide, buzzing up the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin and the Phoenix Park and all over north Dublin in the hunt for food. Irwin said: 'Our bees here would be O'Connell Street, all the local hanging baskets, flowers outside pubs, Phoenix Park, Botanic Gardens. Anywhere within three or four kilometres, where they can find a sustainable amount of forage, i.e. pollen and nectar.' Back at the hive in complete darkness, the bees do a 'waggle dance', which tells the other bees where they have found food, how much, and where it is located in relation to the sun. Beekeeper Irwin Bannon. Pic: Tom Honan Irwin helps with the hives' weekly inspections – but admits it is not a risk-free venture, adding: 'I do get stung but it's the nature of the beast. 'Maybe 150 times throughout the year, but bees don't have any interest in stinging anybody. They're just happy to go about their own business, but if you aggravate them by waving your hands, all of a sudden, you're in trouble.' To mark World Bee Day on Tuesday this week, Dublin Bus invited photographer Tom Honan into the Phibsborough depot to see the bees in action. Dublin Bus spokesman Blake Boland said: 'This is a fantastic initiative being driven on a volunteer basis by our employees like Paul and Irwin.' Dublin Bus is keen to expand the hives to more depots to promote sustainability. The company also harvests rainwater from rooftops and has rolled out more than 100 electric buses.
Extra.ie
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Extra.ie
Weather phenomenon could see Ireland's heatwave last even longer
Summer sunshine is shining in earnest all across the island of Ireland, and high temperatures look set to stick around for even longer. After April saw a record high temperature recording with 25.8C clocked in Athenry, Co Galway, the fine weather has carried on into May. Temperatures across Ireland were averaging at around 23C on Friday, with parts of the west experiencing the hottest conditions. People enjoying the sunshine at St Stephen's Green in Dublin. Pic: Tom Honan Conditions along the east coast are slightly cooler due to the effect of onshore winds. On the whole, Ireland is experiencing high temperatures thanks to the activity of two low pressure systems. But there is a specific weather phenomenon currently at play which is yielding such appealing weather – and it is something which means the heatwave could last beyond the end of next week. People enjoying the sunshine at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Co Dublin. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos An omega blocking high is a weather pattern which occurs when two low pressure systems trap an area of high pressure in the shape of a Greek letter 'o'. The high pressure causes low cloud cover, meaning increased heat. Met Éireann currently say the warm temperatures will continue until at least the end of next week. That means a further 10 days or so of heavy-duty summer sunshine to kick off the season in style.
Extra.ie
07-05-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Excl: ‘Treat foods' to be axed from school meals programme
'Treat meals' such as burgers and chicken nuggets are to be axed from the school meals programme over concerns they are damaging the scheme's reputation, can reveal. An internal briefing for Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that the department aims to end weekly meals on the programme's menu that are 'high in saturated fat, salt and sugar' by this September. In April, the hot school meals programme was expanded to include an additional 697 primary schools, and 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for meals by the end of this year. Dara Calleary. Pic: Tom Honan Before the April announcement, an internal briefing from the Department of Social Protection noted that the Department of Health recommended that fatty, salty and sugary foods should be removed from the programme by September 2025 because there was no nutritional reason to keep them and they undermined the initiative's health-based aims. These items include processed meat or chicken products such as burgers, sausages and chicken nuggets as well as other high-fat food products such as chips, roast potatoes, fried potatoes and garlic bread. Minister Calleary's briefing said there 'is no justifiable health reason for including this food on the menu' and that doing so makes it easier for parents to request these items, potentially leading to them being chosen more than the recommended once-a-week nutritional guideline. Treat meals are to be axed from the school meals scheme. Pic: Getty Images 'This makes it more difficult to audit and verify that this food option is only being provided once a week,' the briefing note said, adding that 'the inclusion of the 'treat' option is damaging for the reputation of the programme and is creating the impression that nutrition is not a priority'. The budget for the hot school meals programme is approximately € 300 million for 2025, with a rate of €3.20 per hot meal. The briefing note also stated that the Department for Social Protection 'will develop a communication strategy for parents or schools' with concerns about the menu change, and is working with the Department of Health to review nutritional standards. It was noted that an estimated 300 schools were not part of the scheme and hadn't expressed any interest in joining. The note said these schools 'will be contacted to understand the reasons for their non-engagement'. 'We will undertake a survey, some workshops and will engage with interested parties. Our objective is to encourage these schools to [be] onboard from September 2025,' officials said.
Irish Times
01-05-2025
- Irish Times
Great places for sunny outdoor dining around Dublin
Time to strike while the iron is hot – literally. Get out there and make the most of this rare summer heat. From parks and markets to cafes and restaurants, follow our guide for sun-fuelled outdoor dining in Dublin. On a Saturday, the Red Stables food market at St Anne's Park in Raheny is truly wonderful, and so too is Herbert Park in Ballsbridge on Sundays. Food trucks include Don Canizales , Pacheco Venezuelan Street Food, Love Falafel , Mama's Boy bánh mi , Dracula's Kitchen and Govinda's. Go prepared for a picnic, with a picnic rug and some cold drinks. Also worth checking out is the Saturday food market at Bushy Park in Terenure and the food village at People's Park in Dún Laoghaire on Sundays. At Eatyard at the Bernard Shaw pub, you'll find Janet's , Nice Burger, Delhi2Dublin and Italian House. There are outdoor tables and you can order a pint from the pub. If you head out to Greystones , you can spend some time in the sauna before tucking into wood-fired pizza, burritos or Root's smoothie bowls at The Boat Yard. READ MORE La Maison on Castle Market. Photograph: Tom Honan Mani pizza on Drury Street is a great people watching spot with great pizza ‐ not to mention the Roman-style carbonara slice that went viral. For something even more leisurely, head to Piglet on Cow's Lane and grab a table on the terrace for the €29.50/€35 two/three course lunch or early bird menu. La Maison on Castle Market is also a great people watching spot from a sunny terrace with a €45 three course lunch or early bird menu. For classic Vietnamese food, Aobaba on Capel Street has a casual outdoor area where you can tuck into steaming bowls of handmade noodles, pho, bánh mi and bun cha. If you fancy a beer to go with your food, they're quite chilled about buying one from the shop across the road and having it there, as long as you clear away afterwards. If you're looking to eat after a bracing cliff walk, head out to Howth and tuck into fish and chips at one of the many places with outside tables, or head to some of the great outdoor tables at Bubbas Fish Market in Dalkey . Make an evening out of it The Terrace at The Shelbourne Hotel St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2; A relaxed little plaza tucked away within the hotel. Head florist Mary O'Reilly and her team have transformed the space into a lush secret garden. This summer it has partnered with the Wine Lab to offer wine on tap from €15 per glass. The food menu includes a half dozen oysters for €24, a seafood sharing platter (€70 for two people sharing), or a selection of aged cheeses and cured meats. The Garden Room at The Merrion Hotel Merrion Square, Dubin 2; The Garden Room at The Merrion Hotel. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien An all-day dining restaurant, there is a stunning outdoor terrace here when the sun plays ball, looking out on to a fountain and Rowan Gillespie's sculpture of James Joyce . The doors can be swung open and it feels quite the luxurious secret in the heart of Georgian Dublin . Read our full review here . Rooftop Bar at Anantara, The Marker Hotel The rooftop at Anantara, The Marker Hotel. Photograph: Alan Betson Grand Canal Quay, Docklands, Dublin 2; Ride the zeitgeist and get down (or up) to Dublin's hottest new rooftop terrace. Only recently opened , the seventh floor wraparound bar offers unrivalled views across the city. The cocktails and grazing and sharing menu feature a strong Thai theme. King Sitric Seafood Bar East Pier, Howth, Co Dublin; Lobster grilled with garlic butter and chips sets the tone here, backed by wild Irish fish and chips and mussels with cream, garlic and white wine. There's also wild Irish smoked ling – 'smokies' – baked with crème fraîche. A heated terrace with a permanent roof and three beach huts makes outdoor eating possible whatever the weather. September 3 Bath Place, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Casual by day with small plates and sandwiches, more focused at night. There's a short a la carte and a six-course tasting menu for €64. Cod and nduja arancini, red mullet crudo, wild garlic gnocchi and sausage and ricotta ravioli keep it tight. A sea-view heated deck with 12 uncovered seats makes the most of the setting. DJ nights and summer events are planned. Read our full review here . Tang 2 Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2; The excellent value evening menu runs Thursday to Saturday: roast Iona Farm carrots with labneh and chermoula, cauliflower with smoky cashew sauce, free-range chicken thigh with tzatziki and hot honey. The sheltered 42-seat garden, planted and properly thought through, is one of the best places in the city to sit and eat when the weather behaves. A new bakery and test kitchen are on the way later this year. Read our full review here . Mamó Harbour House, Harbour Road, Howth, Dublin 13; Mamó's terrace, eating 'cod chip', ceviche with crisps, or lobster croquettes, makes for an unbeatable summer dining experience. Owner and host Jess D'Arcy runs a tight ship and great service comes with a well considered wine list. Read our full review here . Oliveto 9-12 Haddington Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin; Oliveto has views out across Dún Laoghaire harbour It's hard to imagine a more idyllic place for summer dining than the outdoor terrace at Haddington House, with views out across Dún Laoghaire harbour. Pasta, pizza and tasty flatbreads from the wood-fired oven are exactly what you need to go with a nice glass of wine on a sunny day. Read our full review here . Chez Max 1 Palace Street, Dublin 2; Chez Max, Palace Street, Dublin 2. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The summer months are when the outdoor dining areas at Chez Max, complete with Parisian-style chairs, truly come to life. This much-loved spot from owner Max de Laloubie is always buzzing with happy diners and has been serving French classics for nearly 20 years. Dig into moules marinières with piles of frites, classic warm goat's cheese salad or even escargots de Bourgogne, sup on a glass of Vin rouge and make believe for a little while that you're in Paris. Très bien! Angelina's 55 Percy Place, Dublin 4; One of the loveliest secluded terraces in the city, at the back of the restaurant tucked away off Haddington Road. Overlooking the Grand Canal this is the perfect place to watch the world bustle about while enjoying a glass of something very cold. Ideal for a leisurely weekend brunch with pals. Davy Byrne's Pub Duke Street, Dublin 2; Outdoor seating at Davy Byrnes. Photograph: Ellius Grace/New York Times The place to see and be seen. There is something very French about this bistro-style terrace outside the Dublin bar made famous in James Joyce's Ulysses. Perfect for a meet up and a light bite or a pint after a spot of shopping on Grafton Street. The Seafood Café, Temple Bar Fownes Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2; Nothing goes better with sunshine than seafood. At the super little sheltered outdoor seating area at Niall Sabongi's Temple Bar restaurant, tuck into the excellent crab roll and watch the world go by.
Irish Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Heilung: Fans dress up to enjoy the band's alternative and genre-defying live spectacle
Have you heard of Heilung ? As our photographs show, the collective of experimental folk performers celebrate the musical prehistory of northern Europe in a very striking way, complete with ancient weapons that they brandish on stage during their sold-out tours. Formed in Copenhagen around the middle of the last decade, the band draws its members from Denmark, Norway and Germany. While taking inspiration from their ancestral Nordic civilisations, they are influenced by many cultures and begin each concert, or perhaps the word is ceremony, with the chant: 'Remember we are all brothers.' Admirers came from far and wide to see Heilung play at the 3Arena in Dublin last week; they last performed in Ireland in January 2023 . READ MORE Those on stage were dramatically adorned with antlers, flowing robes and fringed headdresses, while many wielded shields and spears. The group's fans are no slouches when it comes to presentation either, with Viking-era beards, multiple piercings, elaborate make-up and face paint, and creative costumes the order of the day. The word 'heilung' means healing in old German and, according to lead singer Maria Franz, some fans experience a 'sort of healing experience' through attending the band's alternative and genre-defying live spectacles. Heilung at The 3Arena, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan Fans at Heilung's Dublin concert. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung fan Elaine McGeown, from Armagh. Photograph: Tom Honan Donna McGarel, from Larne, Co Antrim. Photograph: Tom Honan Bella Agogo, from Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung on stage. Photograph: Tom Honan Paddy McGeown, from Armagh, at the Heilung concert. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung members including Maria Franz and Kai Uwe Faust. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung at the 3Arena. Photograph: Tom Honan Kai Uwe Faust. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung. Photograph: Tom Honan Maria Franz. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung fan Natasha O'Reilly, from Cavan. Photograph: Tom Honan Heilung on stage at The 3Arena. Photograph: Tom Honan Tonii McGeown (15), from Armagh. Photograph: Tom Honan Mick Close, from Larne. Photograph: Tom Honan
