The Friday View 28/07
A new All Ireland rail plan avoids West Cork, watching Ireland play in Australia, a Cork man pens a book about pints of Guinness, and a book of condolences opens at City Hall for Sinéad O'Connor.
Watching Ireland in Australia:
I’m writing this in the dying moments of the Australia-Nigeria game, with the other ear tuned in to the Sinéad O'Connor tribute on RTÉ One.
Ireland is now out of the 2023 FIFA World Cup. But it was their first time taking part, and it will set a benchmark for years to come.
Firsts. Thinking of the women’s first World Cup triggered memories of our men’s World Cup debut in 1990. Like many nine-year-olds at the time, I was out every week, picking up the latest installment of a popular World Cup '90 magazine, which accumulated into a ring binder by the end of it. Around the same time, ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ smashed to number one around the world. I can still remember how proud we all were that one of our own was selling so many records globally. This was pre-Celtic Tiger, after all. The song’s success and the Italia '90 build-up remained stapled together in my mind.
Fast forward 33 years. Ireland’s women line out against Australia in their first-ever World Cup match. I’ve been living in Canberra for 10 years. The wife is 100% Aussie. Even worse, my two sons’ passports strongly suggest that they’re Australian too. I’m on my own.
The situation with tickets was straightforward. They were impossible to get. So we’d be watching on the box.
Ireland is unlucky to lose by a goal to Australia’s Matildas in Sydney. A draw would’ve been the fair result.
Six days later, we go down to Canada in Perth, and it’s game over.
A go at the knockout stages would have been fantastic. But who knows what awaits in 2027?
Shane Garrett is an economist from Douglas living in Canberra, Australia.
News in brief:
A train plan, finally: The All Island Strategic Rail Review is the long awaited plan to reopen closed rail links and provide new services around the country. Kent Station will become Grand Central as the big draw for Cork is many new direct rail connections to other cities.
Frequencies will increase, with the Cork-Dublin route running up to every half hour, and will become a ‘higher speed rail’ route running at 200km/h. Upgrades at Limerick Junction will mean direct trains to Limerick, Galway, and Waterford, at long last, operating on an hourly ‘clock-face’ schedule. Travel times are set to decrease by about 40%.
New additions to the network will allow for further connections. Planned spurs to Dublin and Shannon Airports will eventually allow direct train services to airports. The return of the Waterford-Wexford stretch of track will allow trains from Cork Kent to Rosslare Europort. With new infrastructure in Dublin, Cork to Belfast direct trains will even be feasible.
Though you might be right to be suspicious of ambitious plans with a lengthy time frame, much of the enabling 'background work', such as signalling improvements and electrification is less controversial and easier to deliver. Elements of the review, such as the upgrades along the Cobh and Midleton rail lines, and the new platform at Kent Station have already progressed several stages, on top of new carriages set for delivery in the next year.
Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of new railways for Cork. Both the West Cork Railway and links to Cork Airport were considered, but disappointingly ruled out. If Cavan getting rail but not West Cork raises your eyebrows, consultation is open until September 29.
-Ciarán Meers
Ciarán Meers of Cork Commuter Coalition has a more in-depth analysis here.
Order, order!: While he plugs away at #GotCork, Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy also got cross this week during a special meeting of Cork City Council, so cross, in fact, that he upped and left the chamber during proceedings, leaving the meeting in limbo.
The adjournment came after the Lord Mayor repeatedly asked Cllr Lorna Bogue to sit down. Cllr Bogue was protesting the fact that the Chief Executive, Ann Doherty, was given around 10 minutes to list the reasons why the City Council isn’t going to re-open Ballincollig fire station during the opening speeches. Councillors were only given three minutes to set out their case, as per the standing orders. That said, councillors were afforded more time later in the debate.
It’s the second time in as many meetings that Cllr McCarthy has threatened to have a councillor removed from a meeting for not following procedures. Cllr Ted Tynan of the Workers Party, well known for his wordy statements, was also told he would be removed if he didn’t yield the floor. But on this occasion, it was the Lord Mayor who left. On his return about 30 minutes later, not a mention was made of the adjournment, and proceedings passed off without incident. We are reliably informed there are no standing orders on the Lord Mayor’s history tours and instead lots of time for questions and talking points.
The perfect pint, in print: And we thought he was only drinking shite pints, but no it turns out that Ian O’Mahony, Blackrock’s finest and the man behind Shit London Guinness was actually doing it all in service of his first book which documents his seach for a beautiful pint of Guinness. What Bloomsbury, the publisher, dare not write on the cover blurb was that it was a Cork man’s search for the perfect pint of Guinness. Shurlookit, we know. In all good book shops from October and likely a lot of old fellas Christmas stockings later this year.
Remembering Sinéad: A book of condolences has been opened at Cork City Hall in memory of the inimitable Sinéad O'Connor who died this week at the age of 56. An American friend of mine in a message said that her voice “sounded like it held the acoutsics of a Church”. That voice which brought us so many beautiful, haunting songs. May she rest in peace. The book of condolence will remain open daily fom 9am to 5pm for the next two weeks.
Artivist, author and occasional Tripe+Drisheen contributor Orla Egan will be in Cork City Library aong with a stellar panel for the launch of Art&Activism: Diary of an Activits Exhibition. The exhibition tells of stories of social change activism, feminist and queer activism, lesbian parties, vegetarianism, anti-nuclear and peace protests from 1970s onwards.
Orla will be joined by illustrator Megan Luddy O’Leary, Patricia Looney, Senior Executive Librarian, Clive Davis of Pride Festival and Dr Michael Waldron of the Crawford Art Gallery for the launch at the City Library on Monday July 31 4pm for a panel discussion. at As Orla notes in the press release for Art&Activism: ”Despite recent harassment and attempted intimidation of staff, the library remains a steadfast LGBTQI+ Ally and hosts a range of diverse and inclusive events.”
-JJ
📸Summer in Cork and get your entries into our photo competition on T+D
Thanks for all the fabulous entries thus far, but this is the last weekend left to get your entries in. The theme is summer (or the possibility of it:) in Cork. Send your entries to tripeanddrihseen@substack.com by July 31. More details here.
Out + About
🎸Hit the North (of Cork): Local legends The Frank and Walters and singer songwriter Jack O’Rourke headline this year’s Mallow Arts Festival, which enters its fifth iteration. The Franks play the Hibernian Hotel tonight at 8pm, in one of their first visits to the north of the county in a long time. Jack O’Rourke is a singer-songwriter who focuses on the links between literature and nature, and he plays St James’ Church at 8pm tomorrow. Tickets and information for The Frank and Walters here, and for Jack O’Rourke here.
Time, date, place: 8pm, Friday July 28, Hibernian Hotel, Main Street, Mallow.
8pm, Saturday July 29, St James’ Church, 115 Thomas Davis Street, Mallow.
🎹Indie, folk and experimental: Free music over the weekend includes West Cork singer songwriters Áine O’Gorman and Victoria Keating, both playing in St. James’ Church tomorrow at 5:30pm. O’Gorman is recording her debut album, while Keating is a contemporary of Christy Moore and Declan Sinnott. Experimental musician Elaine Howley plays in Keppler’s Cellar tomorrow at 10:30pm, following her appearance at Quarter two weeks ago. On Sunday, folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Eoin Jordan plays in Albert Lynch’s Bar at 5pm, while the indie band Dagenham Yanks close out the festival at Ocana’s at 8:30pm.
Time, date, place: 5:30pm, Saturday July 29, St James’ Church, 115 Thomas Davis Street, Mallow.
10:30pm, Saturday July 29, Keppler’s Cellar Bar, 26 Bank Place, Mallow.
5pm, Sunday July 30, Albert Lynch’s Bar, 19 William O’Brien Street, Mallow.
8:30pm, Sunday July 30, Ocana’s, 26 Bank Place, Mallow
👩🎨Me and the Moon: Process led art workshops for children will be taking place at the Hibernian Hotel on Saturday morning as part of the festival. 30-minute clay workshops will be taking place for 6-12 year olds, while younger children can paint at easels until 3:30pm. The workshops will be beginning on the hour and will be on a first come, first serve basis. More information here.
Time, date, place: 11:30am, Saturday July 29, Hibernian Hotel, Main Street, Mallow.
🗣Up the Rebels: Not many Cork people know about Mary Harris, born in Shandon in 1837 before moving to Canada during the Famine. Also known as Mother Jones, she became one of America’s most important trade unionists, and has been called “The most dangerous woman in America.” Now in it’s 12th year, the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival brings musicians, feminists and trade unionists together in Shandon to celebrate her life. Mick Lynch, one of the UK’s most recognisable trade unionists, spoke yesterday about the role of trade unions. The talks for the rest of the weekend include rainforest owner Eoghan Daltún on rewilding at 11:30am today, while Mary Crilly speaks about 40 years of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre at 7pm this evening. Martin Leahy closes out the three-day festival, on John Redmond Street, with ‘Everyone Should Have a Home” on Saturday. See the festival program with more information here.
Time, date, place: until Saturday July 29 various locations Shandon.
🎼Gliogar Fridays: It’s the last Friday of the month, which means you can see some of the country’s best emerging alternative musicians in the Corner House, for free! Rita Lynn will be playing tonight following a gig in Half Moon Place last weekend, while Con Shine, Clareman Marc Ó Cearnaigh’s (Dry Roasted Peanuts, Sulking) latest musical project, will be making a debut. Síos libh go Sráid Uí hUigín, this should be a good one! Poster here.
Time, date, place: 8pm, Friday July 28, The Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork.
🎻Half Moon, Full of Gigs: Lucia and Maria play the twice-weekly Summer at Half Moon Place gig today at Cork Opera House. The pair met while studying here in Cork; they both did a Masters at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, before returning home to record their debut album, ‘Live at the Chapel’. They combine classical, traditional Irish and folk influences in their compositions to create a unique sound.
Time, date, place: 1pm-2pm, Friday July 28, Half Moon Place, Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Cork.
🎧Some Dose Bai: The free music continues tonight in Osho hosting local music collective Dose. Dose focuses on creating spaces and events for local talent, and will be continuing their monthly residency in Osho with a DJ set from 9pm until late. Dose’s own Roy and Aloysius Neveen will be taking the decks in what looks to be a fun night. Why not head to that after Rita Lynn or even Lucia and Maria?
Time, date, place: 9pm, Friday July 28, Osho, Barrack Street, Cork.
🎧Come Together for Techno: A City Comes Together is a collection of mostly free, but ticketed, events and workshops based around electronic music, and organised by the Electronic Music Council. Now in its second year, the event will be taking place over Saturday evening in a number of venues around the city. It begins in Gaia at 2pm, with a workshop on the process of creation, followed by a workshop with Natmac at 5pm, in Osho, on the importance of culture and community in electronic music. Later, at 6:30 in The Roundy, local DJ Jus’me will be giving a workshop about vinyl scratching and turntablism. The event closes at the Spailpín Fánach at 8:30, with DJ sets going on until the small hours. Tickets for Spailpín start at €5, but go up to €10 after 9:30pm. More information and tickets here and event programme here.
Time, date, place: 2pm, Saturday July 29, Gaia, 98 Street, Cork.
5pm, Saturday July 29, Osho, Barrack Street, Cork.
6:30pm, Saturday July 29, The Roundy, Castle Street, Cork.
8:30pm, Saturday July 29, An Spailpín Fánach, South Main Street, Cork.
🗣Gaeilge agus Fáilte: Beidh an deis ag daoine a gcuid Ghaeilge a úsáid anocht i dtigh tábhairne Uí Cheallanáin ar Ché Sheoirse. Beidh an céad ciorcal cómhrá sa thábhairne ag tosnú ag a hocht a chlog, agus tá fáilte roimh chách, pé an leibhéal Ghaeilge atá acu.
Callanan's will be hosting its first evening pop up Gaeltacht from tonight. As the poster says, whether you’re learning Irish or a Gaeilgeor, you’re more than welcome to join. Just remember not to ask for Guinness (in any language) there.
Time, date, place: 8pm, Callanans, George’s Quay, Cork
⛪️Organ Recitals: Through the month of August, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral will host organists from all over Ireland and abroad for recitals, every Friday at 1:10pm. The first takes place next week, with Christ Church Cathedral organist and organ scholar from Trinity College, Arthur Greene, beginning the proceedings. Entry is €10.
Time, date, place: 1:10pm, Friday August 4, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Bishop Street, Cork.
🖼Points of View: Following the launch of Half Moon Place and the new twice-weekly weekly gig for emerging local musicians, Cork Opera House have also presented POV, an exhibition in the cafe of emerging local creatives’ work. The exhibition includes local artists Emer Kiely, Philip Corkery, Aoife Higgins and Melanie McGrath, with images of local landmarks, themes of lost identity, and explores urban spaces. It runs until mid-September and you can find more information here.
Time, date, place: 10am-3pm, Half Moon Place, Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Cork.
🖼Where Am I?: ‘One Space Culture’ is a new exhibition space that has opened in northeast Cork. Located on a country lane in Ballybrowney, near Rathcormac, local artists Rebecca Bradley and Dermot Browne have put together an exhibition of which its name would aptly describe what you’re thinking. ‘Where is this place?’ is an exhibition of Bradley and Browne’s paintings in this little hideaway, which isn’t too far away from the city, and runs until September 2. More information here.
Time, date, place: July 22-September 2, One Space Culture, Ballybrowney, , Rathcormac.
Schulling Prints: Backwater Artists member Shane O’Driscoll will be exhibiting his latest work in Schull, at the Blue House Gallery, until August 9. Shane is a printmaker and visual artist, and co-organiser of Ardú Street Art Fest. The exhibition also features a rug by Ceadogán Rugmakers. More information here.
Time, date, place: July 21-August 9, Blue House Gallery, Main Street, Schull.
📸From the Favelas: The ongoing exhibition ‘Then I laid the floor’ by Dublin artist Brian Maguire, São Paulo’s James Concagh and Chicago’s Robert Chase Heishman continues at the Triskel Arts Centre for the next two months. Emerging from a project that centres on Concagh’s in-laws, the exhibition tells the story of discrimination that a particular Brazilian family face due to being from the north-east of the country, and the adversity they face. The exhibition also places particular importance and symbolism on the house in which the family live, built by them in a favela. More information here.
Time, date, place: July 15th-September 30th, Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street, Cork.
This week on T+D
On Monday, we wrote about seven councillors attempt to get the City Council to open Ballincollig Fire Station ultimately failed. You can read that story here.
On Tuesday, JJ wrote about the swifts of St. Finbarr’s Hospital and the new swift boxes that have been mounted there. You can read that story here:
And before we sign off, thank you as always to our subscribers for pitching in and helping fund Tripe + Drisheen. We have a few great pieces lined up for August from contributors. Thanks for making the journalism happen! .Have a great weekend.