Tag Archives: London

Another year, another Brompton World Championship but unfortunately, this year I didn’t manage to win a place in the lottery to get an entry to the race. Fortunately, only a week before the event, I managed to ‘acquire’ an entry and made arrangements to ship both myself and my Brompton folding bike over to London. Last year, I competed with a bulging disc in my spine and the rain was incessant. I had high hopes that this year’s race would be better on all counts. On the day before the race, I met up with friends from the London Brompton Club near Buckingham Palace and we cycled through St James’ Park and Hyde Park to end up at the Brompton Junction shop in Long Acre, near Covent Garden for champagne and nibbles. It was an enjoyable run, despite the heavy rain that fell for most of the hour. I got talking to an Australian who had come over specifically with …

History was made this week when a North Clare pub secured its first Michelin Star, the first public house to receive the accolade in the country. The Wild Honey Inn, in Lisdoonvarna owned and run by prominent chef Aidan McGrath and his partner Kate Sweeney was awarded a Michelin Star in the 2018 Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland earlier this week. This wasn’t the only Clare success at the awards event, as Sixmilebridge woman, and head chef at the Five Fields restaurant in Chelsea, London Marguerite Keogh retained the Michelin star she received last year at the same event. The Wild Honey Inn has been a Michelin Bib Gourmand holder since 2010 and becomes the only newcomer to join what is now an 11-strong list of Michelin Star restaurants in the Republic of Ireland. Rebecca Burr, editor of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland, said, “It’s such good news that Ireland has its first pub with a Michelin …

You might think that bikes have no place in a motoring column but bear with me. Bicycles, particularly in an urban environment, are often the ideal way to get around. A bike journey can often replace a trip by car, reducing traffic and pollution and making a positive contribution towards fitness. I’ve ended up owning a number of bikes, including the iconic Brompton folding bike, which is still hand-built in London. It gets its name because Andrew Ritchie, who invented it, could see the Brompton Oratory from his flat as he developed the first prototypes in the 70s. I use it around Ennis and when I’m picking up a test car in Dublin, it invariably gets chucked in the boot. I find it’s the easiest and fastest way around the city. I’ve even rocked up to car launches on it, which raised a few eyebrows initially. Owning a Brompton is like joining a club and our equivalent of the All-Ireland …

President Michael D. Higgins has, in a statement, expressed his profound sympathy to all those affected by the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London. “May I offer my heartfelt sympathy and that of the people of Ireland to the families of those who have lost their lives, as well as to those injured and affected by this dreadful tragedy. Our thoughts are with all those who are grieving or suffering at this sad time. I have asked to be kept informed as further details emerge. I will be writing to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to convey the sympathy and support of the Irish people.” At the time of writing, at least six people have been reported dead ans this figures in expected to rise. A total of 74 people have been treated in hospital and 20 are in a critical condition. More than 200 firefighters were sent to tackle the fire at the 24-storey Grenfell Tower, which …

PEOPLE with memories of the halcyon days and nights of dancing to showbands are being sought to retell their tales as part of a new publication due out later this year. From The Candy Store to the Galtymore will chronicle this unique time in rural and urban Ireland through the stories of the young men and women who religiously went to their local Ballroom of Romance each weekend. The book will be co-edited by PJ Cunningham and Dr Joe Kearney, who are seeking memorable stories from that golden era, which saw the beginnings of thousands of romances. “What we want are the stories of romance, of chance meetings or tales that are funny and maybe even mischievous,” said PJ. “All human life gathered for the weekly dances in what was a cultural shift away from the more formal céilís which held sway up until then. “The showband dances were modern and slightly more brash occasions than the country had been …

Over 40 British leading meetings and events professionals enjoyed a flavour of the Mid-West, at the annual ‘Ireland Meets the West End’ gathering in London this week. The B2B event saw the buyers meet, and do business with, some 33 tourism businesses from Ireland, including the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau. ‘Ireland Meets the West End’ is organised by Tourism Ireland in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, to grow business tourism from Britain to the island of Ireland. It proved to be a valuable opportunity for the Irish companies to showcase and sell their product for 2017 and to communicate what is unique about Ireland as a world-class destination for doing business. David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s deputy head of Great Britain, said, “Business tourism is an important, high yield sector and Tourism Ireland has undertaken a busy programme of activity throughout 2016, to grow this type of tourism. Our promotions have been highlighting our world-class venues …

The Wild Atlantic Way, developed by Fáilte Ireland, has been awarded a commendation at the prestigious Landscape Institute’s Awards 2016. Competing with 43 projects from both the UK and around the world, the Wild Atlantic Way received the “Highly Commended” Award for the Adding Value Through Landscape category for its branding and Interpretation scheme, at a ceremony in London today (Thursday). The rationale behind the branding and interpretation scheme is to engage the visitor along the coastal touring route, provide a memento of their visit to each Discovery Point (where they can capture photos and digital content at Photo Points) and through interpretation panels introduce visitors to the local stories and customs of the area to encourage increased dwell time in these often remote coastal locations and encourage spend in the local community. The Landscape Institute’s Awards are presented to landscape professionals in recognition of their outstanding work, and to encourage excellence. Every year, the Institute acknowledges those working on …

AROUND 57,000 passengers are set to arrive into the country through Shannon for Christmas, sparking countless emotional scenes and moments at the airport. On Tuesday afternoon, Paddy Fitzgerald from Corofin was waiting for his daughter Catherine and her husband to arrive from London. He said his daughter had been born in England and after coming back to live in Ireland, had returned to London again. “Catherine was born there, Richard is an Englishman. Catherine would have been home and then went back in the early 1980s. They’re staying for a week and going back for New Year’s.” Frances and Seamus Cahill from Galway were waiting for their daughter, Rowena, son-in-law and one-year-old grand-daughter, Celia.This will be their first time to have a grandchild in the house for Christmas. “We’re looking forward to it. We’ve pushed the boat out and we’re hoping everything will be good,” said Seamus. There was much excitement when Rowena arrived with her daughter Celia walking beside …