C103 Outside Broadcast from ACC Bank Cork Week.

ACC Bank Cork Week in Crosshaven was one of the highlights of the summer calendar for many - and having enjoyed myself thoroughly when it was last held two years ago, I was looking forward to it for ages too. Better still I got to do an OB from there mid-week, which was fun. We were broadcasting from inside a yacht - not on the water admittedly but on terra firma - probably just as well for me, the non-swimmer! Paddy Casey was due to play live that evening so he popped over for a wee chat (pictured above) and below is Nicole Maguire who supported him on the night, as well as having other support slots in the course of the week. She told me on air about one particular support slot recently which was exciting for unexpected reasons - while playing support to Damien Dempsey in Cyprus Avenue, Morrissey was in the audience! Here I am in my plum Morrissey t-shirt, enthralled... As it happens, I was only across the road in Crane Lane that night, completely oblivious... so near and yet so far!
Meanwhile, Nicole is headlining in Cyprus Avenue this Friday night so get along to see her... she has a lovely voice and personality too.

Another band that got to rock the big stage in Crosshaven was J90 who were due to play the following evening. Lead singer Ger Murphy came in for a wee chat on the airwaves as well - and there he is pictured below. Unfortunately it was one of the few nights I wasn't down there for the week... so missed their set... next time hopefully....
And I couldn't have done it without the help of the C103 Street Fleet: below are Rachel, Sinead and Ken.
Have loads of concert pics from Cork Week.... will post them soon.....

Cork Chamber Midsummer Ball.

The last ball of the season was the Cork Chamber Midsummer Ball at the Sheraton Fota Hotel. Luckily, after a week of questionable weather it was fine enough for us to mingle in the grounds for a while before tucking into a delicious meal and then dancing off the calories!
At every table there was a prize-winner and voila, at mine it was yours truly!! So an over-night stay at any Jury's Inn is mine - which I'm sure will come in handy soon.
Above I'm pictured with Risteard, who flew in specially from Paris, below with PR guru Jackie and below again with Elaine from Cork Now magazine. Also met loads of lovely people from Cork Chamber who made us feel very welcome - so a big thanks to everyone!

Kinsale Arts Week begins!

The opening of Kinsale Arts Week took place at the weekend in Charlesfort. Gathered on the green, we heard Cuban music (a theme of the festival) and hard the official speeches, took in the beauty of our surroundings and checked out the installation at the fort. By English artist Anya Gallacio, it's called 'If I was a painter, but then again, no' - and it involves coloured perspex pieces in the gaping windows of the building. When the sun hits them it results in some lovely hues beng cast around. The sun shone briefly for us which was a bit of a miracle... and how lovely Kinsale looks on a day like that!



Anyway there's loads to see and do between now and July 20th - comedy, music, workshops, art, discussion, cinema etc.... so check it out and enjoy! www.kinsaleartsweek.com

Memories of Portugal.

Had a wee break in Portugal recently to re-charge the batteries. Here I am slowly roasting despite my factor 30 suncream! Most of the holiday was spent quietly - at the beach and by the pool reading a book (got through one and a half in the week - an Irish one called 'Odds on Love by Fran O'Brien - an easy holiday read - and the meatier, grittier 'Gone Baby Gone' by Dennis Lehane) However, I am not content to sit still for too long and so took a bus tour one day which took me to the highest pint of the Algarve and the most South Westerly tip of Europe, as well as to several picturesque towns.
Above is the view from my apartment, while below is the vista from the the mountains.
And here is a bird of prey up close - one of the many features at Zoo Marine , which I visited one day. There was also an impressive dolphin show, seals, an aquarium (including sharks) and even pools for those who wanted to cool off.
It was so great to experience the heat, see the blue skies, eat al fresco and fervently wish that it could be like that at home upon my return. Alas, I have been sorely let down by the latter. What astonishlingly shocking weather we have had ever since. I live for summer - and constantly get my hopes up, only to have them cruely dashed. Come on, Big Guy in the Sky - our winters are looooonnnngggg enough - please compensate us with a few golden rays!!!!!