Irish Examiner USA

Allianz GAA Football National League Division One
Mayo 1-8 Dublin 1-9

Dublin maintained their unbeaten start to the Allianz GAA Football National League Division One campaign with a 1-9 to 1-8 win over wayward Mayo at Castlebar on Sunday.

Pat Gilroy's side secured their third straight win of the campaign and join Cork at the top of the table after another impressive performance.

However, Mayo boss John O'Mahony will be furious that his side surrendered their own unbeaten record as they had opportunities galore in a second half pockmarked by some woeful shooting. Indeed, the Westerners hit 19 wides throughout the game. 

Dublin led 0-5 to 0-4 at the break, as they once again demonstrated the impressive work ethic that has come to define their play this year. Mayo's cause was not helped when influential midfielder Ronan McGarrity was forced off at half-time, while the same fate befell Peadar Gardiner. 

Their defence restricted the Mayo forwards to jut one score from play in the opening half - Aidan O'Shea's opening point of the game.

Alan Hubbard, Kevin McManamon and Kevin Bonner were all on target for the visitors, while youngster Enda Varley kept Mayo in the game from placed balls.

The Dubs nudged into the lead thanks to a fine effort from the impressive Eamon Fennell, before the sides swapped scores, leaving the Sky Blues a point to the good at the break.   

The turning point of the game appeared to come in the 46th minute when Mayo's profligacy was temporarily cast aside for Varley to find the back of the net. He added free and Mayo led by a clear goal.

However, the Dubs demonstrated the newfound steel they have developed this year when Bernard Brogan found the back of the net after a pass from fellow substitute Conal Keaney, who sent his side back into the lead.    

Michael Darragh MacAuley, one of Gilroy's real finds of the campaign thus far, was on target to give Dublin a two-point, 1-9 to 1-7, advantage going into the final minutes.

Andy Moran had a late chance to win the game from a free, but his shot was tipped onto the crossbar and over for a point as the Dubs managed to hang on for a win by the narrowest of margins.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:03 AM | Permalink

By Alicia Colon

"It was a shock ... a pleasant one but a shock." So said this year's grand marshal of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. "I never dreamed I'd one day be the grand marshal but I could not be more proud," he said.

I had traveled to police headquarters at One Police Plaza to interview this year's honoree who will lead the legendary parade that first took place in the city on March 17, 1762, and included Irish soldiers serving in the British military.

The parade organizers could not have picked a grand marshal with a closer connection with the historic march. Throughout his tenure with the NYPD, Commissioner Kelly was either policing the parade or marching in it. In fact, he said he was involved at every rank he held in 25 different commands.

Born and raised in Manhattan on the Upper West Side on Sept. 4, 1941, Commissioner Kelly is a second-generation American whose father was a milkman and whose mother was a dressing-room checker at Macy's.

Belying the stereotype of difficult marriages among policemen, Commissioner Kelly has been happily married to his wife, Veronica, for 45 years. He has two sons: His first born, James, was named after Commissioner Kelly's father and was born in New York City while Commissioner Kelly was serving in combat in Vietnam. On the back wall of the police commissioner's office there's a striking picture of a young Ray Kelly in Marine combat gear.

Commissioner Kelly received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Corps in 1963. In 1965, he went to the Republic of Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion 1st Marines and led troops in battle including participation in Operation Harvest Moon. While there, he was interviewed near Phu Bai by a young Dan Rather.

His younger son, Greg, is a FOX News anchorman whose face is quite familiar to the public. In 2003, he provided extensive coverage on Operation Iraqi Freedom and was embedded with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade.

He was also the first television reporter to deliver live pictures to the world of U.S. forces infiltrating Baghdad on April 5. Two days later, Greg captured another exclusive during the storming of Saddam Hussein's presidential palace.

I asked his father if he was anxious watching his son reporting from the battlefield. The commissioner answered, "You know when you're a parent you never stop worrying about your kids. But Greg was a jet fighter pilot with the Marines for nine years. One time, he even had to eject from his plane. He's still in the marine reserves." The commissioner himself was also in the Marine Reserves and retired after 30 years of service.

I asked about his Irish heritage and if he still had family in Ireland. "Not to my knowledge," he answered, "although my brother had visited there and found a very distant relative."

His father's family comes from Roscommon and his mother's are from Cavan and Longford. He found it very interesting that one can now get details of one's Irish heritage because records are now computerized.

The National Archives holds the records of the modern Irish state, which document its historical evolution and the creation of its national identity.

Under its governing legislation - the National Archives Act, 1986 - the National Archives provides services both to the government and the public.

Commissioner Kelly has the distinction of being the first person to hold the post of police commissioner for a second, separate tenure.

His first term was from 1992 to 1994 during the David Dinkins administration. He also led the city through the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993, while the mayor was in Osaka, Japan.

Commissioner Kelly worked closely when then-Assistant FBI director James Fox, who headed the Federal investigation in which the first World Trade Center bombers were brought to justice.

I asked Commissioner Kelly about reports that he had been offered the position of FBI director and, if so, why he turned it down.

He answered that he had just become commissioner and it wasn't the time to leave the department. NYPD's deputy commissioner of public information, Paul Browne, confirmed that White House Counsel Bernard Nussbaum had called Commissioner Kelly to ask him to consider succeeding former FBI Director William Sessions, who was about to resign.

After his retirement in 1994, Commissioner Kelly helped establish the interim public security force in Haiti, earning a commendation from President Clinton for "exceptionally meritorious service."

Commissioner Kelly also has considerable experience in the federal government as well.

After his first tenure as police commissioner, he served as under secretary for enforcement at the United States Department of the Treasury.

While there he served on the executive committee and was elected vice president for the Americas at Interpol's 66th Assembly in New Delhi, India.

Commenting on his election, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin said, "Ray Kelly has been doing a tremendous job heading up Treasury's enforcement efforts against money laundering, drug smuggling and arms trafficking. His distinguished law enforcement credentials will bring to INTERPOL the experience and leadership skills essential to fulfill its mission to combat transnational crime."

Secretary Rubin wasn't the only one delighted with his election. "I am delighted that Ray Kelly has been elected Vice President for the Americas at Interpol's General Assembly Session," said Attorney General Janet Reno. "His experience in both the military and in law enforcement will give Interpol's leadership vital hands-on experience in combating crime that crosses international borders."

In 1998, he was named commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service where he managed the agency's 20,000 employees. In 2000, he was senior managing director for global securities for Bear Stearns.

Is there nothing that Ray Kelly can't do superbly well? Apparently not and he manages to get high approval ratings while doing them as well.

He's received numerous awards and accolades including the legion d'honneur presented at the French Consul in Manhattan by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

He may also be our most cerebral police commissioner having earned a BBA from Manhattan College, a JD from St. John's University, an LLA from NYU, and a MPA from Harvard.

One of the first things I said to the commissioner was, "Why aren't you my mayor?" He laughed at that remark as if I were making a joke, but I was serious and said that I would have voted for him.

Commissioner Kelly was rumored as a possible candidate for the 2009 election but the registered Independent rejected that possibility, saying he loves his job as police commissioner and is focused on battling crime and the challenge of fighting terrorism.

When it comes to politics, he remains neutral and impartial, avoiding partisan commitments.

Since becoming the NYPD's commissioner for the second time in 2002, he has presided over the declining crimes rates in the largest city in the nation.

The respect that the people of the city hold for his professionalism and his integrity and the high regard in which he is held may be the result of his inherent humility and love of his Irish heritage.

At his installation as grand marshal, the commissioner spoke to an enthusiastic crowd that included five grand marshals and his beloved family.

Several speakers spoke warmly and excitedly at the prospect of Commissioner Kelly leading the parade.

They included the outgoing grand marshal, Mike Gibbons, former grand marshal Edward Cardinal Egan, and the Irish consul general, Niall Burgess.

Commissioner Kelly spoke with great emotion of the shared heritage of the Irish people, the struggles and triumphs of the immigrants, especially those of the first generations such as his own parents.

He thanked his wife, Veronica, sons James and Gregory, and his brother, Donald, and promised that he was counting on the NYPD, his aides, and all in the crowded room to make this year's parade a memorable one.

Other illustrious grand marshals have included Gov. Hugh Carey (1976), Rep. Peter King (1985), who attended Commissioner Kelly's installation, and actress Maureen O'Hara (1999). There may even be a future saint in the roster: John Cardinal O'Connor (1996).

It's no wonder that Commissioner Kelly feels honored to lead the 2010 St. Patrick's Day parade.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:05 AM | Permalink

"It came to me like a ray of truth that there are only the rarest few born into this world who are truly good humans and, I realised, with a pang of sadness and envy, I could never be one of them."
- Oscar Nominee Christopher Plummer, remembering the great Boris Karloff.

"The children are tortured until they tell their first lie."
- "Last Tango in Paris."

By Charley Brady

So there I was, a happy little camper, playing ten-pin bowling. There was something strange, though. The bowl I was using was a heavy eighteen and it was Bertie Ahern's smirking head. That would explain the heavy bowl of course: to go with the smirking creep's insufferably huge ego.

The pins all carried a logo of the Euro symbol on them and every time that Bertie's head did a full strike there was a cry of agony from his twisted, crushed features.

Why I didn't dream of him going into the gutter where he belonged I guess I don't know. It would probably take a Jung or a Frasier to figure that one out (anybody but Dr. Phil).

I think I'll stick with Dr. Lecter.

I gotta tell you, as his miserable face screamed in pain, it wasn't the worst dream I ever had. In fact I woke up with a big smile on my face.

If you want to know the very worst dream I ever had it was when I woke up next to Skeletor Victoria Beckham,let out a yell that could have been heard on Mars, and turned over to see the ghastly Paris Hilton on the other side of me. Then, in an attempt to escape from being adopted by the creepy Angelina Jolie and Madonna ran smack into Saints Bono and Geldof who were rattling tins at me and telling me that I had damned well better hand over the few shekels that hadn't been gouged out of me by the invisible Brian Clown, to aid dictators in Africa.

Now that was a bad dream.

As I've said before, a psychiatrist would have a field day with me.

I've just got to stop speculating on Bertie, though. Every time I write something sarcastic doesn't the damned gouger have yet another run of good luck. It was only in last week's column that I was wondering if he gave away his fee, for lecturing us on his love of Jesus, to charity. It was only after we learned that he received €100,000 of a pension last year despite being years off retiring and also still working anyway! What a country.

There may not be a kind and loving God but I'm getting to be pretty certain that the Devil exists. At least the Devil who looks after his own, in any case.

No sooner had I sent last week's copy off than Bertie, the patron saint of chancers everywhere, goes and wins another ten grand on his local bloody lottery! Can you freaking believe it? Can you? Ireland surely has to be a completely justice-free zone.

Well, I thought, trying to take some consolation from a truly warped situation, at least even a greedy grasper like him will feel compelled to give it to charity.

After all, he's never stopped touring around, giving his words of wisdom to us on every subject under the sun since he left in disgrace after his wildly incoherent answers to the Tribunal on where all his loot came from. He got himself a tax-free allowance on his fictitious "memoirs". And to top it off, Trevor Sargent, who resigned a couple of weeks back after a far less dubious matter had the good grace to give his €47,000 kiss-off to the Saint Vincent de Paul organisation.

Not a bit of it. The bold Bertie announced that he would be hanging onto every penny of his windfall. As he so elegantly put it, sure it would help him to pay a few 'oul bills and buy a few 'oul pints.

That's his right, of course; but it sticks in the craw of those who are up to their necks in debt because of his incompetence in handling the economy. Yet as much as I find him to have a neck as hard as Sean FitzPatrick's travel agent, it was really the cheers of his fellow boozers in The Beaumont House that sickened me.

Of course, they were probably expecting a few 'oul pints out of it - and let's be honest, you will always get ass-kissers the length and breadth of the country who wouldn't turn that down, no matter what they thought of the guy who was buying - but I can only assume that this pub has a particularly high amount of them.

Personally, if Ahern was in residence in my local I would be out of the door faster than he grabbed his cheque.

Jeez, maybe he really did win all that money on the horses, as he claimed to such country-wide hilarity.

He truly is the spiritual son of the crook Charles J. Haughey.

It was hard to imagine anyone topping his utter shamelessness and lack of self- awareness this week, but wouldn't you know it? Holy Father Church managed it.

(Just as an aside, I'm sometimes asked why I refer to it in this manner. It's because a lady pointed out to me once that it was a little odd to refer to an organisation that has consistently shown itself to hold women in utter contempt as Mother Church. I think she had a point.)

Bishop Dr. Denis Brennan of the Ferns diocese in County Wexford, one of the most notorious areas in the paedophile scandals, has "invited" the hapless parishioners to contribute funds to helping pay for the compensation to abuse survivors.

Yes, I had to read him twice also. The stinking rich church is, on top of sending around their little collection plates, asking its own parishioners to help it out.

No talk of selling the fancy houses they live in; not a bloody hope of getting a cheque out of Herr Pope Bennie; no apology, of course. Just dig a little deeper into your pockets to help the corrupt, rotten to the top bunch of criminals who covered up for rapists and who moved them to other parishes when it became too obvious for even these things - I can't call anyone who covers for rapists human - to ignore.

The investigations of paedophile priests in Ferns led to more than 100 allegations against 21 priests over four decades. So to the apologists for the mass rape and torture of children, leading often to a life of alcoholism and drug abuse and yes - suicide - no: it wasn't just a few bad apples.

People knew it was going on and people colluded with their very silence. All because a bunch of depraved, degenerate animals were seen as better than the populace at large; were seen as untouchable.

So now for a strutting arrogant peacock with one of the worst comb-overs in the history of bad comb-overs like Bishop Brennan to ask his own parishioners to help out a church that failed them... well, even for a hardened cynic with a loathing for religion like myself, it is one hell of a jaw-dropper.

As for this nonsense argument of how much good the church does for people, well, what's wrong with us just doing it ourselves? There are two charities that I contribute to when I can and wish that I could do more. But they certainly aren't affiliated with any religion. I don't need some guy in a dress shaking his collection plate in front of my face to know what is right and what is wrong..

And no, unlike Mr. Karloff, whom I have never heard a bad word spoken of, I probably am not a very good person; but I've been privileged in this life to meet those that are. They may not know it and they usually do their good deeds without ever taking any credit for them

I'd like to be better than I am but with my temper and with people like Brennan to keep it boiling, I know that this isn't very likely.

We're all in this life for a short time and helping one another isn't such a bad way to get through it. I hope that the decent people of Ferns make it quite clear to the likes of Brennan that they've had enough of being spoken down to by an organisation that has failed them time and time again and which is guilty of criminal deeds that wouldn't have been out of place in the Dark Ages.

Or will history judge that this is what we are living through right now? End of sermon.

By the way, congratulations to Kathryn Bigelow on her Oscar success. I've been an admirer of Ms. Bigelow since her brilliant "Near Dark" years back; and how can you not side with someone who cites the legend Sam Peckinpah as one of her main influences. I think that "The Hurt Locker" can stand up to such anti-war films as his "Cross of Iron" and Klimov's "Come and See". And that is praise indeed.

Whatever God you carry in your heart, whatever your belief system, I hope to see you all again next week.

Same bat-time!

Same bat-channel!

You can reach Charley at chasbrady7@eircom.net

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:16 AM | Permalink

By Gwen Orel

When you're the First Lady of Irish Music, it's easy to get fellow musicians to open up and talk to you. So says Moya Brennan, the gentle-voiced, expressive singer and harpist who fronted Clannad (as Máire Ní Bhraonáin) and has gone on to a solo career. That "first" means "earliest" as much as anything else, she explained with a laugh during our interview in New York in late February. "I've been around for ages." Clannad, the family group made up of members of her family (her two brothers, her twin uncles, and at times, her little sister Eithne, later famous as Enya) formed in 1970, making it one of the earliest modern traditional Irish bands, and recorded their first album in 1973.

"Clannad in Concert" was one of the first Irish traditional albums I ever heard (in vinyl, with a beautiful lyric sheet in Irish as well), and its jazzy, pure simplicity are still exhilerating-but I also love the fully-produced, more pop elements in the single "Theme from Harry's Game" (theme to a television show, and included in the album "Magical Ring", 1982) and the folk-rock, floaty sounds of "Legend" (soundtrack to the television series "Robin of Sherwood"). Brennan received a Grammy Award with Clannad for "Landmarks" in 1999.

Moya is going strong: a new album is due this summer, and she plays New York's City Winery April 6 (check out full dates at moyabrennan.com), and was a natural choice to host the PBS Documentary "Music of Ireland: Welcome Home".

But Moya did far more than host: she actively pursued interview subjects and conducted the interviews herself, many of them, she said, in various kitchens.

"I hated the thought of going in to 'interview' people I've known for thirty years. I wanted there to be no paper in front of me. If we were to get soundbytes of people saying things, it would happen more in a conversation, sitting with somebody."

And what people - over the course of the one-hour documentary (the one airing now is Part One; Part Two is expected to air over the summer) Moya talks to such luminaries as Planxty's Donal Lunny, Sinéad O'Connor, Film director Jim Sheridan, Riverdance composer Bill Whelan and dancer Michael Flatley, Pete Seeger, Black 47's Larry Kirwan, U2's Bono, Live Aid/Band Aid Founder Bob Geldof, The Chieftains' Paddy Moloney, and, in his last recorded interview, Liam Clancy. The documentary is dedicated to him. In addition, there is vintage footage of Van Morrison, the Clancy Brothers, the Dubliners and many more.

"After sitting and talking, I would come out glowing. I was learning a lot, but also renewing friendships," Moya said.

Rather than exploring why Irish music is popular, the film "tries to follow the path Irish music has taken, and to touch on the different genres of music that are there."

It includes Irish pop music as well as traditional music (and part two, due this summer, plans to look even further, as well as at soundtracks to films). It explores the history of contemporary Irish music, of about fifty years. Of course, said Moya, there was music earlier than that, but "it kind of started with the Clancy brothers as the first wave of popular Irish music... them going on the Ed Sullivan show and not realizing what was going to happen to their lives afterwards."

The documentary weaves commentary around such headings as "Planet Ireland," which looks at Ireland's isolation and poverty; "The Promised Land," investigating the influence of Greenwich Village on Irish music; and "The Pioneers of Rock," which looks at Thin Lizzy and the Pogues. Moya tells some of her own story too - there is footage of the fortieth anniversary of her father's pub, Leo's Tavern, in Donegal. It was there where she first got up to sing.

"My father had a show-band years ago. When the show-band scene collapsed, social life moved into the pubs, because there was no alcohol in the dance halls. So my father bought a pub, and all he wanted to do was make it into a music place. He never drank or smoke in his life! When we used to come home from our school it was a stage for us. We'd sing anything from a Gaelic song to Joni Mitchell to the Beatles, and just discovered more and more of the beautiful Gaelic songs that our grandparents taught us." Gaelic was her first language and, she admitted, she still can't count in English above ten without doing it in Irish first. She described Donegal as "a remote, beautiful area to grow up in. It's the light there... if someone asked me what's that ethereal sound that Clannad has, it comes from Donegal."

She and her eight siblings first heard pop music via Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station (there is wonderful footage of it, too). While they fell in love with the harmonies of the Mamas and the Papas and the Beach Boys, they also began collecting songs from the older generation, bringing "a half pack of Guinness, with the grandfather clock in the background."

The old people "would tell you the story as much as they could, of the origin of the song, and then they'd give you the words, and the last thing they'd give you was the melody. And then, they'd tell you, go off and sing it your own way." So, it's important, she stressed, "when people talk about the precious treasures of the cultural music, not to be afraid to take it to another place." That spirit of renovation is one of the themes in the documentary that is closest to Moya's heart.

"If you set the tree right, you can sprout as many branches from it as you want," she declared. By the time Clannad began writing their own songs, their roots in traditional music were deep - they didn't "go far off the branches." In the documentary "I wanted to show the root of Irish music." So she took her American crew to see a Fleadh Ceol - "just to see the kids. This is where it starts, with a little girl playing a concertina under a tree, 9 years of age." It's an opportunity she didn't have herself - there weren't comhaltas schools when she was a child.

"Before the 70s, Irish music was still regarded as poor man's music." One of the highlights of the film is vintage footage of composer Seán Ó Riada, who is credited with much of the renaissance of Irish music in the sixties, with his band Ceoltóirí Chualann, and a section tracing the origin and impact of the Chieftains, many of whom first played in that band.

Now, it couldn't be more different, she explained, smiling broadly. The thousands of children who participate in the Fleadh may not become professional, but the music is part of their education - regarded as necessary, the way sport is in America. Her teenage son and daughter play fiddle, uillean pipes, whistle, and piano between them.

"What I tried to do was bring where Irish music has come from but also show how the different branches have sprouted."

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:19 AM | Permalink

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D., has launched 'Horizon 2020', IDA Ireland's strategic blueprint for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland in the coming decade.

She said this initiative is an integral part of the Government's Smart Economy policy noting that, "Within the Irish economy, foreign direct investment has been, and will continue to be, a catalyst for our national prosperity. FDI companies create hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs, both for the employees of the investing companies and in the firms, including indigenous firms, that provide them with goods and services.

"Securing such investments can also play a pivotal role in rejuvenating part of a city, a town or region where employment opportunities are limited."

The Tánaiste said that the continued attraction of sustainable foreign direct investment is critical to ensuring Ireland's economic recovery and that 'Horizon 2020' sets out a compelling argument for the need for ongoing 'transformation' in our approach to secure leading foreign investment in Ireland.

She said that this "transformation" included: within the existing FDI companies located in Ireland; within IDA Ireland itself; in how Ireland markets itself abroad; and in the way all stakeholders collaborate to ensure Ireland secures these investments.

Barry O'Leary CEO, IDA Ireland speaking at the launch said: "Horizon 2020 marks the first time that IDA has published its strategic thinking in this way. This strategy document articulates our view of the next decade's significant future changes. It outlines the results of a detailed analysis of global mega-trends, economic geopolitical changes and technology roadmaps from which we have outlined the goals Ireland needs to set to capitalise on the opportunities that they represent."

He added that, "IDA recognises that the ambitious goals set out in 'Horizon 2020' necessitate a deeper and broader engagement of all stakeholders requiring public and private sector partners working together in new ways to bring this to fruition."

'Horizon 2020' recognises that FDI success is never permanent while acknowledging such challenges create business opportunities.

Companies and countries best able to continuously adapt and renew themselves will harness those opportunities.

Ireland can win new investments that will create thousands of high-quality jobs across the country.

These investments will come from the development of existing client companies, industries and markets.

They will also originate from new types of companies, in new areas and from new markets.

'Horizon 2020' sets out a road-map of what is needed to fuel Ireland's future success with leading global corporations over the coming decade.

Significantly, it also outlines a series of impactful short term goals, including an ambitious target for job creation.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:35 AM | Permalink

A major reform of future State, private and public service pension provision was announced by the Taoiseach, Minister for Finance and Minister for Social and Family Affairs last week.

The key elements of the new National Pensions Framework include:

• The State pension will be reformed and will remain as the fundamental basis of the pension system in Ireland. Every effort will be made by the State to keep the value of this pension at 35% of average earnings;
• A new supplementary pension scheme will be introduced to provide additional retirement income for employees who are not already in a pension scheme;
• Employees earning above a certain income threshold will be automatically enrolled in this new scheme, and the State and employer will support this by providing matching contributions;
• There will be matching State and employer contributions. The State contribution will equal 33% tax relief - the delivery mechanism for this to be decided;
• The same matching State contribution (and delivery mechanism once decided) will apply to existing occupational and personal pension schemes and will replace the current system of tax relief at the standard and higher rates;
• A new pension scheme for new entrants to the public service will take effect from 2010;
• The age at which people qualify for the State Pension will be increased - to 66 years of age in 2014, 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028;
• A revised and more secure defined benefit (DB) model is proposed which schemes may wish to consider if restructuring in the future.

The new National Pensions Framework is the result of a comprehensive public consultation process that began with the publication of a Green Paper on Pensions in October 2007.

Development of the Framework was also informed by the proposals in the McCarthy Report and the Report of the Commission on Taxation.

According to Government sources, the current Irish pension system is facing a number of urgent issues in relation to population changes, income adequacy in retirement and ensuring the sustainability of the Government finances. 

The task of financing increasing pension spending will fall to a diminishing share of the population as demographic projections indicate that there will be less than two people of working age to every person aged 65 or over by the middle of the century, compared to almost six people today.

The Taoiseach said that "there are significant challenges ahead for us as a society. We are living longer, which is a wonderful achievement, but we know that the impact of population ageing is very challenging.

"This Framework sets out the way in which we intend to protect our pensioners, now and in the future, and to encourage and support people to provide for their retirement savings in a fair, transparent and sustainable way."

Minister Lenihan noted that: "good pensions are costly, whether they are provided through the State system by way of taxes and social insurance or individually through private provision. This reform is aimed at achieving a balance between the individual's own responsibility to provide for their retirement and the Government's desire to ensure that older people are protected. The revised Programme for Government commitment to have a 33% tax relief is a clear indication of our intent to achieve that balance."

Outlining the need for the new auto-enrolment system, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs said, "it has increasingly become evident that many Irish workers are not saving enough for their retirement and will be faced with a serious drop in income when they retire. Previous efforts at encouraging people to invest in personal pensions have not been as successful as expected, especially among low to middle income earners.

"Having examined all options and looked at international experience, the Government has decided that a new auto-enrolment supplementary pension is the best approach to take. This will ensure that those on low to middle incomes receive supports from both the Government and the employer."

According to Minister Hanafin, "The principle of matching contributions is well-understood by the Irish people. It allows people to see the exact value of the Government and employer contributions.

"It also ensures that everyone will get the same percentage matching contribution and is therefore much fairer than the current system under which higher earners get greater support through higher tax relief. Auto-enrolment of employees will increase pension coverage, while people will be able to opt-out if they so wish."

In relation to the new single pension scheme for all new entrants to the public service, Minister Lenihan said that, "it is vital that a new system be developed that will ensure greater consistency between different sectors, provide good benefits to pensioners and be affordable for the State into the future."

The Taoiseach concluded by highlighting that given the extent of the reforms outlined in the framework, the requirement for legislative amendments and the need to protect Ireland's competitiveness, the changes will be phased in.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:43 AM | Permalink

By Gwen Orel

Solas are one of the most ground-breaking, significant bands in Irish traditional music. They are touring to promote their brand new album The Turning Tide, and the energy of these players at the top of their game should not be missed (check out dates on http://www.solasmusic.com).

The new album blends their musical sizzle with a new spirit of social inquiry. "Something is definitely afoot," says founding member Seamus Egan (guitary, banjo, flute, whistles, bodhran), about the title of the album and its inspiration. "The tide is turning, but we don't know if it's for the betterment yet. We don't know where we're going."

What the band saw on the road, touring during the last presidential election in the U.S., playing while the economy crashed, shaped the album, which includes covers of songs by Bruce Springsteen and Richard Thompson, as well as the exciting sets they do so well. "We wanted to try and do songs that touched on some of the social issues going around today," says Egan.

Even the harmonies evoke sixties folk rock, as well as the harmonies of such classic Irish groups the Bothy Band, with backup harmonies for the first time from Mick McAuley (button accordion, guitar), and Eamon McElholm (guitar, piano). "We are connecting the dots back to the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash," said Egan. Fiddler Winnie Horan agreed. "I grew up listening to the Eagles and the Allman Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel."

The Turning Tide is the second album with young Irish vocalist County Kilkenny vocalist Mairead Phelan, and her energy has also invigorated the band, Horan said. In fact, she wrote a gypsy-flavored waltz for the singer, who always makes her laugh on the road. Phelan's soft voice, blended with Egan's pure whistles, give American singer/songwriter Josh Ritter's quiet outcry "A Girl in the War," written about the Iraq war, an Irish lilt. "The Ghost of Tom Joad," inspired by Steinbeck's classic novel and film, is the first time Solas has ever done a Springsteen song, and the combination of American roots with Irish arrangements create an unforgettable anthem. Not only did Springsteen's lyrics about disenfranchisement and injustice speak to Egan, he had to admit "we are big Boss fans."

"Sorry," by Scottish singer/songwriter Karine Polwart, seems quiet but really expresses rage. Egan said, "It seems all anyone needs to do now is say sorry no matter what they've done...banks, corporations, wall street.. it all rings hollow. At some point, it isn't enough."

But other tunes express nothing but sheer joy. Egan's instrumental, "A Tune for Roan," dedicated to a newborn baby girl in his extended family, is all delicacy and optimism. Egan's original "Hugo's Big Reel" is just a lot of fun. Still, it is the passion infusing the songs that makes this new album unforgettable, and distinguishes Solas from just a great band of superplayers--taking them to a new level of artistry, and a new point of departure.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 1:45 AM | Permalink

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Whether it's gently tapping out the haunting melodies to transcendent Stand ballads such as 'Hoper' or 'When Fate Becomes You', or providing the thundering riffs on commanding rock anthems like 'Little Sweet Lucifer' and 'Beautiful Grey', guitarist/keyboardist David Walsh, is the personification of unruffledness, or is that unruffledicity?

Well, whatever it is, the music-mad axe-man is practically cool enough to have his own word made up for him.

David, the guitarist/keyboardist with Dublin-born rock act, Stand, is currently in New York City with the rest of the group, preparing themselves for another musical assault on Manhattan, this time at the Bowery Ballroom on March 20th.

With support from the much-hyped Irish act, The Coronas (fresh from their successes at last month's Meteor Awards), it promises to be an exciting show, with Stand promoting their latest album ('100,000 Ways to Harvest Hope' available at amazon.com, the band's gigs and most major music outlets) at the 6 Delancey Street venue.

So, you know, cancel that dental appointment with that weird dentist who insists on seeing you at night, collect your finest sparkly 'going-out' trousers from the dry cleaners and catch Stand at the Bowery Ballroom, or indeed, at another venue yet to be announced, near you.

What would you like your own tribute act to be called?
The four man Standlandfanband.

When's the last time you laughed out loud?
Just now, trying to say the name of our tribute band out loud.

What act would you like to have seen perform live?
Pink Floyd, an amazing band that sadly now can never be seen play live.

What team(s) do you support?
None, they don't support me.

What period in history would you most like to have visited?
If I could pick the place also, I would say 50s/60s America.

What song would you most like to have written?
'San Diego Serenade' by Tom Waits.

Who or what, would make you leave a room?
Anybody who talks non- stop with too much enthusiasm.

What decade rules (and why)?
The 1980s, a decade of guilty pleasures.

What cover version do you most enjoy performing?
'Wake up' by Arcade Fire.

What movie role would you like to have played?
John Goodman's role (Walter Sobchak) in the 'Big Lebowski', classic!

Have you ever been told you looked like somebody?
I have, Bill Murray circa 'Ghostbusters'.

What's the first album you remember buying?
'Bad' by Michael Jackson. I wore that tape down, down, down.

Who's your favorite Beatle?
George I think, he was quiet, great guitar player and didn't marry the devil.

What's your favorite Christmas song?
Ah 'Fairytale of New York'. You can't knock it.

Who's the most rock and roll person who ever lived?
Charlie Watts, the ultimate rebel. He's gonna grow his veggies and iron his suits his way and there's nothing you can do or say about it.

What artist/song/genre do you secretly enjoy listening to?
I like silly fun pop songs. Alphabeat are great!

Who would you most like to meet/have met?
The guy who stole my new laptop from my car last year.

What book can you read again and again?
I can't, or don't do books twice ever. I do favor biographies though.

What's the greatest album ever recorded?
'The Memphis Record'.

What artists would you most like to have played with in the band of your dreams?
David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars or The Ramones.

What do few people know about you?
I'm actually kind of fun.

What sitcom character can you most identify with?
Joe from 'The Royle Family', not sure if you guys get that show (in the US).

What movie can you watch over and over again?
'Dumb and Dumber', I laugh more the more I see it.

Who's your favorite cartoon character?
Homer Simpson.

What's the greatest place you've visited?
West Cork, beautiful!

What's mankind's most wonderful invention?
The ball.

What's mankind's most irritating invention?
Vocoder.

Who's the funniest person who ever lived?
Billy Connolly in his day was the best.

Who's your favorite namesake?
David (The Incredible Hulk) Banner, he knew how to lose it!

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 2:22 AM | Permalink

The USA's leading pay cable network, HBO, filmed the pilot here last year using a huge set built in the Paint Hall studio, as well as using various other Northern locations.

HBO Entertainment completed a pilot and has now committed to a further nine episodes which are due to begin production in the North in June this year.

Based on the series of books by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones is an epic struggle for power set in a vast and violent fantasy kingdom.

Production is expected to last until the end of the year and the project is due to debut next spring.

Hundreds of local cast and crew will be utilised in what is said to be one of the largest television series ever to shoot outside of the USA.

The North's Mark Huffam will produce the series, with funding provided by Northern Ireland Screen supported by Invest NI and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This is extremely positive news for Northern Ireland and a development which will deliver major economic benefits, not only by utilising our growing film and television expertise but also in profiling our unique and attractive landscape to potential visitors around the world.

"At this stage, it is estimated that £20 million will be delivered into the local economy through the production of the nine-part series.

"Local producer Mark Huffam is one of the best and most respected in the industry and HBO have clearly shown their confidence in him by deciding to locate the series here in Northern Ireland.

"Northern Ireland Screen, supported by Invest NI has worked hard to secure this project which will send a strong message to international production companies that this region is increasingly the filming location of choice."

Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland added: "This announcement is great news for Northern Ireland and it demonstrates, yet again, the region's ability to compete and succeed on the world stage.

"Northern Ireland Screen's work to secure this production will truly put us on the map when it comes to film making, which is an industry which offers excellent commercial potential.

"I am confident that HBO's decision to film Game of Thrones here will encourage other major production companies from around the world to consider Northern Ireland as a destination for making such programmes.

"This will ensure that the local talent base has the opportunity to continue to develop its talents and bring the added benefits of large scale investment to Northern Ireland." Rick Hill, Chairman, Northern Ireland Screen said: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome back the HBO team to Northern Ireland.

"There has been a lot of anticipation about the prospect of Game Of Thrones going to series and now that it is official, we are looking forward to production commencing in June on what is one of the biggest TV series ever to be produced in Europe.

"This is a real coup for Northern Ireland and further cements our reputation as a leading centre for film and television production, as we continue driving global growth in one of the most powerful and vibrant industries in the world."

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 2:40 AM | Permalink

Both Minister Lenihan and Professor Banda addressed the inaugural meeting of the Local Organising Committee for the City of Science event, a committee that is chaired by the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government, Professor Patrick Cunningham.

Dublin European City of Science 2012 will take place from July 12th-16th in summer 2012.

The event will bring together leading international scientists and high-ranking Government officials from across Europe to address the major global issues of our time, such as Energy, Climate Change, Food and Health, to name but a few.

Minister Lenihan spoke of the particular significance of this event to Ireland as we seek to realise the vision of the Smart Economy. He said "Hosting the European City of Science in 2012 will provide a platform to showcase the best of Irish science and research across all disciplines."

The Minister added "The City of Science event is expected to attract 8,000 delegates (scientists, science administrators, policy officials, media) to Ireland for the event itself and will consequently have a considerable impact on the tourist industry. On the basis of research conducted by the Fáilte Ireland Business Tourism Forum, it is estimated that the total expenditure by delegates will be €14.3 million, which is expected to support over 270 jobs in the tourism sector."

Professor Cunningham added that the event will provide a marvellous opportunity for Ireland to showcase, Europe-wide as well as beyond, the fruits of our intensive 10-year programme of investment into our research capacity. While the core event will take place over 5 days in July, he commented, the "City of Science" theme is set to run throughout the year. Planning is already underway for a large number of science-related conferences and activities over the course of the 12 months of 2012.

Dr. Banda outlined the experience of Barcelona in hosting the last City of Science event in 2008. In particular he highlighted, the positive legacy for science, technology and innovation that the event left behind to the city of Barcelona, the region of Catalonia and indeed all of Spain.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 2:46 AM | Permalink

Now what a coincidence as wasn't that the same place that banned the song Danny Boy last year? I wonder what John and Shaun Foley were thinking.

To get back to the day, we had a few Danny Boy drinks and followed by a few Danny Boy Irish Coffees that were served up by a very nice lady bartender... oh them Foleys know how to do it.

It did not finish at Foley's though since on the next night at the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel it all started again and, lo and behold, who do think was at the counter when I walked in but none other than the two Foleys and guess what? We had a song from the owner of Danny Boy Whiskey Peter Lavery who sang that great song Danny Boy.

I am not too sure if the Foley family were singing along... now that would be something, up Caven!

As the night progressed Peter Lavery who traveled over from Belfast to launch the whiskey was very happy with the reception he had received since he came and with the large crowd at the launch was John Fitzpatrick, the owner of Fitzpatrick Hotels as was Geraldine Hughes that great actress who will be on stage with her own show Belfast Blues very soon. I will keep you posted on the dates next week. Also having a taste was Paul Keating and so many more that if I mentioned them all, it would take up the whole page.

As I said a lot is happening: you have another great show with Joe Hurley's 11th Annual All-Star Irish Rock Revue "The Great Irish Songbook" with Joe Hurley & The Gents and a cast of thousands. The event will be held at the Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th Street, between 9th & 10th; (212) 414-5994. The doors open at 6pm, and the show runs from 6:30pm until 11pm. Tickets are $20 with VIP Reserved Seating at $30.

This is an all-ages event so I might just get in. Just kidding, Joe is a very good friend; he never stops and deserves a lot of support with this concert.

Guests that will be appearing with Joe are a gathering friends from New York City punk-rock legends to Broadway stars, from best-selling novelists to star comedians -- from Rock & Roll Hall-Of-Famers to downtown luminaries - from visiting Irish entertainers to up and coming local singers, the performers will all dive into Hurley's vision of "The Great Irish Songbook", backed by The Revue's sublime All-Star band. 

Don't forget The Friends of the Fighting 69th Evening of Irish Music with Pierce Turner, Gael Force, The Screaming Orphans, Seanchai & The Unity Squad and The Cunningham Brothers on Saturday March 13th from 3pm to 11pm at the 69th Regiment Armory Lexington Avenue at 26th Street. Tickets are priced at $24.95 and are available online at www.69thfriends.org. I will be there, will you? All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Fighting 69th Memorial Scholarship Fund.

I traveled out to the Grandstand on Grand Avenue with the Great Adrian Flannelly, Aine Sheridan and Anita Daly in Adrian's car. Things must be good since this was a swanking new car, huh?

The reason we headed out to the Grandstand after a reception at the Irish Consulate was for the official launching of Donnie Carroll's new CD and the place was packed. John Browne was there to greet us along with Noelle Clancy, Mae O'Driscoll, Mary Waters, Deirdre O'Hea, Michael Gubbins, Mary Hurley (that's Pat's wife), Joe and Judy Murphy, Eddie O'Brien - the great Cork Hurler, and lots of musicians along with the maestro himself, Gabriel Donohue, who all played along with Donnie and as you can imagine it was a great night. You'll be hearing alot from Donnie Carroll in the future.

There are lots of exciting things happening over the Saint Patrick's Day period with Adrian Flannelly's 40th Annual St. Patrick's Day Special Broadcast on Wednesday March 17th from 1pm to 5pm.

Clannad's Moya Brennan will be presenting the most comprehensive documentary on Irish Music: Music of Ireland Welcome Home for a national PBS broadcast. Check you local schedules for air times.

The Mayo Society of New York is honoring Eddie Gibbons, native of Cong and well known in Irish American cirlces as the former owner of the Potcheen Still and Queens Irish Import Stores for many years.

The 2010 New York Mary from Dungloe will be chosen at a gala charity dance on Saturday 24th April, from 9pm to 1am, at Most Precious Blood Auditorium (32-52 37th Street, Astoria, Queens). Young women from age 19 to 26 who would like to represent New York at the 43rd Mary from Dungloe International Festival in Donegal, 26 July to 2 August, may obtain an applications from mcculknit@hotmail.com or by calling (718) 361-1847.

The New York Mary will receive free round trip transportation to Donegal, one week accommodation in Dungloe, spending money, and Waterford Crystal.

The gala selection dance will feature music by the New York Showband featuring Tommy Flynn, traditional Irish music, Irish step dancers, an Open Bar, and Hot Buffet.Tickets are $40 per person, available from Anne-Marie at (718) 361-1847 or Siobhan at (646) 732-5312.

See you all next week!

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 2:48 AM | Permalink

Our poem this week is from Ann Leo O'Connor of the Bishopstown Writers Group in Cork. If I were a male chauvinist I'd probably say this one's for the Ladies but really it's for everybody, as we can all relate to it.

The rhythm is nice and strong yet perfectly natural; the ordinary movement of each line is not forced or falsified. The language is vigorous and economical. The stark cheerfulness of the scene is conveyed, not by the use of atmospheric, adjectives, but by the selection of suitable details.

The poem has its own air of exasperated humour that gives a high entertainment value. Nice one Ann!

Washday Blues...

The old people say how lucky you are,
With your washing machines and a motor car,
I wish they knew the times I've had,
When the same machine nearly drove me mad.

I put in the wash and close up the door,
Look up at the Sacred Heart and start to implore,
Oh please, let them come out nice and clean
And none the worst, for where they've been.

Himself said he'd cope with the vests turning red,
Sur, maybe he could wear them, tucked up in bed,
But as for the briefs, he drew the line,
When they came out pink the same as mine.

It's just like a game of Russian Roulette,
With the press of a button, they're off like a jet,
How they'll end up, nobody knows,
Just take a chance, that's how it goes.

The machine is fine when it works well,
But other times it's a living hell,
That's when it leaks all over the floor
And the lovely suds flow out the door.

The other day I grew tired of the trouble and fret,
Sat down by the fire and turned on the set,
After a while, I started to doze,
Had a wonderful dream, disposable clothes.

So folks who say, how lucky you've been,
With all the great changes your lifetime has seen,
So much for progress, when all's said and done,
Washday is still, no blinking fun.

© Ann Leo O'Connor

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 3:14 AM | Permalink

The Symposium is part of an ongoing programme of professional development being implemented by the Public Health Agency, which is being taken forward as one of the actions from the Minister's 'Changing the Culture' action plan.

The Minister said: "Tackling healthcare associated infections across Northern Ireland goes right to the heart of improving the safety and quality of healthcare.

"Since I set targets for reducing healthcare associated infections, we have made real progress. Over the last 18 months C. difficile cases have fallen by over 40% while MRSA cases have come down by a third. This is a major achievement, which has benefited patients enormously."

The Minister continued: "I would like to congratulate all those who have played a part in this achievement, but I must emphasise that we can not be complacent and that there is still more to be done.

"That is why today's symposium is so important. It represents a further step in tackling healthcare infections by providing an opportunity to share good practice and to learn more about what works so that we can continue to drive down the rate of infection even further."

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 3:41 AM | Permalink

The seasonally adjusted Live Register total decreased from 434,700 in January to 432,400 in February, a fall of 2,300.

In the year to February there was an unadjusted increase in the Live Register of 84,503 (up by 24.0%). This compares with an increase of 110,664 (up 33.9%) in the year to January 2010.

The monthly decrease in the seasonally adjusted series consisted of a decrease of 2,000 men and 300 women.

The standardized unemployment rate in February was 12.6%. This compares with 12.4% in the third quarter of 2009, the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from the Quarterly National Household Survey.

Last month, the estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register was 42,026 men and 37,263 women.

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 3:47 AM | Permalink

The most sensational story to emerge in the European music media last week came courtesy of a startling allegation made in a recently published BBC investigation, which sought to discover the final destination of funds raised in the 1980s, by Live Aid, and associated charitable musical endeavors. Upon hearing whispers regarding misappropriation of millions of dollars, earmarked for fighting hunger during the crushing Ethiopian famine of 1985, reporter Martin Praut spent the past several years investigating whether the donations raised by Bob Geldof and his celebrity friends, actually made it to the starving people in the troubled east African nation. His enquiries brought him in contact with a former rebel commander, Aregawi Berhe, whose troops, under rebel leader Meles Zinawi, were in the midst of a bitter 17-year civil war against government forces, at the time the aid was being funneled into the country. Berhe maintains that he and his cohorts posed as merchants to charity workers, in order to get their hands on the funds, claiming: "We were using aid money to buy arms through secondary means. In 1985, when Tigray (region of Ethiopia worst affected) was hit by the terrible famine, aid money was flowing. I remember Meles Zenawi suggesting that 50 per cent of that money should go to TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) activities, 45 per cent should go to MLLT (Marxist-Leninist League of Tigray) organizing and 5 per cent to support the victims." If true, the findings are quite staggering, given that the funds constituted in excess of $100 million. Although he initially refused to talk to Praut while he was researching the story, Geldof came out swinging at the conclusions drawn, saying: "We are talking about a disgruntled, exiled general. The essence of the report also is not just about Live Aid. It's that all monies going into Tigray - that would be Oxfam, Save the Children, UNICEF and Christian Aid - somehow, we were all duped and gulled. And that's simply not the case. It just didn't happen." We are also talking about Meles Zinawi, who is currently president of Ethiopia...

It appears that the guns have fallen silent - figuratively speaking of course - in the feud between Lily Allen and Courtney Love, but not before both women managed to squeeze off a few more frantic salvos, as is usually the case before peace breaks out. As we reported last week, the two feisty female singers had lambasted each other publicly, after engaging in a furious argument backstage at the recent NME Awards. The tension was ratcheted up still more in the past seven days as both women posted unflattering photos of each other online, and used their Twitter accounts to equally derisive effect. Despite Allen apologizing and admitting that posting an uncomplimentary photo Love was "mean", the Hole singer roared back, blogging: "Your really a brat (sic), is there anyone who you haven't started a meaningless strop with? The night you did all the blow on earth... the night you home invaded me did all the blow I've ever seen in my home wouldn't leave and blamed ME for yr s*** show? thighs? (sic)" Allen has since attempted to diffuse the situation, taking to her Twitter account once again to declare: "Don't want to drag this thing out but, for the record I thought Courtney Love was attacking me, hence my response. In retrospect, having read her twitter updates and found them quite hard to decipher, I think she is in trouble and in need of help.... I hope she has people looking out for her." I've read that a couple of times and I still can't decide whether it is an apology or an insult, but Allen would probably do well to walk away from this one because Courtney Love is Norman Bates nuts and a cat fight between these two would be like throwing a tabby in against a tiger...

Speaking of feuds, the simmering tension between Sharon Osbourne and Kylie's sister Danni Minogue, appears to have come to the boil again, after the former used a recent interview with the Guardian newspaper to show that there remains no love lost between the two women. Osbourne and Minogue frequently clashed on camera, and off, in their capacity as judges on the UK version of American Idol, until Ozzy's mouthy wife decided to call it quits in 2008. The two women had ostensibly buried the hatchet in the recent times, but during the course of her interview with the Guardian, Osbourne claimed: "(Dannii) wasn't so much a dim bulb as a bulb in a power cut. F***ing useless." Kelly Osbourne leaped to her mother's defense last week, by the seemingly obligatory means of Twitter, writing: "My mum never said that comment about Danni. She does not talk about light bulbs and fuses those words are not in my mums vocabulary! (sic). What is wrong with people first I was miss quoted now someone completely made up that Dannii quote (sic). The press can get away with murder! My mum is worst then (sic) me, she says enough print worthy comments that THEY DONT NEED TO MAKE UP STUPID QUOTES ABOUT DANNII! It 10000000% (sic) never came out of my mother's mouth. She is a mother in her 50's (no offence mum you look 30) she is not in HIGH SCHOOL, she works her a** off and does not deserve this!" Okay, let's do a quick take on which party is more believable. On one side, we have one of the most respected newspapers in the entire world, renowned for its attention to detail and towering integrity. On the other, we have a woman with a tongue like a sewer, who once sent boxes filled with her children's excrement to journalists that gave her husband's music bad reviews. Not even the dumbest party member in Orwell's Nineteen-Eighty-Four would believe the kind of revisionism espoused by young Kelly...

Liam Gallagher was flapping his mouth once again last week, something of a regular occurrence since the break-up of Oasis this past October. Speaking in an interview with Esquire magazine, the loudest Gallagher brother ranted: "I really despise this new f***ing disease of indie f***ing s***, f***ing student music, the likes of Bloc Party and all that f***ing nonsense. They don''t keep me awake at night, but it's just s***e, and they can f***ing have it mate." Let me get this straight, because I must be living in some alternate universe. To the best of my recollection, for better or worse, Liam Gallagher helped define the genre known as indie during the course of the past decade or more, yet now he professes to hate it. Ergo, by extending his logic, Liam Gallagher hates himself. If he keeps mouthing off in such an obnoxious manner, I would imagine it won't be long before the rest of humanity hates him too. This fella is increasingly like someone that you thought was cool, until you actually got to know them and then realized that they are a complete tosser. Liam Gallagher saying he hates indie music is like Neil Armstrong saying he thinks all astronauts are idiots, and I've gone from lamenting Oasis' demise to wondering how in the name of Hunter S. Thompson his brother Noel put up with his mess for so long...

Staying on the subject of ornery indie icons, Paul Weller fans will be glad to know that the Modfather has no intentions of ever hanging up his guitar, as he loves music as much now as he did when he first started out, and intends to continue writing songs until the day that he forgets to wake up. Speaking to New Music Express last week, Weller confessed: "There are a lot of people my age who aren't fans any more, a lot of musicians who get to their 30s and just stop listening to music and that's f***ing weird to me. I can't imagine my life without it." All very laudable, and particularly admirable was the way in which he inferred that he is in his 30s, when he is in fact 51-years-old. If he ever suffers from songwriters block, I'm sure such creativity when it comes to numbers would ensure that he could get a job with Jeff Skilling, whenever he gets out of clink-clink...

Pete Townshend also reckons that he has added several years to his career, after being introduced to new state-of-the-art in-ear monitors, which will combat his increasing deafness. The Who guitarist claims that he was introduced to the technological marvels by a member of Neil Young's entourage. Maybe now that he can hear again, he'll realize just how ridiculous his excuse sounded that time he was caught with all those child porn images on his computer...

I read last week where Irish boybands (can you even call men in their mid-30s boybands?) Boyzone and Westlife are talking about making a record together and for some reason my mind was immediately consumed with images from the old Batman movie, where all of the villains united to create one supremely awful, unholy alliance. Speaking of the pairing up, Boyzone's Shane Lynch announced: "American artists like Jay-Z and Rihanna stick together and I think we should be more like that, too." I was going to say that comparing themselves to actual talented artists is a bit like comparing apples and oranges but even that analogy is inappropriate. It's more like comparing apples to carpet, or apples to spiders, or apples to catalytic converters. Well you get the picture...

Staying on an Irish theme but in imminently more talented circles; if you happen to be on the lookout for something that is a little of the beaten track in a musical sense, and want to contribute to a good cause in the process, then you could do a whole lot worse than check out Shane McGowan & Friends version of the old Screamin' Jay Hawkins track, I Put A Spell On You, which is released this week. All proceeds from the single will go to Irish charity Concern, and their stellar, ongoing efforts to ease the suffering of the unfortunate people of Haiti. The track offers a fresh take on a classic song, and features such artists as Nick Cave, Chrissie Hynde, Paloma Faith, Bobby Gillespie and others, all of whom came together for this one of single. It even features movie star Johnny Depp doing a nifty turn on guitar, and is yet another meaningful way of contributing to the ongoing relief effort on the impoverished Caribbean island. The single can be found at: http://www.7digital.com/artists/shane-macgowan-and-friends/i-put-a-spell-on-you, in addition to other places...

Known more for a tendency for unzipping his pants than any real intellectual capacity, Gene Simmons raised a few eyebrows with comments he made while over in the UK last week, touring with his band, Kiss. Speaking of his love for British music, the high-heeled bass player told an interviewer for XFM: "A thousand years from now they're going to look back on the 20th Century and what have the countries of the world given us? The United States gave the world atomic weapons. England gave the world music. What a great legend". Is it just me or does anybody else find that comment just a touch arbitrary? That's like saying: "France gave the world the philosophy of rationalism and Brazil gave the world shaved private parts." It kind of dismisses a few million things in order to make an invalid point. Simmons silly rant kind of reminds me of a bit that UK comedian Bill Bailey did about people who go on about how profound The Killers's track, All These Things That I Have Done is because of the lyric contained within, which states: "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier". Bailey correctly points out that said line is exactly as profound as singing the lyric: "I've got ham but I'm not a hamster." ... And anyway, technically speaking the United States only gave Japan atomic weapons...

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 4:09 AM | Permalink

Arsenal 3 Burnley 1

West Ham United 1 Bolton Wanderers 2

Wolves 0 Manchester United 1

Everton 5 Hull City 1

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 4:59 AM | Permalink

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:42 PM | Permalink

The instructions are simple, even if the puzzle isn't. You must put a number, from 1 to 9, in every box in the grid. However, each number can only appear once in a particular row or column and only once in each 3x3 sub-grid.

We hope you enjoy your weekly puzzles in The Irish Examiner.

Click here for the solution to this week's Easy Su Doku puzzle

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:44 PM | Permalink

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:45 PM | Permalink

The instructions are simple, even if the puzzle isn't. You must put a number, from 1 to 9, in every box in the grid. However, each number can only appear once in a particular row or column and only once in each 3x3 sub-grid.

We hope you enjoy your weekly puzzles in The Irish Examiner.

Click here for the solution to this week's Medium Su Doku puzzle

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:46 PM | Permalink

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:46 PM | Permalink

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:48 PM | Permalink

ACROSS

DOWN

Click here for the solution to this week's crossword

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:49 PM | Permalink

ACROSS

DOWN

Posted by Grahame I Curtis at 12:52 PM | Permalink