This afternoon I attended a flamenco concert at Farmleigh House. While the music and dance style of flamenco was appealing, I was more excited about the prospect of visiting the old Guinness family home at Farmleigh – a palatial spread for this wealthy family, that is now in use as the official guest house of the Irish state for visiting heads of state and other dignitaries. Continue reading Flamenco at Farmleigh
Last weekend I took a day trip to Limerick to attend the party of the year – the first birthday party for my nephew. While at home I found a newspaper which contained an article listing the top 30 walks to do in Ireland. I had done all the Dublin recommendations. With one exception – the Castleknock to Leixlip walk along the Royal Canal. Continue reading A good Friday
At 6pm last night in the City Assembly House on South William Street was the official launch of the 2019 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. As my paying job is in the industrial wastelands of County Dublin where I selflessly toil at the coalface of administration, an executive decision had to be made. So at 4.30 pm with an air of purpose I downed tools and departed for the day. Continue reading Launch of the 2019 IDGTF : ‘The Number’
For the third time in a week, I was at an Abbey production (but don’t worry about my looming bankruptcy – thanks to my dull cunning, the combined cost for these shows was 27 euro). This evening for my theatrical entertainment I was in attendance at ‘Dublin will show you how’. This was an off-site production for the Abbey – being held in the Complex – who co-produced the show. It was written by Tracy Martin and directed by Vanessa Fielding of the Complex. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Dublin will show you how’
On Tuesday I attended the Abbey Theatre (main stage) to see ‘Ulster American’ – a black, farcical comedy by David Ireland, directed by Gareth Nicholls. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Ulster American’ and ‘In our veins’
I moved to Amsterdam in 2000, and began work in my shiny new Dutch job on Monday morning. I had never been to Amsterdam before, didn’t speak a word of Dutch, didn’t know a soul, and had nowhere to live upon arrival. On my first day of work I was introduced to my new colleagues. One of whom was a Donegal woman named Maureen. We didn’t have much to say to each other. She sat behind me and listened to her music on her Discman, while I wallowed in self-pity at my foolhardy decision to move countries on a whim. As I was brand new in my position I had no time off earned, to return home to Ireland to lick my wounds that Christmas. This weighed heavy on my soul. So much so that on December 20th I started singing an Elvis classic to myself. Continue reading My friend Maureen
There is a new chef in the canteen at my high powered, executive company in the industrial wastelands of county Dublin. His cooking is reasonable. While I’d be miffed if I was served up his dishes in a restaurant, for a canteen it is perfectly acceptable, no frills stodge – both a meat and vegetarian option. While on lunch today, discussing the merits and weak points of the various chefs who have worked here, a strange incident occurred. Continue reading A stodgy plate of confusion
So the Taoiseach (prime minister of Ireland) is a fan of Kylie Minogue. This is not surprising. Leo Varadkar is 40 so would have borne witness to Charlene’s explosion onto the international consciousness as part of Neighbours in the 1980s, and her evolution into a global pop sensation with Stock Aitken and Waterman a few years later. Kylie’s special place in the heart of the gay community might be confusing to some, but it is undeniable. Speaking personally, I have seen her in concert on numerous occasions, in various countries over the years, depending on where I have been living at the time. Continue reading The Taoiseach and the Showgirl
On May 6th this year (it’s a bank holiday) the 16th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival opens. Running for 2 weeks, it features twenty plays across four venues. I took part in the festival in 2017 as both actor and writer with my first full length play ‘An unexpected party’ at the Teachers’ Club on Parnell Square. It was an absolute blast. So much so that I submitted another piece this year. Which to my delight has been accepted for inclusion in this year’s festival. So back at the Teachers’ Club from May 6th to May 11th, for 8 shows, my play ‘The Number’ will be showing. Continue reading IDGTF: ‘The Number’
I scowled at her as she boarded the bus, mentally willing her to go upstairs, or at least as far away from me, as is humanly possible on a double decker bus. Of course she couldn’t hear my internal monologue. She was too busy roaring at her friend who she had on speakerphone. Ignorant as it may be to make the conversation audible to the rest of the bus, it wasn’t quite as bad as he own voice which had the timbre of a high pitched shriek. I have no doubt that my anti-social, early morning personality may have been informing my mood this morning, but this was a real endurance test. On what planet is it acceptable to force other people to listen to both sides of an inane babble about ITune purchases. Especially when your speaking voice resembles nails on a blackboard. Continue reading Chronicles of the Wastelands: A passion for fashion
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