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Cork

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Storm Frank hit Ireland with a vengeance on Tuesday, leaving many families along the south and west coasts of the country in dire straits.

As well as power outages, road closures and gale force winds, hundreds of homes were left severely flooded.

In a touching move, a five-star Cork hotel has opened its doors to those affected by the aftermath of Storm Frank – and his successor, Storm Gertrude.

Taking to Twitter yesterday, the Castlemartyr Resort Hotel said it would do its utmost to offer accommodation to locals in the area who were forced out of their homes due to storm damage.

Due to the flooding in Castlemartyr we would like to extend accommodation to families in need! Please contact Cathal…

Posted by Castlemartyr Resort on Wednesday, 30 December 2015

"Due to the flooding in Castlemartyr we would like to extend accommodation to families in need!

"Please contact Cathal Lynch, General Manager or Castlemartyr Community Council whom we are liaising with!" a post on the luxury hotel's Facebook page stated.

The post has had thousands of likes and shares, with many expressing their delight at the hotel's kindness during what is no doubt an extremely busy time of year.

Yesterday many residents in the south of the country took to social media to share images of just how extreme the weather had become:

Here's hoping our crazy winter weather ends soon.

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When we hear of the great masters of art, like Leonardo da Vinci or Manet, we rarely think of Irish painters.

But the works of a Cork painter, James Barry are the subject of a new book which has just won a prestigious art literature award. 

The 18th century artist begun painting in 1777, when he was 36 and he featured most of his famous work at the Royal Society of Arts in London. 

But before James agreed to paint murals on the arts society's walls, he insisted he receive full control over subject matter. 

The murals turned out to be highly personal to James, and he hid the true meaning from the Royal Society members. 

Basically (what made him a total badass at the time), the images were of a Catholic nature, and Mr Barry painted them when Catholicism was not exactly in favour in Britain. 

And if James was up front about his subject matter, he would have lost his commission and be banished from London immediately. 

The huge murals took him seven years to complete, and it was only a few years after his death in 1806 that other artists began to study the messages behind the paintings. 

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Once December hits, most of us love getting into the Christmas spirit. 

The glistening trees, presents, turkey and decorations are some of the things we all enjoy about the festive season. 

But these few people around Ireland have taken their decorations to a whole new level… and we LOVE it:

1. Bath Avenue, Dublin

 

2. Dalkey

 

3. Tallaght, Dublin

 

4. Cork

 

5. Artane, Dublin

 

6. Inchicore

 

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Do you have plans for the next four weeks?

Well now you do because there are Christmas markets all around the country that you need to visit. 

We are already stupidly excited about the arrival of the GIANT 15 metre tree that has arrived in Dublin for the festive season. Now we’re even more eager to spread the Christmas cheer because… Christmas markets.

Dublin 

Dublin's Custom House Quarter will be transformed in order to host the I Believe Festival, which is running from November 26 to December 23. 

Along with an appearance from Santa (of course) the “chalet style village” is going to offer amazing food and craft stalls so those last minute shopping trips won’t seem so bad.  Also, this will be the home of that massive tree, so basically everything you love about Christmas in one place.

Galway 

Grab your Lederhosen! Galway's Christmas market is offering a range of traditional fare this year. The market has 50 stalls takinh over the central square, with an amazing mix of food, crafts and festive activity.

Live entertainment is a big part of the festivities here, with choirs galore. And naturally, a souvenir-sized German beer tent sits at the heart of it all, offering Bavarian brews, salty pretzels, sauerkraut and more. Robbie Henshaw will be on hand to kick-off the festival on Friday 20 November.

Limerick 

Limerick's Milk Market is the best spot for Christmas activity for visit for two reasons: 1) ALL of the food and 2) the all-weather canopy covering.

If we’re being honest Irish Christmas markets are more likely to be caressed by rain than snow, so that canopy is a big plus. Also, the stalls packed with artisan foods are there all year round but when Christmas arrives they pull out all the stops. Just try the special festive fudges and you’ll understand.

Belfast 

Stalls are basically packed around Belfast’s City Hall, with a fab range of food, drinks, crafts and titbits available from Europe and beyond.

There is also a special post box whisking post off to the North Pole (get there before Dec 17). Also, brunch lovers should keep St. George’s Market – open all year round – in mind.

Cork 

Not to be outdone, Cork's Glow festival promises to be an amazing Christmas event. This year includes Ireland's largest Ferris wheel… winning. 

The market on Grand Parade has the usual festive food and craft stalls (don't forget to pop into the English Market across the road for a little Christmas nibble).

The highlight of Cork's celebrations though is the transformation of Bishop Lucey Park. The park is to become a Victorian pop-up storybook throughout Glow, with 3D scenes from 'Twas the Night Before Christmas set to create a very ethereal vibe. So you are basically in your own Christmas fairytale. 

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We were warned by Met Éireann that Barney was about to hit – and those rather clever meteorologists weren't wrong either: the storm has well and truly arrived in Ireland.

Indeed, 45,000 people are currently without power: ESB says the outages have been reported in parts Clare, Offaly, Westmeath, Kerry, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wicklow.

Those in Limerick and Clare have even been told to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. 

Meanwhile, flights are being diverted from Dublin and Cork airports, while Shannon Airport has recorded a wind speed of an astonishing 129km/h. 

Furthermore, Dawson Street and Trinity Street in Dublin's city centre have now been closed for safety reasons.

And southbound Dart services are currently only operating to/from Dalkey due to a power failure near Killiney.

The Dublin Fire Brigade has instructed those without electricity not to use any naked flames for light other than candles. It added that wheelie bins may need to be tied down. 

This afternoon a Ryanair flight was forced to abort two attempted landings at Shannon – before diverting to Liverpool.

With winds at Cork and Dublin also too strong for flight FR-1183 from London Gatwick, the pilot had to safely steer the craft towards Liverpool instead. 

Aer Lingus flights to and from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol have all also been cancelled, as have City Jet planes to and from London City Airport.

Met Éireann this evening is saying that it will remain very windy, especially in the east – but that conditions will gradually ease before midnight with good clear spells developing. 

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Do you remember the news that rocked the world of any and all chocolates fans last month? 

When Brown Thomas announced that they would be introducing a personalisation service for our favourite chocolate spread, the internet went absolutely wild.  

The "ultimate stocking filler" has proven to be a massive success in Brown Thomas Dublin. So much so that Brown Thomas Cork are opening up their own personalisation station too. 

Hurrah! 

Chocolate lovers (or very good gift-givers) will have the opportunity to personalise a jar of Nutella with up to 9 characters. 

Individual personalised jars will be priced at €5.50, there is also the option to purchase a personalised jar in a presentation box for €7.50. 

Once again, Caoimhe can finally have her own personalised treat, but those Christophers and Blaithnaids will still be left waiting, unfortunately. 

The Nutella Personalisation service is available exclusively at Brown Thomas Cork from Tuesday 17th November.

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Just when you thought it was safe to go to work again… you realise that the trains won't be running tomorrow morning.

Yup, a total of 41 Dart services, 45 Dublin Commuter services, 30 Cork Commuter services, and 42 Intercity/regional services will in all likelihood be cancelled (unless last-minute crises talks prove successful). Gulp!

Taking place from 6am to 9am as a result of industrial action by drivers, it's sure to cause commuters – to say the least – plenty of Friday mayhem. 

Trains that leave before the planned strike at 6am will continue to travel as normal, Irish Rail has confirmed. 

During a similar strike held last month, disgruntled passengers may remember that Hailo had one of its busiest mornings ever as thousands sought out alternative ways to get to work and college.

Today, the taxi company was encouraging anyone hitting the road before 9am tomorrow to plan their journey carefully.

From 7am to 10am it's also offering a helpful 20 percent off journeys – an incentive which proved hugely popular last time.

"The 20 percent discount codes will be displayed on our Facebook and Twitter profiles as soon as they are live," it added in a statement.

In addition, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Luas tram services will all be operating normally – albeit at full capacity so make sure to allow extra time for our trip.

More information is also available at irishrail.ie.

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Following a post-mortem examination at Cork University Hospital, a number of packages have been recovered from the stomach of a young man who died on board an Aer Lingus plane.

The 24-year-old Brazilian national, whom independent.ie has named as John Santos Gurjao, fell ill on Lisbon-Dublin flight EI 485.

He reportedly became “extremely violent” – even biting a fellow passenger who attempted to restrain him – before falling unconscious and dying.

The packages have now been sent for forensic analysis. RTÉ News reports that at least one of them was ruptured. They are believed to have contained cocaine totaling around 800g in weight and worth €55,000 on the street.

A Garda spokesman confirmed late last night: “The post-mortem has taken place. A number of packages have been recovered and have been forwarded for forensic examination. The toxicology results are awaited.”

The flight was diverted to Cork with the pilots citing a “medical emergency,” and requesting permission to make an unscheduled landing.

This morning, gardaí continue to question a 44-year old Portuguese woman who was also on the same flight. It is believed that 2kg of a powdered substance has already been recovered from her luggage.

RTÉ says she has been living in Dublin for several years and is involved in a number of businesses, including offering herself as a consultant to non-EU residents seeking visas to work and study in Ireland.

The post mortem was conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster, who has now also ordered further toxicology tests.

In an astonishingly account, John Leonard, who was also on the same plane, has yesterday told Cork's 96fm that the Brazilian man was "on the ground shaking violently" prior to his death.

He went on to explain: "The noise he was making was like something I have never heard before. 

"It's not something you'd hear everyday. It was like deep anguish is the best way I could describe it, very, very troubled.

"Not screaming in a sense, you know if you'd hurt yourself or something, just very guttural, from deep within him."

Mr Leonard furthermore said that it was a "very violent end". He stated: "To die that way in the back of an aeroplane, it's not right. It was not very pleasant at all."

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A man who fell ill on an Aer Lingus flight became “extremely violent” before falling unconscious and dying on board the plane.

The Lisbon-Dublin flight EI 485 had to be diverted to Cork when the dead man, aged 24 and a Brazilian national, bit a fellow passenger who was attempting to restrain him.

A 44-year-old Portuguese woman onboard the same plane has now also been arrested. It is believed that she was travelling with the dead man. 

©RTE News

 

Gardai allegedly found 2kg of a powdered substance in her luggage and she is currently being detained under the Drug Trafficking Act, according to RTE News.

The Irish Mirror reports that the crew yesterday evening broadcast an emergency Pan Pan message three times in quick succession and advised air traffic controllers of an incident on board the Airbus A320-200.

The pilot requested clearance to divert and land at Cork Airport, telling controllers that there was a man “running amok” and that he had “injured one or two passengers”.

It is also understood there was a doctor and two nurses on board who tried to assist the restrained passenger.

In an astonishingly account, John Leonard, who was also on the plane, told Cork's 96fm that the Brazilian man was "on the ground shaking violently".

He went on to explain: "The noise he was making was like something I have never heard before. It's not something you'd hear everyday. It was like deep anguish is the best way I could describe it, very, very troubled.

"Not screaming in a sense, you know if you'd hurt yourself or something, just very guttural, from deep within him."

Mr Leonard furthermore said that it was a "very violent end". He stated: "To die that way in the back of an aeroplane, it's not right. It was not very pleasant at all."

All 168 passengers and six crew members were removed from the plane in Cork while gardai, airport paramedics and an ambulance rushed to the scene.

The passenger who suffered from the bite was also taken to hospital as a precaution.

The Irish Mirror adds that although the dead man wasn't Irish he “may have been studying in the country”.

Describing the incident as a “medical emergency,” Aer Lingus said last night in a statement: “Flight EI 485 Lisbon to Dublin diverted into Cork due to a medical emergency on board.

“There were 168 guests and six crew members on board. The flight landed safely at 17.40 local time.”

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The result of TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards has been revealed and now the top ten best places to eat in Ireland have been announced.

According to TripAdvisor users the vegetarian restaurant Café Paradiso in Cork is the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Ireland.

 

The restaurant, located in Lancaster Quay in Cork beat two Dublin restaurants to clinch the top spot; Ross Lewis-owned Chapter One and Brazilian eatery Sabor.

Café Paradiso has a pretty incredible rating on the website. On average out of over 500 reviews users rate the veggie-paradise with 4.5 stars, almost a perfect score.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, the Geraldine O’Toole, co-owner of Cafe Paradiso said:

“The thing about TripAdvisor is that it is based on reviews on the people who eat in restaurants and not on what the critics are saying. That is what makes this award so special.”

 

The award is based on these reviews, and the Cork eatery lead the pack in terms of Ireland’s finest dining locations. The top 10 according to TripAdvisor are:

1. Café Paradiso, Cork

2. Chapter One, Dublin

3. Sabor Brazil, Dublin

4. An Port Mor Restaurant, Mayo

5. Kai, Galway

6. Eala Bhan, Sligo

7. Ristorante Rinuccini, Kilkenny

8. Freddy's Bistro, Limerick

9. The Pig's Ear, Dublin

10. Zuni, Kilkenny

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Your next road trip around the country is about to get an awful lot more delicious.

Topaz has announced that it will be bringing Rockets by Eddie Rockets to petrol stations around the country.

Oh yes, 40 forecourts nationwide will now feature one of our favourite fast food restaurants. The little sister of Eddie Rockets is going to be popping up at garages around the country over the next year.

Douglas in Co. Cork was the first location to include the burger joint. We’re only a little bit jealous.

Garages at Dublin Port and Brennanstown in Co. Wicklow will be serving some of the takeaway’s most famous dishes by the end of the year.

A further 15 Rockets are expected to open in 2016 and Topaz promise the "most innovative forecourt dining experience in Ireland" to their customers.

The chain is famous for their impressive array of burger choices (the M50 burger is seeming very fitting at this point), and customers are assured that their food will continue to be made fresh on site.

Attempting to eat a giant chicken fillet burger while navigating the M7 on Friday evening could prove to be treacherous indeed, so we are hoping that there might some on-site dining available.

There are promises of “unique and portable” salads, hotdogs, tenders and milkshakes.

This should be interesting indeed, and just when we thought Barack Obama Plaza had reached peak forecourt levels. Amazing.

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Yesterday Ashy Murphy uploaded a home video to Facebook and since then it has been viewed over 8 million times.

No, unfortunately it was not one of those adorably cute videos of puppies running or toddlers dancing to Bruno Mars. Instead Ashy took a video while she was at her aunt’s house in Blackrock, Cork of some very strange activity happening.

The video has been shared almost 200,000 times on Facebook since it was uploaded and it is not the only one that Ashy has shared. While similar things happen in both videos, there are both still equally freaky.

The internet feels a bit suspicious of Ashy’s poltergeist claims, but that does not make it any less creepy.
 

Its getting way worse I defo have to move house 

Posted by Ashy Murphy on Monday, 21 September 2015

 

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