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Choirs 'Cranberries' video boosts tourism

Tourism Ireland has teamed up with Co-operation Ireland and six school choirs from around the island of Ireland to create a new short video featuring The Cranberries hit 'Dreams'.. Timed to coincide with International Youth Day 2020, the film aims to remind people everywhere about the island of Ireland and to bring them a message of friendship and hope, as we look to the future.

In total, 48 young choristers from six different schools joined forces to create one ‘virtual choir’ – performing the hit single ‘Dreams’ by The Cranberries together, under the guidance of Dónal Doherty, the artistic director of the City of Derry International Choir Festival.

The short video aims to inspire viewers around the world and includes students from Methodist College in Belfast; Moate Community School, Co Westmeath; Presentation Secondary School in Ballyphehane, Cork; St Mary's College in Derry; Blackrock College in Dublin; and Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ in Limerick (where The Cranberries’ lead singer, the late Dolores O'Riordan, learned her craft).

Darren heads Tulfarrus team

Darren Byrne has been appointed General Manager of the PREM Group owned Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Darren has worked with the PREM darrenbyrne0820

Group for many years and was the Food and Beverage Manager at Tulfarris from 2009-2011. Most recently, he worked at PREM’s Viking Hotel in Waterford where he was the General Manager for the last four years. During his time at The Viking, Darren collaborated with Douglas Wallace Architects on the €1 million renovation of the well -known, Waterford business hotel. He also held positions at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane, Co. Kildare and was the Food and Beverage Manager at another PREM property, the four-star Osprey Hotel in Naas.

126 pubs face Covid charges

Gardai have said there are currently 126 pubs facing prosecution for breaking Covid guidelines. garda0820

From Tuesday to Sunday last, gardaí said they found 14 premises which they believed were contravening the rules. The majority of these cases continue to refer to no evidence of food being served or consumed.

A garda spokesman said that since the start of Operation Navigation, Gardaí visiting pubs found the vast majority to be acting in compliance with licensing laws and public health regulations.

“Files are currently being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in each of these cases,” the spokesman added.

Pubs sceptical on August re-opening

Publicans have called on the government to provide a strong support package for pubs who are unable to open due to public health concerns.The Vintners groups have said they pub are “not optimistic” that pubs will be allowed to reopen at the end of August in light of recent Covid-19 trends.

The Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland said pubs are being treated differently to other sectors of the economy and they want to see funding provided to all pubs who are being asked to stay closed.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said he hopes such a support package could be agreed at Cabinet and acknowledged that publicans are being asked to make “a sacrifice” for society.

Irish Open to move North

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open looks set to move from Mt Juliet to Galgorm Manor in Northern Ireland the week after the US Open from September 24-27. mtjulietgolf

Originally scheduled for Mount Juliet from May 28-31, the event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic in March and now appears likely to be played at Galgorm Castle Spa & Golf Resort near Ballymena.

While efforts were made to take the event to Co Kilkenny and a move to the Old Head of Kinsale was briefly considered, the Government's Covid-19 restrictions have forced the European Tour to look North.

With as many as 40 European Tour stars set to play in the US Open at Winged Foot from September 17-20, the requirement by the Government that all visitors from the US restrict their movements for 14 days would have decimated the field.

By heading to Northern Ireland, players such as Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell would be able to travel directly to a UK airport and tee it up in one of the European Tour's flagship events.